Sometimes Hindu worship, especially to those unfamiliar, can seem difficult to understand, filled with gods and goddesses of fantastical abilities, whose extraordinary deeds take the center of confusing stories.

The practice of such worship, however, while seemingly complex on the surface, really has many of its roots in something rather basic — something people of all backgrounds can connect to on some level, whether they consider themselves Hindu or not.

According to tradition, Hinduism’s earliest sages, who lived simple lives in the world’s mountains and forests, had a deep sense of appreciation for Earth’s natural gifts, without which none of us could survive. Filled with gratitude, a gratitude that demanded a form of expression, they became experts in devotional ceremonies, using various physical and mental techniques to convey their sincere feelings.

Perceiving Divinity’s presence in all of creation, they worshiped all of nature’s aspects as more than just matter. They revered them as personal deities. The River Ganga became known as a goddess of the same name, the Earth as Bhumi, the wind as Vayu, the ocean as Varuna, and fire as Agni.

The sun, especially honored for its role in the sustainment of all life, was worshiped using different names, depending on the qualities one wished to appreciate. Though there were many, the most common evolved into a set of 12 mantric sounds, used as part of a ritual called Surya Narayana Puja. They are:

• Mitra (“friend of all”)
• Ravaye (“one who is praised by all”)
• Surya (“guide of all”)
• Bhanave (“bestower of beauty”)
• Khagaye (“stimulator of the senses”)
• Pushne (“nourisher of life”)
• Hiranyagarbhaya (“promoter of virility”)
• Marichaye (“destroyer of disease”)
• Aditya (“inspirator of love”)
• Savitre (“begetter of life”)
• Arkaya (“inspirator of awe”)
• Bhaskara (“effulgent one”)

Performed at dawn while facing the sun and offering water in the deity’s honor, the practice calls for the sun to provide the strength, nobility, and dignity one needs to overcome life’s obstacles. Recognizing not only the spiritual benefits of the ritual, but also the physical ones, as the early morning rays indeed proved to have a nourishing effect on the body, the yogis of the time began experimenting with the core concepts of the Surya Narayana Puja, developing a practice that eventually came to be known as Surya Namaskar.

Known famously as “Sun Salutations,” Surya Namaskar is now one of the most globally recognized yoga practices. There are a number of variations, but the general sequence flows through a series of 12 postures as follows:

• Pranamasana (Prayer Pose)
• Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
• Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)
• Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Low Lunge)
• Chaturanga Dandasana (Plank Pose)
• Ashtanga Namaskar (Eight-limbed Salute)
• Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
• Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing Dog Pose)
• Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Low Lunge)
• Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)
• Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
• Pranamasana (Prayer Pose)

Engaging the mind, body, and spirit in a discipline that offers one’s entire being in gratitude to the sun, Surya Namaskar, on a fundamental level, is simply about connecting us to our natural roots, so we can learn to live in harmony with the world around us. Surya’s worship, along with many of Hinduism’s other gods and goddesses — despite centering on stories involving astonishing feats — is thus actually rather easy to understand, especially in regards to those who expressed sincere devotion to him.

To get a better idea, here are a few quick examples.

Rama

Of the many instances conveying Surya’s reciprocation with a devotee, The Ramayana, a Hindu epic that tells the story of a noble prince named Rama, details a moment that stands out as particularly notable.

The oldest of his father’s sons, Rama was meant to inherit the throne, but was instead exiled to the forest for 14 years by his jealous step-mother who wanted her own son to become emperor instead.

One day while Rama was living in the forest with his wife, Sita, and his younger brother Lakshman, both of whom had followed him into exile, a powerful demon named Ravana, overcome by Sita’s beauty, kidnapped her while the brothers were distracted. Realizing what had happened, the brothers tracked Sita to Ravana’s kingdom, where Rama engaged the demon in what turned into a long and arduous battle.

Observing the struggle from the heavens, a sage named Agastya, who noticed Rama’s exhaustion and wanted to help, descended to the prince during a break in the fight, and taught him a prayer known as Aditya Hridayam, which had the ability to invoke the sun’s power. Following the sage’s instructions, Rama, who is said to have come from a long line of kings descending from Surya himself, swiftly turned toward the sun with a natural affection, and began reciting the hymn.

