Surya Namaskara - It's vedic evidence and is it to be performed exposing oneself to sun

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.
Dear Vidvajjanas,
I wanted to know if there is vedic origin to famous surya namaskara process.

Also in the surya namaskara, was it performed in front of the sun
exposing oneself to sun or inddoors? Also the recommended time for
surya namaskara was early in the morning (just at sunrise)?

Thankyou,
Damodara Das
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[Siddharth Wakankar]

Hare Krishna,

In our childhood,we were required to practise 12 Sooryanamaskaaras every day after our bath. It was,of course,indoors,facing the rising Sun.Some may prefer another round of 12 Sooryanamaskaaras in the evening also,facing the setting Sun.

Exposing our bodies to the Sun was of much importance,thinking that we are getting His Grace by prostrating before Him in Person.

H.H. Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi,the Maharaja of the Aundh State,near Satara in Maharashtra,is given the credit of popularising the Sooryanamaskaara by actually practising it and writing a book on it. His book might have been reprinted now. 

Moreover,there might be many more books,esp.in Marathi,on the Sooryanamaskaaras.

Siddharth Y.Wakankar

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[Janardana Hegde]

नमस्ते,

अग्रिमे मासे अस्मत्कार्यालये (बेङ्गलूरुनगरे, अक्षराभिधे) सार्वजनिकानां कृते वेदोक्तविधिना  सूर्यनमस्कारकार्यक्रमः आयॊजयिष्यते, सप्ताहं यावत् ।

वेदोक्तसूर्यनमस्कारविषये सम्भाषणसन्देशे परिचयात्मकः कश्चन लेखः प्रकाशयिष्यते अपि भाविनि काले ।

- जनार्दन हेगडे

[sunil bhattacharjya]

I understand that one of the sages in Sringeri had an incurable skin disease, and he got it cured by performing  Suryanamaskara in the early morning Sun, for one thousand days. Probably one should not look at the Sun directly as the  adage :  पृष्ठतः सेवयेद् अर्कं जठरेण हुताशनम्  says.  However in the early morning the Sun's UV rays are highly attenuated and very brief exposure to it may not be harmful to the eyes.

One of the sons of Lord Krishna also had a similar skin disease and he was cured by worshipping the Sun but the details are not known.

Regards,

Sunil KB

[Nagaraj Paturi]

It is the Aruna Prashna of Taittiriya Aranyaka of Yajurveda which is called Suryanamaskara Mantra.

 

The body postures and movements performed with the chanting of these mantras are believed to have long tradition.

 

In fact, certain powder-drawings (muggu/kolam/rangoli), which again are believed to have been handed down to us from the past are used during the Aruna prashnam supported Suryanamaskarams.

 

There is a Surya special issue of Kalyan magazine which has some good articles on the Vedic connection of Surya Namaskarams.

Nagaraj Paturi

 

Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.

 

Former Senior Professor of Cultural Studies

 

FLAME School of Communication and FLAME School of  Liberal Education,

 

(Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA )

 

 

 

[Venkata Sriram]

Dear Sunil,

It is not Sringeri but Kanchi.  The name of the Acharya is Martanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati. 

regs,
sriram

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Dear Shriram,,

Thank you  for the correction.

Regards,
Sunil KB

[Subrahmanyam Korada]

नमो विद्वद्भ्यः

I wanted to know if there is vedic origin to famous surya namaskara process.

Also in the surya namaskara, was it performed in front of the sun
exposing oneself to sun or inddoors? Also the recommended time for
surya namaskara was early in the morning (just at sunrise)?

                                                                    Vidvan Damodara Das

सूर्यनमस्काराः are not prescribed in Vedic Literature as far as I know . . Must be a later development .

They are of two types --

1.the present day popular योगासनs (24 or so) without  मन्त्रs is one  and  they are performed in  sunlight .

2. I just consulted one of my near relatives (cousin brother,80 ) , who had performed the कम्यकर्म so many times .

There is महासौरम् in ऋग्वेद and अरुणम् in तैत्तिरीयारण्यकम् (132 अनुवाकs) - 

one has to go for the साष्टाङ्गप्रणाम posture and recite both - most people  do with either महासौरम् or अरुणम् । 

Some , depending upon their capacity / age may do standing on a single foot and others may take other postures.

In other parts of the country there may be other procedures.

It is done mainly for health -  आरोग्यं भास्करादिच्छेत्  and by some for शान्ति  in general.

Since it consumes a lengthy time one starts in the morning - अभोजनम् ।

One need / should not stand in sunlight --

बालार्को प्रेतधूमश्च वृद्धा स्त्री पल्वलोदकम् ।

रात्रौ दध्यन्नभुक्तिश्च आयुः क्षीणं दिने दिने ॥

वृद्धार्को होमधूमश्च बाला स्त्री निर्मलोदकम् ।

रात्रौ क्षीरान्नभुक्तिश्च आयुर्वृद्धिर्दिने दिने ॥

मनुस्मृतिः , 4-69 --

बालातपः प्रेतधूमो वर्ज्यं  भिन्नं तथासनम् ।

न छिन्द्यान्नखलोमानि दन्तैर्नोत्पाटयेन्नखान् ॥

मनु , 4-37--

नेक्षेतोद्यन्तमादित्यं नास्तंयन्तं कदाचन।

नोपसृष्टं न वारिस्थं न मध्यं नभसो गतम् ॥

उपसृष्टम् = eclipsed 

धन्यो’स्मि

Dr.Korada Subrahmanyam
Professor of Sanskrit, CALTS,
University of Hyderabad,
Ph:09866110741(M),91-40-23010741(R),040-23133660(O)

Skype Id: Subrahmanyam Korada

Blog: Koradeeyam.blogspot.in 

[Dr. P. Ramanujan]

अरुणप्रश्ने 32 अनुवाकाः 132 दशतयः आन्ध्रपाठे (131 दशतयः द्राविडपाठे)

 

रामानुुजः

Moreover,there might be many more books, esp.in Marathi,on the Sooryanamaskaaras.

 

Siddharth Y.Wakankar

 

 

 

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[Damodara Dasa]

One need / should not stand in sunlight --

बालार्को प्रेतधूमश्च वृद्धा स्त्री पल्वलोदकम् ।
रात्रौ दध्यन्नभुक्तिश्च आयुः क्षीणं दिने दिने ॥

वृद्धार्को होमधूमश्च बाला स्त्री निर्मलोदकम् ।
रात्रौ क्षीरान्नभुक्तिश्च आयुर्वृद्धिर्दिने दिने ॥
मनुस्मृतिः , 4-69 --

बालातपः प्रेतधूमो वर्ज्यं भिन्नं तथासनम् ।
न छिन्द्यान्नखलोमानि दन्तैर्नोत्पाटयेन्नखान् ॥

मनु , 4-37--

नेक्षेतोद्यन्तमादित्यं नास्तंयन्तं कदाचन।
नोपसृष्टं न वारिस्थं न मध्यं नभसो गतम् ॥

उपसृष्टम् = eclipsed

------------------------------------------------------------Vidvan Dr.
Subrahmanyam Korada

This is exactly the reason I am asking this question. I found above
quotes in Manu and other smrtis but has got doubt as many of the daily
rituals as well as practices followed in ancient India, in my
information, involved exposing to early morning sun - like the farmers
have to work in the early morning sun, pratah snanam, agnihotra, etc.

Surya namaskara is also a famous activity and thus I asked question
based on it. The question arose because the famous activity of sun
bath needs to be thoght over if balarka is to be avoided. Then this
means that sun bath is to be taken after 2.5 hours of sun-rise which
seems quite strange. Although atapa-sevanam is mentioned at some
places in ayurveda but I did not find details of its procedure.

