Dear Editor,

IT is said that man cannot live without love, just as a flower cannot blossom without sunshine. Socrates said, “In every person there is a sun. Just let them shine.” The sun brings rays of brightness and joy to people on earth and, many people of different cultures (Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, Africans, Eskimos, Mesopotamian), often worship the sun by different names in adoration, and obeisance is paid for providing enrichment, sustenance and happiness in the mainstream of their daily lives. The sun bestows heat, light and is the life-giver and time-giver to the totality of the cosmos, while being the ultimate source of energy for all the living organisms on the planet earth. Hindus pray to the sun as a deity in the form as Surya Bhagwan, bestowing warmth, enlightenment and illumination. Shri Surya Narayan Bhagwan is popularly referred to as ‘Sarva Loka Pitamaham,’ the father of the entire world. In the lifestyle of a Hindu, the day begins by waking up before the sun rises, cleanses the body, and offers prayers to the Unseen and Formless One referred to by various names, including the sun, Surya, being one of his manifestations.

Hindus in Guyana, India and the rest of the world identify special days in particular, to pay reverence to the sun and one of them is the celebration of the festival of Makar Sankranti on the 14th of January. It is observed each year in the lunar month of Magha, the month of January as per the Gregorian calendar. Makar means Capricorn (Zodiac sign) and Sankranti means transition, thus literally, it means the transition of the sun to Capricorn. Scientifically, this date bears much significance. This day marks the winter solstice, the beginning of the end of winter when the day begins to get longer with shorter nights to follow. According to Hindu religious texts, on the day of “Uttarayani,” the sun enters Makara (Capricorn) and starts travelling in a northerly direction ( the sun is fixed in the centre of the solar system and all the other planets rotate around it – the sun with the solar system orbits the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy, heading towards the Andromeda Galaxy). It is now known as “Uttarayan” and with this change of season, the migratory birds start to return to the hills. This ancient festival is one of the more pronounced and revered occasions in India and Nepal for agricultural purposes, being a harvest festival. The farmers welcome this transitional day for their crops and mark it as the arrival of spring season.

Makar Sankranti depicts many spiritual meanings. The Deities having rested, arise after six months on this day and any soul that passes away during Uttarayan, attains salvation. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamaha laid on a bed of arrows prepared by Arjun and waited until the dawn of Makar Sankranti to finally take his last breath and attained salvation after his death. Making pilgrimages, visiting holy shrines and taking a bath in the river Ganges or at Triveni Sangam, the point where the three holy rivers meet at Prayagraj, washes away sins, purifies the soul and one is blessed. In Guyana, going to the seashore and taking a spiritual dip in the Atlantic Ocean, is compatible with its equivalence. On this day’s auspiciousness, the devotee of Surya Bhagwan prays for the increase of spiritual light, the reduction of materialised darkness and gives thanks for all their well-being. Scripturally, the story of the powerful God named Sankranti defeating the demon Sankarasur, unfolds. Lord Surya also forgave his son, Shani and visited him on Sankranti.

In India, different states observe this occasion in various styles and ways due to the variations, some lasting from one to four days. It is also known by other names such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Maghi in Punjab (celebrated the day after the Punjabi festival of Lohri), Khichiri in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrayan in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Culturally, Makar Sankranti depicts a display of the rich customs and traditions inherited from an ancient era. People forget past grievances and forgive each other by paying visits and exchanging gifts. Charity and donation of wheat, rice and sweets made from sesame seeds are prevalent to bring prosperity and happiness; new clothes are worn and the old ones are burnt; songs and dances accompany music; kites are flown; homes are decorated with flowers and rangoli. Socially, Makar Sankranti represents a practice from past generations, when people from all walks of life consolidate, communicate and collaborate to culminate in a cameraderie community to celebrate in a meet- and-greet event. Melas (fairs) with exorbitant bazaars and rides are held and the world Kumbala Mela is held every 12 years (to coincide with the biggest planet, Jupiter taking 12 years to circumnavigate the sun), attracting millions of gatherers. This is an opportune time when the message of togetherness and harmony is spread, regardless of religion or class, promoting a feeling of a sense of unity among people.

The sun is also called by 12 names: – Surya, Mitra, Ravi, Bhanu, Kha, Pusha, Hiranyagarbha, Marichin, Aditya, Savitr, Arka and Bhaskara. There are 12 Yoga postures dedicated to each one referred to as “Suryanamaskar”, or, the sun salutation exercises. Sauram or the worship of the Sun is one of the “Shanmathams” or six schools of Hindu religion. The sun is the presiding deity among the navagrahas, the set of 9 celestial bodies in Indian astrology. Other key festivals dedicated to worshipping the sun includes Pongal, Chhat, Ratha and Saptami. Lord Rama descended from the Suryavansha dynasty and Karna was the son of the Sun God. In Carnatic music, ‘Aditya’ is the name of the 12th chakra in the sampurna mela raga. In multiple music compositions, the resplendence of the deity is compared with the brilliance of the sun, through phrases such as ‘bhanu koti’ and ‘dinakara koti’ prakasham. The Aditya Hridayam is a well-known stuti (hymn), in praise of the sun, while the Gaytri mantra bears reference to the sun or Savitr.

In Hinduism, Surya Narayan is personified sitting in a golden chariot drawn by seven horses, reminding us of the passage of time representing the seven days of the week. The seven horses also demarcate the seven primary colours of the rainbow and when merged together, they once again become white light with no traces left of their original colour. This illustration portrays man’s goal in life to blend with each other and nature, becoming one with the Supreme Being, leaving no traces of ‘ahamkara’- the I-ness and My-ness. Three weeks ago, Jupiter and Saturn created the “double planet” effect when after 800 years, they appear to overlap each other, providing what is known as the “great conjunction” to make it a celestial event. The new year began with the peak of the Quadrantids meteor shower. Nothing escapes the watchful eyes of the ever observing sun. On this Makar Sankranti occasion, may Surya Bhagwan shower His blessing on all to mark the end of difficulties, bringing success, joy, peace, good health, prosperity and happiness. Happy Makar Sankranti. Rig Ved 1.50.1 – “The enlightened recognises the SUN as the infinite Brahman bestowing HIS grace is on the entire universe, while layman sees the Sun as a planet just rising and setting.”

Respectfully,
Jai Lall