Ratha Saptami (Magh Shukla Saptami) is a day to venerate the Surya Devata (Deity Sun), the life giver! Veneration for the Divine is an integral part of the Indian culture / Hindu Dharma. We worship not only the superior Deities, but also the Sun, Moon, Agni (Fire), Varun and Indra like inferior Deities. These Deities hold important place in life of all living beings. The festival of ‘Ratha Saptami’ is celebrated to offer gratitude and worship the Surya Devata.
Importance of Ratha Saptami
Amongst all numbers, number 7 has a special significance. In this no. 7, there is balance of ‘Tri-gunas (three components – Sattva/ Raja/ Tama)’ as well as a special capacity to absorb subtle waves. There is divine union of Shakti and chaitanya on the day of Saptami. On this day, the waves of principles of specific Deities and shakti, bliss and peace are 20% more active and on ‘Ratha Saptami’, subtle waves of principle of Surya Devata are 30 % more active compared to the other days.
This is why we worship Surya Devata
Worship of the Surya devata has been accorded an important place in the Hindu scriptures.
a. Worshipping Surya devata accelerates awakening of ‘Surya-naadi (right channel of spiritual energy- flow system from base of spine to top of head)’ by stopping ‘Chandra-naadi (left channel of spiritual energy flow-system). Sun-worship is superior to moon-worship.
b. Worshipping of Surya devata increases one’s capacity to absorb ‘Sattvikta’ and ‘Chaitanya’ by 30% and 20 % respectively.
c. Just by offering ‘Arghya’ and having His ‘darshan’ in the morning, Surya bestows His grace. Having Surya’s darshan is a part of His worship.
d. Doing ‘Tratak’ (staring at an object as a yogic exercise) by looking at the rising Sun increases efficiency of the eyes and strengthens eye-sight. (Note: Tratak must be performed under expert guidance)
e. Worship of Surya devata (Tejtattva – the absolute Fire element) is an important step in the worship of ‘Panch-tattva’ (5 Absolute Elements).
f. Among the different types of Yogasanas, ‘Surya-namaskar’ is an important kind of exercise. Surya blesses a person who performs at least 20 ‘Surya-namaskars’ every day.
Surya devta has a chariot as His vehicle. Just as the presence of God in any temple gives importance to such temple, the chariot of Surya has similar importance. Therefore, on Ratha saptami, along with worship of the Sun, His chariot, in symbolic form, is also worshipped.
The chariot of Surya devata has capacity to travel through ‘Sapta-lokas (7 subtle –regions) – ‘Surya-loka’, ‘Nakshatra-loka’, ‘Graha-loka’, ‘Bhuva-loka’, ‘Naag-loka’, ‘Swarg-loka’ and ‘Shiva-loka’ which is near Swarga-loka. The pace of the chariot changes as per need. The chariot flies as per the wish of Surya devata. The wheels (made of gold) have delicately carved images of Surya which transmit ‘Teja’ and ‘Tej-tattva’ to the extent of 30% into the surroundings. With the grace of Shri Vishnu and transmission of ‘Tej-tattva’, a protective shield is created around the chariot which does not allow negative energies to create obstacles in the activities of Surya.
Arun is the charioteer of Surya Devata and has 40 % qualities of Surya Devata in him. He has vision only in one eye. One can learn qualities like going towards oneness and performing duty irrespective of any condition; from him.
Next to Swarga-loka is the subtle ‘Surya-loka’. In the subtle Surya-loka, the principle of ‘Teja- tattva’ among the 5 basic elements (Pancha-mahabhootas) is more than 50%. Divine light, fire and flames of fire with feeling of heat is the gross form of ‘Tej’. These are experienced in Surya-loka. The spiritual level of many souls is less than 50%; therefore, they are unable to go to Surya-loka and unable to worship ‘Tej-tattva’. As a result, they cannot bear the gross form of ‘Tej-tavva’ – divine light, fire and heat. For getting a place in Surya-loka, it is necessary to have more than 50% qualities of Surya devata and spiritual level of a soul should be more than 50%.
