Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!

Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!

Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

RATHA SAPTHAMI
(Surya Jayanthi)

(Arasavalli Sri Surya Narayana Swamy)

Sun worship known as Suryopaasana is as ancient as Hinduism with its

origin dating from Vedic times. Even today, Sun worship forms a part of the
Nitya Karma that is Sandhya Vandana and Gayathri Mantra recited during
this ritual, is the most sacred invocation to Sun God. He is the presiding
Deity of Gayathri Manthra. Sun worship is prevalent in Hindu philosophy
since time immemorial along with the worship of Vishnu, Shiva, Ganapathi
and Shakthi.

Lord Sri Rama an incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born in Surya Vamsam in
Ikshvaku dynasty whose family deity was the Sun God. We find Lord Sri
Rama worshipping Sun God before going to kill Ravanasura. Karna of
Mahabharatha fame was the son of Lord Surya born to Kunthi Devi by virtue
of a boon given by Sage Durvasa. Lord Sri Krishna’s son Samba (son of
Jambavathi) got rid of his Leprosy by worshipping Sun God. Thus there are
many such pouranic references to Sun worship.
Sun God is depicted as riding over a chariot driven by seven horses and
drawn by Anoora (brother of Garuda) the charioteer who has no feet. Sun is
considered as the visible God, the Pratyaksha Devatha and is also known as
Karma Saakshi. Surya Namaskara a special physical exercise is dedicated to
the worship of Sun God which is practiced by the devotees early in the
morning before Sunrise. Sun rays have the healing power and Sun is
considered as the health giver, Arogyam Bhaskaraddhicheth.

Sun - Astrological significance

Astrologically Sun is given a prominent place in the worship of Navagrahas.
He is known as the King among the Navagrahas. Generally we find in
Navagraha temple the idol of Sun is installed in the centre in an elevated
position with all the other planets around it. His Gothra is Kashyapa Gothra.
Sanjna Devi and Chaaya Devi are his wives. Yama, Yamuna and Saturn
(Shani) are his children. His Adhi Devata is Agni (Fire God), and Pratyadhi
Devatha is Rudra. Sun is the Paramatma Amsa in Sri Ramaavathara. Sun
as Surya Narayana is Sattvik in nature.

While Jupiter, Mars, and Moon are his friends, Saturn and Venus are his
enemies. Mercury is considered as equal. Rahu and Kethu are considered to
cause the eclipse of the Sun known as Surya Grahana (Solar Eclipse) though
scientific reasons are different. It takes 30 days for the Sun to move from
one sign to another sign in the zodiac. His transit from one sign to another
sign is known as Sankramana. Sun’s transit into Karkataka raasi marks the
beginning of Dakshinayana and Makara raasi marks the beginning of
Uttarayana.
Zodiac sign Leo (Simha Raasi) is his own sign and also Moola Trikona. While
Aries (Mesha) is his sign of exaltation, Libra (Thula) is his sign of
debilitation. Sun placed in the 10th house is said to gain directional strength.
Astrologically Sun is a Yogakaraka for Aries, Scorpio, and Sagittarius signs.
Krittika, Uttara and Uttarashada are the stars ruled by the Sun. Sun’s period
in the Vimshottari will be for six years and those born under the above
constellations, their Vimshottari starts with that of Sun’s period.

Sun’s favourite day is Sunday known as Ravi Vara or Bhanu Vara or Aaditya
Vara and his favourite thithi is Sapthami. Food grain related to Sun is Wheat
and the related plant is Arka known as Calotropis. Ruby is the Gem related
to Sun. Sun represents the soul (Atmakaraka), and Father (Pitru Karaka).
Sun indicates ego, honour, status, fame, general vitality, head, eyes, heart,
respect, power, morality, confidence, will power, leadership to name a few.
Sun worship is prescribed for the physical, mental and spiritual well being of
an individual.

Ratha sapthami also known as Magha Sapthami or Maha Sapthami is a very

popular Hindu festival dedicated to Sun God, Sri Surya Narayana. It occurs
on the seventh day (Sapthami) of Magha Masam during sukla paksha (bright
fortnight) that generally happens during the months of January-February.
It is celebrated as Surya Jayanthi the day on which he was born to Sage
Kashyapa and Aditi considered as an incarnation of Lord Sri ManNarayana.