So questions arose that if Manu smrti's (and some other smrtis also)
statement of avoiding balarka is to be followed then is it that the
traditional practices mentioned are not the original one? The farmers
cannot avoid balarka - imagine a farmer starting to farm after 3 hours
of sunrise and then work for 4 hours in heavy sunlight. It will be too
tiring for him.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

> *Skype Id: Subrahmanyam Korada*
> *Blog: Koradeeyam.blogspot.in <http://Koradeeyam.blogspot.in> *

+91 9737475085
www.bvks.com

[sunil bhattacharjya]

I think there is an anecdote in Purana (I do not recollect the exact details now)  that one should be careful about exposing oneself to the Sun. Once Gautama rishi's wife fainted while going to collect water from a river under the hot Sun and the rishi wanted to curse the Sungod for that. The Sungod appeared and asked him not to curse him, as  his rays are needed for the good of  the world. The Sungod gave one umbrella and a pair of slippers to the rishi so that the rishis wife can use these for going in the hot Sun. Even the modern science advises one not to expose oneself in the Sun not more than 10 to 15 minutes.

Coming to the farmers, I understand that  in the eastern India, the farmers go out for ploughing early at dawn, sometime around 4.30 am and return home after about 3 to 4 hours, so that they do not expose themselves to the hot Sun. In Assam the farmers use a huge Sun-hat called "Jaapi" for protection in rain and Sun.

All these go to show that blanket permission to expose oneself to the morning Sun might not have been given in the ancient past. Added to this is the coldness one would feel if the one removes upper clothes for Sun-bath. if that is done in the morning. That also could be the reason for preferring the evening Sun for Sun-bath.

Thanks,

[Venkata Sriram]

Dear Sunil Ji,

Mahamahopadhyaya Giridhar Sharma Chaturvedi Ji of Kashi once mentioned that arghya to surya saves from such problems. 

During the hours of sunrise and sunset, there is a tendency in the mayUkha (kiraNa) of Aditya of getting refracted.  Hence, sun gazing & exposure during those moments is prohibited. 

Hence, sandhya worship and arghya to sUrya is prescribed.  The arghya should be offered facing the sun.  This mitigates the effect of refracted sun rays on the person who offers arghya.

It is to be noted that sandhyavandana and arghya is prescribed for all ie., for chAturvarNAs.  I have seen fishermen performing sandhyavandana in the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada.  Early in the morning, before going for fishing in the sea, they perform sandhya, offer arghya to surya 3 times and set off for fishing. 

Unfortunately, this practice of sandhya and arghya pradAna has been restricted to dwijAs only. 

regs,
sriram

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

My question is specifically for the injunction in smrtis (specifically
Manu Smrti) to avoid early morning sun (balarka or balatapa) - 2.5
hours after sunrise. It is obvious that hot sun is harmful especially
in countries like India.

Thus my question is regarding exposure to sun in the balarka time. In
tradition we widely find all levels of people not following this
injunction - for instance - morning arghya is mentioned to be offered
facing the morning sun which means one is exposed to balarka. Farmers
all over India work in the early morning time (especially balarka
time). Surya Namaskara may be another such evidence in practice
(although it is not yet fixed if the current practice has its root in
old vedic literatures).

Regarding arghya I want to ask one thing - is it mentioned that it
should be performed exposing oneself to sun or that facing the sun
just means facing east - it can be inside the house?

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

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[Ajit Gargeshwari]

​ Traditions vary considerably. Arghya to Surya should be given outside the house facing east during sunrise and facing west during sunset.  Obviously sun in the early morning is in the easterly direction and not any where else so facing the sun mean east or easterly direction. One can give arghya inside the house if its snowing or raining outside.

On Wed, Oct 28, 2015 at 9:32 PM, Damodara Dasa <damoda...@gmail.com> wrote:

Regarding arghya I want to ask one thing - is it mentioned that it
should be performed exposing oneself to sun or that facing the sun
just means facing east - it can be inside the house?

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।

[sunil bhattacharjya]

In ancient times, the brahmins went out to the river for bath and then gave arghya facing the direction of the Sun, with themselves remaining in waist-deep water. That was done pretty early in the morning.

Regards,

--

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

>> In ancient times, the brahmins went out to the river for bath and then gave arghya facing the direction of the Sun, with themselves remaining in waist-deep water. That was done pretty early in the morning.

Usually, as it is uttama tarakopeta... sandhya vandanam is recommended
to be performed at least before sunrise and one needs to finish his
bath before sandhya vandanam. So as offering arghya is just after
bathing it may not be exposing one to sun.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

--
+91 9737475085
www.bvks.com

[Subrahmanyam Korada]

नमो विद्वद्भ्यः

I apologize for the delay --

अर्घ्यप्रदानम् - प्रातः काले --

we have to follow  -- वेदैः पश्यन्ति पण्डिताः 

It is already mentioned in earlier posts on सन्ध्यावन्दनम् that  द्वितीयप्रश्न of तैत्तिरीयारण्यकम् , popularly known as स्वाध्यायब्राह्मणम् ,  prescribes the procedure --

रक्षाग्ंसि हवा पुरो’नुवाके तपो’ग्रमतिष्ठन्त , तान् प्रजापतिर्वरेणोपामन्त्रयत  तानि वरमवृणीत आदित्यो नो योद्धा इति ।

हवा - प्रसिद्धार्थकः ; पुरो’नुवाके = पूर्वकाले

Long ago the demons performed terrific तपस् , प्रजपति  offered a  boon , they desired आदित्य should fight with them .

तस्मादुत्तिष्ठन्तग्ं हवा तानि रक्षाग्ंसि आदित्यं योधयन्ति यावदस्तमन्वगात्

Since the boon was sanctioned  the demons have been fighting आदित्य  while rising and setting .

तानि हवा एतानि रक्षाग्ंसि गायत्त्रियाभिमन्त्रितेनाम्भसा शाम्यन्ति

that these demons get pacified by the waters of गायत्रीमन्त्र ।

तदु हवा एते ब्रह्मवादिनः पूर्वाभिमुखाः सन्ध्यायां गायत्र्याभिमन्त्रिता आप ऊर्ध्वं विक्षिपन्ति 

therefore , during सन्ध्या  the वेदवेत्तारः throw (should throw) upwards the waters of गायत्रि

-- so this is the background of अर्घ्यप्रदानम् ।

One has to start सं वं when there are stars in the sky  - offer अर्घ्यम् before  सूर्योदय  - keep doing गायत्रीजप till सूर्योदय - and then offer उपस्थानम् ( मित्रस्य चर्षणीधृतः - प्रातस्सन्ध्या) ।

Evening सन्ध्यावन्दनम् has to be started before सूर्यास्तमय , अर्घ्यम् has to be offered before सूर्यास्तमय - then गायत्रीमन्त्रजप - and उपस्थानम् at नक्षत्रोदय ।

पूर्वां सन्ध्यां जपेत्तिष्ठन् सावित्रीमार्कदर्शनात् ।

पश्चिमां तु समासीनः सम्यगार्क्षविभावनात् ॥ स्मृतिः

आ अर्कदर्शनात् = आर्कदर्शनात्  । 

सूतके मृतके चैव सन्ध्याकर्म न संत्यजेत् ।

मनसोच्चारयेत् मन्त्रान् प्राणायाममृते द्विजः॥ पुलस्त्यवचनम् 

प्राणायामं विना मानसिकमन्यत्कार्यम् -- पराशरमाधवीयम् ।

तथा मध्याह्नसन्ध्यायामासीनः प्राङ्मुखो जपेत् ।

तिष्ठन्नपि जपेद्देवीम् आदित्याभिमुखो द्विजः ॥ स्मृतिः 

आदित्याभिमुखः = facing the Sun ( not staring at the Sun )

Some questions on working in sunlight --

One has to take into consideration the degree of heat - the rays / sunlight is harmful iff ( only if )  they are तीक्ष्ण /  scorching . 

Even when the Sun is really hot and one has to work in a field for a couple of hours - he would go with an उष्णीष /  cotton headgear and take some precautionary steps such as consuming more buttermilk / lemon water etc .

The guideline is -- बलाधिष्ठानम् आरोग्यम् -- as long as one is strong nothing happens .

नास्य किञ्चित् रुजति रोगः - महाभाष्यम् ।

चिन्ता ज्वरो मनुष्याणां वस्त्राणाम् आतपो ज्वरः ।

असौभाग्यं ज्वरः स्त्रीणाम् अश्वानां मैथुनं ज्वरः ॥

The hot Sun would cause evaporation of water in the body and finally affects the mind - it is known .

