“Saur Tantra,” also known as “Sauram” or “Sauriya Tantra,” is a branch of Tantra that worships the sun as the supreme deity. The term “Saur” is derived from “Surya,” the Sanskrit word for the sun. Saur Tantra is part of the broader spectrum of Hindu Tantra, which encompasses various esoteric practices, rituals, and spiritual philosophies aimed at attaining spiritual enlightenment.
In Saur Tantra, the sun is revered not only as a physical celestial body but also as a manifestation of the divine cosmic energy. Practitioners of Saur Tantra believe that through the worship and meditation on the sun (Surya), one can attain spiritual liberation and transcendence.
Key aspects and practices within Saur Tantra include:
- Sun Worship (Surya Puja): Devotees of Saur Tantra engage in rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the sun. These rituals typically involve offerings, prayers, mantras, and meditative practices aimed at invoking the blessings and grace of the sun deity.
- Solar Mantras and Yantras: Mantras (sacred chants) and Yantras (geometric diagrams) associated with the sun are used in Saur Tantra practices. These are believed to carry potent spiritual vibrations and are employed for meditation, invocation, and empowerment.
- Solar Meditation: Meditation practices within Saur Tantra often involve focusing on the sun, either visualizing its radiant form or meditating on its symbolic significance as the source of light, energy, and consciousness.
- Solar Deities: Along with the worship of the sun as the primary deity, Saur Tantra may also involve reverence for other solar deities such as 12 Aditya’s and others associated with solar energy and attributes.
- Solar Festivals: Various festivals and observances are dedicated to the sun within Saur Tantra, celebrating its significance and influence in the natural world and human life. One such notable festival is Surya Jayanti, the birthday of the sun god.
Saur Tantra emphasizes the interconnectedness of the individual soul (Atman) with the universal consciousness (Brahman) and sees the sun as a symbol of this cosmic unity. Through the practices of Saur Tantra, practitioners seek to awaken their inner light and realize their inherent divinity.
It’s worth noting that while Saur Tantra shares some common principles and practices with other branches of Hindu Tantra, its focus on solar worship distinguishes it as a unique and specialized tradition within the broader Tantra framework.