RATHA SAPTHAMI (Surya Jayanthi)

RATHA SAPTHAMI (Surya Jayanthi)

Maagha Sukla Sapthami

Concept-Significance-Customs & Traditions-Merits etc…

Ratha Sapthami also known as Magha Sapthami or Maha Sapthami is a highly auspicious Sun centric festival dedicated to the Sun God 'Surya' whose antharyaami is the Supreme God 'NaAraAyana' the Hari Sarvottama.

It occurs on the seventh day of the bright fortnight during the lunar month Magha Masam that coincides with the calendar months January-February.

This day also known as Surya Jayanthi is the day Sun God considered as an incarnation of Lord Sri ManNaaraayana had taken birth to the divine couple Aditi and Sage Kasyapa.

Literally Ratha means a chariot.

Sapthami is a lunar day (thithi) occurring on the 7th day of both fortnights (sukla and krishna paksha).

At the time of division of constellations, each lunar day or thithi was attributed to one deity. In the process Sapthami thithi was allotted to Sun God and hence it is his favourite day.

Sun (Surya) is the presiding deity of the lunar day Sapthami.

On the day of Ratha Sapthami, northern movement of Sun is supposed to take definite effect of his journey towards the northern hemisphere after his transit into Makara Raasi on Makara Sankramana Day.

Traditionally, Ratha Sapthami is depicted as the day Sun God will be riding over a chariot having seven horses driven by Aruna (brother of Lord Garuda) the charioteer who has undeveloped lower body (Anoora).

Ratha Sapthami is regarded as the day on which the chariot of Sun God is diverted towards north and move towards north east direction bringing entry of the spring season.

Chariot of Sun is depicted as having only one wheel that represents the KaAlachakra and the seven horses represent seven colours of light (VIBGYOR); seven horses also represent seven days in the week starting from Sunday (Aaditya vaara/Bhanu vaara/Arka Vaara/Ravi Vaara) the day dedicated to Sun God.

Entire KaAlachakra or wheel of time is established on the wheel of the Sun-God's chariot. This wheel is known as Samvatsara.

Following slokas from Suryaashtaka establishes the above concepts.

Sapthaaswaratha-maroodam prachandam kasyapathmajam

Swethapadmadharam devam tham suryam pranamamyaham

Bandhooka pushpasankasam harakundala bhushitham

Ekachakradharam devam tham suryam pranamamyaham

Sun (Surya) is a God; a living God; Aadi Daivam; Sanatana; whom everyone can see, perceive and pray.

Though he is visible, he has been presented in a variety of forms also. He is the divine light, life-giver and time-giver. Vedas adore him as a witness of all actions (Karma SaAkshi).

Brahmaswaroopo udaye madhyahnethu Maheswaraha

Asthakale swayam VishnuH Trayimoorthi Diwakaraha;

A visible God; Sun is worshiped as Thrimoorthi Swaroopa, personification of three Trinal Lords – Brahma; Vishnu and Maheswara.

Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram (sloka # 94) describes Lord Vishnu as...

"Ravirvirochanah Suryah Savitaa RaviLochana"

·        the One who is the Sun Himself,

·        the One who glitters always and makes the Sun shine;

·        He is the light that illumines Sun,

·        the one who creates the worlds, and

·        the one who has Sun for his eyes;

Purusha Sooktha describes Sun as born from the eyes of Lord SriManNaaraayana > "Chaksho! Suryo Ajaayathah"

VIROCHANA is one of the attributes of Lord Vishnu;

Rochana means the Light; if Sun is the light,

Savithru naamaka Vishnu is VIROCHANA the lustre in the light who makes the Sun shine;

Sun is also expressed as Savitha (Savithre Namah) that we come across in Gayathri Manthra. Savitha is one of the several thousand names of Lord Vishnu who is 'Savithrunaamaka NaAraAyana' the most sacred among all the elements of sanctity who is antharyaami of Sun God (Surya);

In Bhagawadgita (Vibhooti Yoga sloka # 10.21) Lord Sri Krishna says, "aadityaanaamaham vishnujyotirshaam rvianshumaan..."

