The scientific, religious and philosophical reasoning of worshipping this celestial body.
In Hinduism, “Suraj” or “Surya” is the name given to the Sun, besides Aditya, Bhaskara and others from a dozen. The Sun is a giant 4.6 Billion-year-old star around which the entire solar system is arranged. This celestial body consists of a massive amount of Helium, Hydrogen and other gases like Nitrogen and Oxygen. The Latin word of Sun is “sol”, which forms the root word for sun-related terms such as Solar and Helios, the Greek god of Sun. Heliophysics, the study of the Sun and its association with the Earth and Solar System, takes its origin from it as well. It is the gravitational pull of the Sun that holds together the entire solar system in its place, from gigantic planets such as Jupiter to even tiniest fragments of debris.
Scientifically speaking, it is the Sun that is responsible for life on Earth. The Sun is the ultimate source of energy on this planet. It sustains vegetation through photosynthesis, upon which millions of living beings including humans survive. Agriculture changed the face of human civilization and it couldn’t have been executed without the energy from the Sun. Hence worshipping this gaseous star is an ancient indication of gratitude for crop cultivation. The heat from the Sun warms the air on Earth too, facilitating and governing the wind flow as hot air is lighter and rises above the cool air.
Another form in which the Sun rays enrich life is through Vitamin D, the nutrition nourishing a healthy bone and muscle health. The infrared rays from the Sun kill harmful bacteria and provide healing benefits, keeping diseases at bay. This power center aids in maintaining the ecological system on planet Earth by fueling billions of living bodies.
In Hinduism, the Sun god, Surya, rides a chariot with 7 horses. These 7 horses represent the 7 colours of light when split by the Sun, the 7 energy chakras of the human body and also the 7 days of the week which change upon the rotation of Earth on its axis with relation to the Sun. It is the Sun that gives rise to a new day with its bright rays and puts an end to darkness. Surya is known to illuminate and enlighten both the world and the minds of people. It is associated with power, knowledge, wisdom and the gains of its worship finding their way in the Sanskrit Vedas, religious texts too. It is believed, offering water to the Sun upon its rise, maintains a harmonious body, mind and soul connection, strengthens the energy focal points of the body, boosts the overall health and brings one closer to success by empowering and showing the right path. Its worship has been linked to prosperity and progress in life. Surya Namaskar or Sun salutation is a 12 step Yoga exercise engaging the entire body through which one can devote to Lord Surya while attaining endless health benefits and mental peace.
Some of the 108 names given to the Sun are Bhanu, Ravi, Varun and Mitra.
Lord Surya, which astrologically depicts a father figure, is known to have many children, two of which are Karna, the mighty warrior and Sugreev, king of monkeys from the epics Mahabharat and Ramayan respectively.
The Sun holds significance across other religions and cultures as well. One of the greatest Egyptian gods is Ra, the sun. Greeks and Romans too placed their faith in the worship of their Sun deities. Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Mithraism, Babylonians, etc to have believed in the praise of Sun as the superior and powerful entity.
This enormous star which is accountable for supporting life by channelizing its energy through light, heat and food makes it indubitably inspire unconditional worship, devotion and gratitude.
Aditya Hriday Stotra is one such stotra praising the Sun God.