– Subtle Knowledge received by Ms. Madhura Bhosale, 11.2.2005
1. Importance of worship of Surya
Worship of the Surya Devata has been accorded an important place in the Hindu scriptures.
a. Worshipping Surya Devata accelerates awakening of ‘Surya-naadi (right channel of spiritual energy- flow system from base of spine to top of head)’ by stopping ‘Chandra-naadi (left channel of spiritual energy flow-system. Sun-worship is superior to moon-worship.
b. Worshipping of Surya Devata increases one’s capacity to absorb ‘Sattvikta’ and ‘Chaitanya’ by 30% and 20 % respectively.
c. Just by offering ‘Arghya’ and having His ‘darshan’ in the morning, Surya bestows His grace. Having Surya’s darshan is a part of His worship.
d. Doing ‘Tratak’ (staring at an object as a yogic exercise) by looking at the rising Sun increases efficiency of the eye and strengthens eye-sight. (Note: Tratak must be performed under expert guidance)
e. Worship of Surya Devata (Tejtattva – the absolute Fire element) is an important step in the worship of ‘Panch-tattva’ (5 Absolute Elements).
f. Among the different types of Yogasanas, ‘Surya-namaskar’ is an important kind of exercise. Surya blesses a person who performs at least 20 ‘Surya-namaskars’ every day.
2. The Surya’s Chariot and its worship
Surya devta has a chariot as His vehicle. Just as the presence of God in any temple gives importance to such temple, the chariot of Surya has similar importance; therefore, on Ratha saptami, along with worship of the Surya, His chariot, in symbolic form, is also worshipped.
The chariot of Surya Devata has capacity to travel through ‘Sapta-lokas (7 subtle –regions) – ‘Surya-loka’, ‘Nakshatra-loka’, ‘Graha-loka’, ‘Bhuva-loka’, ‘Naag-loka’, ‘Swarg-loka’ and ‘Shiva-loka’ which is near Swarga-loka. The pace of the chariot changes as per need. The chariot flies as per the wish of Surya Devata. The wheels (made of gold) have delicately carved images of Surya which transmit ‘Teja’ and ‘Tej-tattva’ to the extent of 30% into the surroundings. With the grace of Shri Vishnu and transmission of ‘Tej-tattva’, a protective shield is created around the chariot which does not allow negative energies to create obstacles in the activities of Surya.
3. Qualities of Surya’s charioteer
Arun is the charioteer of Surya Devata and has 40 % qualities of Surya Devata in him. He has vision only in one eye. One can learn qualities like going towards oneness and performing duty irrespective of any condition; from him.
4. Surya-loka
Next to Swarga-loka is the subtle ‘Surya-loka’. In the subtle Surya-loka, the principle of ‘Teja- tattva’ among the 5 basic elements (Pancha-mahabhootas) is more than 50%. Divine light, fire and flames of fire with feeling of heat is the gross form of ‘Tej’. These are experienced in Surya-loka. The spiritual level of many souls is less than 50%; therefore, they are unable to go to Surya-loka and unable to worship ‘Tej-tattva’. As a result, they cannot bear the gross form of ‘Tej-tavva’ – divine light, fire and heat. For getting a place in Surya-loka, it is necessary to have more than 50% qualities of Surya Devata and spiritual level of a soul should be more than 50%.
– Subtle Knowledge received by Ms. Madhura Bhosale, 11.2.2005
Qualities of Surya
Regular worship
The Surya is like a sage, immersed in the worship of Deity Narayan.
Discipline
Surya is always punctual.
Expansiveness
Surya selflessly transmits ‘Tej’, energy and chaitanya to various souls in the Brahmanda / Universe.
‘Samashti Bhav’
Due to His higher ‘samashti bhav’ (thinking about the welfare of all), He has qualities of higher Deities to the extent of 20%.
Sacrifice
Surya gives His ‘Tej’, energy and chaitanya to souls from all the ‘lokas (subtle region)’ instead of keeping it limited to his own ‘loka’ (This also shows Surya Devata’s ‘Samashti Bhav’). Compared to other lower Deities, the capacity of Surya to absorb and transmit Chaitanya is highest.
Very good Guru
Surya is proficient in ‘Shaastra (science)’ as well as in ‘Shastra-kala (weaponry)’. Rudravatar Maruti (Hanuman) had gone to the ‘Surya-loka’ to learn both these arts and Surya as a Guru, ably guided Him. He gives light of knowledge to others so as to destroy darkness in the form of their gross and subtle ego.
