Vedic influence on the Sun-worship in the Puranas
by Goswami Mitali | 2018 | 68,171 words
This page relates ‘Sun-worship Vratas (51) Sarshapa-saptami’ of the study on the Vedic influence of Sun-worship in the Puranas, conducted by Goswami Mitali in 2018. The tradition of observing Agnihotra sacrifice and the Sandhya, etc., is frequently observed among the Hindus. Another important innovation of the Sun-worship in the Puranas is the installation of the images of the Sun in the temples.—This section belongs to the series “Rituals Related to the Sun-Worship in the Puranas”.
Sun-worship Vratas (51) Sarṣapa-saptamī
On seven Saptamī tithis, the performer, sitting facing the Sun, should place pañcagavya or other liquids on his palm and one to seven mustard grains, in order, on first Saptamī, second Saptamī upto the seventh.[1] After that, he should look at it, brings to his mind some desired object and should take the Mustard seed with water at once, without allowing the teeth to touch with.
A mantra is also uttered:
siddhārthakastvaṃ hi loke sarvatra śrūyase yathā/
tathā māmapi siddhārthamarthataḥ kurutāṃ raviḥ/[2]
The mustard is called siddhārtha, and therefore, this vrata is also called as the Siddhārthsaptamīvrata. After that, the homa and japa should be performed in devotion of the Sun. All the desires of the worshipper fulfil thereby with the observance of this vrata.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., 1.68.32-35
[2]:
Ibid., 1.68.36