Navagraha

Surya

सूर्य

Also known as Aditya, Bhaskara, Ravi, Dinakara, Vivasvan

Surya is the sun god, the source of light, health and vitality, worshipped daily at sunrise and honoured in the Surya Namaskara.

Temples of Surya → Photo gallery → All gods

4chants

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Tradition: Navagraha
Consort: Sanjna, Chhaya
Vahana: Seven-horsed chariot
Abode: Suryaloka
Weapon: None
Festival: Ratha Saptami, Chhath, Sunday

Origin story

Surya is the son of Kashyapa and Aditi and the father of Yama, Manu and the Ashvins. The Aditya Hridayam, a hymn to the sun, was taught to Rama before his battle with Ravana, and the daily Surya Namaskara keeps the same reverence alive in practice.

The seven-horse chariot is the seven colours and the seven days, the charioteer Aruna is the dawn, and the lotus is the unfolding of life. Surya is honoured at sunrise in Kerala's temples, where the first light is offered before any other ritual begins.

Source: Wikipedia: Surya — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya

Symbolism

The seven-horse chariot is the seven colours and days, the charioteer Aruna is dawn, and the lotus is unfolding life.

From the temples

Gallery of Surya 1

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1 photograph from temples of Surya

Mantra 1

Om Suryaya Namah

ॐ सूर्याय नमः

Oṃ Sūryāya Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to Surya, the sun, giver of light and life.

Recited for: Sunrise japa, health and vitality

Sloka 1

Japa Kusuma Sankasha

जपाकुसुमसंकाशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम्। तमोऽरिं सर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोऽस्मि दिवाकरम्॥

Japākusumasaṃkāśaṃ Kāśyapeyaṃ Mahādyutim, Tamo Ariṃ Sarvapāpaghnaṃ Praṇato Asmi Divākaram

Meaning — I bow to the sun, radiant as the hibiscus, son of Kashyapa, the great light who is the enemy of darkness and the destroyer of all sin.

Recited for: Dhyana and Surya Namaskara

Pooja Sloka 1

Aditya Hridayam (Opening)

ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम्। रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्॥

Tato Yuddhaparśrāntaṃ Samare Cintayā Sthitam, Rāvaṇaṃ Cāgrato Dṛṣṭvā Yuddhāya Samupasthitam

Meaning — Then, weary from battle and absorbed in thought, seeing Ravana standing before him ready to fight, Rama was addressed by the sage Agastya.

Recited for: Recitation for victory and courage