Surya Arghya Mantra (Chhath)

Meaning in English

O Sun, with a thousand rays, store of radiance and lord of the world — come.
Have compassion on me, and accept this arghya offered with devotion, O maker of the day.

Salutations to Surya, to Aditya, to Bhaskara — names of the Sun.

The names of the Sun: Surya — the Sun; Aditya — son of Aditi; Bhaskara — the maker of light; Divakara — the maker of the day; Sahasramshu — the one with a thousand rays; Jagatpati — lord of the world. Many people also recite the twelve names of the Sun used in Surya Namaskar.

How to offer arghya every day: in the morning, fill a copper lota with water and add a little roli or red flowers, a few grains of rice and, if you like, a little jaggery. Face the rising sun, raise the vessel to chest height and pour the water in a slow stream while reciting the mantra, looking at the sun through the falling water. Then fold your hands, take a few steps around in a circle, and touch the wet ground to your forehead.

During Chhath the arghya is offered standing in water: on the evening of Shashthi to the setting sun (Saanjh Arghya) and on the morning of Saptami to the rising sun (Usha Arghya), with the soop of thekua, fruits and sugarcane held up to the sun. The rest of the family offers milk or water over the soop while the vrati faces the sun.