Harnessing the Radiance of the Sun, Surya in Mythology, Spirituality, and Science
The Uttarayana punyakala has just begun. This marks both the birthday and the northward journey of Surya, the Sun God, as the seasons change from the dark, cold winter to the harvest season and spring and summer. Known variously as Aditya, Ravi, Diwakar, and Surya, the sun is believed to travel on his chariot drawn by seven horses and is considered the visible manifestation of Brahman itself.
In Indian civilization, the sun has never been merely a celestial body. It is a deity, a healer, a giver of life, and a symbol of consciousness itself. The radiance of the sun has inspired poets, philosophers, scientists, and spiritual seekers for millennia. As we move through Uttarayana, it is worth reflecting on the many dimensions of this source of all energy on Earth.
The Mythology of Light
A popular mantra in praise of Surya, the son of Sage Kashyapa and Aditi, describes his red-orange hue much like the hibiscus flower, his radiance, his ability to dispel darkness, and wash away the sins of those who sincerely worship him besides imbuing them with strength and energy.
The imagery is striking. The hibiscus, with its vibrant red petals, is often offered to Surya in worship. The colour is not incidental; it represents energy, passion, and the life force that the sun embodies. The mantra speaks of dispelling darkness—not just the physical darkness of night, but the darkness of ignorance, of despair, of spiritual blindness.
There is a fascinating story about Surya’s brilliance. Sanjana, daughter of the celestial architect Viswakarma and wife of Surya, found his light and brilliance too intense. She confided in her father, who used his celestial lathe to scrape off some of Surya’s body to mute the brilliance. The scrapings were repurposed to fashion an array of weapons: the Sudarshan chakra (Vishnu’s weapon), Shiva’s trident, and the vel or spear that Karthikeya wields.
This myth is rich with meaning. It suggests that divine energy, when too intense for direct experience, must be moderated. And that the same energy, when refocused, becomes power in other forms. The weapons fashioned from Surya’s radiance are not just instruments of war but symbols of the power to overcome obstacles and protect dharma.
The Sun in Astronomy and Astrology
Surya is deemed a star in astronomy while according to Vedic astrology he is a very important planet due to his position in the centre of the solar system. This distinction is important. Astronomy and astrology represent different ways of knowing—one empirical, one symbolic. Both have their place in human understanding.
Modern astronomy confirms what ancient seers intuited: the sun is the source of virtually all energy on Earth. It drives the climate, powers photosynthesis, and sustains the food chain. Without it, life as we know it would cease to exist. The ancient worship of Surya was not superstition; it was a recognition of this fundamental truth.
Vedic astrology, or Jyotisha, places Surya at the centre of its cosmological map. The sun’s position at birth is said to influence one’s soul, ego, and life purpose. Whether one accepts this framework or not, it represents a sophisticated system of symbolic thought that has guided millions for centuries.
The Significance of Seven
The number seven holds great significance for Surya. The seven horses of his chariot stand for the seven days of the week (Sunday being his day) and also the seven colours of the rainbow. What’s more, the seven different rays that emanate from him gave rise to and shed light on the Moon, and planets such as Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars.
The seven horses are not just poetic fancy. They represent the seven visible colours of sunlight, which Newton later identified as the spectrum. They represent the seven days of the week, a division of time that has become universal. They represent the seven classical planets of ancient astrology. The symbolism is layered and precise.
The 12 wheels of his chariot represent the 12 signs of the Zodiac. Here again, we see the sun’s journey through the year mapped onto the celestial wheel. The chariot moves, the seasons change, and life on Earth responds.
The Aditya Hridayam
That Surya is the giver of energy is clearly mentioned in the episode in the Valmiki Ramayana wherein an exhausted Rama during the battle with Ravana was given the Aditya Hridayam stotra by Sage Agastya. Rama chanted it thrice over and emerged victorious.
This is not merely a story about divine intervention. It is a teaching about the relationship between human effort and cosmic energy. Rama, exhausted and facing the most powerful demon of his time, turns inward and connects with the source of all power. The recitation of the Aditya Hridayam is a meditation, a focusing of consciousness, a tapping into the universal energy that the sun represents.
