SURYA BHAGAVAAN

In the serene blue sky the eternal star that sheds its light in the morning is the Sun. The solar light tones dam to a pleasant moon light in the nights. Nearly eight thousand stars can be seen with the naked eye at night.

Surya according to Vedas:

Sankarshana is the manifestation of Vasudeva Para Brahma. Sankarshana fathered Aniruddha. Vasudeva and Sankarshana are beyond form whereas Aniruddha is imperceptible. He is referred to as Hiranyagarbha in the Vedas. As he is the primordial form, he is also worshipped as Aaditya, Savithaa and Paranjyothi. These are the different names that go to describe effulgent Sun. Hiranyagarbha resides in the orb of rigveda whose beams are said to be the Saamaveda, the form of Yajurveda.

The god who adorns vedas is also worshipped as time. He is said to have made the whole universe as his chariot and rides on the wheel of year with the seven types of vedic metres(Sapta chandas) as horses.

Hiranyagarbha created Brahma who in turn created the universe. As he started creating the universe, moon emerged out of his mind and sun from his eyes. Later the five elements surfaced. From fire came Angaaraka(Mars), earth issued out Budha (Mercury), sky surfaced out Brihaspathi (Jupiter), water gave out Sukra (Venus) and air brought in Shani (Saturn). Later the circle of sky was divided into 12 zones presided over by the zodiac signs. Lord Brahma manifested himself into 27 stars (Nakshatraas).

Surya according to Puraanaas:

More information about Surya can be found in Brahmaanda puraana, Markandeya puraana, Rgveda, Uttara Ramayana, Kashi Khanda and Mahabharata. Surya was born to Kashyapa Prajaapathi, one among Navabrahmas and Aditi, a celestial maiden.

According to Markandeya puraana, Surya is considered as the creator, the Brahma. From this ancient supreme god the whole world evolved. He is looked upon as the creator, the sustainer and the destroyer of the whole universe. Surya is the chief among the Navagrahaas.

When the cosmic egg cracked in, to give birth to Brahma, there was Pranava Naada or Omkara flowing out of his mouth and filling the whole world. Surya is considered to be the physical version of Omkara. Surya shines with the effulgence of the vedas and Omkaara. Surya born out of Aditi’s womb (Aaditya) is also looked upon as a rescuer of gods who were humiliated by the demons.

Form and nature of Surya: The red-coloured Surya sits on a lotus holding two lotuses in his two hands. He shines brightest with a gold coronet and a necklace of diamonds round his neck. His chariot is run on a single wheel with seven horses. He climbs up the chariot and moves round the Meru Parvata driven by his charioteer Anoora. Lord Hanuman and Yaagnyavalkya learnt veda from Surya. Surya is married to Sangnya Devi, the daughter of Viswakarma the legendary architect. Vaivaswatha Manu was born to Surya. Sangnya Devi could not stand the celestial splendour of Surya and shut her eyes. Angered at this gesture, Surya cursed his wife that she would give birth to a child who would control life. Then Yama was born. Later when she had cast a capricious look on Surya, she gave birth to a shifty, capricious girl child Yamuna. Later as his wife flees in fear leaving her shadow behind. Thus Chaaya, the other name for Sangnya Devi, gave birth to Sani ( Saturn), Saavarni and a daughter Tapati. Surya comes to know that Sangnya Devi is in hiding and he approaches in the form of a horse. There Aswini devataas or the physicians of paradise, as they are described, are born. Brahma makes an effort to reduce the splendour of Surya and through the light shed out, Vishnu’s chakra, Siva’s shoola and the conches of Ashtavasuvus are made. At the instance of Surya’s sign, Vishnu mutilates Rahu during the distribution of Elixir and he emerges as Rahu and Ketu to devour Surya during the solar eclipse.

Among Lord Shiva’s three eyes, one of them is Surya. Surya is the friend of Lotuses. Surya fathered Vashistha, Sugreeva and Karna.

SURYA IN ASTROLOGY
Surya presides over Leo in zodiac sign. He resides in each zodiac sign for a month and thus travels all the 12 signs in a year. The twelve spokes of his chariot wheel signify twelve months. It is believed that sixty thousand Vala Khilya sages walk behind his chariot chanting Swasthi vachanaas, while a whole range of celestial Rishis, Gandharvaas, Apsaraas and Naagaas, Yakshaas worship him. Lord Surya adorns disc, whip goad and mace as his weapons.

