Why We Offer Arghya to Surya

Why We Offer Arghya to Surya:

The Sun represents the power of Universal consciousness. The Vedas describe the Sun or Surya as the creator of the material universe. Being the Universal soul, he provides intellectual wisdom, self-realization, vision, discrimination light, and life to the world. He rules the sky, and he is the generator of the universe. The year represents the wheel of the Sun’s chariot, and the 12 spokes of the wheel represent the 12 months.

Sun worship:

The Sun is worshipped in many cultures. In India, it is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, called Surya Narayana, who is worshipped at temples in Andhra Pradesh as well as the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha. Festivals like Makara Sankranti and Pongal are held to thank the Sun God for a bountiful harvest, and people offer the first grain to him. Chhath is yet another festival for worshipping the Sun. It was begun by Karna, the son of Surya and Kunti (King Pandu’s wife in the Mahabaratha), who worshipped the Sun and obtained great powers, even growing resplendent like him.

Samba Dasami is another festival dedicated to the Sun. It gets its name from Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, who became cured of leprosy after worshipping the Sun. The festival of Ratha Saptami or Surya Jayanthi is also a major festival. It celebrates the Sun God’s birthday. It also celebrates the Sun God turning his Ratha or chariot (that is drawn by seven horses, which represent the seven colors or the seven days of the week) towards the northern hemisphere. Sun worship was also practiced by Draupadi, a staunch devotee of Surya, and through her devotion, she gained the power to heal deadly diseases.

The Spiritual significance of Surya Arghyam:

Surya Arghyam is the ritual of offering water to the Sun. This is done at dawn and dusk and is believed to have many benefits.

The Garuda Purana says that 30 crore demons or Mandehas are orbiting the Sun. These demons try to swallow Surya at dawn and dusk. When we offer water to the Sun with folded hands (arghyam) during the Sandhya upasana, it becomes a thunderbolt that overpowers these demons and banishes them to the island of Aruna. The Garuda Purana cautions that one who does not follow this ritual kills the Sun.

Mandehas signify the mind and body, which cloud the Sun or the Atman residing within you. In the morning and evening, our mind, body, and senses are out of control. Hence, we need sadhana and prayers to still them and experience illumination within. We can offer water, which is our identity, residing in the Swadisthana chakra, to purify ourselves through the Sun’s light and wisdom. In the same way, Gayathri purifies you with this offering enabling us to perceive the inner light. After the Arghyam, one should say, ‘Asavadithyo Brahma, Brahmaiva Ahamasmi’ (the Sun is truly the Brahman; the Brahman is myself). Thus, in spiritual terms, Arghyam is a reminder of the Brahman within who is honored with the offering of water and chanting of the Mantra.

Benefits of Surya Arghyam:

Worshipping the Sun in the early hours of the morning is good for the absorption of Vitamin D and calcium by the body. This is very beneficial for health. Also, the worshipper’s body and mind will be very receptive to the cosmic solar energy. In ancient India, it is said that Rishis could live without food as they could absorb energy from the sun’s rays. Doing Surya Arghya also helps balance the seven colors within the body. When offering water to the Sun, the sunlight splits into the seven colors of the rainbow. As we look through this stream of flowing water over the container’s edge, the dispersed light will enter our body and balance the seven colors within our body. The ritual is said to benefit the eyes by strengthening eyesight, when it is practiced regularly. It will also make us more disciplined as we will awake early and also finish our work early to perform the rituals. Prayers uttered during the ritual also help to cool the mind.

Water should be offered to the Sun only at dawn and dusk. The body has several energy points. When offering water to the Sun and reciting the Mantra, the water becomes charged. When we touch the water to our body, it will stimulate those energy points. This gives us immense energy and recharges the body and mind.