Whether hot or cold - अति सर्वत्र वर्जयेत् ।

धन्यो’स्मि

Dr.Korada Subrahmanyam
Professor of Sanskrit, CALTS,
University of Hyderabad,
Ph:09866110741(M),91-40-23010741(R),040-23133660(O)

Skype Id: Subrahmanyam Korada

Blog: Koradeeyam.blogspot.in 

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

Dr.Subrahmanyam Koradaji----

"One has to start सं वं when there are stars in the sky - offer
अर्घ्यम् before सूर्योदय - keep doing गायत्रीजप till सूर्योदय - and
then offer उपस्थानम् ( मित्रस्य चर्षणीधृतः - प्रातस्सन्ध्या) ।"

So this means that everyday one will be exposed to bAlArka (or
bAlAtapa). But Manu Smrti (4.69) as quoted before and similar
quotations from other smrtis advice to avoid bAlArka. Thus the need
for discussion arose.

Dr.Subrahmanyam Koradaji-------

"One has to take into consideration the degree of heat - the rays /
sunlight is harmful iff ( only if ) they are तीक्ष्ण / scorching .
Even when the Sun is really hot and one has to work in a field for a
couple of hours - he would go with an उष्णीष / cotton headgear and
take some precautionary steps such as consuming more buttermilk /
lemon water etc ."

Yes, it is well known that hot sun is harmful. But the problem is that
Manu Smrti asks to avoid early morning sun, in which case early
morning working hours of farmers in practice today as well as from
centuries are in question. Thus needs discussion.

Reframing my question:
Manu Smrti states to avoid bAlArka. But in tradition we find in all
varnas that people do expose themselves to early morning sun - in
offering arghya, snanam, working in fields, Surya namaskara, etc. Thus
what about the above injunction of Manu Smrti (and similar injunctions
in other smrtis).

Thankyou,
Damodara Das.

> *Skype Id: Subrahmanyam Korada*
> *Blog: Koradeeyam.blogspot.in <http://Koradeeyam.blogspot.in> *
>
>
>
>
>

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Dear friends,

Shri Damodara Dasaji had written as follows:

Quote

Reframing my question:
Manu Smrti states to avoid bAlArka. But in tradition we find in all
varnas that people do expose themselves to early morning sun - in
offering arghya, snanam, working in fields, Surya namaskara, etc. Thus
what about the above injunction of Manu Smrti (and similar injunctions
in other smrtis).

Unquote

In 4.37 of Manu-Smriti our great ancestor Manu specifically advised us not to look directly at the Sun, but in 4.69 the exact word he used is वालातप. Asआतप means it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bath, which people like to do in cold morning as the warming oneself up in the Sun in a cold morning is very comfortable and enjoyable and people tend to continue that for pretty long time. We should be proud to know that what our great ancestor Manu wrote several thousand years ago, can only be explained with the help of modern science.

In the morning the low frequency (hence low-energy) infra-raed rays or heat rays of the Sun are attenuated to a great extent and that is why we feel the need to stay for more time in the Sun for warming ourselves up. However, in the morning, the high frequency (high energy) UV rays are attenuated to a much lesser extent than the heat rays. That is why a long exposure to morning Sun means more exposure to the UV-rays and which in turn means more harm to our body, particularly to the skin, which can even lead to skin cancer. Hope this amswers the query of Shri Damodara Dasaji.

Regards,

Sunil KB

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Dear friends,

In the previous mail one word "heat" was left out by mistake. Kindly read the following :

"Asआतप means it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bat"h

corrected as follows:

Asआतप means heat it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bath

Regards,

Sunil KB

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Dear friends,

Shri Damodara Dasaji had written as follows:

Quote

Reframing my question:
Manu Smrti states to avoid bAlArka. But in tradition we find in all
varnas that people do expose themselves to early morning sun - in
offering arghya, snanam, working in fields, Surya namaskara, etc. Thus
what about the above injunction of Manu Smrti (and similar injunctions
in other smrtis).

Unquote

In 4.37 of Manu-Smriti our great ancestor Manu specifically advised us not to look directly at the Sun, but in 4.69 the exact word he used is वालातप. As "आतप" means "heat" it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bath, which people like to do in cold morning as the warming oneself up in the Sun in a cold morning is very comfortable and enjoyable and people tend to continue that for pretty long time. We should be proud to know that what our great ancestor Manu wrote several thousand years ago, can only be explained with the help of modern science.

In the morning the low frequency (hence low-energy) infra-raed rays or heat rays of the Sun are attenuated to a great extent and that is why we feel the need to stay for more time in the Sun for warming ourselves up. However, in the morning, the high frequency (high energy) UV rays are attenuated to a much lesser extent than the heat rays. That is why a long exposure to morning Sun means more exposure to the UV-rays and which in turn means more harm to our body, particularly to the skin, which can even lead to skin cancer. Hope this amswers the query of Shri Damodara Dasaji.

Regards,

Sunil KBIn 4.37 of Manu-Smriti our great ancestor Manu specifically advised us not to look directly at the Sun, but in 4.69 the exact word he used is वालातप. Asआतप means it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bath, which people like to do in cold morning as the warming oneself up in the Sun in a cold morning is very comfortable and enjoyable and people tend to continue that for pretty long time. We should be proud to know that what our great ancestor Manu wrote several thousand years ago, can only be explained with the help of modern science.In the morning the low frequency (hence low-energy) infra-raed rays or heat rays of the Sun are attenuated to a great extent and that is why we feel the need to stay for more time in the Sun for warming ourselves up. However, in the morning, the high frequency (high energy) UV rays are attenuated to a much lesser extent than the heat rays. That is why a long exposure to morning Sun means more exposure to the UV-rays and which in turn means more harm to our body, particularly to the skin, which can even lead to skin cancer. Hope this amswers the query of Shri Damodara Dasaji.Regards, Sunil KB

[Damodara Dasa]

Sunil Bhattacaryaji ----

>> Asआतप means heat it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bath

Does this mean that the age old practice of farmers' working in fields
in early morning (till about 2 hours after sunrise), surya-namaskara,
etc. wrong according to Manu Smrti and modern science? If there is
danger of cancer then why do we not find great number of cases in
farmers, who for time immemorial, are working in fields in early
morning sun? Also Surya namaskara has very good health benefits
recorded if done exposed to sun. Also the same manu smrti recommends
sandhya vandanam and arghya exposing oneself to early morning
sun.These need to be discussed.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

On 10/31/15, sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear friends,
>

> In the previous mail one word "heat" was left out by mistake. Kindly read
> the following :
>
> "Asआतप means it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to
> morning Sun-bat"h
>

> *corrected as follows:*
>
> *Asआतप means heat it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is
> referring to morning Sun-bath*

>
> Regards,
> Sunil KB
>
> On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 2:32 PM, sunil bhattacharjya <
> skbhatt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Dear friends,
>>
>> Shri Damodara Dasaji had written as follows:
>>

>> *Quote*

>>
>> Reframing my question:
>> Manu Smrti states to avoid bAlArka. But in tradition we find in all
>> varnas that people do expose themselves to early morning sun - in
>> offering arghya, snanam, working in fields, Surya namaskara, etc. Thus
>> what about the above injunction of Manu Smrti (and similar injunctions
>> in other smrtis).
>>

>> *Unquote*

[Nagaraj Paturi]

Is there a difference between baalaarka and ushaa?

 

Is not ushaa praised in the Vedas?

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Shri Damodara Dasaji,

One thing I forgot to mention and that is the fact that the clothings do give protection and  the exposed parts of the body are only susceptible to the Sun's rays. Also please do not forget that the farmers do wear clothes and also the fact that the Asian Conical hats, including the Jaapiin  Assam are used by the farmers in South-Asia and  South-East Asia.

As regards Surya-namaskara, you will agree with me that it would not take more than 10 to 15 minutes, the safe limit for exposure to the Sun.

Do you want to say that Manu was wrong and the modern science also is wrong and that  3 to 4 hours of exposure of human skin to the Sun would not have any ill-effect ? If you say so, then let us agree to disagree.

Thanks,

Sunil KB".

