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1-Braahm Parv

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12-Soorya's Chariot

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12-Soorya's Chariot
9-Bhavishya Puraan, 1-Braahm Parv, p 75-85
See also  Vishnu Puraan, 2/6 ;    Bhaagvat Puraan, 12/5;

This section, Braahm Parv, is on p 1-222 of the book and mostly contains information about Soorya.


Soorya's Chariot

(Chap 52) Shataaneek asked - "How to arrange Soory's Rath Yaatraa? What type of chariot should be made? Who introduced this on Prithvi?" Sumantu Muni said - "Once Rudra asked Brahmaa Jee the same question. Brahmaa Jee said - "His chariot has one Chakra (wheel), three Naabhi (past, present and future), five Arey seasons), eight Bandh and one Nemi (the sixth season). It is 10,000 Yojan wide. His Saarathee Arun drives it. The Juaa of his chariot is made of gold. Seven horses (seven Chhand - Gaayatree, Trishtup, Jagatee, Anushtup, Pankti, Brihatee and Ushnik) pull it. The chariot is divided in two parts (two Ayan - Uttar and Dakshin). The wheel always revolves on its axis and Soorya always continues his journey in the sky. Devtaa, Rishi, Naag, Gandharv, Apsaraa,  Graamanee (Yaksh) and Raakshas also revolve along with the chariot. Every two months they change.

In Chaitra-Vaishaakh Maas - Dhaataa and Aryamaa two Aaditya; Pulastya and Pulah two Rishi: Khandak and Vaasuki two Naag: Tumburu and Naarad two Gandharv; Kratusthalaa and Punjiksthalaa two Apsaraa; Rathkritstra and Rathaujaa two Yaksh; and Het and Praheti two Raakshas are with the chariot.

In Jyeshth-Aashaadh Maas - Mitra and Varun two Aaditya; Atri and Vashishth two Rishi; Takshak and Anant two Naag; Menakaa and Sahajanyaa two Apsaraa; Haahaa and Hoohoo two Gandharv; Rathswaan and Rathchitra two Yaksh; Paurusheya and Badh two Raakshas are with the chariot.

In Shraavan and Bhaadrapad Maas - Indra and Vivaswaan two Aaditya; Angiraa and Bhrigu two Rishi; Elaaparn and Shankhpaal two Naag; Pramlochaa and Dundukaa two Apsaraa; Bhaanu and Durdar two Gandharv; Strot and Aapooran two Yaksh; Sarp and Brahm two Raakshas are with the chariot.

In Aashwin and Kaartik Maas - Parjanya and Pooshaa two Aaditya; Bharadwaaj and Gautam two Rishi; Chitrasen and Vasurichi two Gandharv; Vishwaachee and Ghritaachee two Apsaraa; Airaavat and Dhananjaya two naag; Senjit and Sushen two Yaksh; Aap and Vaat two Raakshas are with the chariot.

In Maargsheersh and Paush - Anshu and Bhag two Aaditya; Kashyap and Kratu two Rishi; Mahaapadm and Karkotak two Naag; Chitraangad and Arunaayu two Gandharv; Sahaa and Sahasyaa two Apsaraa; Taarkshya and Arishtnemi two Yaksh; Aap and Vaat two Raakshas are with the chariot.

In Maagh and Phaalgun - Poosha and Jishnu two Aaditya; Jamadagni and Vishwaamitra two Rishi; Kaadraveya and Kambalaashwatar two Naag; Dhritraashtra and Sooryavarchaa two Gandharv; Tilottamaa and Rambhaa two Apsaraa; Senjit and Satyajit two Yaksh; Brahmopet and Yagyopet two Raakshas are with the chariot."

Note - These names are found differently in Vishnu etc other Puraan.

Brahmaa Jee said - "Rudra Dev, All Devtaa have given their powers, in the form of weapons, to protect Soorya. Thus all Devtaa go with his chariot. There is no Devtaa who does not follow his chariot. Brahm knower call this Soorya Mandal as a form of Brahm; Yagya doers call it the form of Yagya; devotees call it the form of Vishnu; and Shaiv call it the form of Shiv. Dev Gan shine him with their power; Devtaa and Rishi always pray him; Gandharv sing his praise; and Apsaraa move dancing in front of the chariot. Raakshas follow the chariot. 60,000 Baalkhilya Rishi Gan walk with the chariot surrounding it. Divaspati and Swayambhoo are in front of the chariot, Bharg is on right side, Padmaj is on left side, Kuber is in south, Varun is in north, Veetihotra are at the back of the chariot.

Prithvi is at the back of the chariot, Sky is in the middle, Swarg is in its shine, scepter is in its staff, Dharm is in the front part of staff, Riddhi, Vriddhi and Shree are in the flag, Garud is on the upper part of the staff, and Varun is over Garud. Mainaak Parvat is the staff of the umbrella, and Himaalaya itself is the umbrella of Soorya. Soorya Dev gives heat according to the powers, Tap, Yog etc of these Devtaa. Only these Devtaa give heat, make rain, sustain the world, consume the inauspicious Karm of Jeev, and give pleasures to people. He nourishes Devtaa by giving his rays to Chandramaa. Chandramaa waxes in Shukla Paksh, and Devtaa drink them in Krishn Paksh. By drinking juices from Prithvi, Soorya Dev make rains. The rains grow herbs and grains which satisfy Pitar and human beings.

