Monthly Programs

Sankranti

The year 2009 heralded the creation of Sannyasa Peeth when Sri Swami Satyananda gave the mandate to create a place for the development and expression of the sannyasa tradition. Along with sannyasa, the revival of the ancient wisdom and traditions for the benefit of future generations is the mandate of Sannyasa Peeth. Through the activities of Sannyasa Peeth the wisdom of the rishis, seers and sages is being presented with a modern application for the betterment of the individual, society and the environment. In 2019, under the inspiration of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati the Sankranti anusthana commenced at Sannyasa Peeth, Munger as part of the revival of Surya Siddhanta, the ancient tradition of solar worship.

Sankranti is part of the Saurya or surya tantra, one of the five tantric traditions in India. As a philosophy, sadhana and lifestyle this ancient wisdom is now practically extinct, yet fragments of the teachings have survived in Bihar. Since time immemorial Bihar and in particular Munger, has maintained a special relationship and connection with the Saurya traditions. The Gayatri mantra was revealed to Rishi Vishwamitra in Bihar. The Chakshu Upanishad, an important scripture of Surya upasana was also written in Bihar. King Karna of Mahabharata fame was an accomplished Saurya tantra sadhaka and performed his austerities in the place where Ganga Darshan ashram is now situated.

The word sankranti is comprised of two words, san meaning good and kranti which comes from kraman meaning movement or transition. Sankranti is the transition that occurs when the sun moves from one rashi or constellation of the zodiac to another. Dual forces of continuity and order, as well as the power of transition involved with leaving one condition or state and moving into another are activated. Performing sadhana and anusthana during the time of sankranti creates an alignment between the individual and the cosmic solar prana. Through specific mantras and ancient spiritual rituals, the individual prana shakti is activated and enhanced by its cosmic counterpart. When performed correctly, this promotes optimum physical health, pranic vitality and spiritual wisdom.

At Sannyasa Peeth on each Sankranti, according to the muhurata the traditional invocations and aradhana of Surya are performed along with katha, abhishek, hawan and satsang. However, in accordance with the Surya tradition, the main activity of the Sankranti day is daan, or giving to those who are in need. The Sankranti dates for 2024 are given below:

As part of the Sankranti anushthana and in continuation of the effort to present the ancient wisdom and teachings for the betterment of life, a selection of the Sankranti mantras has been provided. For those who wish to participate in this anusthana, the audio recordings of the chantings are given below. These mantras can be played in the home on the Sankranti day any time between sunrise and sunset, to invoke the radiance, grace and benevolence of Surya into life.

Each month, different groups are called from the local community to receive the Sankranti daan. According to the ancient scripture of India, daan given on Sankranti creates a matrix of auspiciousness and goodness that extend towards and donor and the donee. The scriptures state that the merit of daan given on Sankranti is eternal and imperishable, and the positive conditions created by this daan will follow the donor life after life.

 

For more information regarding Sankranti Daan, please see [English] [Hindi] pamphlet.

 

These books are available in Satyam Yoga Prasad website or app