Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Ratha Saptami message – February 3, 2017
Episode aired on TV in India and posted on Hanuman Facebook page
Compiled by: Archana Penukonda
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Adideva namastubhyam, Prasida mama bhaskara
Divakara namasatubhyam, Prabhakara namostute
Because we are worshipers of the Sun God, this day is special for us. The Sun God incarnated on this seventh day of the bright fortnight in the lunar month of Magha.
The Matsya Purana states that this is the day the Sun God first gave Darshan to planet earth on his golden chariot drawn by seven horses. This day (Magha Shuddha Saptami) is widely known as Ratha Saptami. The writers of the almanac (panchanga kartas) also call this day Surya Jayanti. This day as special as a day of solar eclipse.
Charities and noble deeds performed on this day earn the same merit as the charities and noble deeds performed on the day of a solar eclipse. Those who worship the sun on Ratha Saptami day are bestowed with good health.
Noticing the devotion to Sun God in Dharmaraja when the Pandavas were in exile, Sri Krishna narrated the story of Ratha Saptami. Once upon a time, the country of Kambhoja was ruled by a king called Yashovartaka. He was advancing in age, but had no children. After a long time, he had a son. But the king’s happiness did not last long. The boy’s body was filled with diseases. No number of doctors could help. The boy’s health did not get better. The king summoned all the scholars and showed them the boy’s horoscope, asking them the reason for his son’s state and praying to them to suggest a solution. The scholars observed his grief, examined the boy’s horoscope, and said, “O King, your son was very wealthy in his previous birth. But what was the use? He did no charity and no noble deeds. But towards the end of his birth, he viewed the Ratha Saptami ritual. Because of that, he is now born as a king’s son. For his diseases to go away, he must observe the Ratha Saptami ritual. He will become free from all diseases and become completely healthy again. As per the instructions of the scholars, the king of Kambhoja observed the Ratha Saptami ritual and by the grace of Sun God, helped his son get relief from all diseases and made him perfectly healthy. Thus, Sri Krishna narrated the story of the Ratha Saptami ritual.
So, on this day, if one takes a bath with seven Calotropis Gigantea (Jilledu in Telugu) leaves or seven Jujube (Regi in Telugu) leaves, the sins of seven births will be destroyed.
Janani janma lokanam, saptami sapta saptike,
Sapta vyavritike devi, namaste surya matrke
Praying, “O Saptami with the seven horses, you are the Mother of the worlds. To you, the mother of Sun God, salutations”, one should offer oblations (Arghyam) to sun god. Worshiping Sun God, one must offer water (Tarpanam) to Sun. One must wake up early and have a full bath including hair wash. Making a chariot with Hyacinth Beans, offer it to Sun God as an offering of a chariot. One must use cow dung cakes as fuel to cook Pongal and offer the Pongal to Sun God first. There is a lot of scientific meaning behind using Calotropis Gigantea, Jujube and Hyacinth Beans on this festival. Traditional practices have a lot of relationship with Science. Bhavishyottara Purana has stated the many significances of the Ratha Saptami festival. Sunday too is very dear to the Sun God. If Ratha Saptami falls on a Sunday, it bestows great merit. Such a Sunday is very special. The Skanda Purana states that such a day can ward off untimely death. On this day, it is the duty of every Indian to worship the Sun God.
By Lord Suryanarayana’s grace, may everyone have good health. We pray to Lord Datta that everyone practice Dharmic activities with enthusiasm and with a good heart.
Sri Guru Datta