Sunday is called Ravivaar in Sanskrit. Ravi means Sun and vaar means day. Sunday is dedicated to worship Surya, who is the primary source of all energy to the universe. Worship of Surya leads to the granting of intelligence, courage, devotion to God and self-reliance and authority.

Surya is heard of earliest in the Vedic period (1500—5th century BCE). Surya is ranked with Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Ganesha. Those who worship Surya are called Sauras. However, many Hindus invoke Surya and the Gayatri mantra at dawn is addressed to him. Surya is the father of many wise sons. To name a few, Manu (progenitor of the Hindu race), Yama (the god of Death), Shani (the God who expects people to do only good), Ashvin (twin physicians to the Gods), Karna (a great warrior in the Mahabharata) and Sugriva (the king of the monkeys in the Ramayana). The weapons of the Gods were forged from pieces trimmed from Surya. Therefore, they were invincible. Surya’s power dispels darkness and illuminates the world.

Surya is depicted in boots and wearing the northern dress. He is red in color, with three eyes, four arms and rides a chariot with seven horses. These horses represent the seven chakras. He holds a lotus in his hand. He wears a girdle round his waist known as avyanga (he who has no imperfections). His attire as portrayed was influenced by the Iranian priests called the Magi, who were special priests of the Sun God. These priests were assimilated into the Hindu faith.

Surya Sadhana

Breath Awareness: Visualize the breath going in and out of the left nostril (Ida Nadi—Chandra) 27 times. Visualize the breath going in and out of the right nostril (Pingala Nadi—Surya) 27 times. Visualize the breath going in and out of both nostrils 54 times, meeting at the eyebrow center at Ajna Chakra, eyebrow center and descending from the eyebrow center through both nostrils.

Surya Namaskara. Twelve rounds.

Aum Suryaya Namaha. Meaning is I pray to Suryaya to remove the darkness from my heart and enable me to be responsible for my deeds. The malas which can be used for Surya japa are red sandalwood, Rudraksha and Crystal. Chant either 108 times or 1080 times with the mala. One round is 108 beads, and ten rounds is 1080 beads.

Red is the color for Surya and the gemstone is ruby.

Sunday comes from old English, ‘Sunnandaaeg’ which is derived from a Germanic interpretation of the Latin dies solis, “Sun’s Day.” Germanic and Norse mythology personify the sun as a goddess named Sunna or Sol.

Surya, the Sun God is venerated by all, and what better way to commemorate him daily through the practice of Surya Namaskara.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash