Six Pāraṇa Names of Sūrya
Shaṭ Pāraṇa Nāma, “the six names of the pāraṇas”
The six pāraṇa names of Sūrya are the six names of Bhagavān Sūrya, one for each pāraṇa (completion) of the Sarvārthāvāpti Saptamī, the Saptamī of gaining every aim: Mārtāṇḍa, Kaḥ, Citrabhānu, Vibhāvasu, Bhaga and Haṃsa. Brahmā gives them to Bhagavān Vishṇu in the Brahma Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa.
The vrata
Brahmā says that the Sarvāpti Saptamī falls in the dark half of Māgha. One who takes up its fast gains all he wishes, and good fruits he did not ask for as well. The devotee of Bhānu must not speak with pākhaṇḍas (those who reject the Veda); with a one-pointed mind, bowing, he worships Sūrya Bhagavān. Beginning from Māgha, through six months, each saṅkramaṇa (the Sun’s passage into a new sign) is called a pāraṇa.
The six names
- First pāraṇa: Mārtāṇḍa
- Second: Kaḥ
- Third: Citrabhānu, of bright rays
- Fourth: Vibhāvasu, rich in light
- Fifth: Bhaga
- Sixth: Haṃsa
The rules and the phala
For all six months pañcagavya is the best thing for bathing and for taking in; it also destroys pāpa. The devotee bows to Sūrya Deva, worships him by rule, and gives dakshiṇā to a brāhmaṇa with śraddhā and bhakti. At the end of each pāraṇa he satisfies Sūrya with bhakti as the śāstra directs. He fasts all day and eats at night, avoids oil and salt, and keeps vigil on the Saptamī, by night or by day.
The one who keeps this fast, intent on pleasing Sūrya, gains all he wishes and is freed of all pāpa. Because every wish held in the mind is fulfilled, the tithi became famous as Sarvārthāvāpti Saptamī. Long ago Candra, lord of the nakshatras, worshipped Sūrya by this rite, and Brahmā tells Vishṇu: “You too worship Sūrya Deva as he did.”
Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 108
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 108