Surya Dev Aarti & Chalisa - Lyrics, Meaning, Benefits & Sunday Worship

Surya Dev is the Sun God, the visible deity (pratyaksha devata) whose light sustains all life on earth. Riding a golden chariot drawn by seven horses and driven by Aruna, he is the lord of health, vitality, the soul (atma) and the father of Shani, Yama and the Yamuna. As the source of energy and time itself, Surya is worshipped for strong health, confidence, leadership and a radiant, disease-free body.

Sunday (Ravivar) is the day of Surya Dev, when devotees fast, eat once, avoid salt and wear red or saffron. The greatest Surya festivals are Chhath Puja, Makar Sankranti and Ratha Saptami. Offering arghya - water poured toward the rising sun - at dawn is the heart of his worship and is believed to strengthen the body, eyes and life force. Reciting the Surya Chalisa and Aarti on Sundays is held to remove Surya dosh and bring success.

The Surya Chalisa praises the radiant lord of the seven-horse chariot, dispeller of darkness and disease. Opening doha:

Kanak badan kundal makar, mukut deh deepteman. Bandon Surya prabhakar, deenan ko sukh-daan.

Chaupai (sample): Jai jai Surya Dev din-kar swami, jag ke paalan har antar-jaami. Saptashwa rath chadhi prabhu aaye, andhakaar jag se mit jaaye.

The verses celebrate Surya as the giver of light, health, fame and the strength to overcome every darkness.

After offering arghya at sunrise, sing this aarti facing the sun:

Om Jai Surya bhagwana, swami jai Surya bhagwana. Saptashwa rath sohe, ati shubh sukh-daata. Charachar ke tum swami, jag ke paalan-haara. Tav darshan paaye se, mit jaaye andhiyaara.

Fold your hands toward the light, then pray for health, clarity and strength for the day ahead.

1. Wake before sunrise, bathe and wear clean red or saffron clothes. 2. Fill a copper vessel (lota) with water, add red flowers, roli and a little rice. 3. Face the rising sun and slowly pour the water as arghya, letting the light pass through the stream. 4. Chant Om Suryaya Namah or the Surya Gayatri 7 or 11 times while offering. 5. Recite the Surya Chalisa and then the aarti. 6. Keep a Sunday fast if you wish, eating once without salt, and donate wheat, jaggery or red cloth. Use copper, and never let the arghya water fall where it will be stepped on.

Worshipping Surya Dev is believed to strengthen health, eyesight, bones and the heart, boost confidence, willpower and leadership, and bring fame, government favour and career success. As the lord of the soul, his worship grants mental clarity and a positive, energetic outlook. Regular arghya and recitation are also held to reduce Surya dosh and weaknesses in the sun's placement in one's life.

Offer arghya within an hour of sunrise for the gentlest, most beneficial rays, and never stare directly into the bright sun. Use a copper vessel, as copper is linked to Surya, and keep red flowers and roli in the offering. On Sundays, avoid salt if fasting, treat your father and elders with respect (the sun signifies the father), and be honest in conduct, as Surya represents truth and the soul.