Immediately experiencing a change in his mind and body, which became infused with Surya’s spiritual energy, Rama felt incredible strength and happiness. His fatigue gone, he thus took up his bow with renewed enthusiasm, and went on to slay Ravana.

Karna

In The Mahabharata, Hinduism’s other great epic, one can find the narration of another figure who displayed exceptional devotion to the sun deity, a warrior named Karna, born under astounding circumstances to a princess named Kunti.

As described in the text, Karna was conceived during Kunti’s teenage years, shortly after she was granted a boon by a sage named Durvasa, which enabled her to summon any celestial being she desired to see. Wanting to test the boon, she called upon Surya who, to her amazement, had indeed appeared in front of her. To her horror, however, she also learned the boon required whoever she summoned to give her a child. And so Surya left Kunti with a remarkable baby boy, who came into the world donning a natural golden armor and pair of earrings.

Scared of the potentially dire social consequences that could come upon an unmarried teenage mother, she put the baby in a basket and sent him floating down the river, hoping for the best. As it happened, the river carried him to a kingdom called Anga, where he was discovered by a couple who lovingly adopted and raised him as their own.

Unaware of his true origin, Karna grew into one of Earth’s mightiest warriors, joining the ranks of a king named Duryodhana, who ironically was the enemy of the five other sons (collectively known as the Pandavas) Kunti had later after she was married. When the conflict between the two parties was on the verge of war, Indra, the king of heaven who favored the Pandavas, knew Karna would be especially hard for them to defeat, as the celestial armor and earrings he was born with provided him supernatural protection. Hatching a plan, Indra decided he would disguise himself as a beggar and ask Karna to give up his armor and earrings in charity. If he approached him right after the warrior finished his morning sun prayers, surely he would agree, as Karna had famously promised to grant anything requested of him during that auspicious time of the day.

Surya, who wanted to protect his son after learning of Indra’s intention, spoke to Karna in a dream, and warned him not to fall for the dishonorable trick. From an early age, Karna had exhibited an innate affection for the sun god, diligently worshiping the deity on a daily basis. To meet him, even in his sleep, was therefore a huge honor. But the idea of breaking his vow was one he would simply not consider. It was a promise he made to the world, and he would rather die than experience the infamy of going back on his word.

Thus giving up his divine gifts when the time came, Karna went on to fight the Pandavas in a more vulnerable state, eventually dying in combat. Yet, to say he was a failure would be a grave offense to his life and story. Believed to have united with his father after death, his name became one of legend, respected by all for his love, strength, and integrity of character.

Yudisthira

Before the conflict between The Mahabharata’s two sides turned into war, Duryodhana, hoping to weaken the Pandavas’ powerful influence, had them exiled from society for 12 years, forcing them to live in the forest. Widely beloved due to their virtuous characters, however, many ascetics chose to follow them into exile, and provide them spiritual guidance and nourishment throughout their banishment.

Though Yudisthira, who was the oldest of the brothers, was delighted at having the ascetics’ company and counsel during what was a challenging time, he also couldn’t help but feel anxious. As a wealthy king in his city, he was always able to provide for his subjects. But in the forest he was materially poor, unable to look after those who would have normally depended on him. How, he therefore wondered, could he keep them comfortably fed?

Reflecting on Yudisthira’s anxiety, a sage named Dhaumya suggested he make an appeal to Surya, by whose potency all of the Earth’s food was produced. Hence heeding the sage’s advice, Yudisthira turned towards the sun, and spent the next three days offering numerous prayers to the deity, abstaining from food, water, and sleep all the while. Moved by the king’s determined sincerity, on the third day Surya appeared in front of the Pandava, and gave to him a large copper plate known as the Akshaya Patra, which had the ability to produce an inexhaustible supply of food, thereby solving Yudisthira’s predicament.

Named after this very plate, today’s largest NGO school meal program is called the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Providing hot, nutritious lunches to over 2 million children in 22,000 schools every day, the service it offers is a tribute to Surya himself, the energy from whom we all depend on, and should accordingly show immense gratitude towards.

If you enjoyed this piece, then you may also be interested in reading “The Hindu roots of yoga: The Saptarishis” 

Aditya Hridayam povided by Harekrsna.de