SURYA-MODE OF WORSHIP
In any horoscope, Surya reigns over a period of six years. To appease the lord, one should offer water (Arghya). Surya likes ruby, one of the nava ratnas. It is also important to donate wheat to appease the Sun god. If cow with a calf, jaggery, copper, gold and red coloured clothes are donated, they ward off the malefic influence of the Lord. To pacify the Sun god, it is required to chant the mantra 6,000 times or Aditya Hridayam of Valmiki. Chanting the Suryaashtaka Stotra will keep diseases off. During the Surya Dasa, it is advisable to donate golden lotus. Surya hora is said to be favourable time to perform surgeries. He is bestower of good health. The Surya Mahaa Mantra’s Beejaaksharaas run thus:

‘OM HRAAM, HREEM HROUM SAHA SURYAAYA NAMAHA’

Rudraabisheka, a Ruby studded ring and homam with Jilledu (Calotropis) samidhas is efficacious to appease the Lord. Surya Namaskaaras are a valuable imperative to promote good health.

Surya favours red clothes, red sandal powder and red flowers. In the nine-planets galaxy, Surya is positioned East ward. Surya was said to be the lord of Kalinga desha, born into Kasyapasa gotra in Prabhava, Maghamasa on the seventh day of the full moon on Sunday with Aswani as the birth star (zodiac sign-Leo). Surya is worshipped on this day of Ratha Sapthami with an offering of sweet rice made out of milk, sugar and rice.

The seven colours that emanate from the Sun are the VIBGYOR, which are symbolically described as the seven horses of his chariot. This star is a potent source of life around and vitamin D is found in Sunlight. The Uttarayana or the first six months from January are considered to be auspicious when the Surya is said to be in Makara raasi. Those who breath their last during these six months, mythology says, go to heaven.

The entire stretch of India is dotted Surya temples beginning from Kashmir, Konark in Orissa, in Gujarat, Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu and Arasavilli in Andhra Pradesh. The Lord that shines above and bestows his grace on all life organisms is devoutly worshipped in India and abroad too to attain all round prosperity.

CHANDRA

 

Chandra is one of the many stars visible in the sky. Indian astrology treats Chandra as a planet. Physics classifies Chandra as a satellite.

Purusha Sooktam (Rgveda) describes Chandra as born from the intelligence of the almighty. That is why Chandra is the controller of the mind according to astrology. Human mental status also fluctuates just like the changes that take place in Chandra during the full moon and new moon fortnights.

Bhaagavata Puranam, Maarkandeya Puranam, Matsya Puranam, Varaaha Puranam, Bhaaratam, Vinaayaka Charitam, Brahma Vaivartaka Puranam give some information about Chandra.

Maarkandeya Puranam: Great Sage Atri and his consort Anasuya were together when the Marharshi’s semen was spilled on to the earth. Vaayudeva, the wind god made it into three parts and one of the parts entered maharshi Atri’s eyes. The reason for Chandra’s birth is the transfer of Brahma’s ‘Amsha’ to the saintly couple Atri and Anasuya, so it is said that Chandra is born to Atri and Anasuya with the Amsha of Brahma.

Matsya Purana : Sage Atri was ordained by Brahma to construct the worlds and Maharshi went into deep meditation. Divine light emanated from the eyes of Atri. The Dikpaalakaas could not bear the light and threw it into the sea. Lord Brahma bestowed masculinity to that light. When the Devas and Daanavaas churned the sea of milk, Chandra and Lakshmi took birth out of the sea. Thus Chandra is the brother of Lakshmi. He is also described as the left eye of Lord Vishnu.

Bhaaratam: During the churning of the sea of milk (as above) elixir had also come out. Lord Vishnu, in disguise as Jaganmohini, distributed the elixir among the gods. Two daanavas by name Rahu and Kethu stealthily joined the gods and tried to drink the elixir. At that time Chandra hints to Lord Vishnu about the cheating of Rahu and Kethu and Lord Vishnu beheaded the both with his Sudarshana Chakram. That’s why Rahu and Kethu entertain a grudge on Chandra and trouble him on some fullmoon days by eclipsing him.

Chandra’s family: According to Brahma Vaivartaka Puranam the 27 stars, Aswani, Bharani, ete.., are the daughters of Daksha Prajaapati (one of the 9 Brahmas) and were married to Chandra. Chandra was differentiating amongst them and loved Rohini more. When Daksha came to know of it, he cursed Chandra to deteriorate indefinitely. Chandra went to Lord Shiva praying for immunity from the curse. Lord Shiva wears Chandra on his head. Daksh Prajaapati approaches Lord Shiva and requests him to release Chandra for which Lord Shiva refuses. Shiva and Daksha started to quarrel. At that juncture, Lord Vishnu appears there and evolves a formula which satisfies the curse of Daksha as well as the promise of the grace of Lord Shiva don’t go waste.