[Nagaraj Paturi]

The following is from

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure

Safe level of sun exposure

According to a 2007 study submitted by the University of Ottawa to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is not enough information to determine a safe level of sun exposure that imposes minimal risk of skin cancer.^[39] In addition, there is not yet conclusive evidence on which components of ultraviolet radiation (UVA, UVB, UVC) are actually carcinogenic.^[8] The composition reaching the ground changes through the day and year: approximately 95% UVA and 5% UVB at high noon, shifting toward 99% UVA and 1% UVB when the sun is at a low angle in the sky.^[40] UVC is almost completely absorbed by the atmosphere and does not reach the surface in any appreciable quantity.^[41] As a result, only the broad-spectrum combination (UVA, UVB, UVC) known as "ultraviolet radiation" is listed as a carcinogen; the components are only "likely to become" known carcinogens. Solar radiation (sunlight) and sunlamps are listed as carcinogens because they contain ultraviolet radiation.^[8]

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

Dear Sunil Bhattacaryaji,

>> Do you want to say that Manu was wrong and the modern science also is wrong and that 3 to 4 hours of exposure of human skin to the Sun would not have any ill-effect ? If you say so, then let us agree to disagree.

Sorry, if I passed a wrong information. My point is that as Manu
cannot be wrong, thus apparent contradiction in instructions need to
be properly understood in order to apply them.

Regarding farmers wearing clothes, usually in early morning (fist half
from about 6:00 to 10:00 am) they do not wear clothes (especially the
upper garment). It is a normal practice in tamilnadu that farmers only
wear kaupina as clothes makes it very uncomfortable to do heavy
physical work and also it increases heat inside the body as the heat
produced due to heavy work doesn't get dissipated. The farmers that I
have seen in my 9 years carrier in about 40 villages work bare chest
and with minimal clothes in the morning time. It is only when they
need to work beyond 10:00 am that they cover their head (and sometimes
chest) by some cloth to save from direct heavy sunlight.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

On 10/31/15, Nagaraj Paturi <nagara...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The following is from

> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposureSafe level

> of sun exposure
>
> According to a 2007 study submitted by the University of Ottawa

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Ottawa> to the US Department

> of Health and Human Services, there is not enough information to determine
> a safe level of sun exposure that imposes minimal risk of skin cancer.[39]

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure#cite_note-ODS-sheet-ref-5-39>

> In addition, there is not yet conclusive evidence on which components of
> ultraviolet radiation (UVA, UVB, UVC) are actually carcinogenic.[8]

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure#cite_note-13th_Report_on_Carcinogens-8>

> The composition reaching the ground changes through the day and year:
> approximately 95% UVA and 5% UVB at high noon, shifting toward 99% UVA and
> 1% UVB when the sun is at a low angle in the sky.[40]

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure#cite_note-40>

> UVC is almost completely absorbed by the atmosphere and does not reach the
> surface in any appreciable quantity.[41]

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure#cite_note-41>

> As a result, only the broad-spectrum combination (UVA, UVB, UVC) known as
> "ultraviolet radiation" is listed as a carcinogen; the components are only
> "likely to become" known carcinogens. Solar radiation (sunlight) and
> sunlamps are listed as carcinogens because they contain ultraviolet
> radiation.[8]

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure#cite_note-13th_Report_on_Carcinogens-8>

[Hnbhat B.R.]

I have a small doubt. Was the prohibition of बालातप by Manu was made in view of the Sun Bath now popular in Western civilization in modern days like the modern science ultraviolet rays of the rising sun rays or the Suryanamaskara in Vedic Scriptures Scriptures as followed in modern days as a form of physical exercise reciting Suryanamaskara mantra-s available online or the प्रातःसन्ध्या as explained in most replies facing the Sun?

The word आतप means rays of Sun and not heat only as per Vacaspatya:

Vacaspatyamcitation:  input:     Kyoto-Harvard   SLP1   ITRANS     output:    Devanagari Unicode   Kyoto-Harvard   SLP1   ITRANS   Roman Unicode     CorrectionsHelp

 आतप

[L=6616] [p= 0648]आतप¦ पु० आ--तप--घ । १ उद्द्योते, २ निविडकिरणे
रौद्रे च । “आतपः कटुकोरूक्षः स्वेदमूर्च्छातृषा- 
[Page0649-a+ 38]
प्रदः । दाहवैवर्ण्यजननोनेत्ररोगप्रकोपनः” सुश्रुतः ।
“भवति वपुरवाप्तच्छायमेवातपेऽपि” माघः । “आतपात्ययसं-
क्षिप्तनीवाराषु निषादिभिः” रघुः । “तमातपक्लान्तमनात-
पत्रम्” रघुः । “शृङ्गाणि यस्यातपवन्ति सिद्धाः” कुमा० ।
“शीतातपाभिघाताश्च विविधानि भयानि च” मनुः ।
आतपश्च विरलसंयोगापन्नः सूर्य्यस्य किरणभेदः
स एव रौद्रशब्दाभिधेयः प्रकाशस्तु ततोऽपि विरलसंयोगा-
पन्न इति प्रकाशरौद्रयोर्भेदः । अस्य च निविडतेज-
स्कत्वादुष्णस्पर्शवत्त्वम् तेन दुःखदायकत्वं मनुनोक्तम् ।
एवं “आतापतापितभूमौ माधव! माधव! मा धावेति”
यशोदावाक्येऽपि । ३ प्रकाशे “छायातपौ ब्रह्मविदो-
वदन्ति” श्रुतिः ।

The Suryanamaskara Mantra available online :

http://www.indif.com/nri/mantras/images/surya_namaskar_mantra.jpg

Now to be pointed to original question was this prescribed in Veda-s? None of the replies seem to have addressed this question if the question was about this popular सूर्यनमस्कार which is not clear in the first post or whether it meant त्रिसन्ध्योपासन or the farmers exposure to the Sun as the thread went to the prohibition of exposure to the Sun.

If Manu's prohibition is against the prescription of Suryanamaskara prescribed in Veda-s, Manu himself suggests the solution.

श्रुतिस्मृत्योर्विरोधे श्रुतिरेव गरीयसी । न केवलं धर्ममूलतयैव वेदाः समादृताः, ...

"श्रुतिस्मृत्योर्विरोधे श्रुतिर्बलवती" मनु २, १३

Otherwise, if Suryanamaskara is later invention, with or without Mantra, Manu's prohibition is to be acceptable.

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

History of this thread:

1. Started with question on Surya Namaskara that whether the current
practice of it being exposed to Sun mentioned in vedas or puranas.
2. Then it went on to discuss that as it is prohibited by Manu (4.69)
to avoid bAlAtapa, thus surya-namaskara may not be performed exposed
to sun.
3. Thus I caught up this point to discuss the injunction of Manu to
avoid bAlAtapa as this was the main reason for me to put the question
of surya-namaskara at first place. Thus the main question has now
become --
"Manu Smrti (and other smrtis also) mentions to avoid bAlAtapa (early
morning sun) and the tradition at all places in India is seen not to
follow this instruction. Also other injunctions in smrtis as well as
vedas are not in line with avoiding bAlAtapa. I gave a few examples
that of arghya, pratah-sandhya, farmers, etc. Thus as there appears
contradiction there is need of discussion to resolve it."

