The seventh day (Sapthami) in the Telugu month of Magha is celebrated as Ratha Sapthami. This day also marks the beginning of the harvesting season and instils hope amongst the farmers to look forward to a promising new year ahead. Sun God is worshipped on this day. It is also considered to be the day when the Sun’s first rays were directed towards the universe.
Lord Surya – The Sun God
Lord Surya, also called Aditya is said to have been born to Kashyapa and Aditi. Aruna, his charioteer is born of Kashyapa’s other wife Vinata. Aruna represents the golden radiance that arrives before the Sun. Lord Sun God’s chariot is said to be drawn by 7 horses that represent the 7 colours of the spectrum.
The sun is the supreme source of energy, light and warmth. The sun possesses non-diminishing brilliance in abundance and the Sun’s energy is vital for sustaining life on this earth. Sun dispels darkness and is considered the most visible manifestation of God (Pratyaksha daivam). Sun has the power to heal. Surya is said to be the witness to every action that happens in the universe.
Sun God is said to be easily pleased and a simple prayer offered is sufficient to make Him happy. He is also considered very generous and capable of curing sickness in people. Lord bestows on his devotees health, wealth, progeny and long life. Chanting or doing meditation on Him is supposed to help sharpen the mind.
Surya Namaskaram
One prominent and beneficial form of worship is the Surya Namaskaram.
There is a saying:
Vishnu Alankarapriya, Shiva Abhisheka priya, Surya Namaskara priya, Devi Pradakshina priya, Brahmano Bhojana priya,
which indicates Lord Surya can be easily pleased with offering namaskarams. The Surya Namaskaram consists of 12 steps in the form of asanas or postures offering salutations to Lord Surya. There are many versions of the steps involved, but all of them focus on the sequence of postures and are deemed very beneficial. Regular practice of Surya Namaskarams results in both physical and mental development and many other benefits.
From obvious flexibility to the bones and joints, Surya Namaskaram is said to help in weight loss, control blood sugar, help the digestive system, reduce stress levels, enhance the nervous system help insomnia and provide better sleep.
Each cycle or each pose can be accompanied by the recitation of the 12 Naamaas of the Sun God viz., Mitra, Ravi, Surya, Bhanu, Khaga, Pushan, Hiranyagarbha, Marichi, Aditya, Savitr, Arka and Bhaskara; modulation in inhaling and exhaling is also done to maximize the effect.
The Vedic form of Surya Namaskaram is the recitation of Saura Suktam and Aruna Prashnan, both of which praise the glory and manifestations of Surya.
Lord Surya is considered the eyes of every being and of the devatas and he is said to have arisen from the eyes of the supreme. Caksho: Suryo ajayata says the Purusha Suktam. Reciting or listening to these mantras helps calm one’s mind and re-energise oneself.
Lord Surya’s benevolence
The puranas provide evidence of divine intervention by Lord Surya. Lord Hanuman considers Surya as his guru and it was Surya who blessed Hanuman with the capability of changing his form and size.
Lord Rama received the Aditya hridaya stotram from Sage Agastya. It is a prayer to Lord Surya which ensured Rama won the battle against Ravana.
Yudhishtira receives an Akshayapatra (vessel that provides enough food when sought) from Lord Surya during exile.
Observing Rathasapthami
On Rathasapthami day, it is a practice to have a ritual bath placing 7 arka leaves along with akshatas (rice mixed with turmeric) on the head. This bath is usually performed before sunrise. The seven leaves signify seven types of Paapams (sins). Likewise, punyam (merit) is earned when a good or meritorious deed is performed.
A bath with arka leaves on Rathasapthami is said to facilitate the washing away of all kinds of paapams (sins). After the bath, worship and prayers to Lord Surya are performed and offering of argyam is done.
Philosophical significance of Rathasapthami
Ratha, the chariot is symbolic of the mind which can be moved from place to place. The innumerable and ever-flowing thoughts that arise in the mind are like different horses, which pull the mind in many different directions. The northern direction symbolises the path towards the supreme Brahman.
Rathasapthami is a reminder to humans and should realise that their life purpose should be aligned towards the bigger goals and their thoughts (horses) must be carefully controlled, recalibrated and directed to lead them towards the Supreme Being.
- Asatoma sadgamaya – reveals to us the Reality of dispelling the illusion
- Tamasoma jyotirgamaya – lead us to awareness removing the Ignorance.
- Mrutyorma amrutam gamaya – lead us to Immortality, overcoming death.
Rathasapthami in Tirumala
Rathasapthami is an important day at Tirumala.On Rathasapthami, one-day Brahmotsavam is held in Tirumala. On this day, the Utsava Murthy Lord Malayappa Swami along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken in a procession on the Mada streets surrounding the main temple.
Seven (the same number that represents the number of horses in Surya’s chariot) diverse vahanams carry the deities by turn.
The same grandeur witnessed during the Brahmotsavam can be seen here, all the events compressed within a day. The day begins with Surya Prabha Vahanam early morning around sunrise, followed by Chinna Sesha Vahanam a little later, Garuda Vahanam before noon, Hanuma Vahanam past noon followed by Chakrasananam (the holy bath to Chakratalvar in pushkarini), Kalpavriksha Vahanam early evening, Sarvabhoopala Vahanam around sunset.
The procession concludes with the Chandra Prabha Vahanam. Each of these processions last around an hour and cover the four Mada streets.
Let Sri Surya Bhagavan shower us all with his abundant grace.
