Significance Of Chhath Puja
Chhath Parva, also called Chhath Puja, Chhath, Chhathi, Dala Chhath, Surya Shasthi, etc. is a festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Bhagwan). The festival is celebrated mainly in Northern India including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it has also started to be celebrated by the people of Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, Nepal, and Mauritius.
The festival is dedicated to Surya (Sun God) Bhagwaan, which people believe sustains life on the earth. The puja is also performed to seek blessings from Surya to live longer, healthy and prosper all through the life. The festival is celebrated in between the months of October and November. Chhath literally means “Six” and here the festival gets started just after the Govardhan Puja, completing on the seventh day (Saptami- the Paran/ Parna Day).
Hindu people believe that the early sunlight helps to cure many diseases and is a great source of healing too. Here is a brief introduction of the significance of Chhath Pooja
The Yogic Philosophy of Chhath
As per yogic philosophy, the physical or exterior forms of all living beings are highly advanced energy channels. The solar bio-electricity starts moving into the human body when it is exposed to solar radiations of a particular wavelength. Under specific physical and mental conditions, the absorption as well as the conduction of this solar-bio-electricity goes higher.
The rituals of Chhath Puja aim at making up the body & the mind of the devotee (Vratti) for cosmic solar-energy infusion.
During ancient times, the Rishis were using the same kind of process as we use during Chhath Puja without taking any kind of solid or liquid diet. With the help of the same kind of process, they were able to absorb the energy required for life directly from the sun instead of food and water.
The retina is a type of photoelectric substance that emits slight energy when kept in the light. Therefore, very fine energy starts moving from the retina. This photo-bio-electricity is transferred from the retina to the pineal gland by the optic nerves linking the retina to the pineal glands that activates it.
The pineal gland with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands- together called Triveni is near these as a result of which, the energy produced in the process starts affecting these glands too. As a result, the pranic activity becomes regular, giving the devotee (Vratti) a peaceful mind a healthy body.
Stages of Chhath (Conscious Photoenergization Process)
As per Yoga Philosophy, Chatth Puja process is divided into six steps or stages of the Conscious Cosmic Solar Energy Infusion Technique-
1st Stage: Fasting as well as a discipline to keep clean leads to complete the detoxification of the mind, body and soul. This stage makes the mind and the body of the Vratti obtain the cosmic solar energy.
2nd Stage: It includes standing in a river or a water body with half the body submerged in the water. It minimizes the leak of energy & helps the psychic energy (Prana) to flow up the psychic channel in the spine (Sushumna).
3rd Stage: The cosmic solar energy goes into the Vratti’s pituitary, pineal and hypothalamus glands through optic nerves and retina.
4th Stage: In this stage the activation process of Triveni or tri-glandular complex takes place.
5th Stage: A type of division takes place in the spine that transforms the body of the Vratti into a cosmic powerhouse. This also awakens the latent psychic energy often called Kundalini Shakti.
6th Stage: In this stage, the body of devote becomes a channel that recycles, conducts and transmits the energy in the whole universe.
Benefits Of Chhath Puja Process
The process of Chatth Puja focuses on the mental discipline of the devotee. The aim of it is to take the devotee towards mental purity. By the help of many rituals, the Chatth Vratti focuses in maintaining the utmost cleanliness in all offerings and the environment. During this festival, the one thing that remains on top is the cleanliness.
This lays a great detoxification effect on the mind and body as it results in biochemical changes. The 36 hours long fasting allows a complete detoxification of the body.
A complete detox helps in maintaining the flow of Prana and makes the devotee more energetic. The natural immune system uses much of the energy to fight the toxins present in the body. With the help of detoxification process like meditation, pranayama, yoga and chatth rituals, the amount of toxins present in the body can be reduced hugely. Hence, with toxic reduction, the spending of energy also reduces and the devotee feels more energetic. Plus, it improves the skin texture, improves eyesight and reduces the aging process.
Photo-Electro-Chemical Effect
The safe radiation of sunlight cures fungal and bacterial infections. As a result of Chatth Puja, the energy absorbed by the blood stream improves the function of the white blood cells. Also, the solar energy balances the secretion of hormones. Energy requirements of the body are fulfilled by the solar energy directly that further detoxifies the body.
Mental Benefits
Chatth Puja rituals pave the way for calmness in mind. With the regularization of Pranic flow, the negative responses like jealousy, anger and others are decreased. With patience and genuine practice, the psychic powers including healing, intuition and telepathy are awakened. This depends on the concentration level that devotees practice during the festival.
Significance of Sunrise and Sunset
Only during sunrise and sunset majority of humans can safely receive the solar energy. However, there may be some exceptions. This is why the festival Chhath Puja features a tradition of offering Arghya to the sun in late evening and early in the morning.
