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Eternal India
encyclopedia
PERCEPTIONS
SURYA
(SUN - THE SOURCE OF LIFE)
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.
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)
Kripa
(Mercy)
Audaarya
(Magnanimity)
Akshobha
(Emotionless)
14
Udyama
(Enterprise)
Gaambheerya
(Gravity of
12
demeanour)
Swasthirat 11
(Restfulness)
Dhyaana
10
(Meditation)
Mrudutha
(Gentleness)
Dhairya
(Courage)
Vairaagya
(Dispassion)
Dhruti
(Constancy)
6
Sampath
(Prosperity)
Haasya
(Cheerfulness)
Vinaya
(Humility)
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 reac-
tions 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.
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',
Gabhastimaan,
'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 physi-
cally taxing ritual. A small oil lamp and
various offerings are laid out in an appropri-
ate manner, for this worship. The pandit
while chanting Vedic hymns, carries out
elaborate prostrations according to a certain
Surya,
usually
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 appear-
ance 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