SOUL JOURNEY

OFFERING

Q: COULD you please let me know how to offer water to the rising sun? I do so much for others but I do not get any appreciation. – RS

A: The sun is the source of energy for the whole universe.

We cannot imagine even a day without the sun. All living beings get energy and vitality from the sun. Therefore, due to its immense power to rejuvenate life on Earth, the sun is considered as a god in Hinduism and few other religions.

In Vedic astrology, the sun is considered as the significator of our body, health, eyes, bones, social prestige, father, political career, ancestral properties, influential family, name and status, profession, self-esteem, support from superiors and government-related matters.

When the sun is weak, we might experience issues in any of the areas mentioned above.

When we offer water to the sun (Arghya to Surya ), the sun placed in our horoscope is strengthened and all the areas mentioned above begin to improve.

Procedure: There are many ways and various mantras to chant while offering water to the sun.

The best time to offer water to the sun is within one to two hours of sunrise.

METHOD

You should take a bath and wear clean clothes before following this method. You should also have bare feet.

1. Take a copper lotta (vessel) and fill it with water.

2. Go outside where you can see the sun. If it is cloudy and you are unable to see the sun, look towards the east, visualising that the sun is there.

3. Straighten both your hands to the level of your forehead, face the vessel towards the sun and start pouring the water slowly. Look at the sun’s rays through the stream of water from the vessel. Visualise the powerful cosmic healing rays approaching you.

4. Start reciting this simple mantra while you begin pouring the water: “Om Suraya Namah.”

5. Pour the water out slowly enough to have recited the mantra at least 11 times before all the water is gone.

6. The following 12 mantras can also be chanted while pouring: Om Mitraya Namaha

Om Ravaye Namah

Om Suryaya Namah

Om Bhanave Namah Om Khagaya Namah Om Punshne Namah

Om Hiranya – garbhaya Namah Om Marichaye Namah Om Adityaya Namah

Om Savitre Namah

Om Arkaya Namah Om Bhaskaraya Namah

7. In ancient times, many people would also offer Surya Arghya three times to the sun and chant the Gayatri mantra three times. This practice was done in a river.

8. After this, touch the water which is spread on the earth with the fingers on your right hand and touch those fingers to your forehead. Wet your fingers in the water again and then touch both your eyes followed by your throat.

There are various energy points in our body. When we offer water to the sun and recite the mantra, the water becomes empowered. When we put the water on our bodies, the energy points are stimulated thereby giving us energy throughout the day.

9.When you leave the spot, avoid stepping on the place where you poured water, in order to maintain the sanctity of the ritual.

10. One can also add red sandal or kumkum, red flower, and akshat

(a pinch of rice) to the copper vessel and during sunrise, face towards the east. Let the water fall slowly to the earth. It can be poured back into a water container, river, soil or the roots of a plant. Make sure you do not pour the water on to Tulsi devi

(plant) and on Shivlinga.

11. Some people also make a

360º turn three times, after pouring the water.

12. For greater benefits, you should offer water at the time when the sun rays are reddish, usually in the morning and while doing this, you can also use a red cloth over the water.

BENEFITS

THE MOST important aspect of the ritual is that you should have complete faith and devotion while doing it.

Other Benefits:

1.When you offer water to the rising sun, the sunlight splits into seven rays of the rainbow, like a prism fragmenting a ray of light into seven colours.

When you look through the stream of flowing water, the dispersed light enters your body and balances the seven chakras (energy centres) within your body.

2.The human body is made up of five elements: air (vayu), water (jal), earth (prithvi), fire (energy) and space (aakash) which are also present in the universe. Through the offering, we are attempting to align with the cosmic energy.

3.The sun’s nutritious, rich rays removes physical, mental and spiritual weaknesses. It is known to make one healthy and increases one’s life span.

4.The process helps one miraculously, aiding in intellectual upliftment and the ability to make decisions. It is also known to improve eyesight and digestion, heals wounds and alleviate vitamin D deficiencies.

Enjoy the early morning ritual and, given time, you will see its benefits.

Jay Shree Surya Narayan.

“There’s a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss so many of them.” – JO WALTON