He is Vishnu among the Dwaadasa Aadityas and the radiant Sun (RAVI) among the luminaries;

Sun God is known by several other names, popularly…

Surya; Aaditya; Mithra; Ravi; Savitha; Arka; Bhaskara; Marichi; Diwakara; Prabhakara; Bhanu; Vivasvatha.

He is worshiped as Pratyaksha Daivam, perceivable God.

Lord Sri Rama was born in Surya Vamsa; Ikshvaku dynasty;

Famous hymn on Sun God, Aaditya Hridayam was narrated to Lord Sri Rama by Sage Agasthya to energize Him in the battle against Ravanasura.

Yudhishtira (Dharmaraja) the elder brother of Pandavas got the Akshaya Paathra (bowl) after worshiping Sun.

Kunthi Devi mother of Pandavas worshiped Sun God before giving birth to Karna by virtue of a boon given by Sage Duurvaasa.

Sathraajith [(father of Sathyabhaama (wife of Lord Sri Krishna)] was blessed with Syamanthaka Mani after worshiping Sun God.

Saambha, son of Lord Sri Krishna and Jambavathi, got rid of his Leprosy after worshiping Sun.

Thus, we find several pouranic references to Sun worship.

Bheeshma Pithamaha waited for this sacred day of Ratha Sapthami and had his last breath on the day after Ratha Sapthami known as Bheeshmaashtami.

Vivaswatha who is son of Sun God is the seventh Manuvu in whose name the present Manvanthara is named after called as Vaivaswatha Manvanthara the period in which we are currently living. Lot of significance is given to Sun worship during this Manvanthara.

Ratha Sapthami is considered as Vaivaswatha Manvaadi, the day current Vaivaswatha Manvanthara had commenced.

Hindu religion considers Sun as a vital God to be worshiped.

Several Vedic verses on Sun are incorporated into Nithya Vidhi (mandatory daily routine) like Sandhyavandana, Surya Namaskara, Gayathri japa, Surya Arghya etc.

Sun is called Namaskara Priya; He blesses the devotees who offer him a simple namaskara with all humility and devotion. That is how Surya Namaskara a yogic prakriya related to Sun has become very popular.

Surya Namaskara is a special physical exercise dedicated to the worship of Sun God that we observe being practiced by the devotees early in the morning before Sunrise.

Sun worship is prevailing and being followed since time immemorial. Some of the useful prayers related to Sun are Suryaashtakam, Aaditya Hrudayam, Gayathri, Surya Sahasranama etc.

Sun worship will be very effective if it is done at the time of Sunrise. Worship of Sun on Sunday is believed to bring manifold benefits to the worshipers.

Phala sruthi of Sun related stothras says that Sun worship is...

·        Navagraha peeda parihara;

·        bestows progeny for the childless;

·        helps in coming out of poverty;

·        cures illness and gets rid of health problems haunting for the past seven births.

Sun God is considered as the health giver; "Arogyam Bhaskaraddhichhett" Sun rays have healing power.

Sun promotes in human beings their physical, mental and spiritual abilities. Sun grants individuality and will power. He is the destroyer of darkness, sins and afflictions.

Worshiping Sun God on the day of Ratha Sapthami is highly sacred and meritorious.

SreE VisHnum jagataAm naAdham

JnaAna-vijnaAna-mokshadHam

MahaApaApaHaram deVam

ThAm SuuRyam praNamaAmyaham

My obeisance and salutations to Lord Sri MahaVishnu...

·        the Supreme God of the Universe,

·        the giver of wisdom and knowledge,

·        the one who destroys the sins,

·        the one whose prerogative is giving Moksha;

[Sun is considered as the giver of Health (Arogyam Bhaskaraddichhett) and Lord SriManNaaraayana as the giver (one and the only) of Moksha (Moksham Naaraayanaaddhichhett)]

for health, peace, prosperity, and happiness of the humanity and for the divine knowledge (gnaAna+bHakti+vaIragya).

Dhyeyassada Savithrumandala madhyavarthi

Narayana Sarasijasana Sannivishtah

Keyuuravaan Makarakundalavaan Kireeti

Hari Hiranmaya Vapuhdhruta Sankha Chakrah

Meaning...

