Aditya Aradhana

February 14, 2024

In our Sanatana Dharma, there is a special place for worshipping Bhagavan Aditya. In accordance with the statement in the Shastras, ‘आरोग्यं भास्कारादिच्छेत् ārogyaṃ bhāskārādicchet’ (seek health by worshipping Bhagavan Bhaskara) – those desiring good health can attain excellent health by engaging in Aditya Aradhana.

The omnipresent Paramatma is worshipped as pervading the Surya Mandala in various names and forms including those of the Divine Mother, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva etc., in accordance with the scriptural statements –

• “भानुमण्डलमध्यस्था bhānumaṇḍalamadhyasthā”
• “ध्येयः सदा सवितृमण्डलमध्यवर्ती dhyeyaḥ sadā savitṛmaṇḍalamadhyavartī”
• “उतैनं गोपा अदृशन् utainaṃ gopā adṛśan”
• सौरमण्डलमध्यस्थं साम्बं संसारभेषजम् sauramaṇḍalamadhyasthaṃ sāmbaṃ saṃsārabheṣajam”. 

Maharshi Agastya taught the Aditya Hridaya Stotram to Lord Sri Rama, praising Aditya as the form of all gods – “सर्वदेवात्मको ह्येषः sarvadevātmako hyeṣaḥ”

The Vedas instruct that Bhagavan Surya is the Self of the entire universe – “सूर्य आत्मा जगतः तस्थुषश्च sūrya ātmā jagataḥ tasthuṣaśca”.

Maharshi Veda in the Brahma Sutra “अन्तस्तद्धर्मोपदेशात् antastaddharmopadeśāt”, has expounded the one pervading the Surya Mandala is indeed the Paramatma.

Hence Aditya Aradhana bestows longevity, health, and leads to the fulfilment of all that we seek.

 The first Prashna of the Taittireeya Aranyaka contains the mantras pertaining to Aruna Ketuka Chayana. These mantras describe the Surya Mandala and contain prayers to Bhagavan Aditya hailed as the bestower of the fruits of man’s karma.  

Since time immemorial, there exists the tradition of reciting this Aruna Prashna along with the offering of salutations to the Bhagavan Surya, in accordance with the dictum “नमस्कारप्रियो भानुः namaskārapriyo bhānuḥ”। Likewise, Maharshi Shaunaka has stated that performing Namaskara along with the recitation of the Saurasukta mantras from the Rigveda bring about the blessings of Bhagavan Aditya.

During the auspicious month of Magha, from  Magha Shukla Prathama (10.2.2024) to Ratha Saptami day i.e. Magha Shukla Saptami (16.2.2024), the following dharmic activities are being engaged in as part of the Suvarnabharati Mahotsava commemorating the 50th year of Sannyasa Sweekara of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam:

1. Daily morning from 7 a.m. –  Surya Namaskara, recitation of the Saurasukta from the Rigveda, and chanting of the Saura Ashtakshari Mahamantra Japa.
2. Recitation of the Aruna Prashna and Aditya Hridaya with counts exceeding a thousand over the seven days.
3. Saura Mantra Homa and Surya Rathotsava on Rathasaptami

All Astikas can participate in this virtuous activity and attain Shreyas.

Those who wish to offer their Seva (with contribution value Rs. 1000/-) on this sacred occasion can do so by using the below link: