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. 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.
Saptami Tithi is dedicated to Lord Surya. Shukla Paksha Saptami in Magha month is known as Ratha Saptami or Magha Saptami. It is believed that Lord Surya Dev started enlightening the whole world on Ratha Saptami day which was considered as birth day of God Surya. Hence this day is also known as Surya Jayanti. It is a Hindu festival that falls on the seventh day (Saptami) in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month Maagha Maas. It marks the seventh day following the Sun's northerly movement (Uttarayana) of vernal equinox starting from Capricorn (Makara). It is symbolically represented in the form of the Sun God Surya turning his Ratha (Chariot) drawn by seven horses (representing seven colours) towards the northern hemisphere, in a north-easterly direction. Ratha Saptami is symbolic of the change of season to spring and the start of the harvesting season. For most Indian farmers, it is an auspicious beginning of the New Year. The festival is observed by all Hindus in their houses and in innumerable temples dedicated to Surya, across India
Background 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.
Surya Puja or Sun Worship is dedicated to Lord Surya. Grah Shanti Surya Puja or Sun worship is recommended to those, having malefic surya or wrongly placed sun as per the horoscope. Surya Puja 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.
People worship the sun in the early morning and recite the Surya Sahasranama. Good actions done on this day give manifold results. By worshipping Lord Surya and observing fast on this day one can get rid of all type of sins. It is believed that seven types of sins done, knowingly, unknowingly, by words, by body, by mind, in current birth and in previous births are purged by worshipping Lord Surya on this day. 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.
Some people show their respect to the sun by bowing twelve times every day to the sun, repeating every time one of the twelve names of the sun. These twelve names are: Mitra, Ravi, Surya, Ahanu, Khag, Pushan, Hirnyagarbha, Marichi, Aditya, Savita, Arka, and Bhaskar.
On Ratha Saptami one should take bath during early hours before dawn. Ratha Saptami bath is one of the important rituals and is suggested during early hours of morning only i.e. bathing before sunrise. Taking bath before sunrise keeps one healthy and free from all types of ailments and diseases. Because of this belief Ratha Saptami is also known as Arogya Saptami.
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!
Japakusuma Sankasam Kasyapeyam mahadyutim. Tamorim Sarva papaghnam. Pranatosmi Divakaram.
Translation:- I pray to the Sun, the day-maker, destroyer of all sins, the enemy of darkness, of great brilliance, the descendent of Kaashyapa, the one who shines like the japaa flower.
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"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
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