Special celebrations are held at all Vaishnavite temples especially at

Tirumala and Srirangam apart from Arasavelli and Konark. At Tirumala Hills
special celebrations are held on this occasion (one day Brahmotsavam)
where Lord Sri Venkateswara along with his consorts is taken out in
procession on seven Vahanas (vehicles) starting from dawn to dusk. There
are number of Sun temples in India out of which the most popular are the
following:

Sun temple at Konark (Orissa)

Surya Narayana Swami temple at Arasavelli (Srikakulam) Andhra Pradesh
Suryanaar Koil near Kumbhakonam (Tamil Nadu)
Dakshinaarka temple at Gaya (Bihar)
Sun temple at Modhera (Gujarat)
Surya Pahar temple in Assam
There is also a Sun temple in the temple complex of Goddess Padmavathi
at Tiruchanoor near Tirupathi.
 SALUTATIONS TO SUN GOD

Japaakusuma Sankaasham Kaashyapeyam Mahaadhyuthim

Tamoarim Sarvapaapaghnam Pranathoasmi Diwaakaram

Surya Gayathri

Bhaaskaraaya Vidmahe
Mahaadyutikaraaya Dheemahi
Thannoh Aaditya Prachodayaat

Aadityaaya Vidmahe
Sahasra Kiranaaya Dheemahi
Thannoh Surya Prachodayaat

Graharaajaaya Vidmahe
Sarvasaakshine Dheemahi
Thannoh Surya Prachodayaat

Ratha Sapthami Slokas

While taking bath with Arka leaves

! Yadhyajanma kritham papam maya sapthasu janmasu!

Thanme rogancha sokancha makari hanthu sapthami!!

! Yetatjanmakritham papam yachha janmanthararjitham

Mano vakkayajam yachha gnathagnathancha yathpunaha!!

! Ithi sapthavidham papam snaname saptha sapthake

! Sapthavyadhi samayuktham hara makari sapthami!!

While giving Arghyam to Sun God

! Saptha sapthi vaha preetha sapthaloka pradeepana

Sapthami sahito deva gruhanargyam Diwakara!!
 SRI SURYAASHTAKAM

Samba Uvacha!

Aadideva namasthubhyam Praseeda mama Bhaskara

Diwakara namasthubhyam Prabhakara namosthuthe

Sapthaashvaratha maroodam prachandam kasyapathmajam

Swethapadmadharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Lohitam ratha maroodam sarva loka pitaamaham

Mahapapaharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Traigunyam cha mahashooram brahmavishnumaheshvaram

Mahapapaharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Bhrumhitham tejasaam punjam vayuraakashameva cha

Prabhusthvam sarvalokaanaam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Bandhooka pushpasankaasham harakundala bhooshitam

Ekachakradharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Vishvesham vishvakartharam mahatejah pradeepanam

Mahapapaharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Sree vishnum jagataam nadham gyana-vigyana-mokshadham

Mahapapaharam devam tam suryam pranamamyaham

Suryaastakam patennityam grahapeeda pranashanam

Aputro labhathe putram daridro dhanavaan bhavet

Aamisham madhupanam cha yah karothi raverdine

Saptajanma bhavedrogi janmajanma daridrataa

Sthree thaila madhu mansaani ye tyajanthi raverdine

Na vyaadhi shoka daaridryam suryalokam cha gachhati
(Samba Purana)

This Suryaastakam recited by Samba (son of Lord Sri Krishna and

Jambavathi) forms a part of the Samba Purana an Upa Purana dedicated to
Sun God. By reciting this hymn with devotion, one is blessed with relief
from Navagraha Peeda. Those without progeny obtain their desire and poor
obtain riches. One who indulges in sensual pleasures on Sundays will be
diseased for seven lifetimes and also remains devoid of prosperity. One who
worships Lord Surya Narayana and recites this hymn after giving up oil,
sensual pleasures, meat and liquor on Sundays, is blessed with health and
wealth.

For more details on Ratha Sapthami, its traditions, significance of Arka Leaf
on Ratha Sapthami, you may like to read a related article with the following
link… http://www.scribd.com/doc/11538472/Ratha-Sapthami

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
bhargavasarma

Ratha Sapthami on
Friday, 22nd January 2010