Rathasaptami is very auspicious day for Praying Surya Bhagawan. (God of health & Wealth Arogyadata) Ratha" means chariot and "Sapthami" means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season "spring" to South India. It is during this time that Surya/Sun moves from the southeast to the northeast. 7 represent the colors of the rainbow or the 7 chakras*. This festival falls on the 7th day of the Hindu month Magha, i.e January/February in the Gregorian calendar. The days become warmer from this sapthami and will be hotter from April to July.
As per the Hindu Religion, Surya symbolizes the Sun God. Sun is considered as the visible God, the Pratyaksha Devatha and is also known as Karma Saakshi. Surya is the only visible God whom we can see, perceive and pray. If we want to see God in this world, we have to see God in the sun, as no glory can equal the sun. The Sun God is considered as the life-giver (Prannadata) of the entire universe. Surya is essential for life. All Vedas regard Surya as the witness (Saakshi) of all actions. God Surya is regarded as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu by Shaivites and Vaishnavas respectively. Surya is also known as Surya Narayana. Surya, the Sun God is also acknowledged as one of the eight forms of Lord Shiva (Astamurti). Surya is the lord of excellence and wisdom. The Sun or Surya is also known as ''Atmakaraka''.Being a Sanskrit word, ''Atma'' means ''soul'' and ''Karaka'' means ''indicator''. The Sun is the ''indicator of the soul''. The Surya is the indicator of our ego, honor, status, fame, the heart, the eyes, general vitality, respect and power.
Surya is the God of light as per the Vedic texts. According to the scientific fact, the whole universe is based on the process of photosynthesis which takes place due to the presence of Surya (the sun). According to Atharvana Veda, one who worships Surya Bhagawan will be relieved from diseases pertaining to the eyes and heart. According to the Hindu beliefs, Surya is depicted as a red man with three eyes and four arms, riding in a one wheeled chariot pulled by seven horses. Surya forms the major god of the Navgraha (nine planets as He helps the world with His blistering radiance and allows the living beings to survive. Surya is the Lord of Simma Rasi and occupies the central place amongst the navagrahas. The adidevatha is Agni, prathyutha Devatha – Rudran. His color is red and his vahana is a chariot drawn by seven horses.
Story:-
|
Once a King called Yashovarma was ruling the Kamboj Empire. He was extremely religious and his people were living happily and were praising his ruling. But he had no children to look the country after him. He had become old. He worshipped God to give him a son. Hearing his prayers, God given him a son, who was very sick. The king was unhappy due to his son's sickness.
A Saint, Vinit came to the king and told him that his sickness is because of his sins he had done in his previous birth. As the remedy to the king's sickness he advised the king to make his son to observe vow of Ratha Saptami. Kings son performed the puja on Ratha Saptami and became healthy to rule his people without any sufferings.
It is believed that Surya has been worshipped since ages to receive the kind blessings of God. A simple namaskaar (folding hands) to the lord makes him happy. Offering water to the God is too considered to receive the mercy. Surya is believed to be a generous deity capable of curing sick people, in India. It is also proved in Science that sunlight is a rich source of Vitamin-D. Surya is usually remembered for the brilliance and light in one's life.
Lord Surya blesses us with its light, energy and sustains life on earth. All human beings, living creatures, birds and animals get their life force only due the rays of sun. Lord Surya is worshipped to get the energy and health, which resultantly leads us to Money and prosperity. Surya Namskar in yoga is an example of this worship. In Yoga, an exercise is named after the Sun god known as Suryanamaskara/Sun Salutation, which is a series of 12 postures. It is an all-inclusive exercise for physical, emotional, spiritual and meditation benefits. On Rathasapthami day people assemble before sunrise and perform this exercise to experience the rejuvenating first rays of the Sun on the body.
People worship the sun in the early morning and recite the surya Sahasranama, Aditya Hrudayam, suryaastakam. Good actions done on this day give manifold results. If women fast on this day, they attain knowledge and derive virtues. If widows fast on this day, they get rid of widowhood from the next birth onwards. Even the sin of slaying a Brahmin is expiated by the power of fasting on this day. He who takes a bath at the time of sunrise is purified like Mother Ganges. He can never become a poor man.
Fast on this day. Observe the vow of silence. Remain in a solitary place. Do Japa. Practice intense meditation with faith and devotion. You are sure to attain God-realization on this very day and always!
Surya Kavacham
Chant this sthothra everyday for good health and fruitful life. This can be chanted after chanting adithya hrudayam or individually.
This sloka can be read by the people for whom sun is not in a good position in their horoscope or the present position (DASA) of the sun causes problems to them.Surya Puja and reading this kavacham is a divine boon for those who face problems, hurdles and misfortune in their lives. Worship of Sun is beneficial when people get stuck, no matter how hard working, honest and intelligent they are good luck seems to ignore them. People who aspire for sound health, prosperity, good eyesight, strength and courage, success, cure of chronic diseases like leprosy, heart ailment, nervous weakness, asthma etc. should worship the Sun. This planet is known for his Power, strength and glory.
By reading this kavacham sun will protects from all planets, and the Lord will save from malefic effects of all other planets and bless them with success for all their endeavors.
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
www.keralites.net          |
To subscribe send a mail to Keralites-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Send your posts to Keralites@yahoogroups.com.
Send your suggestions to Keralites-owner@yahoogroups.com.
To unsubscribe send a mail to Keralites-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Homepage: www.keralites.net
No comments:
Post a Comment