�� Richard Randall

Caribbean

Sundries

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Surya

In Hinduism, Surya (Devanagari: ���������������, s��rya) is the chief solar deity, son of Dyaus Pitar. He has hair and arms of gold. His chariot is pulled by seven horses, which represent the seven chakras. Tvashtar is his son.

A well-known Hindu mode of worship of Surya is done at the rising of the Sun, known as Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation). Ten yogic postures are assumed in successive flowing movements to complete one namaskar. Twelve sacred Hindu mantras uttered and for each mantra one complete namaskar is done. Ancient practice is to do 108 namaskaras a day. It is considered most auspicious by Hindus to do this. Its origins have been traced back to the time of the Ramayana (around 5100 BCE). The 12 mantras for surya namaskar:

1. ������ ��������������������� ��������� aum mitr��ya namah

2. ������ ��������������� ��������� aum r��vay�� namah

3. ������ ��������������������� ��������� aum s��ry��ya namah

4. ������ ��������������� ��������� aum bh��nav�� namah

5. ������ ��������� ��������� aum khagaya namah

6. ������ ������������������ ��������� aum pushn�� namah

7. ������ ������������������������������������ ��������� aum hiranyagarbh��ya namah

8. ������ ������������������������ ��������� aum m��rich��y�� namah

9. ������ ������������������������ ��������� aum ��dity��ya namah

10. ������ ������������������������ ��������� aum s��vitr�� namah

11. ������ ������������������ ��������� aum ��rk��ya namah

12. ������ ������������������������ ��������� aum bh��skar��ya namah

The Gayatri Mantra is also associated with Surya. Another hymn associated with Surya is the Aditya Hridayam, recited by the great sage Agastya to Rama on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana.

In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day. Furthermore, Shaivites and Vaishnavas often regard Surya as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively. For example, the sun is called Surya Narayana by Vaishnavas. In Shaivite theology, Surya is said to be one of eight forms of Shiva, named the Astamurti.

In the Mahabharata, princess Kunti receives instruction for a mantra from sage Durvasa reciting which she is able to summon any god and bear a child with him. Unable to believe the power of this mantra, she tries to summon Surya. When Surya appears, she is overawed and requests him to go back, but Surya is compelled to fulfil the mantra before returning. Surya magically causes Kunti to bear a child immediately so that she, an unmarried princess, would not be subject to questions from the king or his court. Kunti discards this child, Karna, who grows up to become one of the central characters in the great battle of Kurukshetra.

The intercontinental ballistic missile "Surya" was named after the deity.

A prayer

Surya has remained an object of devotion and prayer since Vedic period, and a hymn devoted to Surya runs as follows:

Salutations to you, the presiding deity of the eastern mountain (where the sun rises), and the western mountain (where the sun sets). Salutations to the Lord of the stellar bodies and the Lord of the day.

Surya is the blessings of the all blessings, destroyer of all sins, allayer of anxiety and aguish and bestower of longevity.

Indeed He is the embodiment of all Gods. He is self luminous, and is the sustainer of all worlds as well as the host of Gods and demons.

Indeed He is Pitras, the eight vasus, the Sadhyas, the twin Aswins (physicians of Gods0, the Maruts, the Manu, the wind God, the fire God, the life breath of the universe, the maker of six seasons and the store house of light.

He is the son of Aditi, the progenitor (of all) the Sun God (the inspirer of action) the course in the heavens, the nourisher of all, the possessor of rays, the brilliant, the seed of the universe and the maker of the day.

He has seven green horses, is of myriad rays, the destroyer of darkness, the source of happiness, mitigator of sufferings and is the infuser of life in the cosmic egg.

He is Hiranyagarbha; Sisirastapana, illuminator, Ravi, bearer of the fire, son of Aditi, blissful, and the destroyer of the cold.

He is a giver of heat, adorned with cycle of rays, he is evil and the destroyer of all. He is omniscient, all formed, brilliant, reddish and the source of all evolutes.

Salutations to the subduer of the senses, the valiant one, the one that travels fast leading to the realization of mystic syllable: OM; Salutations to him whose emergence makes the lotus blossom and salutations to the fierce one.

Salutations to the dispeller of darkness, the destroyer of cold, the exterminator of foes; the one whose extent is immeasurable, the annihilator of the unforgettable, the Lord of the stellar bodies.

Salutations to you, possessor of the luster of refined gold, destroyer of ignorance, the architect of the universe. Salutations to the destroyer of darkness, splendour incarnate; the witness of the world.

This Sun God, destroys all that has come into being. He alone creates them all and sustains. He alsone radiates heat by his rays and sends rain.

He is the lord of the stars, planets and constellations and the origin of everything in the universe, the resplendent among the splendid. Oh! God, appearing in twelve forms (in the shape of twelve months of the year) salutations to you.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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