The Sun moves through the 12 signs of the zodiac over the course of a year, and each time it enters a new sign, this is known as Sankramana. This transition marks a shift in energy and spiritual influence. In the sacred tradition of Mundane Astrology, four key points of ingression are considered of profound significance, as they symbolize the Sun’s journey through the cosmic realms, influencing our lives and guiding our spiritual path.
- MakaraSankramana – Sun enters Makara (Capricorn)
- Tula Sankramana – Sun enters Tula (Libra)
- Mesha Sankramana – Sun enters Mesha (Aries)
- Karaka Sankramana – Sun enters Karaka (Cancer)
The wise sages who created the Hindu Calendar arranged festivals to help strengthen our minds and purify our emotions. Among these festivals, Makara Sankranti, or Makara Sankramana, which happens every year on 14th January, is considered the most important. This day marks the Sun’s movement from the Southern direction (Dakshin) to the Northern direction (Uttar), symbolizing the start of Uttarayana (Uttar meaning North and Ayana meaning movement).
The same festival is celebrated across different parts of India under various names: Makara Sankranti (in North and West India), Pongal (in South India), Bihu (in East India), and Lohri (in areas like New Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab). This festival marks the end of winter and the welcoming of spring. It’s also a harvest festival, celebrated during the early part of the agricultural season when crops are planted and hard work begins. Even though these festivals have different names, the spirit of celebration is the same everywhere.
Inner Meaning of Uttarayana
The northward movement of the Sun is deeply significant, both spiritually and scientifically, and it’s important to understand the true essence of this journey.
As the Sun moves towards the North, we must ask, what does this mean spiritually? North symbolizes the direction towards Himachala (Hima + Achala). Hima means pure, white, cool, and untainted, like snow, while Achala represents firmness, steadiness, and unshakable strength, like the mighty Himalayas. The Himalayas are known as the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, symbolizing the highest spiritual truth.
The Sun gives light, and through this light, we gain vision. According to the Vedas, the Sun represents Self-Effulgence, and stands for the Atma (Soul), Intellect, Inner Consciousness, and the Eyes. The Moon, on the other hand, symbolizes the Mind, Thoughts, Desires, and the Eyes, but it does not have its own light; it merely reflects the light of the Sun.
In this analogy, the Sun’s northward movement towards the Himalayas (Lord Shiva) is a divine call to humanity to turn inward, toward Self-Realization and the Self-Effulgent Atma – pure, untainted, and cool like the sacred Himalayas. It is a spiritual invitation to take concrete steps in our journey of liberation, to transcend the cycle of birth and death. As the intellect and vision of the Sun turn inward, the mind (represented by the Moon) too will reflect the same divine light of the Atma – the ultimate, self-illuminating truth.
The Sun’s journey toward the North or South is connected to Prakriti (the subjective world) and holds only relative value. Uttarayana is a quality of the Nayana (the eye), and it reflects the attitude one carries. It is not about the solstice points, but about the direction of one’s inner sight. When one’s focus is on Brahman (the Divine), it aligns with Uttarayana (Northward), and when it is on the objective world, it follows Dakshinayana (Southward). When one has developed inner excellence, every day becomes Uttarayana, regardless of what the almanac says. For instance, when one has fever, the tongue tastes bitter; when healthy, it recognizes all flavors. The bitter tongue reflects Dakshinayana, while the sweet tongue reflects Uttarayana. Associating this with the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn is merely conventional.
In Vedic Astrology, the Makara (Capricorn) sign symbolizes unparalleled loyalty and reliability, representing the highest achievements that come from years of humble dedication, free from ego. Makara is the tenth sign of the natural zodiac, and whenever the Sun transits this house, it reaches its highest point, gaining immense strength. In this position, the Sun bestows its positive qualities upon humanity. Now, the responsibility lies with us to harness this energy. For example, if it’s raining and the pot is upside down, no water will be collected; the pot must be positioned correctly to receive the rain. Similarly, the Sun is at its highest point around midday, which is considered the best time to receive its blessings, such as Vitamin D. But, one must step outside and bask in its light to truly benefit.