Soorya Dev circumambulates Prithvi of seven islands and seven seas riding in the chariot of one wheel in one Ahoraatra (one day and night). Thus he circumambulates Prithvi 360 times in one year. When there is mid-day in Indra's Amaraavatee Puree; sunrise is in Yam's Sanyamanee Puree; midnight is in Varun's Sukhaa city; and sunset is in Chandramaa's Vibhaa city. When there is mid-day in Sanyamanee Puree, then sunrise in Sukhaa, midnight in Amaraavatee and sunset in Vibhaa. When there is mid-day in Sukhaa, sunrise is in Vibhaa, midnight in Amaraavatee and sunset in Sanyamanee. When there is mid-day in Vibhaa, sunrise is in Amaraavatee, midnight in Sanyamanee, and sunset is in Sukhaa city of Varun. Thus circumambulating Meru Parvat, Soorya rises and sets. Soorya Dev moves 1/30th part of the earth in one Muhoort (48 minutes). As the Sun rises, Indra Dev worships him, at mid-day Yam Raaj worships him, in the evening Varun worships him and at midnight.

Soorya and His Colors

(Chap 54) Rudra said - "Please tell me some more about Soorya." Brahmaa Jee said - "The root of this whole Universe is Soorya only. All - Devtaa, Asur, human beings etc have been born from him only. All Devtaa have his powers only. Aahuti given to Agni Dev goes to him only, rain is made by him only, rain produces grains, grains sustain world, and in the end this world is absorbed in him only. If Soorya is not there, there is no division of time - Kshan, Muhoort, day, night, month year etc. And if the division of time is not there, this world cannot run, there is no season, and without season how vegetables, fruits etc can grow? And without them Jeev cannot survive. Soorya's color is red in Vasant Ritu (spring); hot golden in summer, white in rainy season, yellow in Fall, copper in Winter and red in mild winter season.

They have different effects - if Soorya is of black color at odd time, the world is afraid; if he is of copper color, the country's commander of army dies; if he is of yellow color, the prince dies; if he is of white color, king's Purohit dies; if he is of black color, there is a fear of thieves and weapons, but if there are rains after this type of color then there is no fear.

Soorya's Rath Yaatraa

(Chap 55) Brahmaa Jee said - "Soorya's Rath Yaatraa and Indra Utsav - I have started these both for the welfare of the world. In whichever country these two festivals are celebrated, there is no fear of famine etc. Soorya should be worshipped on all Shukla Saptamee. Soorya should be established on Maagh Krishn Saptamee; and Rath Yaatraa should be celebrated on Maagh Shukla Saptamee. This pacifies all kinds of agitations in the kingdom, king wins the war, and all living beings in his kingdom become healthy and happy."

Rudra asked - "How to lift the idol established in a temple and be seated on the chariot, because the idol is immovable, then how to move it?" Brahmaa Jee said - "Whatever Rath (chariot) I told you about in the form of the parts of Time, it is the first Rath among all the Rath. After seeing that Rath, Vishwakarmaa has built other Rath for other Devtaa. Soorya gave that Rath to his son Manu to worship it, and Manu gave it to his son Ikshwaaku. Since then this tradition has started. Soorya always moves in the sky, that is why there is no harm in moving his idol. When Sun moves in the sky, his Rath is not seen, that is why people see it by Rath Yaatraa. Brahmaa, Shiv and Vishnu's idols should not be moved after they have been established, but Soorya's Rath Yaatraa must be celebrated every year for the peace of people of the kingdom.

The Rath should move first to north gate, stay there for one day and worship it, read Puraan etc, feed Braahman. On Navamee, take it to east gate, stay one day there. On Ekaadashee, take it to south gate, and on Trayodashee take it to west gate. Then take it to the center of the city, worship it, celebrate there by lighting lamps, donating and feeding to Braahman. Then bring it back to temple. It should be again worshipped and celebrated there. Keep Soorya idol in Rath only for one day and night, and then take it to its original place. Thus the Rath Yaatraa should be from Saptamee to Trayodashee and the idol should be established in its place on Chaturdashee.

Fruit of Soorya's Rath Yaatraa

(Chap 56-60) If something of the Rath is broken on the way, it brings harm, and one should pacify it. One should do Havan to pacify the planets sitting in evil houses from one's Ascendant. After pacifying everybody, the idol should be established at its place. Brahmaa Jee further said - "Who organizes Rath Yaatraa, he lives in Soorya Lok for 50 Brahmaa's years (1 Paraardh). One is blessed to see Rath Yaatraa when Rath moves to north or south. One should do Rath Yaatraa on the same day next year. If one cannot do it next year, he should do it in 12th year, not in between. In the same way if there is any obstacle in Indra festival, it should also be celebrated in 12th year. All worship are useless without worshipping Soorya Dev. Whatever Daan, Home, Jaap etc are done on Maagh Shukla Saptamee, it becomes million-fold."

Sumantu Muni said - "After saying this, Brahmaa Jee went away to his Lok and Rudra went to his Lok." Shataaneek said - "How can I describe Soorya's effects. Because of him only my ancestor Yudhishthir got the pot of Divine food to feed even Braahman too. Now I wish to hear how Soorya removes all kinds of difficulties, and pains etc - his Mantra, Tantra, Vidyaa, Vrat etc" so that I should also be free from this world."

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/05
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Updated on 05/25/13