Bliss-Girls

Ratha sapthami is the 7th day of Shukla paksha, Magha masa in Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this day, lord Surya turns his ratha (Chariot) driven by 7 horses, towards the northern direction. It is also celebrated as birthday of lord Surya. This day is also known as Arogya sapthami and celebrated as global Surya Namaskar day.

In Dwapara yuga, Bhishma waited for 51 nights for auspicious uttarayana kala and a day after ratha sapthami, he gave up his life. Since then Bhishma astami is celebrated after Ratha Saptami. 

Sun’s Chariot

According to Srimad Bhagavatam, the chariot of sun god has only 1 wheel, which is known as samvatsara. The 12 months are its 12 spokes, the 6 seasons are the sections of its rim (Canto 5, Chapter 21, Shloka 13).

The sun god’s chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojanas (28,800,000 miles) long and one-fourth as wide (900,000 yojanas or 7,200,000 miles). The chariot is driven by 7 horses named Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. Aruna deva, brother of Garuda drives the chariot but he faces Surya deva.

Importance of Sun Worship

Sun is the life and soul of all living entities on this earth. There is no existence without his heat and light. Distance between earth and sun is just apt for living entitles to thrive, Hence he is worshipable. We worship him in many ways and one of the most revered mantra is the Gayatri Mantra.

ॐ भूर्भुव॒ स्सुवः॑
तत्स॑ वि॒तुर्वरे᳚ण्यं॒
भर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ धीमहि
धियो॒ यो नः॑ प्रचो॒दया᳚त् ॥

In Hindu scriptures, Sun symbolizes knowledge, consciousness and divine presence. Sun’s worship is associated with physical and mental wellbeing. On Ratha Sapthami, one wakes up in Brahma muhurta, which is an hour before sunrise, takes bath in river if possible and offer ablations to sun.

Worship through Yoga

One of the best ways to express gratitude to the Sun and to foster a deeper connection with nature and the divine is to incorporate Surya Namaskara into daily routine. It has numerous health benefits and is considered a powerful tool for enhancing physical strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.

There is a well known Sanskrit subashita which alludes that lord Surya can be pleased with namaskaras.

अलंकारप्रियो विष्णुर् जलधाराप्रियः शिवः ।
नमस्कारप्रियो भानुर् ब्राह्मणो भोजनप्रियः ॥

Leading by Example

Yoga guru Nandini Shreesha and her students have been doing 108 Surya Namaskaras from 8th Feb 2024. On the day of Ratha Sapthami, they would have completed 1008 sets of Surya Namaskara’s. Along with this her students have given up sugar consumption for these 10 days.

Her young students too have shown immense restraint by avoiding sugar. I spoke to 3 of her students Ashrith(12 years), Pradyumna(11 years) and Ahana(14 years) to find more about their experience. I was delighted to know that they do not get tempted by sweet treats and it was not very hard for them to quit sugar. Maybe it is through years of yoga practice that they have been able to achieve such control over their mind. I can only say what a noble way to celebrate Ratha Saptami!