From a spiritual perspective, the Sun in Makara showers its grace upon spiritual aspirants. The Sun is revered as the ultimate example of selfless service and devotion to duty, without any ego or pride. As the Sun moves upwards, it provides assistance to all who are spiritually inclined, guiding them to take another step toward progress, with discipline, dedication, and unwavering devotion to their duty. Uttarayana is not just a cosmic event; it’s a divine opportunity for all of us to advance in spirituality. It is the royal road for the spiritual seeker to realize the Supreme. One must focus on one’s own journey, as each new sunrise brings us closer to the end of this physical journey and the beginning of spiritual fulfillment. The true Northward journey happens within, as we turn our minds inward toward the Atma (soul), where bliss resides. We must use our God-given intellect and diligently work to achieve the ultimate goal of life—Self-Realization.
How do we take up the this upwards journey?
Every effort should be made to direct the vision inwards towards the pure and sacred Indwelling Self. Basically one has to devise his/her own method, but I would say, the very first step shall be to develop the habit of Thinking Good, Speaking Good and Doing Good at all times. Let this become your habit, your nature and ultimately your character.
Importance of Uttarayana
During the time of Mahabharata, the great warrior, Bhishma Pitamah had the ‘Ichcha Mrityu’ boon (he could choose his time of his death at his own will). During the war, He fell wounded on the bed of arrows and waited in that painful state for 56 days. He could have chosen to leave the body straight away on the day of falling down, but HE did not. In fact he waited for the commencement of Uttarayana, as the right time for giving up the body. But for 56 painful days, He was keeping his thoughts focused on Lord in totality and nothing else. That qualified Him to get Liberation. This signifies the sacredness of this day. The scriptures have declared that those who pass on during the Uttarayana have no rebirth. This does not mean that one should hang oneself in Uttarayana in the hope of securing freedom from rebirth! The right way to give up one’s life is to fill one’s mind with holy thoughts and let the end come in the natural course.
When one craves the thought of the Lord and the company of the Godly, then one is in Uttarayana. Bhishma was in that mood. He prayed,
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“Asato Ma Sad Gamaya”: Lead me from Untruth to Truth
The deeper meaning is “From this transient world of decay, Lead me to the everlasting world of bliss”
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“Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya”: Lead me from Darkness to Light
The deeper meaning is “Give me the Effulgence of Thy Grace and Illumine my soul with truth”
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“Mrtyor Ma Amrtam Gamaya”: Lead me from Death to Immortality
The deeper meaning is “Save me from the torture of Birth and Death, destroy the cravings of the mind, which produce the seeds of birth, and lead me to immortality”
This prayer and the yearning, gave Bhishma the vision of Krishna when he passed away. That was the real Uttarayana for him.
The above Vedic prayer comes from (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, I.iii.28). God willing, in time to come I would like to write more in detail on this Divine and Liberating Mantra
What is Spirituality?
In my humble opinion, the first step is to understand the subtle difference between Religion and Spirituality. In essence, Religion can be viewed as a system of attitudes, beliefs, and practices, either personal or institutional, designed to honour and worship a chosen aspect of the Divine. Spirituality, however, is simpler yet profound – it is the surrendering of all animalistic tendencies, deeply rooted in the heart from past lifetimes. It is the process of transcending the Six Inner Enemies or Tendencies: Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Moha (attachment), Lobha (greed), Mada (ego), and Matsara (envy), all of which obscure the Divine light within.
I wish to take this moment to share my cherished definition of Spirituality: “Spirituality is having the courage and determination to heed the Inner Voice and follow it at all times.” It is this path that leads the soul toward its highest goal, the ultimate purpose of human life.
I am doing my best to walk this path, and I acknowledge it is not a walk in the park, but a sacred journey of transformation.
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