Twelve Sūrya Vāras

Dvādaśa Sūrya Vāra, “the twelve days of Sūrya”

The Twelve Sūrya Vāras are the twelve Sundays sacred to Bhagavān Sūrya, each with its own name and rite. Brahmā teaches them to Dindi in the Āditya Vāra Kalpa of the Brahma Parva of the Bhavishya Purāṇa.

The setting

Dindi asks Brahmā what fruit comes to those who worship Sūrya Deva on Bhānu Vāra (Sunday), and to those who bathe and give on that day. Brahmā answers that those who offer śrāddha on Āditya‘s day stay free of disease through seven births; those who take only the night meal and recite the Āditya Hṛdaya stay healthy and reach Sūryaloka; and those who fast on Sundays and do japa of Mahāśvetā, and of the six-syllable mantra of Sūrya, gain their desires and go to Sūryaloka.

The twelve names

Twelve vāras of Āditya are taught. In order:

  1. Nandā
  2. Bhadrā
  3. Saumya
  4. Kāmada, giver of desires
  5. Putrada, giver of sons
  6. Jaya
  7. Jayanta
  8. Vijaya
  9. Ādityābhimukha, facing Āditya
  10. Hṛdaya
  11. Rogaha, remover of disease
  12. Mahāśvetāpriya, dear to Mahāśvetā

Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 82

The first: Nandā

Nandā is the Sunday that falls on the śukla shashṭhī of Māgha. One who keeps the Sūrya vrata on this day is freed of every pāpa and fear and becomes a king. Sūrya is bathed with ghee and the night-meal vow is kept; white sandal is the best paste, guggulu the best dhūpa, and a bhakshya (sweet cake) the best naivedya. Nakta, Brahmā says, is at the sight of the stars. The bhakshya, of wheat or barley flour with jaggery and ghee, is given with dakshiṇā to a brāhmaṇa versed in the Purāṇas.

The giver says: “Born of Sūrya, formed from Sūrya’s tejas, made by the hands of Rājñī: this bhakshya I give to you for my welfare, bowing to Sūrya with bhakti. O best of vipras, receive it.” The receiver answers: “Giving what is wished, giving happiness, in keeping with dharma, giving wealth, giving sons, may this bhakshya protect you. This, dear to Bhāskara, I receive.” These two mantras are dear to Sūrya Deva.

One who worships Sūrya by this rite is freed of all pāpa and shines in Sūryaloka; in his family there is no poverty or disease, and on leaving Sūryaloka he is born a king rich in jewels.

Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 82

The phalaśruti

Closing the twelve, Brahmā says: “Dindi, these are the twelve vāras of the mighty Sūrya Bhagavān.” They remove every pāpa and fear and give joy. Their fruit comes to those who read them and those who hear them, and still more to those who keep them. If even one is kept by rule, dharma, artha and kāma are gained with unwavering wealth; such a person has radiance like the moon’s, tejas like Sūrya’s and valour like Indra‘s, and in the next world goes to Śivaloka.

Source: Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapter 92

Sources

  • Bhavishya Purāṇa, Brahma Parva, Chapters 82, 92