Surya Bhagwan (Sun god) idol in brass

Surya (the Sun god) is one of the most important deities of the Vedas. Lord Surya is the primary solar deity in Hinduism, one of the Adityas, son of Kasyapa. The term Surya also refers to the ‘Sun’. Surya bhagwan is considered as the only visible form of God that can be seen every day. God Surya is regarded as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu by Shaivites and Vaishnavas respectively. Surya is also known as Surya Narayana. Surya, the Sun God is also acknowledged as one of the eight forms of Lord Shiva (Astamurti). Surya is the lord of excellence and wisdom.

The main deity of the Navagrahas or the Nine Planets of Hindu Astrology as well, he is also considered as one of the Navagrahas. Surya is often portrayed as riding a chariot driven by 7 horses or alternatively, by 1 horse with 7 heads. These 7 horses represent the colors of the rainbow and the 7 chakras in the subtle human body as well. Surya is sometimes shown with 2 hands, holding one lotus in each and sometimes with 4 hands, holding a lotus, Sankha (conch), Chakra (discus) and Gada (mace).

According to spiritual texts of Hinduism, it believed that Human body is made up of 5 elements: earth (prithvi), water (jal), fire (energy), air (vaayu), ether (aakash). For a healthy and happy life, there needs to be an equilibrium among the various elements. Sun is one of them, the rays are highly vital for the seven chakras of the body.

In the Rig Veda, it clearly mentions the sun is the source of energy for all the living things in the world. The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to the Surya Deva to remove ignorance and to strengthen the mind. The sun is considered as a symbol of self god. A self god illuminates his mind, intellect and body. Similarly, the sun illuminates the world.

In Brahma Purana its mentioned that everything is born of Lord Surya; everything is dissolved in him. He is the cause of origin and destruction of the universe. The following units of time have their origin in the Sun-god like moments, Muhurta (units of 48 nets), days, nights, fortnights, months, years, seasons and Yugas.

Being the source of light and warmth, he has the ability to control the seasons and the power to grant or withhold the ripening of the crops. As the economy was agricultural based, Surya is placed amongst the highest of the gods, specially for the agricultural communities.

Also known as Savita, Surya was very popular in the early times, but later on lost some of his importance to Vishnu. Even then he is the god to whom the famous Gayatri Mantra (prayer) is chanted everyday when he rises. Everyday in the morning one can see hundreds of devotees chanting the mantras and offering water to the Sun god. Small images and visual representations of the Sun god can be seen in the temples of other gods, but he rarely has a full-fledged temple to himself. One of the exceptions is the famous sun temple at Konarak in Orissa.

The Surya Mantra is chanted in praise of the Sun God. He is the “pratyakshadaivam” – the only God visible to us every day. Lord Surya is “Karma Sakshi”, who has eternal wisdom. He is the Source of all life, and it is because of him that life exists. Thanks to the energy from his rays, life on Earth is sustained.

According to the Scriptures, Lord Rama prayed to Surya for strength and a victory before battling Ravana. Lord Surya is believed to grant intelligence, confidence, good health, courage, strength, leadership qualities, independence, fame, success, power and many more boons to his devotees.

Surya mantra :-

ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौं सः सूर्याय नमः ॥
Aum Hram Hreem Hroum Sah suryaya namah

Details of Surya idol:-

• Metal - Brass
• Size - 7 cms (h) x 7 cms (l) x 6 cms (w)
• Weight - 404 grams (approx)
• Benefits - Can be used for Surya worship and his blessings