The victory that follows is not magical; it is the natural result of renewed energy and focused intention. The Aditya Hridayam remains one of the most powerful hymns in the Hindu tradition, recited by millions seeking strength, clarity, and success.
The Sun as Healer
The sun’s healing properties can be gauged from a study of chromotherapy. Different colours of light affect the body and mind in different ways. Red stimulates, blue calms, yellow energises. The sun’s full spectrum contains all these healing energies.
Modern science has confirmed what ancient traditions knew: sunlight is essential for health. It triggers vitamin D synthesis, regulates circadian rhythms, and affects mood. Seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that occurs during winter months, is directly linked to reduced sunlight exposure. The ancient practice of Surya Namaskar, sun salutation, is not just spiritual exercise; it is a way of aligning the body with the sun’s energy.
Surya Namaskar, a yogasana most practitioners will endorse, is considered a great energiser, a beautiful way to supplicate before Surya and express gratitude for all his blessings. The sequence of postures, performed at sunrise, is a full-body workout that also trains the mind in focus and devotion. It is no coincidence that those who practice it regularly report increased energy, better health, and greater mental clarity.
Conclusion: The Radiance Within and Without
Uttarayana is a time of celebration across India. Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri—these festivals mark the sun’s northward journey and the promise of longer, warmer days. They are harvest festivals, thanksgiving for the abundance that the sun makes possible.
But they are also reminders of something deeper. The sun that warms the earth is also a symbol of the light within each of us. The radiance that dispels physical darkness is also the awareness that dispels ignorance. The energy that powers the world is also the life force that animates our bodies.
As we move through Uttarayana, let us remember the many meanings of Surya. Let us offer our gratitude for the light that makes life possible. And let us recognise that the same radiance shines within, waiting to be awakened.
Q&A: Unpacking the Significance of Surya
Q1: What is Uttarayana and why is it significant?
Uttarayana marks the northward journey of the sun, beginning around mid-January. It signifies the transition from winter to longer, warmer days and is considered an auspicious period in Hindu tradition. It is celebrated across India as Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and other harvest festivals. The period is associated with spiritual practices, gratitude for the sun’s energy, and the promise of renewal and abundance.
Q2: What is the story of Sanjana and Surya, and what does it symbolise?
Sanjana, Surya’s wife, found his brilliance too intense and asked her father Viswakarma for help. He used his celestial lathe to scrape off some of Surya’s radiance, muting it. The scrapings were fashioned into divine weapons: Vishnu’s Sudarshan chakra, Shiva’s trident, and Karthikeya’s spear. The myth suggests that divine energy, when too intense, must be moderated, and that the same energy can be refocused into power for overcoming obstacles and protecting dharma.
Q3: What is the significance of the number seven in relation to Surya?
Surya’s chariot is drawn by seven horses, representing the seven days of the week (Sunday being his day), the seven colours of the rainbow (the visible spectrum), and the seven classical planets. His seven rays are said to give rise to and illuminate the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and Mars. The 12 wheels of his chariot represent the 12 signs of the zodiac. The symbolism is layered and precise, connecting the sun to time, light, and the cosmos.
Q4: What is the Aditya Hridayam and its significance in the Ramayana?
The Aditya Hridayam is a hymn to the sun given to an exhausted Rama by Sage Agastya during his battle with Ravana. Rama chanted it three times, regained his energy, and emerged victorious. The episode teaches that human effort must be connected to cosmic energy. The recitation is a meditation that focuses consciousness and taps into universal power. It remains one of the most powerful hymns in Hindu tradition, recited for strength, clarity, and success.
Q5: How does the sun heal according to both traditional and modern understanding?
Traditional understanding, reflected in chromotherapy and yogic practices like Surya Namaskar, recognises the sun’s healing properties through its light and energy. Modern science confirms that sunlight triggers vitamin D synthesis, regulates circadian rhythms, and affects mood. Seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression in winter, is linked to reduced sunlight. Surya Namaskar, performed at sunrise, aligns the body with the sun’s energy, providing physical and mental benefits. Both traditions affirm the sun’s essential role in health and wellbeing.
