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INDIA-2001
encyclopedia
PERCEPTIONS
SURYA
(SUN - THE SOURCE OF LIFE)
The Sixteen Rays of Knowledge
The sun has thousands of rays but in popular belief it
emits rays in multiples of 4, i.e 8, 12, 16, 32. The
sixteen rays of knowledge are :
Ekaagratha
(Concentration)
Romancha
(Thrill)
There are sun temples where the sun is
duly worshipped. Several names are attributed
e.g.
Loka-Chakshush,
'eye of the world',
Graha-Raja,
'king of the constellation',
Gabhastiinaan,
'possessed
of
rays',
Sahasrakirana,
'Having a thousand rays',
Visawat,
'the brilliant',
Bhaskara,
'light maker',
Dina-Kara,
'Day maker',
Arha-Pathi,
'Lord of
day'.
Surya namaskaara*
or worship of the sun
as a visible symbol of the supreme is also
performed during the
Yagna.
A pandit with an
athletic build and a lot of stamina, usually
undertakes to perform this physically taxing
ritual. A small oil lamp and various offerings
are laid out in an appropriate manner, for this
worship. The pandit while chanting Vedic
hymns, carries out elaborate prostrations
according to a certain
Surya,
represented in a chariot
drawn by seven horses
—
(also
by
a
seven-headed
horse,
surrounded with rays).
The Sun is
teaching us that
when one is oneself, there will be no
exhaustion or elation, no disgust or
pride. The task of Surya is not
something imposed from outside and
taken up under compulsion. That is why
it is performed systematically, and
smoothly. He is also exhorting mankind
to use the time that He creates and
allots, fully and fruitfully; not merely for
living comfortably and safely, but for
living a moral and elevating life, worthy
of the destiny that is man's. Now you
can realise why the Gita was first taught
by the Lord to the Sun. He is the great
Karma Yogi,
the great
Nishkaama
Karma Yogi.
Has there ever been a day in your life
when the Sun HAS NOT RISEN?? The
rising and setting of the Sun is
something which we have taken for
granted. How many of us have ever
thanked the Sun for providing us with
His Divine Light and Radiant Heat?
How many of us have ever thanked the
Sun for keeping us alive and for sus-
taining the world? Does He not work
Ceaselessly, without any threat of a
strike or lockout?? Has He ever threat-
ened to take leave ?? Has He ever come
too near to us or gone too far away?? -
(H.M.S)
—
"The Eternal Ocean of Brahma"
technique of drawing in the solar energy. He
circumambulates around the offerings,
chanting the hymns glorifying the twelve
names of the sun and prostrates, more than a
hundred times everyday.
May that Sun ever prosper at whose appearance the
meritorious and Lakshmi (presiding deity of all graces),
begin to prosper.
"Look to the blazing Sun and bathe in its light. When you
bring in light, the darkness vanishes." — Prabhushri. *
For more details refer sec. K Pg. K-50
The solar energy is life and the
food. It is all that has a form and also is
formless. Therefore, form means its
energy. The sun pours life into his rays
and whatever they light. The sun is the
universal fire (energy) in its original
and all forms.
Krip
(Mercy)
Mrudutha
(Gentleness)
Audaarya
(Magnanimity)
Akshobha
(Emotionless)
]4
Udyama
(Enterprise)
Gaambheerya
(Gravity of 12
demeanour)
Swasthirat
(Restfulness)
Dhyaana
D hairy a
(Courage)
Vairaagya
(Dispassion)
Dhruti
(Constancy)
6
Sampath
(Prosperity)
asya
(Cheerfulness)
10
(Meditation)
9
The sun has always been considered the
source of all energy. The Sanskrit verse
quoted above testifies to the importance
given to it by Indian sages from the earliest
times. Irrespective of the variously differing
perceptions of the Universe and the Cosmos
the primacy of the sun remained through
centuries, an undisputed central law of liv-
ing.
Modern science has underlined the cen-
tral position of the sun. We know that en-
ergy in any form - heat, light and electro-
magnetic waves - has its origin in solar
energy generated by nuclear fusion reactions
at the sun's core.
The sun represents the limit, the point
where
the
manifest and the unmanifest
worlds unite. The sun thus represents the
Supreme Principles.