Soorya Shashti
The 6th day of the lunar month of Bhadrapada (Shasti Tithi) is known as Surya Shashti. This year, it falls on September 9, 2024 (Monday). It is highly meritorious to bathe early in the morning on this day, worship the Sun God, and consume Panchagavya (a mixture of five sacred items from the cow). It is also recommended to worship Lord Subramanya on this Shashti, as it is believed to provide merits equivalent to performing the Ashwamedha Yagna.
According to the Shastras, performing daily rituals for the Sun God helps to remove life’s miseries and leads to good health, a sound mind, and salvation. After the bath and Surya Puja, consuming Panchagavya should be done to gain the benefits of performing the Ashwamedha Yagna. On Surya Shashti, the darshan of Kumara Swami can also relieve the sin of Brahmahatya.
When Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) was concerned about feeding the thousands of Brahmanas who accompanied the Pandavas during their forest exile, Dhaumya Rishi (the Pandavas’ Purohita) advised him to worship Lord Surya, who provides sustenance to the entire creation. Dhaumya Rishi also taught Yudhishthira the 108 divine names of Lord Surya. Pleased with Yudhishthira’s devotion, Lord Surya blessed him with the Akshaya Patra, a vessel that provided an unlimited supply of food, which Draupadi used to serve her guests.
A sincere and dedicated approach, such as performing Athithi Satkara (hospitality), ensures divine support and proper guidance, leading to success in one’s endeavors. Athithi Satkara is one of the Pancha Maha Yagnas (human sacrifices) prescribed for a householder. Yudhishthira’s commitment to hospitality, guided by his Purohita, resulted in divine grace from Lord Narayana
Category | Other Rituals |
month | Bhadrapada |
paksha | Shukla |
tithi | Shashti |
Nakshatra | |
yogha |