Siddhārtha Saptamī
Siddhārtha Saptamī · siddhārtha saptamī, “the Saptamī of the white mustard seed”
The Siddhārtha Saptamī, also called the Sarshapa Saptamī and the Sūrya Saptamī, is a vrata of seven Saptamīs to Bhagavān Sūrya, in which white mustard seeds are taken with water, one more on each Saptamī, with the desire of the heart held in meditation. Brahmā teaches it to Yājñavalkya in the Saptamī Kalpa of the Brahma Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa (Chapters 68 and 70). By it one becomes siddhārtha, one whose purpose is accomplished. The other Saptamī vratas of Bhagavān Sūrya are told under Sūrya Saptamī Vratas.
The pūjā before the rite
Bhagavān Sūrya is worshipped according to rule with flowers, dhūpa and the rest, and naivedya is offered according to one’s means. The best are, of flowers, jājī; of dhūpas, the Vijaya Dhūpa; of gandhas, kuṅkuma; of lepas, rakta-candana; for the lamp, ghee; of naivedya, laḍḍukas. Having worshipped thus, one does pradakshiṇa, bows the head, sits facing Bhāskara Deva and looks toward him. With these things Bhagavān Sūrya is satisfied and comes into presence.
The seven Saptamīs
- Take one white mustard seed with water in the hand and meditate on the desire in the mind.
- Drink that water once, so that it does not touch the teeth.
- On the second Saptamī take two seeds and do the same; on the third, three; on the fourth, four; on the fifth, five; on the sixth, six; on the seventh, seven. All this method the Vaidika śruti declares.
- From the first Saptamī on, the water to be taken is consecrated with the mantra, whose sense is: “O Sūrya Deva, as is proclaimed through all the world, you are one whose purpose is accomplished. Make me too siddhārtha.”
- Then sprinkle the water on the havis, do japa as desired, and offer āhutis to Agni according to rule.
The rite of the seven Saptamīs is carried out in this same way.
The second order
There is a second order, beginning from the day the mustard seed is taken with water. Seven times the siddhārthakas are taken, each with water:
| Saptamī | Seeds | Taken with |
|---|---|---|
| First | 1 | water |
| Second | 2 | ghee |
| Third | 3 | honey |
| Fourth | 4 | curd |
| Fifth | 5 | kshīrānna |
| Sixth | 6 | gomaya |
| Seventh | 7 | pañcagavya |
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 68
The midday close
At midday the vratī bathes, makes the mind pure, worships the devatās according to the vidhi and sits at ease. He does japa well and in silence, offers āhutis to the sacred fire, comes out of the devālaya and arranges food for the Bhojakas. He feeds first the Bhojakas, then the Paurāṇikas and those who know the itihāsa; failing them, those who know the mantras and the Veda.
To the Bhojaka he gives red garments, cows, fragrant flowers and the like, rice with ghee, a milch cow, and whatever other thing is dear to himself. If no Bhojaka can be found he gives to Paurāṇikas; if they too cannot be found, to brāhmaṇas who recite the Veda mantras, or to readers of the Sāma Veda.
This vidhi, told by Brahmā, belongs to the ṛshis. It must be taught only to one who has bhakti for Bhagavān Sūrya, and never told to others.
The phala
One who keeps the Sarshapa Saptamī vrata in this way gains many sons, becomes very rich and flourishes as a siddhārtha. His desires in this world are all fulfilled, and hereafter he reaches Sūrya loka.
A person who, full of bhakti and śraddhā and free of envy, completes seven Saptamī vratas in this way obtains endless happiness and the fruit of ten aśvamedha yāgas. There is no fruit, however hard to reach, that this vrata cannot give, and no disease that it does not calm. All kinds of kushṭha and even diseases thought to be incurable leave the sick person and flee, as sarpas flee in fear of Garuḍa. A person of dharma who performs it according to the vidhi, with vratas, niyamas and tapas, is endowed with jñāna, wealth, offspring, good fortune, health and puṇya, lives happily, and reaches the eternal Sūrya Loka.
- Whoever hears of this vidhi or performs it reaches Bhagavān Sūrya of the thousand rays.
- One who always recites this for others to hear, and one who always hears it, merge in Sūrya Deva.
- One who hears this account from the beginning, if afflicted by disease, is freed from disease. A seeker has his wish fulfilled and goes to Sūrya Loka.
- If it is read while travelling on the road, one reaches the destination safely. Whatever anyone desires, he surely gets.
- One who, with a single mind, alone, firm in nishṭhā, performs this secret upāsanā reaches the supreme abode of Bhāskara Deva.
- A pregnant woman who hears this account with śraddhā has an easy delivery and bears a son. A barren woman conceives and flourishes with sons and grandsons.
Brahmā says that Bhānu Deva of measureless tejas himself told him all this. He tells his listener to worship Bhagavān Sūrya too, to calm all pāpas: he is Dhātā, he is Vidhātā, he is the guru of the whole world. Devas, munis and those who know the Purāṇas, all who speak of this Sūrya Saptamī, worship him as the Paramātmā. Brahmā closes with a prayer: rising every day, he drives away the darkness of the world with his rays and fills it with light; may that Dvādaśātmā Āditya be pleased.
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 70
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 68, 70