Background: Question came up as we give morning sunbath and
surya-namaskara to children in gurukula and while reading Manu Smrti
this contradiction arose so as to decide our action.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

On 10/31/15, Hnbhat B.R. <hnbh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have a small doubt. Was the prohibition of बालातप by Manu was made in
> view of the Sun Bath now popular in Western civilization in modern days
> like the modern science ultraviolet rays of the rising sun rays or the
> Suryanamaskara in Vedic Scriptures Scriptures as followed in modern days as
> a form of physical exercise reciting Suryanamaskara mantra-s available
> online or the प्रातःसन्ध्या as explained in most replies facing the Sun?
>
> The word आतप means rays of Sun and not heat only as per Vacaspatya:
>
> Vacaspatyamcitation: input: Kyoto-Harvard SLP1 ITRANS
> output: Devanagari Unicode Kyoto-Harvard SLP1 ITRANS Roman
> Unicode Corrections

> <http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/php/correction_form.php?dict=VCP>
> Help
> <http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/VCPScan/2013/web/webtc/help.html>
>
> * आतप*
>
> *[L=6616] [p= **0648*
> <http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/VCPScan/2013/web/webtc/servepdf.php?page=0648>
> *]*आतप¦ पु० आ--तप--घ । १ उद्द्योते, २ निविडकिरणे

> रौद्रे च । “आतपः कटुकोरूक्षः स्वेदमूर्च्छातृषा-
> [Page0649-a+ 38]
> प्रदः । दाहवैवर्ण्यजननोनेत्ररोगप्रकोपनः” सुश्रुतः ।
> “भवति वपुरवाप्तच्छायमेवातपेऽपि” माघः । “आतपात्ययसं-
> क्षिप्तनीवाराषु निषादिभिः” रघुः । “तमातपक्लान्तमनात-
> पत्रम्” रघुः । “शृङ्गाणि यस्यातपवन्ति सिद्धाः” कुमा० ।
> “शीतातपाभिघाताश्च विविधानि भयानि च” मनुः ।
> आतपश्च विरलसंयोगापन्नः सूर्य्यस्य किरणभेदः
> स एव रौद्रशब्दाभिधेयः प्रकाशस्तु ततोऽपि विरलसंयोगा-
> पन्न इति प्रकाशरौद्रयोर्भेदः । अस्य च निविडतेज-
> स्कत्वादुष्णस्पर्शवत्त्वम् तेन दुःखदायकत्वं मनुनोक्तम् ।
> एवं “आतापतापितभूमौ माधव! माधव! मा धावेति”
> यशोदावाक्येऽपि । ३ प्रकाशे “छायातपौ ब्रह्मविदो-
> वदन्ति” श्रुतिः ।
>
> The Suryanamaskara Mantra available online :
>
> http://www.indif.com/nri/mantras/images/surya_namaskar_mantra.jpg
>
> Now to be pointed to original question was this prescribed in Veda-s? None
> of the replies seem to have addressed this question if the question was
> about this popular सूर्यनमस्कार which is not clear in the first post or
> whether it meant त्रिसन्ध्योपासन or the farmers exposure to the Sun as the
> thread went to the prohibition of exposure to the Sun.
>
> If Manu's prohibition is against the prescription of Suryanamaskara
> prescribed in Veda-s, Manu himself suggests the solution.
>

> *श्रुतिस्मृत्योर्विरोधे* श्रुतिरेव गरीयसी । न केवलं धर्ममूलतयैव वेदाः

> समादृताः, ...
>

> *"श्रुतिस्मृत्योर्विरोधे* श्रुतिर्बलवती" मनु २, १३

>
> Otherwise, if Suryanamaskara is later invention, with or without Mantra,
> Manu's prohibition is to be acceptable.
>

[N.R.Joshi]

Oct 31, 2015

 

I like this scientific information of sunlight. Thanks. Prof N. Paturi. We use UV light in magnetic particle and liquid penetrant testing of Nondestructive testing methods. N.R.Joshi

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Nagaraj Paturi <nagara...@gmail.com>
To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Surya Namaskara - It's vedic evidence and is it to be performed exposing oneself to sun
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2015 11:06:10 +0530

The following is from

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_sunlight_exposure

Safe level of sun exposure

According to a 2007 study submitted by the University of Ottawa to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there is not enough information to determine a safe level of sun exposure that imposes minimal risk of skin cancer.^[39] In addition, there is not yet conclusive evidence on which components of ultraviolet radiation (UVA, UVB, UVC) are actually carcinogenic.^[8] The composition reaching the ground changes through the day and year: approximately 95% UVA and 5% UVB at high noon, shifting toward 99% UVA and 1% UVB when the sun is at a low angle in the sky.^[40] UVC is almost completely absorbed by the atmosphere and does not reach the surface in any appreciable quantity.^[41] As a result, only the broad-spectrum combination (UVA, UVB, UVC) known as "ultraviolet radiation" is listed as a carcinogen; the components are only "likely to become" known carcinogens. Solar radiation (sunlight) and sunlamps are listed as carcinogens because they contain ultraviolet radiation.^[8]

On Sat, Oct 31, 2015 at 10:53 AM, sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Shri Damodara Dasaji,

One thing I forgot to mention and that is the fact that the clothings do give protection and  the exposed parts of the body are only susceptible to the Sun's rays. Also please do not forget that the farmers do wear clothes and also the fact that the Asian Conical hats, including the Jaapiin  Assam are used by the farmers in South-Asia and  South-East Asia.

As regards Surya-namaskara, you will agree with me that it would not take more than 10 to 15 minutes, the safe limit for exposure to the Sun.

Do you want to say that Manu was wrong and the modern science also is wrong and that  3 to 4 hours of exposure of human skin to the Sun would not have any ill-effect ? If you say so, then let us agree to disagree.

Thanks,

Sunil KB".

On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 9:53 PM, Damodara Dasa <damoda...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sunil Bhattacaryaji ----
>> Asआतप means heat it is clear that by using the word वालातप Manu is referring to morning Sun-bath

Does this mean that the age old practice of farmers' working in fields
in early morning (till about 2 hours after sunrise), surya-namaskara,
etc. wrong according to Manu Smrti and modern science? If there is
danger of cancer then why do we not find great number of cases in
farmers, who for time immemorial, are working in fields in early
morning sun? Also Surya namaskara has very good health benefits
recorded if done exposed to sun.  Also the same manu smrti recommends
sandhya vandanam and arghya exposing oneself to early morning
sun.These need to be discussed.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

--

Nagaraj Paturi

 

Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.

 

Former Senior Professor of Cultural Studies

 

FLAME School of Communication and FLAME School of  Liberal Education,

 

(Pune, Maharashtra, INDIA )

 

 

 

 

--

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Dear friends,

When the Sun is overhead and the Sun;'s rays have the minimum distance ot travel through the atmospheric layer, the allowable time of exposure is about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. As in the morning hours the attenuation is higher a longer time of exposure is allowable but that does not mean that one can take the liberty to expose oneself in the Morning Sun for hours and come unscathed.  

Thus if we look at the discussions carefully, it has been resolved. Suryanamaskara can be done safely as it can be performed in a few minutes. Sio ais the vase of giving Arghya to the Sun

As regards the scantily dressed farmers in Tamilnadu, exposing themselves to the morning Sun for hours, the intelligent people, such as the members of this esteemed group,  can try to spread the awareness that it is not safe to expose oneself without a cloth-cover  to the Sun's rays, even in the morning hourd for long time.

Regards,

Sunil KB

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Dear friends,

Sorry for a typo. . Kindly read the sentence 

"Sio ais the vase of giving Arghya to the Sun"

corrected as follows"

"So also is the case of giving Arghya to the Sun (which will not take any inordinately long time to be of any concern)"

Thanks,

Sunil KB

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

>> As regards the scantily dressed farmers in Tamilnadu, exposing themselves to the morning Sun for hours, the intelligent people, such as the members of this esteemed group, can try to spread the awareness that it is not safe to expose oneself without a cloth-cover to the Sun's rays, even in the morning hourd for long time.

I understand this is the logic based on acceptance that long hours
exposure to sun leads to preblems. But this practice (of farming
wearing no upper garment) is widespread for centuries all over India
(not just tamilnadu) and we do not see great number of cancer cases
(compared to brahmanas who largely stay inside house). The age long
data do not reflect our assumption. Of course farmers already know
that exposure to hot sun (after about 11:00am) is harmful and they do
avod it. But not so for early morning sun till about 10:00am. As this
has been a long practice without evidence of any adverse effect, it
cannot be just concluded that this practice is wrong and thus try to
enlighten the so called "under the darkness" farmers to not doing so.
Even if we try, it is impossible for them to do so as one needs at
least about 6 hours of field work in any farm and the only alternative
is (if not exposing to early morning sun) to expose to afternoon sun
which is even more dangerous. Nor do we have profound evidential
grounds on which we can come to conclusion that early morning sun
exposure to farmers is detrimental.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

On 11/1/15, sunil bhattacharjya <skbhatt...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear friends,
>

> Sorry for a typo. . Kindly read the sentence
>
> "Sio ais the vase of giving Arghya to the Sun"
>
>
> corrected as follows"
>

> *"So also is the case of giving Arghya to the Sun (which will not take any
> inordinately long time to be of any concern)"*

[Ajit Gargeshwari]

​== Note

This thread has already 29 posts. With this note it will 30 posts  Can we close this thread?

