Loka Rakshamani

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Magashuddha Saptami is the auspicious day when the Lord was born. He was born in Visakha Nakshatra to Aditi and Kashyapa according to Brahmanda Purana story. Surya Jayanthi is called Rathasaptami. Surya's chariot has seven horses. So he became 'Saptasvaratharudha'. Day, morning, confluence, afternoon, evening - these are the Panchayudhas. The six seasons are the leaves of the wheel. Arthakamas are axes. Dharma is the flag of the chariot. The charioteer is Anura.

The entire existence of animals depends on the sun. From time immemorial, he is the Suryanarayan Murthy who is the visible God, Karmasakshi, who bestows strength, longevity and power to millions of people. The Vedas proclaim that all cures and freedom from all sufferings are possible only because of that Lord. The holy bath on Rathasaptami is called the main step to salvation. It is believed that Bhanu, while traveling to Prak-West, taught Vedic grammar to Yajnavalkya and Anjaneya and bestowed Akshayapatra on the exiled Dharmaraja. In twelve months, the sun is spreading light to the world under the names of Dhata, Aryama, Mitra, Varuna, Indra, Vivasvana, Pusha, Parjanyu, Bhaga, Trishna, Vishnu, Anshuman. Satrajittu worshiped the sun and got 'Samantakamani'. There are popular stories that Sage Praskanva chanted Surya Japa and poet Mayur wrote Surya Shatakam and got rid of skin diseases. It is a prophetic legend that Yasodharma, the king of Kamboji, performed the Rathasaptami Vrata with his son and crowned him.

The Gayatri Mantra, related to Surya, invented by Brahmarishi Vishwamitra is a glorious path to salvation for mankind. Aruna Parayanam and Suryanamaskar are performed for Surya Kripa. Lord Krishna's son Sambu's sun worship Ananya became common. Sunlight is described in many Puranas. Rathasapta is the first tithi of Vaivasvata Manvantara. Today in Brahmi Muhurtam, the scene of planets is visible in the form of Surya Ratha. Payasam was pleasing to the sun. That is why, on this day, payasam is made with milk, kothabiyyam and jaggery and reported to Bhanu. Ashtottaranama is also chanted to Aditya. Suryavarna is widely mentioned in texts like Vratachudamani, Dharmasindhu, Nirvanamrita, Madanaratnam etc.

'Namaskarapriyah suryah'- just one salutation will attain Adityakrpa. A man is delusional that no one sees all the sins he commits. We should realize the fact that the eyes of Suryanarayana, the Veda Parayan, are always on us and act righteously.