Ratha Saptami

-

 


Today is Ratha Saptami (16-02-2024) also known as Surya Jayanthi. This falls on the 7th day in the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month of Magha. 

Sun starts to move towards Uttarayana (Northern hemisphere) on Makar Sankranti. On this day, chariot gains momentum and takes a turn towards North-eastern side, signalling the arrival of Spring season and beginning of harvesting for the farmers.


God Surya is represented as riding a chariot pulled by 7 horses.

The chariot and the 7 horses are said to represent 

1. The seven colors of the rainbow (VIBGYOR).

2. The five senses of perception and the mind and the intellect.

3. The seven points of entry to the body - the two eyes, the two ears, the two nostrils and the mouth. These allow the seven adhyātma-prānās to nourish the soul. This pertains to the celestial plane. 

4. The other five fundamental elements -- earth, water, fire, air and space -- together with the two principles called mahat and ahamkāra, are the seven-adhibhautika prānās, which constitute the vital airs belonging to the physical plane. 

5. The seven Chandas or metre used in composition of hymns, including Vedas, as Gayatri, Brhati, Usnika, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti.

6. The seven days of a week starting with Sunday, the day of Sun god Surya.

7. The chariot has 12 wheels, which represents the 12 signs (each of 30 degrees) of the Zodiac (360 degrees) and constituting a full year, named Samvatsara. The Sun’s own house is Leo (Simha) and he moves from one house to the next every month and the total cycle takes 365 days to complete.


Besides the above things, there is a profound spiritual meaning to the depiction of the Sun.

The Chariot is the Mind and the 7 horses are the thoughts which pull our mind in various directions. To enable the mind to progress toward the divine, the right set of horses should pull it in the right direction. This, indeed, is the spiritual insight and the deeper meaning of Ratha Saptami. Like the Sun which gains momentum, we should also gain momentum in our journey towards enlightenment.


Sanatana Dharma is all about worshipping nature and living in synchrony & harmony with it. All the festivals have a meaning to them which teach us a way of life. 

Comments

  1. K. Mahadev16 February 2024 at 21:14

    Great explanation of radha saptami covering all aspects.it is good that you are covering all aspects of festivals,which now a days many people doesn't know the importance & significance

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous17 February 2024 at 08:40

    Great explanation

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Navratri:Day 1

-
Image
On the first day of Navratri (September 22, 2025), Shailaputri (Mother Nature) or BalaTripura Sundari is worshipped. Shailaputri as the name suggests means Daughter of the Mountain.  She is depicted as sitting on a Nandi bull (which represents righteousness & strength), carrying a flower in her left hand and a trident in the right. She has all the divine powers of Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. She is the ruler of Moon planet and people who are affected by the Moon or have psychological issues, can worship Maa Shailputri and seek blessings.  In the Yogic sense, she represents the highest peak or highest level of consciousness . Spiritually, as per Kundalini Shastras, We have 7 Chakras. The first one is Root Chakra (Muladhara). Shailaputri is known as Goddess of Mooladhara i.e. on awakening the root chakra , one begins their journey towards spiritual awakening (upward journey of Shakti toward Shiva, who resides in the Crown Chakra) and discovers their purpose in l...
Read more

Navratri : Day 2

-
Image
 On the second day of Navratri, Brahmacharini/Goddess of penance/ Yogini(Tapasvini) is worshipped. Maa Brahmacharini represents purity and calmness. The story of Brahmacharini signifies the importance of being dedicated and devoted towards our purpose and to move forward in life, despite the struggles we face in between.  She is the embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, strength and dedication. She is seen in a very simple attire, wearing a white saree with a Kamandalam in her left hand and Japa Mala in her right hand. She governs the second chakra, the Sacral Chakra or Swadhisthana , which means "One's own abode". Upon awakening this chakra, one can spiritually ascend into the next phase or level of understanding.  ॐ देवी ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नमः॥ Om Brahmacharinyaye Namah..!! या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।। Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Brahmcharini Rupen Sansthita Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namah..!! दधाना कर प...
Read more

Revisiting Ramayana

-
Image
  Vijayadashami is celebrated in our country by burning the effigies of Ravana , a symbolic representation of victory of the righteousness over the evil. In the olden days, the saints and sages used to explain the wisdom of life and living by telling a story and then relating it to individual life. Ramayana is one such epic which teaches us way of life.
Read more