Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
Legend has it that Rathasapthami is the day of commencement of the Vaivasvata manvantara (day of recreation of the universe), the first descendant of Vivaswan, the sun, and that the sun ascended his chariot on this day. As the sun’s heat and luster got diminished, he was turned on a lathe by the celestials and had his intensity of heat and light restored. (also corresponding to the Uttarayana movement of the Sun.) The worship of sun on all mornings of maghamasa is called Nitya Danya Vrata. A handful of rice is set apart daily and the accumulated quantity at the end of vrata is distributed among the poor.
The Sun not only rules the planet, but has been in perfect harmony with all the other members of the planetary system for eons. If only the highest evolved of life forms, is able to live in harmony with himself and be linked by ties of shared togetherness, as do the planets.
Ratha” means chariot and “Sapthami” means the 7th day, it is the day when the Surya/Sun god is believed to ride on the chariot drawn by 7 horses to gift the beautiful season “Spring” to South India. It is during this time that Surya/Sun moves from the southeast to the northeast. 7 represents the colors of the rainbow or the 7 chakras. The days become warmer and bring relief and cheer to life after the bitter winter months. This year it is on 2nd February 2009.
The Sun is approximately 149,600,000 kilometers from earth and sunlight takes 8.3 minutes to reach the earth. Life on earth is dependent on the Sun and Sun’s energy is tapped in innumerable way –
Plants: To prepare food
Humans: To generate power, for a doze of Vitamin D, the ultraviolet rays from the Sun has antiseptic properties, which are used to sanitize tools and water
Nature: Convert fossil into fuels and petroleum.
On Rathasapthami day, rangoli/pattern of Surya/Sun riding a chariot is drawn. A special bath is taken with 7 yekka/arka/calotropis procera leaves. One leaf is kept on the head, 2 on the shoulders, 2 on knees and 2 on foot while having bath.
The following mantra on Sun god is chanted while taking the bath.
“Saptha Saptha Maha Saptha|
Saptha Dweepa Vasundara|
Sapth Arka Parna Madaya|
Sapthamyam Snana Machareth||”
By following this simple ritual people believe that the Lord will bless them with success for all their endeavors in the coming year.
On this day Avalakki/Poha/Beaten Rice Payasa/Pudding is prepared and the Payasa is allowed to overflow the pan in which it is being cooked. Perform pooja and offer fruits and payasa to the god.
Argya/oblation of water is offered to Sun God on this day. Special pooja and celebrations are held in all the temples.
Jai Srimannaryana !
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