[sunil bhattacharjya]

In that case you can forget about the concern Manu has for exposure to the Sun in the morning hours.

Thanks

[rniyengar]

 The discussions digressed and drifted in different directions. It would be beneficial to draw a few conclusions before closing such a long thread. My take (may be different from others) is as follows:

1. सूर्योपासन is different from सूर्यनमस्कार.  The latter is a physical exercise with spiritual undertones but does not have any ancient Vedic background.

2. .सूर्योपासन a.k.a संध्यावन्दनम् is a Vedic practice, enjoined in the Smrti texts, with its ancient theoretical precepts found in the Taittiriya Aranyaka.

3. Sandhyaa is defined quite precisely as "neither night nor day" Dharmashastra texts (ex:: Vaidyanaathiya) take great trouble to explain that संध्या is both a 'Time' as well as a Devataa.

    Hence the recognition of Sandhyaa as a transition period, twice daily. 

4. The rule position for संध्यावन्दनम् is quite precise. There are two parts: Arghya-pradaana followed by Japa. As pointed out already by Prof.Korada, Arghya has to be given when stars are still seen in the morning. Gayatri Upasthaana (after Japa) has to be done after sunrise. In the evening it is the reverse.  For Japa, the general prescription is:  precincts of a temple, under ashvattha tree or in the house. The question of exposing oneself to the morning Sun during this Vedic rite is irrelevant.

The only possibility is in the afternoon. Here again the tradition teaches the Dwija not to look directly at Sun. पश्येम शरदश्शतम् .......सूर्यं दृशे॥  Sun is seen with the right eye but almost covering the face  with the ten fingers. The corona is avoided with a special Mudra, taught during the upanayanam ceremony.

 

Thanks

RNI

[Subrahmanyam Korada]

नमो विद्वद्भ्यः

Vidvan Damodara Das

1.So this means that everyday one will be exposed to bAlArka (or

bAlAtapa). But Manu Smrti (4.69) as quoted before and similar
quotations from other smrtis advice to avoid bAlArka. Thus the need
for discussion arose.

4-69 Manu -- बालातपः वर्ज्यः

बलातप will be not be for long  and it is to be avoided as far as possible . Even in the other स्मृति - बालार्कः आयुः क्षीणं दिने दिने - is an अर्थवाद - the real meaning is not to be taken .

I  had been doing cultivation (both wet and dry) for 21 years and do know the problems even if I did not do work in the Sun.

Nowhere is it said that बालातप is carcinogenic .

2.Reframing my question:

Manu Smrti states to avoid bAlArka. But in tradition we find in all
varnas that people do expose themselves to early morning sun - in
offering arghya, snanam, working in fields, Surya namaskara, etc. Thus
what about the above injunction of Manu Smrti (and similar injunctions
in other smrtis).

Just think carefully the वाक्यार्थ of - 

बालातपः प्रेतधूमो वर्ज्यं भिन्नं तथासनम्

भृगु (in मनुस्मृति) was enumerating certain निषेधाः and in that context  he says --

better leave early Sun , smoke from a burial ground and  a  seat with cracks . So the result of all these will be similar -- साहचर्यात् 

संयोगो विप्रयोगश्च साहचर्यं विरोधिता । .. शब्दार्थस्यानवच्छेदे विशेषस्मृतिहेतवः॥ ( वाक्यपदीयम् - वाक्यकाण्डः -  मूलम् -- ’ अर्थात् प्रकरणाद्वा ’ - महाभाष्यम्) .

Now compare with मनुस्मृतिः - 4-37 -- नेक्षेत उद्यन्तम् आदित्यम् (  elsewhere - सर्वथेक्षेत नादित्यम् )

Here it is विधिलिङ् - one should not stare at rising Sun .

So there is gulf of difference between the two - the second one is very harmful  and therefore should be avoided at all costs whereas the first one is better to avoid  (वर्ज्यम् - वर्जितुम् योग्यम् -- ’ अर्हे कृत्यतृचश्च’ पा ) .

Any sentence has to be understood in terms of पदवाक्यप्रमाणशास्त्रs .

Sometimes it means - अति सर्वत्र वर्जयेत् । Just look at these examples --

घृतेन वर्धते बुद्धिः क्षीरेणायुष्यवर्धनम् ।

शाकेन वर्धते व्याधिः मासं मांसेन वर्धते ॥

अभुक्त्वामलकं पथ्यं भुक्त्वा तु बदरीफलम् ।

कपित्थं सर्वदा पथ्यं कदळी न कदाचन ॥ ( banana takes a lot of जाठर heat for digestion)

चरकसूत्राणि  ( सर्वर्त्र निर्धारणे षष्ठी ) --

क्षीरं जीवनीयानाम् । ( milk would help in keeping up the age and improve resistance - सुश्रुत recommends for every प्राणी )

मांसं बृंहणीयानाम् । ( meat would cause obesity )

क्षारः पुंस्त्वोपघातिनाम् । ( salt kills the sperm)

अमलकं वयःस्थापकानाम् । ( preventing early old age symptoms and maintaining youth)

कालभोजनम् आरोग्यकराणाम् । ( food at the same time regularly helps to be healthy )

वेगसन्धारणम् अनारोग्यकराणाम् । ( holding back वेगाः - such as toilets , sleep, hunger etc are often the cause of ill health  )

So even if people are working in the fields with कौपीनम् ( G-string) during Sun it is good for health - but too much exposure is not . If they take good food nothing happens .

Today there are 30% of people who are suffering from health problems due to non-exposure to Sun ( Air Conditioning in office , house and vehicle ) .

युक्ताहारविहारस्य विधिवद्युक्तचेतसः ।

व्याधयो नोपसर्पन्ते पन्नगाशनमिवोरगाः ॥

Just to give my own experience - I stared at the Sun with naked eyes during the Sun eclipse some thirty years ago , in spite of the serious warnings .Nothing happened .

Even today I challenge that if cut with a rusted knife that does not cause Tetanus (धनुर्वातः) | 

But we are not supposed to encourage  people to go against the standard and common principles  of health and hygiene .

Feel free to raise any questions further .

Also विद्वान्सः may  let me know whether I am too  brief  in my postings or any modification is needed .

We are spending a lot of time and it should be useful to scholars - no room for ego .

धन्यो’स्मि 

Dr.Korada Subrahmanyam
Professor of Sanskrit, CALTS,
University of Hyderabad,
Ph:09866110741(M),91-40-23010741(R),040-23133660(O)

Skype Id: Subrahmanyam Korada

Blog: Koradeeyam.blogspot.in 

[Bvk sastry]

Namaste

1.   Professor Koradas statement on proper understanding if source works in Sankrit ( Samkrutham) reading as below is a golden standard of tradition:

 <.  Any sentence has to be understood in terms of पदवाक्यप्रमाणशास्त्रs ...  Sometimes it means - अति सर्वत्र वर्जयेत् । Just look at these examples -->.

2. Coming to the point of  understanding the true meaning of the words < Surya-Namaskara, Baalaatapa> and practices associated with them as one can glean from the practices, there seems to be mix up of issues:

A ) the practice directives of Suryanamaskara comes from yoga - health care practices; who look at current western model of Sun as the Earths light source sending out a mixed range of heat and light rays , which also contain harming effort if unduly meddled with. The yoga purpose of ' Adityasya Namaskaaraan ..' Is not the same as Sun watching/ gazing/ tanning and the like! For that matter, even the electric incandescent or florescent light also has similar effects ( and practicing yogis say that this can happen even when watching the oil lamp or candle !).

B) surya namaskara as a mass promotion of yoga for masses to promote early morning rise and physical fitness exercise is not necessarily combined with the tighter and specific regulations under smriti for varna- ashrama religious practices and Ayurveda guidance for some health benefits.