He (Lord Vishnu), as the Primordial person giving darshan from the center of Surya (Savithru) Mandala (Sun’s Globe),

·        seated on a lotus,

·        with golden bracelets,

·        wearing a crown,

·        shark shaped earrings (Makara Kundala);

·        golden in complexion,

·        holding Shankha and Chakra in his hands.

Above sloka indicates anusandhana while praying Sun God > Surya.

Customs & Traditions of RATHA SAPTHAMI

(Significance of Arka Pathra)

Arka Pathra SnaAna (Taking bath with Arka Pathra)

Arka is commonly called as Jilledu in Telugu; Ekka in Kannada; Erukku in Tamil; and Calotrope (bowstring hemp) in English.

It is an age-old tradition that, on the day of Ratha Sapthami one should take bath during Arunodaya kaala (before Sunrise) with seven Arka leaves (7 in number) by keeping one on the head, two on the shoulders, two on the knees and two on the feet. After taking bath Arghya should be given to Sun God.

Taking bath on this day in holy rivers is highly meritorious.

It is believed that by using Arka leaves while taking bath on this day, one will get rid of his/her sins committed in seven previous births.

Arka pathra Snaana Manthra

Yadhyajjanma kritham paapam maya sapthasu janmasu

Thanme rogancha sokancha maakari hanthu sapthami;

Yetattjanmakritham paapam yachha janmaantharaarjitham

Mano-vaakkayajam yachha gnathagnathancha yathpunaha;