Kshatrabhav (fighting against evil)
Indra is the Chief of all lower Deities. Surya Devata, although a subordinate of Indra, opposes Indra whenever He takes wrong decisions and does not follow wrong orders given by Indra. Among lower Deities, Surya Devata has highest ‘Sattvikta’, Vyaapakatva (expansiveness), sacrifice, Samashti bhav and Kshatrabhav.
Samabhav (equality shown to all)
Surya treats all souls with equality. He appreciates qualities in others; therefore, He does not do injustice to anyone. An example would be Hanuman, who had the qualities of a disciple was accepted as a disciple by Sun and given knowledge in different forms of art.
Imparting Knowledge and guidance through Subtle
Knowledge (Jnan) means light. Light is a form of knowledge. Surya also performs tasks related to knowledge; therefore, subtle waves related to knowledge and the light of knowledge are transmitted from Him. He gives knowledge to the extent of 30 % through such waves of knowledge. Karna used to take Darshan of the Surya every day and he used to get guidance from Sun.
Very Good father
Surya has always performed His duties as a father towards His sons and daughters. He helps all souls and treats them all as His children.
– Subtle Knowledge received by Ms. Madhura Bhosale
Prabhu Sriram being ‘Suryavanshi (descendant of Surya)’ could establish ‘Rama-rajya’
There is patriarchal rule in His ‘loka’ due to qualities of Surya. If a worshiper of Surya has those qualities; only then does he obtain a place in the subtle Surya-loka. Those, who worship Surya and have qualities of Surya Devata, are referred to as ‘Suryavanshi’. Prabhu Sriram was a Suryavanshi; so He was an ideal father and ideal son and could establish ‘Rama-rajya.’
– Subtle Knowledge received by Ms. Madhura Bhosale
Bharat is a name of Surya Devata
Surya Devata is worshipped by other Deities, Sages- Seers and human beings. Surya has specific place in Hindu Dharma. Even in Indian almanac, Surya has more importance than moon. ‘Bharat’ is also a name of Surya. ‘Sa’ is the ‘Beejakshar (a mantra which is consolidated in a single letter)’ of Surya i.e. of ‘Tej’.
– Subtle Knowledge received by Ms. Madhura Bhosale
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Surya and the acts of Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution
| Gross | Subtle | |
| 1. Information about Creation | Male Deities, ‘Yama and Shani’ and female Deities ‘Tapi and Yami’ were created from Surya Devata. River Yamuna was created from Yami and River Tapi was created from Tapi. | a. Planets and ‘Nakshatra-loka’, Shani-loka and Graha-loka are sub-lokas which have been created from Surya. b. Tej (Fire), Chaitanya filled with ‘Tej’ and 30 % of only the first part of chaitanya has been created from Surya. c. Sudarshan-chakra, Suryastra, arrow and weapons related to ‘Tej-tattva’ were created from the gross- Surya. d. Surya has transmitted His ‘Tej’ to different weapons and Deities; therefore, these weapons look divine and radiant. |
| 2. Information about Sustenance | Deity Surya transmits energy and luminosity by rising in the gross form of Surya to different planets and living beings; thus the Surya nurtures them in a way. | Along with the gross light and energy, the Surya emanates enormous amounts of Chaitanya (Divine Consciousness) which bestows power to many souls for practising spirituality; the covering on their mind and intellect gets reduced thus increasing their intellectual maturity. |
| 3. Information about Dissolution | Water from lakes and rivers vaporizes due to Surya’s heat and many times rivers and lakes dry up. Due to severe heat, many plants get burnt; it also adversely affects souls leading to death of a few. | Through light and heat of Surya, subtle-Tej of Surya emanates. This subtle-Tej destroys subtle microbes and subtle-souls full of Raja-Tama which reduces Raja-Tama level in atmosphere, increasing ‘Sattvikta’; thus balancing the Trigunas. |
Subtle Knowledge regarding Rathsaptami
Reference Text
The information shared here has been sourced from Sanatan’s book “Appropriate method and science in celebrating Holy festivals”. Obtain your copy today to learn more about Rathsaptami and other festivals.
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