In this context, one may look at the conceptuality of pancha- agni- tapas, where surya gazing is an integral part. This guidance will be called a total health hazard from any modern health care provider! So, should one draw a conclusion that ancients advocated hoga practices and tapas with built in health hazards - intentionally or ignorantly ?

Some thing to contemplate .

Regards

Bvk Sastry

Sent from my iPhone

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.

On 11/1/15, Ajit Gargeshwari <ajit.gar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> ​== Note
> This thread has already 29 posts. With this note it will 30 posts Can we
> close this thread?
>

Is the consideration for closing a thread no. of posts? If so then any
good topic needs much more discussion than 30 posts. It should then be
a bigger number.

In my humble opinion, the thread needs closure when all points are
exhausted and no more new points are added but the discussion just
goes on in to the loops with no hope of solution.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das

> Regards
> Ajit Gargeshwari
> न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
> अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।
>

[Ajit Gargeshwari]

Dear Damadar Dasa ji,

Do you expect scholars to keep posting for ever? A few posts will normally cover the points raised. Some members tend to digress from the topic. This makes the thread too long making it inconvenient if a member wishes to catch up with discussions. One will then need additional posts to make summaries of what has been discussed to put the thread back in order. Look at any scholarly list a topic is closed within a day or two unless one is having a debate on a controversial topic. I hope you see my point

Make a new topic if you feel  a there is a need for supplementary topic that needs a discussion. All members can do that

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Namaste,

I really appreciate the detailed  reasonings davanced by  Prof. Korada. If the moderatorji permits, I will like to make a brief  point, which I did not include earlier, for fear of prolonging the discussion.

Prof.Koradaji rightly stated as follows;

Quote

So even if people are working in the fields with कौपीनम् ( G-string) during Sun it is good for health - but too much exposure is not . If they take good food nothing happens .

Unquote

This is very true. A long exposure to the Sun leads to formation of "free-radical": and that could be the cause of the ill-effects. If one takes good food, including the ones, which neutralize / remove the free-radicals, the ill effects of longer exposure to the Sun can be countered to a great extent.

Secondly the exposure to the Sun effects different persons differently, ie. the sun-sensitivity is different for different people. Dark-skinned ones need more Sunlight that the light-skinned ones.  Thus one has to balance the  risk of over-exposure to the Sun, which may cause skin-cancer against the under-exposure to the Sun, which can cause deficiency of vitamin-D etc.   This is a topic by itself, if one wants to discuss it further.

Regards,
Sunil KB

[sadasivamurty rani]

Dear Scholars!

Namamsi Bhuyamsi!

This is an essential discussion going on Suryanamaskarams.

Not to contradict any scholars but to share my experiences and my inherited Ayurvedic knowledge related to this thread I make a humble attempt here.

Three points I would like to present in this attempt.1. Ayurvedic Souorces 2. Vedic Sources and 3. My own experience and experiments

1. AYURVEDIC SOURCES:

The rays of the Sun are not alike in all the seasons. They are not alike in all the hours of the DAY also. They vary from hour to hour and season to season also. So during all the hours his influence on is not the same and not acceptable too.

The following are the timings to metaphorically measure the age of the Sun during a Day.

1. Balarka from the Sunrise to 7.00AM. Should not spend much time under such Sun. This Sun sheds Ultra Violet Rays (UV Rays).

2. Tarunarka from 7.00AM to 9.00AM. This is acceptable (Particularly the time between 7.00AM to 8.00AM). During this time we can get D Vitamin in abundance. For Vegetarians the only D Vitamin Source is the morning SUN rays between 7.00AM to 8.00AM. During this time also we can lay under the SUN only for 10 to 15 minutes. This time should not be exceeded.

If a person stays for more time under such Sun it results in SUNTAN.

 

3. Madhyarka - The Midday Sun. Not at all Good. Causes Sun Burns.

4. Praudharka - The Sun between 4.30 AM to 5.00AM as good as Tarunarka.

5. Vrddharka - The setting Sun. Also not Good. Again is the source of UV rays.

 

Now let us see what Ayurveda Says about these:

1. उद्यन्तमस्तमायान्तं तपन्तं प्रतिमागतम्।

उपरक्तं च भास्वन्तं वाससा वा तिरोहितम् ॥

नोच्छिष्टातारकारहुतुहिनांशुदिवाकरान्।

पश्येन्नयायात् .................॥ - अष्टाङ्गसङ्ग्रहे तृतीयॆऽध्याये ।

Here it is strictly prohibited to see the Sun during Sunrise, Midday and Sunset. Besides during the Solar Eclipse and also such Sun who is covered by any cloth.

 

2. In the following passage from the sixth Adhyaya of Sutrasthanam of Sushruta Samhita the relation between the behavioral patterns of the herbs, water, Three Human humors under the influence the changing nature of the Sun are well explained. And respective possible diseases as a result of the receptive behavioral patterns also are specified.

 

वर्षास्वोषधयस्तरुण्योऽल्पवीर्या आपश्चाप्रशान्ता: क्षितिमलप्राया:।

 

ता उपयुज्यमाना: नभसि मेघावतते जलक्लिन्नायां भूमौ क्लिन्नदेहानां प्राणिनां शीतवातविष्टाम्भिताग्नीनां विदह्यन्ते। विदाहाट़् पित्तसंचयमापादयन्ति।

 

स संचय: शरदि प्रविरलमेघे वियत्युपश्ष्यति पङ्के अर्ककिरणप्रविलायित: पैत्तिकाऩ् व्याधीन् जनयन्ति।

 

ता एवौषधय: कालपरिणामात् परिणतवीर्या बलवत्यो हेमन्ते भवन्त्यापश्च प्रशान्ता: स्निग्धा: अत्य्रर्थं गुर्व्यश्च, ता उपयुज्यमाना मन्दकिरण्त्वाभानॊ: सतुषरपवनोपस्तम्भितदेहानां देहिनामविदग्धा: स्नेहाच्च्छैत्याद् गौरवादुपलेपाच्च श्लेष्मसंचयमापादयन्ति।

 

स संचयो वसन्ते‍ऽर्करश्मिप्रविलायित ईषत्स्तब्धदेहानां देहिनां श्लैष्मिकान् व्याधीन् जनयति। ता एवौषधयो निदाघे नि:सारा रूक्षा अतिमात्रं लघ्व्यो भवन्त्यापश्च। ता उपयुज्यमाना सूर्यप्रतापोपशोषितदेहानां देहिनां रौक्ष्यालघुत्वाच्च वायो: संचयमापादयन्ति।

 

स संचय: प्रावृषि चात्यर्थं जलोपक्लिन्नायां भूमौ क्लिन्नदेहानां देहिनां शीतवातवर्षेरितो वातिकान् व्यधीन् जनयन्ति। एवमेष दॊषाणां संचयप्रकोपहेतुरुक्त:। सुश्रुतसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने ६ अध्यये सूत्रम्११

 

Very interestingly the effects of all the six seasons are said to be observable  in every Ahoratra also.

तत्र, पूर्वाह्णे वसन्तस्य लिङ्गं, मध्याह्ने ग्रीष्मस्य, अपराह्णे प्रावृष:, प्रदोषे वार्षिकं , शारदमर्धरात्रे, प्रत्युशसि हैमन्तमुपलक्षयेत्। एवमहोरात्रमपि वर्षमिव शीतॊष्णवर्षलक्षणं दॊषॊपचयप्रकॊपोपशमैर्जानीयात्। सुश्रुतसंहितायां सूत्रस्थाने ६ अध्यये सूत्रम्१४

 THESE ARE NOT ARTHAVADA VAKYAS. THESE ARE STRICT AYURVEDIC RECOMMENDATIONS. 

2. VEDIC SOURCES:

We know as specified by the previous scholars in the Taittiriya Aranyaka of Krishna Yajurveda the first Prasna is popularly known as ARUNAM.

Suryanamaskarams are associated with this ARUNAM portion. These Suryanamaskarams' postures are different from the set of the Yoga Asanas known among the people in the name of Surya Namaskarams.  

These Suryanamaskarams postures resemble Sashtanga Danda Pranamas but are more systematic and procedural. The recommended and ideal time for practising these Namaskarams is between 7.00AM to 9.00 AM. They are repeatedly performed in 40 days circles till the problem is cured. 