Ithi sapthavidham paapam snaanaanme saptha sapthake

Sapthavyaadhi-samaayuktham hara maakari Sapthami…

Suurya Arghya Manthra

Saptha-sapthi-vaha-preetha sapthaloka-pradeepana

Sapthami-sahitho deva gruhanaarghyam Diwaakara

ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಂತ್ರ

ಯದ್ಯಜ್ಜನ್ಮಕೃತಂ ಪಾಪಂ ಮಯಾ ಸಪ್ತಸು ಜನ್ಮಸು |

ತನ್ಮೇ ರೋಗಂ ಚ ಶೋಕಂ ಚ ಮಾಕರೀ ಹಂತು ಸಪ್ತಮೀ |

ಏತಜ್ಜನ್ಮಕೃತಂ ಪಾಪಂ ಯಚ್ಚ ಜನ್ಮಾಂತರಾರ್ಜಿತಂ |

ಮನೋವಾಕ್ಕಾಯಜಂ ಯಚ್ಚ ಜ್ಞಾತಾಜ್ಞಾತಂ ಚ ಯತ್ಪುನ: |

ಇತಿ ಸಪ್ತವಿಧಂ ಪಾಪಂ ಸ್ನಾನಾನ್ಮೇ ಸಪ್ತ ಸಪ್ತಕೇ |

ಸಪ್ತವ್ಯಾಧಿಸಮಾಯುಕ್ತಂ ಹರ ಮಾಕರಿ ಸಪ್ತಮಿ |

ಸೂರ್ಯ ಅರ್ಘ್ಯ ಮಂತ್ರ

ಸಪ್ತಸಪ್ತಿವಹಪ್ರೀತ ಸಪ್ತಲೋಕಪ್ರದೀಪನ |

ಸಪ್ತಮೀ ಸಹಿತೋ ದೇವ ಗೃಹಾಣಾರ್ಘ್ಯಂ ದಿವಾಕರ |

स्नान मंत्र

यद्यज्जन्मकृतं पापं मया सप्तसु जन्मसु ।

तन्मे रोगं च शोकं च माकरी हंतु सप्तमी ।

एतज्जन्मकृतं पापं जच्च जन्मांतरार्जितं ।

मनोवाक्कायजं यच्च ज्ञाताज्ञातं च यत्पुन: ।

इति सप्तविधं पापं स्नानान्मे सप्त सप्तके ।

सप्तव्याधिसमायुक्तं हर माकरि सप्तमि ।

अर्घ्य मंत्र

सप्तसप्तिवहप्रीत सप्तलोकप्रदीपन ।

सप्तमी सहितो देव गृहाणार्घ्यं दिवाकर ।

స్నాన మంత్ర

యద్యజ్జన్మకృతం పాపం మయా సప్తసు జన్మసు |

తన్మే రోగం చ శోకం చ మాకరీ హంతు సప్తమీ |

ఏతజ్జన్మకృతం పాపం యచ్చ జన్మాంతరార్జితం |

మనోవాక్కాయజం యచ్చ జ్ఞాతాజ్ఞాతం చ యత్పున: |

ఇతి సప్తవిధం పాపం స్నానాన్మే సప్త సప్తకే |

సప్తవ్యాధిసమాయుక్తం హర మాకరి సప్తమి |

సూర్య అర్ఘ్య మంత్ర

సప్తసప్తివహప్రీత సప్తలోకప్రదీపన |

సప్తమీ సహితో దేవ గృహాణార్ఘ్యం దివాకర |

Those who are eligible, should also offer Thila tharpana to forefathers on this day as a part of Shannavathi (Vaivaswatha Manvaadi) under Pithru Yagna.

In South India, traditionally we find people drawing in front of their houses a picture of chariot driven with seven horses a symbolic reference to Ratha Sapthami festival.

Some people also observe fasting & mouna vratha on this day.

DaAna given on Ratha Sapthami day is highly meritorious.

Usually Kushmanda Dana (Ash Guard/Boodu KumbalaKai) is prescribed on this occasion.

Since it occurs in Magha Masam as per Maasa Dharma;

·        Thila Dana,

·        Thila Paathra Dana,

·        Salagrama Dana,

·        Vasthra Dana,

·        Umbrella,

·        Amalakki, (Amla) can also be given as charity.

Significance of Arka Leaf & Ratha Sapthami

In Hindu religion certain plants are associated with certain deities and we use them while performing pooja/rituals.

Like Thulasi with Lord Vishnu, Bilva with Lord Shiva, Duurva (Garike) with Lord Ganapathi; Arka is associated with Sun God and since Ratha Sapthami is a Sun Centric festival its usage on this day has gained lot of significance.

Arka is a Sanskrit word. Arka means a ray, a flash of lightning. It is believed that Sun God’s chariot is in perfect square shape and his shoulders are also in square shape (four angles).

Configuration of Arka dala also appears in perfect angle with one pair of leaves exactly opposite to the other and it is believed that Arka leaves represent the shoulders and chariot of Sun God.

The name Arka is also related to Konark a place dedicated to Sun God in Orissa state. It is known as Arka Kshethra. There is a world-famous Sun temple at Konark that attracts tourists from all over the world. Konark is a confluence of two words Kona and Arka. Kona mean angle and Arka means Sun God. Konark means corner of the Sun dedicated to Sun God.

Arka plant has very good medicinal value in Aayurvedic system of medicine. It is used in curing skin diseases, leprosy, tumors, joint pains, wounds etc., It is called as a healing herb like Sun God as a healer.

At Tirumala Kshethra, Lord Venkateswara (utsava murthy) is taken out in procession seven times on seven different vaahanaas starting from dawn to dusk as a part of Ratha Sapthami celebrations. It is called Eka Dina Brahmotsavam.

