Makar Sankranti: The science of the sun’s energy
The Sanskrit word Sankranti means “transference” or transition, signifying the movement of the Sun from one zodiac constellation to another over the course of a year. The very fact that ancient Bharatiya traditions recognised and observed twelve sankrantis annually reflects a sophisticated understanding of cosmic rhythms. Long before telescopes and satellites, our ancestors mapped the motion of the Sun and planets, their relative positions, and their influence on life on Earth. Yet beyond astronomy, they grasped something deeper-what many today have overlooked-the science of energy, or shakti, and how shifts in celestial alignments subtly alter the energy patterns of creation itself. Among all heavenly bodies, the Sun, or Surya, holds a unique place for life on Earth. It is the fundamental source of energy that sustains existence, a truth fully acknowledged by modern science. The Sun's brilliance is so intense that it cannot be gazed upon directly with the naked eye, a reminder of its immense power.
By attuning themselves to the Sun, these seers were said to radiate a similar luminosity — both physical and spiritual. Rishi Vishwamitra, to whom the Gayatri Mantra is attributed, is believed in lore to have accessed extraordinary creative powers through such alignment. In Bharatiya tradition, Surya is revered as the deity of gyan-infinite knowledge and the hidden laws of creation. He is described as the guru of Bhagwan Hanuman and the origin of the illustrious Suryavansha, which produced figures such as Manu, King Bhagirath, King Raghu, and Bhagwan Ram. Importantly, the Sun predates all organised religion. It offers light and warmth indiscriminately, beyond boundaries of faith, race, or birth. In this sense, the Sun knows no religion-it sustains all equally. Interestingly, modern scientific explorations echo ancient intuitions. Researchers in the West have recorded vibrations emitted by the Sun, and many practitioners note their resemblance to the primordial sound Om. According to yogic understanding, sound gives rise to form, colour, and ultimately the five elements that constitute physical existence. Thousands of years ago, the rishis of Bharat tuned into this fundamental vibration and gave humanity the mantra Om as a direct link to the sound of creation. Makar Sankranti holds special significance because it traditionally marked the beginning of Uttarayan, the Sun's apparent northward journey. This transition was considered auspicious, symbolising longer days, increasing light, and spiritual upliftment. Its importance is underscored by the fact that Bhishma Pitamah, in the Mahabharata, chose this period to relinquish his body in pursuit of moksha. Even modern geography preserves this ancient insight: the Tropic of Capricorn is named after the constellation (Makar) the Sun once entered at this turning point. Sun worship was not unique to Bharat. Civilisations across the world revered it — Egyptians as Atum and Horus, Greeks as Helios and Apollo, Romans through festivals honouring the unconquered Sun, and many others. Over time, due to the gradual shift in the Earth's axis, the timing of Uttarayan has changed, now aligning more closely with the December solstice.
Makar Sankranti thus serves as a reminder of an ancient, integrated science linking the cosmos, energy, and human consciousness.
The writer is a spiritual teacher; views are personal