Accordingly Chandra was divided into two parts. One part adores the head of Lord Shiva and the other part suffers the demission and growth, and progressively every fortnight. These two fortnights make up one month and are known as Shuklapaksham and Krishnapaksham and make up the month of the Hindu calendar. From then on Chandra of 16 phases i.e the steps of decline or growth with the net 15 phases comprises of the two halves of the month.

Chandra was a student of Brihaspati, the preceptor of gods. Brihaspati’s wife Tara fell in love with this student, Chandra, and begot a son. The name of the son is Budha (one of the 9 planets). Wednesday is known after his name as Budhavaaram.

Varaaha Puranam: When Daksha Prajapati cursed Chandra, Chandra also retaliates and curses Daksha to get destroyed. He himself disappears and hides inside the sea. Due to the disapperance of the moon i.e Chandra, the growth of herbs, crops ete.., was hampered and religious austerities came to a stand still. All the gods got worried and approached Lord Brahma requesting him to reveal where Chandra was hiding. Brahma informs them the whereabouts of Chandra and suggests them to churn the milky ocean to get Chandra out. Accordingly Chandra takes birth at the time of the churning of the milky ocean.

Once Chandra was attending a big Yagnam (religious austerity) being performed by Daksha Prajaapati. Lord Shiva and his followers destroyed the Yagnam. Chandra comes under the feet of Lord Shiva in the ensuing melee. Then he shouts for grace and spontaneously Lord Shiva saves him and wears him on his head.

Once Lord Ganapathi (son of Lord Shiva) was unable to prostrate before his father due to his big belly. Chandra who was on the head of Lord Shiva laughs at the plight of Ganapathi and as a consequence of that evil sight, Ganapathi’s stomach burst and all the eatables inside were strewn around the place. Goddess Parvathi, annoyed at the plight of her son, gives a curse that anybody who sees Chandra on the Chaturdhi in Bhaadrapada will face false allegations.

Later on when all the gods requested her that the curse would be very severe, she modified the curse exempting the people who listen to the birth story of Ganapathi, from the curse.

Astrology: Chandra is one of the 9 planets and is situated in the north west direction of the almanac in the shape of square. Pearl is the gemstone attributed to him. He is the Lord for Monday and the Lord of Cancer (Karkataka Raasi), Taurus (Vrishaba Raasi) is his state of exalting.

People worship Chandra on Mondays. Chandra Dasa (span) in the horoscope is for 10 years. People wear Pearl to beseech him. An austerity by name Chaandrayana Vratam is also performed. The person who performs the Vratam eats only that number of morsels of food on that number of the day according to ‘Chandra phase’ and fasting on the new-moon day is the procedure of this Vratam.

Some precious stones named Chandrakaantha Mani, which turns frosty (in moonlight) was used in the olden days in the construction of sit outs in places. The pleasing nature of moonlight is well known to be described. Sea exhibits very high ebb and tide on the full-moon day. 

Appearance and natures of Chandra : Chandra the king of Yamuna Desam is white and wears a white umbrella. He circles around Meru Parvata. He has a chariot drawn by 10 horses. Chandra was born on the full moon day the month of Kaarthika falling on a Monday. His gotram was Aatreyasa and he is the controller of Karkataka raasi. Silver is his favourite metal. It is suggested to donate rice to appease him.

Chandra is very fair and white in colour. His clothes are white, his chariot and his horses are also white and he wears a golden crown and a necklace of pearls. One of his hands carries a mace and the other hand symbolises Vara Mudra (to bless). Lord Krishna was born in his dynasty. (Chandra Vamsam).

Brahma has entrusted Chandra with the lordship on crops, herbs, water and Brahmins. The devotees worship Chandra on full moon day with boiled rice mixed with honey and sugar in a copper vessel and dedicate it to him. Chandra’s chariot has three wheels. He is the consort of the 27 stars. He travels with each star on one day during his encircling the earth, which takes 28.5 days. This period comprises of one month based on the moon’s transit and is known as Chaandramaanam (Lunar System).

Lunar eclipse occurs yearly twice that too on full moon days. Astrologically if Chandra is not favourable in the almanac, that person will suffer from lack of mental peace and respiratory diseases. Somavaara Vratham, worship of Lord Shiva, wearing pearls on the body, donating rice, white clothes, silver, white sandal, sugar, oxen etc., should be done.

Chandra is one of the most handsome gods. In Indian literature a woman’s face is compared to that of full moon and her fore head to a part moon. His is the second place amongst the nine planets. If Chandra occurs in the eighth house in horoscope it is said that the person will suffer from ill health from his child hood.

‘Aum Shraam Shreem Shroum Saha Chandraaya Namaha’ is Chandra’s Beejaakshara mantram.

Scientifically Chandra is perceived as a satellite to the Earth. His orbit is at a distance of 50425 yojanaas (one yojana is equal to eight miles). He is the closest planet to the earth.