Lord Surya
सूर्य · The Sun God · Aditya · Bhaskara · Divakar
Introduction
Lord Surya is the visible, tangible deity that lights every day of our lives. Unlike most Hindu gods who must be imagined, Surya can be seen, felt and worshipped directly as he rises in the east. The Vedas call him the soul of the universe (Surya Atma Jagatah) because all life depends on his warmth, and every form of energy on earth is ultimately sunlight transformed. His worship is among the most ancient of all spiritual practices—preserved in the Gayatri Mantra, the morning Arghya offering, the twelve-posture Surya Namaskar, and the great festival of Chhath celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Surya is the direct revealer of health, intelligence, fame and lawful authority.
Story & Origin
The Rig Veda's Gayatri Mantra, the most sacred of all Vedic prayers, is addressed to Savitur—the life-awakening aspect of Surya. The sun is described as the eye of the cosmic being (Purusha) and the source from whom time itself flows. His chariot is drawn by seven horses that represent the seven colours of light (hidden in white), the seven days of the week, and the seven chakras of the human body. He is charioteered by Aruna, the red dawn, whose radiance precedes him.
Surya's children are among the most important figures in the Puranas. From his wife Samjna were born Yama (the god of death and dharma), Yami (the Yamuna river), and the twins Ashwini Kumaras (the celestial physicians). From Chhaya were born Shani (Saturn), Savarni Manu and Tapti. The mighty Karna of the Mahabharata was Surya's son born to Kunti—wearing golden armour and earrings from birth, a living token of the sun's grace.
The Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, the Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat and the sacred Chhath ghats along the Ganga are the great shrines where Surya is worshipped. At sunrise and sunset, devotees offer water (Arghya) facing the sun and silently recite the Gayatri Mantra—a simple practice that is said to purify the subtle body, regulate the chakras and gradually reveal the inner light that is identical to the outer sun.
Sacred Mantras
The Navagraha mantra of the Sun—recited 108 times on Sunday mornings for health, vitality and lawful authority.
The Gayatri Mantra—regarded as the mother of the Vedas, meditated upon at dawn and dusk for enlightenment and protection.
The simple twelve-position Surya Namaskar mantra (combined with Mitraya, Ravaye, Bhanave and other names of the Sun).
Benefits of Worship
- ✦Improves health, eye-sight, vitality and immunity
- ✦Grants fame, recognition, promotion and government favour
- ✦Removes obstacles in career and public authority
- ✦Strengthens the father figure in the family
- ✦Awakens self-confidence and leadership
