Why do we worship Sun God?

In continuation of coming up with logical and scientific reasons behind our traditions, this time we will discuss why do we worship Sun God and especially offer water to it in the morning.

Most of us see our parents or grand parents and also even some of us offer water to Sun God in the morning. That is a different question if our ‘mornings’ for offering water to Sun god varies from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon J, but those who are regular don’t see the timing and do it whatever time it is possible. Ever wondered why do we offer water to Sun God? Is it because Sun has the status of a God in our Indian customs? Is it because our parents or grand parents do and they know better about traditions so we should also follow suit? Or is it because we want to follow it for the sake of following it? Well the reason why our brilliant ancestors followed it had none of these reasons but a very strong logical and scientific reason behind it.

We offer water to Sun God in the morning between 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon as per our convenience with a Lota. When we pour water by raising both our hands towards Sun God a very thin flow of water falls from the Lota and we do not even see towards the Sun because of the strong rays coming from it. While our ancestors would offer water to Sun God at the time of dawn, when the Sun rises, with a utensil which had a wide edge, something like the one in figure 1.1. When the water was offered by raising both the hands towards the Sun God a wide film of flowing water would be made in front of the eyes and our ancestors (sages, saints) would see the Sun God through that film of flowing water. The rays of the Sun coming (filtered from the flowing film of water) at the time of sun rise were not only excellent for their eyes but it would also energize their entire body and soul.

It is a proven scientific fact that the early morning sun rays are good for the human being, after all human body is also a bundle of energy. The human body is made up of five things, air (vayu), water (jal), earth (prithvi), fire (energy) and space (aakash) and the cure of all the ailments of the body is amongst these five things only and the rays of the rising sun are one of these things. Many diseases can be cured by the use of sun rays e.g. ailments of the heart, eyes, jaundice, leprosy and weak mind. Rigveda says, it is sun that wakes one up from sleep. It is due to thesun that all can work and are active. All living beings of the creation depend on the sun. The sun removes physical, mental and spiritual weaknesses and makes one healthy and long lived. The seven colours of the sun are very good and important for the health. If early morning one has a bath and after offering prayers to the Lord one has sun bath and allows the sun rays to fall on one's body then one could free the body of all ailments and increase one's intelligence.

                                                                     Figure 1.1

                                                                                                              -Shitanshu Srivastava