Happy Ratha Sapthami!
February 1, 2020
Ratha Sapthami (Magha Saptami or Magha Jayanti or Surya Jayanti) is a very auspicious day in the Hindu calendar. It is the seventh day in the lunar calendar month, Magha. The Sun god travels from southeast to northeast beginning this day of the year and days become longer. This is the birthday of Surya. Surya was born to sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi. It is very auspicious to worship Sun god with Surya Namaskara on Ratha Sapthami day.
The Sun god travels in the north and south directions in a year. These are called Uttarayana (the first half of the year) and Dakshinayana (the second half of the year). The first half of the year is considered most auspicious than the second half of the year.
The word “Ratha” means chariot. The word “Saptha” means seven. In Indian mythology the Sun God’s Chariot is pulled by seven horses. Chariot is symbolic of the mind. The seven horses are symbolic of innumerable and divergent thoughts, which arise in the mind. To enable the mind to progress towards eternal truth, it should move with one pointed direction. All the horses should move in unison toward one direction. This is the deeper meaning and the spiritual discernment of “Ratha Saptami”.
Many people worship Surya because he symbolizes spiritual consciousness and he is the provider of health and wealth (Aarogya and Aishwarya Daata). In ancient times Surya Namaskara was practiced daily during sunrise or sunset to worship Sun God. It is believed and proven that exposure to fresh sunrays rejuvenate and purify the body and mind.
Surya Namaskar has been a devotional practice. Practice of Surya Namaskar was neither a part of Astanga Yoga nor Hatha Yoga practices. Asanas (postures) of Surya Namaskar were not a part of Hatha yoga practices. At some point in the history these asanas were added to the Hatha Yoga practices. It is an excellent and versatile group of asanas to practice in the early morning.
Surya Namaskara is composed of 12 steps. It is a set of seven asanas, and some of them are repeated twice. The twelve steps complete a cycle of Surya Namaskara. It can be repeated twelve times reciting the twelve names of the Sun God. One can chant one name of the sun God either per asana or for each cycle.
Asanas and the twelve names of the Sun God:
- Tadasana or Samasthiti (Mountain pose)– Inhale and exhale—Om Mitraya Namaha
- Namaskarasana (Salutation pose) – Inhale, Exhale –- Om Raviye Namaha
- Urdva Namaskarasana (Upward stretched arms salutation pose) – Inhale – Om Suryaya Namaha
- Uttanasana (Standing forward bend)–Exhale, Inhale – Om Bhanave Namaha
- Adhomukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog pose)– Exhale- Om Khagaya Namaha
- Urdvamukha Svanasana (Upward facing dog pose) – Inhale – Om Pushne Namaha
- Chaturanga Dandasana (Four limbed staff pose) – Exhale –Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha
- Urdvamukha Svanasana (Upward facing dog pose) – Inhale – Om Marichaye Namaha
- Adhomukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog pose) –Exhale, Inhale—Om Adityaya Namaha
- Uttanasana (Standing forward bend) – Exhale – Om Savitre Namaha
- Urdva Namaskarasana (Upward stretched arms salutation pose) – Inhale – Om Arkaya Namaha
- Namaskarasana (Salutation pose) – Exhale – Om Bhaskaraya Namaha
This completes one cycle of Surya Namaskara. It can be repeated 3 -12 cycles.
Benefits of practicing Surya Namaskara:
Builds overall strength and stamina in the body, energizes body, mind and spirit. Strengthens back. Balance the metabolism, stimulates and balances reproductive, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems of the body. Brings balance in the endocrine system. Revitalizes the eye sight, increase mental Sharpness and clarity
Surya Namaskara is not recommended for people with following medical conditions: coronary artery diseases, heart problems and hernia. People with
back and shoulder conditions should consult a physician before practicing Surya Namaskara. Practice of Surya Namaskara should be avoided during menstruation and pregnancy. However, the asanas except stage six, seven and eight can be done independently without jumps, avoiding fast and quick movements.
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