These Suryanamaskarams, as in the experience of several people, is curative of many dermatological problems, cardiovascular problems and brain related problems.

The observations support that the effect is due to the constant neuro-phonetic inter action. 

The set of ARUNAM Suyrya Namaskarams can be see in the attachment of this mail.

3. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE :   

In the year 2010 I was affected by the dermatological complaint of

 DE-PIGMENTATION.  There was a great loss of Melanin. 

As a result several parallel patterns of white patches on both left and right sides  spread all over my body. Doctors were not sure of the cure of this problem. They said that it spreads fast and cure is very slow and it is also by chance only. 

Then in some Ayurvedic Texts and in some Mantra Sastra Texts I found certain

practices prescribed. Accordingly I prepared my own medicine and have been using it standing under Sun. Whenever I stood between 9.00AM to 12.00 Noon or 3.00PM to 4.00 PM the problem was aggravating.  

But whenever I was standing under the Sun between 7.00AM to 8.00AM (Just for 10 to 15 minutes only) or between 4.30PM to 5.00PM there was a very good positive result.

Now there is 90% cure of my complaint due to my regular practice of standing under the Sun between the said timings besides using the medicine and chanting certain Mantras also. 

 I hope this information may be useful in the present context. 

With warm regards, 

Dr. Rani Sadasiva Murty

---

From: Ajit Gargeshwari <ajit.gar...@gmail.com>
To: भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत् <bvpar...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2015 6:44 PM

Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Surya Namaskara - It's vedic evidence and is it to be performed exposing oneself to sun

[Shankarji Jha]

'One should never see the sun'; I have heard the idea from my teachers. Regards,

Shankarji Jha,
Professor& Chairperson/Head,
Deptt of Sanskrit,
Panjab University,
Chandigarh-160014, INDIA

---

Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2015 16:38:03 +0000
From: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com

[K S Kannan]

As to the exposure to the Sun. 

Hunting expeditions involve a good deal of exposure to the solar rays. Withstanding the same (and that in a tropical country as ours), was considered a point of merit, for at least a ks"atriya.

Such was, kAlidAsa describes, the frame of king dus"yanta : ravi-kirana-sahis"Nu kles'a-les'air abhinnam.

As to the seraglio of  our kings, little exposure would the queens have to the Sun :

a-sUryam-pas'yAH rAja-striyaH !

KSKannan

Dr. K.S.Kannan

Professor, 

Centre for Ancient History and Culture,

Jain University

319, 17th Cross, 25th Main,

6th Phase, J P Nagar, Bangalore - 560 078

(Ex-Director, Karnataka Samskrit University)

[Venkata Sriram]

Dear Shankar Ji,

I am attaching the views of Shri.Giridhar Chaturvedi Ji on "arghyam". 

Regs,
Sriram

[Shankarji Jha]

Excellent explanation. 'Sooryaabhimukhah san tasmai arghyam deyam', as well as, 'Seeing the Sun through the eyes'; both are different matters in my humble opinion. Best regard

Shankarji Jha,
Professor& Chairperson/Head,
Deptt of Sanskrit,
Panjab University,
Chandigarh-160014, INDIA

---

Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 03:05:52 -0800
From: srira...@gmail.com
To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
CC: shanka...@hotmail.com

[Bvk sastry]

[Damodara Dasa]

Hare Krishna.
Respected vidvaj-janas,

Thankyou very much for this very nice discussions. It is very helpful
to understand these points. Specifically to Dr.Subrahmanyam Koradaji
for his logic based rules for understanding of the statments of
Smrtis, Dr.Rani Sadasivamurthy for quotes from ayurveda and vedic
texts, and Sunil Bhattacaryaji for nice discussion based on modern
science and sastras. Dr.Subrahmanyam Koradaji, your posts are exactly
to point neither more nor less - mItAksarA, thus very nice to read
them.

I apologize to the vidvaj-janas and group if I am demanding too much a
discussion on this topic. I request them to feel free to close this
discussion.

Respected Ajit Gargeshwariji, I understand your point and apologize
for any mistake. If you want I can make a summary of this discussion
and post in this thread or may be start a new thread unless the
scholars want this discussion to close (for which I am ready). It may
also be done that few of the scholars can personally be linked with me
in this discussion and the whole bvp group is not involved and many
may not be interested in this discussion.

Thankyou,
Damodara Das
09737475085

On 11/3/15, Shankarji Jha <shanka...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Excellent explanation. 'Sooryaabhimukhah san tasmai arghyam deyam', as well
> as, 'Seeing the Sun through the eyes'; both are different matters in my
> humble opinion. Best regard
>
> Shankarji Jha,
>
> Professor& Chairperson/Head,
>
> Deptt of Sanskrit,
>
> Panjab University,
>
> Chandigarh-160014, INDIA
>
>

> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 03:05:52 -0800
> From: srira...@gmail.com
> To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
> CC: shanka...@hotmail.com
> Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Surya Namaskara - It's vedic evidence and
> is it to be performed exposing oneself to sun
>
> Dear Shankar Ji,
>
> I am attaching the views of Shri.Giridhar Chaturvedi Ji on "arghyam".
>
> Regs,
> Sriram
>
>
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 3:34:43 PM UTC+5:30, Shankarji Jha wrote:
>
>
> 'One should never see the sun'; I have heard the idea from my teachers.
> Regards,
>
> Shankarji Jha,
>
> Professor& Chairperson/Head,
>
> Deptt of Sanskrit,
>
> Panjab University,
>
> Chandigarh-160014, INDIA
>
>

> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2015 16:38:03 +0000
> From: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
> To: bvpar...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Surya Namaskara - It's vedic evidence and
> is it to be performed exposing oneself to sun
>

> Dear Scholars!Namamsi Bhuyamsi!This is an essential discussion going on

> Suryanamaskarams. Not to contradict any scholars but to share my experiences
> and my inherited Ayurvedic knowledge related to this thread I make a humble

> attempt here.Three points I would like to present in this attempt.1.

> certainpractices prescribed. Accordingly I prepared my own medicine and have

> been using it standing under Sun. Whenever I stood between 9.00AM to 12.00
> Noon or 3.00PM to 4.00 PM the problem was aggravating. But whenever I was
> standing under the Sun between 7.00AM to 8.00AM (Just for 10 to 15 minutes
> only) or between 4.30PM to 5.00PM there was a very good positive result.Now
> there is 90% cure of my complaint due to my regular practice of standing
> under the Sun between the said timings besides using the medicine and
> chanting certain Mantras also. I hope this information may be useful in the
> present context. With warm regards, Dr. Rani Sadasiva Murty

> From: Ajit Gargeshwari <ajit.gar...@gmail.com>
> To: भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत् <bvpar...@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, 1 November 2015 6:44 PM
> Subject: Re: {भारतीयविद्वत्परिषत्} Surya Namaskara - It's vedic evidence
> and is it to be performed exposing oneself to sun
>

> Dear Damadar Dasa ji,Do you expect scholars to keep posting for ever? A few

> posts will normally cover the points raised. Some members tend to digress
> from the topic. This makes the thread too long making it inconvenient if a
> member wishes to catch up with discussions. One will then need additional
> posts to make summaries of what has been discussed to put the thread back in
> order. Look at any scholarly list a topic is closed within a day or two
> unless one is having a debate on a controversial topic. I hope you see my

> pointMake a new topic if you feel a there is a need for supplementary topic

[Ajit Gargeshwari]

Please continue the discussions I have no objections as Prof Aklujkar wanted to continue I have nothing more to say

Regards
Ajit Gargeshwari
न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः।
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतोऽयं पुराणो न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे।।2.20।।

[sunil bhattacharjya]

Namaste,

I have read long ago that according to some interpreters of the Vastu Shastra it is beneficial to have a water tank on the east side of a east-facing house, for the primary reason that the reflections of the sunshine from the water in the tank  to the front of the house is good for the persons getting exposed  to that. I can guess that water absorbs the UV-radiation and the reflected light could be  more beneficial than the direct sunlight.

This point may not exactly fit in the present discussions. However if it is okay to have this point for discussions, I shall be happy if any learned member would like to throw more light on this.  

Regards,

Sunil KB