RATHA SAPTAMI ON 25TH JANUARY 2026 – SUNDAY

 

Ratha Saptami means Chariot in Seventh Lunar Day.  

It signifies the seventh lunar day on which Surya Bhagavan is symbolically believed to begin His divine journey on the chariot, marking the awakening of solar energy and the northward journey of Uttarayana. 

According to tradition, Surya is worshipped as riding his golden chariot (Ratha) drawn by seven horses, representing the seven days of the week, seven colors of light, and seven vital energies. 

Ṛig Veda (1.164) says: 

सप्त युज्यन्ते रथम् एकचक्रम्

“Seven horses are yoked to the one-wheeled chariot.” 

This One wheeled Chariot is driven by Aruna, Charioteer, who is Dawn of Reddish Glow and is having only upper body. 

7 horses of Sun God symbolises: 

•       7 days of the week (time’s rhythm)

•       7 colours of sunlight (the spectrum of light)

•       7 Vedic metres (chandas). 

Sapta metres or seven  Chandas are the seven rhythmic powers by which Surya, as Time and Consciousness, moves the universe. 

In Vedic symbolism, the seven horses of Surya are traditionally interpreted as the seven Vedic metres (Sapta Chandas)—the rhythmic structures through which the Vedas are revealed. This idea is hinted in Ṛg Veda 1.164 and later clarified by Brāhmaṇa and Nirukta traditions. 

They are: 

1. Gāyatrī – 24 syllables (3 pādas × 8) - Most sacred; associated with  Surya directly– Symbol of prāṇa and illumination.

2. Uṣṇik / Uṣṇih – 28 syllables– Represents life-force and warmth

3. Anuṣṭubh – 32 syllables– The most commonly used metre; linked with human speech and ethics

4. Bṛhatī – 36 syllables– Symbolises expansion and cosmic breath

5. Paṅkti – 40 syllables– Represents ordered movement and harmony

6. Triṣṭubh – 44 syllables– Dominant metre of the Ṛg Veda– Associated with Indra and dynamic power.

7. Jagatī – 48 syllables– Symbol of cosmic motion (jagat = that which moves) 

Chandas (Metres) are horses and  Chandas carry the Vedic sound just as horses carry the Sun’s chariot.   Through these metres, Surya (as consciousness and time) moves across the cosmos. They also represent the graded expansion of awareness, from subtle (Gāyatrī) to vast (Jagatī). Sapta Chandas are the seven rhythmic powers by which Surya, as Time and Consciousness, moves the universe. 

Devotees take an early ritual bath, often placing seven Arka (erukku) leaves on the body, and offer water to the rising Sun (Surya Arghya). Special prayers are performed for health, vitality, wisdom, and prosperity. Spiritually, Ratha Saptami marks the awakening of inner light, the victory of illumination over inertia, and is therefore also called Surya Jayanti. 

Surya is Life Giving Energy and we worship Sun God for His Great Benevolence of Bestowing us with his Sun Light for our happy, healthy and cheerful Life. 

Let us prostrate before Sun God with humility and chant all powerful Gayathri Mantra dedicated to Sun God which runs thus:

Om tat savitur vareṇyaṁ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt 

E-TOUCH PRAYS FOR THE WELFARE OF ALL OUR E-TOUCH MEMBERS ON THIS AUSPCICIOUS OCCASION OF RATHA SAPTAMI.