Surya DwaadasanaAma Stotra

ಆದಿತ್ಯಂ ಪ್ರಥಮಂ ನಾಮ ದ್ವಿತೀಯಂ ತು ದಿವಾಕರಮ್ |

ತೃತೀಯಂ ಭಾಸ್ಕರಂ ಪ್ರೋಕ್ತಂ ಚತುರ್ಥಂ ತು ಪ್ರಭಾಕರಮ್ ||

ಪಂಚಮಂ ಹರಿದಶ್ವಂ ಚ ಷಷ್ಠಂ ತ್ರೈಲೋಕ್ಯಲೋಚನಮ್ |

ಸಪ್ತಮಂ ತು ಸಹಸ್ರಾಂಶುಮಷ್ಟಮಂ ತು ವಿಭಾಕರಮ್ ||

ನವಮಂ ಸ್ಯಾದ್ದಿನಕರಂ ದಶಮಂ ದ್ವಾದಶಾತ್ಮಕಮ್ |

ಏಕಾದಶಂ ತ್ರಿವೇದಾತ್ಮಂ ದ್ವಾದಶಂ ಸೂರ್ಯಮೇವ ಚ ||

ದ್ವಾದಶೈತಾನಿ ನಾಮಾನಿ ಪ್ರಾತಃಕಾಲೇ ಸದಾ ಪಠೇತ್ |

ತಸ್ಯ ಕುಷ್ಠಾದಿಹೃದ್ರೋಗಂ ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯಂ ನೈವ ಜಾಯತೇ ||

||ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣಾರ್ಪಣಮಸ್ತು||

 (Sanskrit Version)

आदित्यं प्रथमं नाम द्वितीयं तु दिवाकरम् ।

तृतीयं भास्करं प्रॊक्तं चतुर्थं तु प्रभाकरम् ॥

पंचमं हरिदश्वं च षष्ठं त्रैलॊक्यलॊचनम् ।

सप्तमं तु सहस्रांशुमष्टमं तु विभाकरम् ॥

नवमं स्याद्दिनकरं दशमं द्वादशात्मकम् ।

ऎकादशं त्रिवॆदात्मं द्वादशं सूर्यमॆव च ॥

द्वादशैतानि नामानि प्रातःकालॆ सदा पठॆत् ।

तस्य कुष्ठादिहृद्रॊगं दारिद्र्यं नैव जायतॆ ॥

॥श्रीकृष्णार्पणमस्तु॥

(Telugu Version)

ఆదిత్యం ప్రథమం నామ ద్వితీయం తు దివాకరమ్ |

తృతీయం భాస్కరం ప్రోక్తం చతుర్థం తు ప్రభాకరమ్ ||

పంచమం హరిదశ్వం చ షష్ఠం త్రైలోక్యలోచనమ్ |

సప్తమం తు సహస్రాంశుమష్టమం తు విభాకరమ్ ||

నవమం స్యాద్దినకరం దశమం ద్వాదశాత్మకమ్ |

ఏకాదశం త్రివేదాత్మం ద్వాదశం సూర్యమేవ చ ||

ద్వాదశైతాని నామాని ప్రాతఃకాలే సదా పఠేత్ |

తస్య కుష్ఠాదిహృద్రోగం దారిద్ర్యం నైవ జాయతే ||

||శ్రీకృష్ణార్పణమస్తు||

Ratha Sapthami celebrations at Temples…

Special celebrations are held at Sun temples on the occasion of Ratha Sapthami especially at Konark (Orissa), Arasavalli (Andhra Pradesh). This festival is also celebrated in all Vaishnavite temples especially at Tirumala and Sri Rangam. Suryanar Koil near Kumbhakonam is also very popular and dedicated to Sun God.  There is a Sun temple inside the temple complex of Goddess Padmavathi at Tiruchanoor (Tirupathi).  

At Tirumala Kshethra, Lord Venkateswara (utsava murthy) is taken out in procession seven times on seven different vaahanaas starting from dawn to dusk as a part of Ratha Sapthami celebrations. It is called Eka Dina Brahmotsavam.

There are several Sun temples in India out of which most popular are…

· Sun temple at Konark (Orissa)

· Surya Narayana Swami temple at Arasavalli (A.P.)

· Suryanaar Koil near Kumbhakonam (Tamil Nadu)

· Dakshinaarka temple at Gaya (Bihar)

· Sun temple at Modhera (Gujarat)

· Surya Pahar temple in Assam

· Sun temple in the temple complex of Goddess Padmavathi at Tiruchanoor near Tirupathi.

To write about Sun God one attempt is not adequate. Sun worship known as Suryopaasana is as ancient as Hinduism with its origin dating from Vedic times prevalent in Hindu philosophy since time immemorial along with the worship of Vishnu, Shiva, Ganapathi and Shakthi. Sun worship forms a part of Nithya Karma that is Sandhyavandana; 

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri GuruRaajo Vijayate