Mumbai: The reverence for Lord Surya (Sun) has deep roots in Hindu mythology, evident in epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama is said to have worshipped Lord Surya, offering him water as a mark of respect. In the Mahabharata, Kunti, mother of the Pandavas, was blessed by Lord Surya, resulting in the birth of her son, Karna. To this day, millions of Hindu devotees begin their day with Surya Arghya, expressing devotion and gratitude to the Sun.
Surya Arghya is a sacred ritual that involves offering water to the rising Sun, symbolising reverence and seeking blessings from Lord Surya. This ancient practice, rooted in Hindu spirituality, is believed to enhance physical health, foster mental clarity, and promote spiritual discipline.
Performing Surya Arghya each morning has been linked to numerous benefits, ranging from improved eye health to better job prospects and a peaceful family life. The ritual is simple yet powerful, making it accessible to anyone seeking to incorporate a spiritually enriching practice into their daily routine.
The correct way to perform Surya Arghya is crucial to receiving its maximum benefits. Offering water with respect and focus is believed to strengthen the influence of the Sun in your life, bringing harmony, prosperity, and well-being. Whether done as part of a larger spiritual practice or as a standalone ritual, Surya Arghya has the power to transform your life in meaningful ways.
Benefits of Surya Arghya
Surya Arghya offers numerous benefits, as listed below:
Spiritual Growth: Rising early for Surya Arghya encourages discipline, positivity, and energy for the day ahead, fostering spiritual growth and well-being.
Astrological Benefits: In Vedic astrology, the Sun holds significant influence. Strengthening the Sun’s presence in one’s astrological chart through this ritual is believed to bring harmony, success, and good fortune.
Harmonious Family Life: In astrology, the Sun can influence family harmony and property matters. Regular worship is believed to help resolve family disputes, especially with parents.
Health Benefits: The Sun is a natural source of vitamin D, essential for strong bones and overall health. Offering water while gazing at the Sun through the flowing stream helps maintain eye health and can be beneficial for those with visual impairments.
Heart Health: The Sun is associated with heart health in Hindu belief. Regular offerings to the Sun are thought to strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Mental Well-being: Practicing Surya Arghya regularly can help boost confidence, focus, and mental resilience, aiding in the reduction of anxiety and feelings of depression.
Career and Personal Growth: It’s believed that this ritual enhances confidence and vitality, which are crucial for career progression and personal growth.
Performing Surya Arghya
Here is the correct way and steps for the Surya Arghya Ritual:
Use a copper vessel: Copper is considered pure in Hindu rituals. Use a copper vessel to hold the water, symbolising respect and devotion.
Add flower or rice to the water: Include a flower or grains of rice in the water, signifying respect and reverence.
Observe the Sun’s reflection: Ensure that the Sun’s rays reflect in the water before you, symbolising a connection with the divine light.
Face East: Stand facing East during the ritual, taking care not to let the water touch your feet as this is considered disrespectful.
Even on cloudy days, continue the ritual by facing the East with the same devotion, regardless of the Sun’s visibility.
Surya Arghya and Chhath Puja
Surya Arghya and Chhath Puja share a deep connection in their reverence for the Sun God, Lord Surya. Both rituals involve the offering of water to the Sun, to seek blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
Surya Arghya typically performed daily at sunrise, is a practice of offering water to the rising Sun, while Chhath Puja, a major Hindu festival, is dedicated to worshipping Lord Surya during the special times of sunset and sunrise.
During Chhath, devotees offer Arghya to the Sun more elaborately and intensely, often fasting and standing in water as a sign of devotion, to seek blessings for the well-being of their families and to express gratitude to the Sun for its life-sustaining energy.
The connection between Surya Arghya and Chhath Puja lies in the shared symbolism of honouring the Sun’s role in sustaining life on Earth. Both rituals emphasise the Sun’s power to heal, purify, and bring prosperity, making them integral to Hindu spirituality.
While Surya Arghya is practised daily as a personal form of worship, Chhath Puja is an annual festival that involves community participation and devotion on a larger scale. The essence of both practices is the same: by offering water to the Sun with reverence, devotees invite the Sun’s positive influence into their lives, reinforcing their connection to the natural world and divine forces.
Mantras to chant during Surya Arghya
Chant these Mantras during Surya Arghya to invoke the Sun’s positive influence:
1. Gayatri Mantra: This powerful Vedic mantra is often recited while offering water to the Sun.
“Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
“Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat”
2. “Sun Man”
3. Surya Beej Mantra: “Om Hraam Hreem Hraum Sahi Surya Namah”
This mantra addresses the Sun directly, seeking his positive influence.
4. 12 Names of Lord Surya: Chanting these names during Surya Arghya invokes different aspects of Lord Surya:
Om Mitraya Namah — The friend of all.
Om Ravaye Namah – The bright one.
Om Suryaya Namah — The guide of all.
Om Bhanave Namah — The bestower of beauty.
Om Khagaya Namah — The one who moves in the sky.
Om Pushne Namah — The nourisher.
Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah — The creator.
Om Marichaye Namah — The healer.
Om Adityaya Namah — The son of the cosmic mother Aditi.
Om Savitre Namah — The benefactor.
Om Arkaya Namah — The one worthy of praise.
Om Bhaskaraya Namah — The bringer of wisdom and cosmic light.
Surya Arghya, a timeless practice, merges spiritual devotion with physical and mental health, offering an all-encompassing approach to daily wellness and positivity.
By performing Surya Arghya, you not only honour Lord Surya but also connect with the healing power of the Sun, whose rays provide nourishment for the body and mind.
The mantras recited during the offering amplify the ritual’s power, invoking divine blessings for prosperity and good fortune. With dedication and faith, Surya Arghya can help align you with the cosmic energies, bringing balance and success into your life.
Incorporating Surya Arghya into your daily routine is a simple yet profound way to honour the Sun and enhance your life in all aspects. Whether you’re seeking physical vitality, mental clarity, or spiritual advancement, this ritual offers a direct connection to the divine.
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