Lord Sun is also known as Aditya. Lord Sun is also known by this name as he was born to Aditi. Lord Sun is known by many different names. He is also known as Martand. Martand is worshipped on Shukla Saptami of Paush month. This incarnation of Lord Sun is considered to be very energetic. A person worshipping Lord Sun on this day is fortunate and healthy.
Martand Saptami Story
Daksha Prajapati’s daughter, Aditi, was married to Saint Kashyap. Aditi gave birth to many sons. Her sons were known as Devas. Aditi’s sister, Diti, also gave birth to lots of sons. Her sons came to be known as demons. Demons did not like Devas. They wanted to kill Devas and rule the heaven. Demons defeated Devas and established control over heaven.
Devi Aditi was distressed to see her sons defeated by demons. She offered rigorous austerities and started worshipping Lord Sun. Lord Sun was impressed with her devotion and blessed her. Devi Aditi asked Lord Sun to take birth as her son and protect his brothers from demons.
Lord Sun blessed Devi Aditi and fulfilled her wish. When Devi Aditi was carrying Lord Sun in her womb, she offered austerities and kept fasts. Devi Aditi started getting weak because of such rigorous austerities and fasts. Saint Kashyap tried to convince Devi Aditi about not keeping any more fasts. But she did not listen. Saint Kashyap was angry and asked her if she wanted to kill the child. Devi Aditi felt very bad and tried to explain that her womb was not normal and she was carrying a Lord. Hence, Saint Kashyap need not worry.
Saint Kashyap asked for Lord Sun’s forgiveness. Lord Sun forgave him and took birth as Lord Martand, who was an energetic child. This incarnation of Lord Sun is worshipped on Martand Saptami. Lord Sun is also known as Aditya as he was born to Devi Aditi.
Martand Saptami Worship
A person should keep a fast on Martand Saptami. He should be completely devoted and dedicated. Such a person should wake up early in the morning and take a bath. Once a person has taken a bath, he should worship Lord Sun. A person should offer water to Lord Sun and chant Om Sri Suryaya Namah, Om Diwakaraya Namah, Om Prabhakaraya Namah. A person should worship for his family’s health and well being. Saptami Katha should be read once a person has worshipped Lord Sun. Worshipping this form of Lord Sun eliminated any sort of health problems. According to Shastras, this fast is known as Arogya Dayak (eliminating health problems).