In Hindu scriptures, Lord Surya rides across the heavens (sky) in a chariot drawn by seven horses. The horses symbolize the cosmic rays, which radiates warmth and life. As they move across the skies, they remove darkness and usher in light. The seven horses also symbolize the seven colors of rainbow.
The reins of the horses are firmly in the hands of Aruna (Charioteer of Sun God). The reins are the seasons and Aruna makes sure with the reins that rays of the sun sustain all living beings. The seven horses are also said to represent the seven days of the week.
The seven horses are often referred as Harits and sometimes instead of horses it is seven mares. Occasionally, they are also depicted as one horse or mare with seven heads.
In Hindu spiritual tradition, Lord Surya stands as one of the most powerful and revered deities, representing the life-giving sun that sustains all existence. The Vedic scriptures describe Surya as the soul of all beings, both moving and non-moving. His magnificent journey across the celestial expanse is not merely a poetic description but carries profound spiritual and cosmic significance. Central to this divine imagery are the seven magnificent horses known as Harits that draw his golden chariot through the heavens, dispelling darkness and bringing the light of consciousness to the world.
The Sacred Harits: Names and Identity
The seven horses of Surya are collectively called Harits, derived from the Sanskrit word "harit" meaning green or radiant. Hindu scriptures sometimes refer to them as seven mares rather than stallions, emphasizing their nurturing and life-sustaining qualities. These celestial steeds are occasionally depicted as a single horse with seven heads, symbolizing the unified yet multifaceted nature of solar energy. The ancient texts provide specific names for these horses: Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnik, Jagati, Trishtup, Anushtup, and Pankti - names that correspond to the seven principal Vedic meters used in sacred hymns.
Cosmic Symbolism of the Seven Horses
The seven horses represent multiple layers of cosmic and spiritual reality. Most prominently, they symbolize the seven colors of the visible spectrum - violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red - which combine to form the pure white light of the sun. This representation demonstrates the Hindu understanding that diversity emerges from unity and eventually merges back into it.
The Harits also embody the seven rays of cosmic consciousness that emanate from the sun, bringing warmth, vitality, and spiritual illumination to all creation. These rays are not merely physical light but represent the divine energy that sustains consciousness itself. The Rig Veda, humanity's oldest spiritual text, contains numerous hymns praising Surya's radiance and his ability to illuminate both the outer world and the inner consciousness of devotees.
The Seven Days and Temporal Significance
Hindu wisdom recognizes the seven horses as representations of the seven days of the week - Sunday through Saturday. This symbolism connects the cosmic journey of the sun with the cyclical nature of time itself. Each day brings its own qualities and influences, governed by the particular energy of that day's planetary ruler, yet all remain under the supreme governance of Surya, the king of planets.
This temporal aspect emphasizes that time is not linear but cyclical, with each week representing a complete microcosm of cosmic manifestation. The steady gallop of the seven horses ensures that time flows in an orderly manner, maintaining the rhythm of creation and sustaining the cosmic order known as Rita.
Aruna: The Divine Charioteer
The reins of these seven magnificent steeds are held firmly in the hands of Aruna, the divine charioteer and elder brother of Garuda. Aruna himself represents the dawn - that mystical moment when darkness transitions to light. Born without lower limbs due to a curse, Aruna's position as charioteer carries deep symbolic meaning: despite perceived limitations, one can still guide the most powerful force in the universe through dedication and divine grace.
The reins Aruna holds represent the six seasons recognized in Hindu tradition: Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (pre-winter), and Shishira (winter). Through these reins, Aruna controls the intensity and distribution of solar rays, ensuring that each season brings its appropriate gifts and challenges. This imagery teaches that even the most powerful forces in nature operate under divine regulation and cosmic law.
The Seven Chakras Connection
Advanced spiritual interpretations connect the seven horses with the seven primary chakras or energy centers in the human subtle body. Just as the horses draw Surya's chariot across the external sky, the awakening of these energy centers draws the inner spiritual sun - the consciousness of the Atman - upward through the spine toward enlightenment. This parallel demonstrates the Hindu principle "Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande" - as is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.
Philosophical and Spiritual Significance
The seven horses teach profound spiritual lessons. Their unwavering journey across the sky represents the soul's persistent movement toward enlightenment, never deviating from the cosmic path despite obstacles. The fact that they are always yoked together symbolizes the integration of various aspects of existence - physical, mental, and spiritual - in harmonious unity.
The horses' role in dispelling darkness carries both literal and metaphorical meaning. Physically, they bring daylight; spiritually, they represent the dispelling of ignorance (avidya) through knowledge (vidya). The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad declares "Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya" - Lead me from darkness to light - a prayer that resonates with the daily journey of Surya's chariot.
The Sapta Rashmi: Seven Cosmic Rays
Hindu scriptures describe the Sapta Rashmi, or seven rays, that emanate from Surya. Each horse channels one of these rays, which have distinct qualities and purposes. These rays sustain various aspects of life: they nourish plants, regulate water cycles, maintain planetary orbits, and influence biological rhythms in all creatures. The ancient sages understood that solar energy is not monolithic but manifests in different frequencies and qualities, each serving specific cosmic functions.
Rare Insights and Lesser-Known Aspects
Few devotees know that the seven horses are sometimes associated with the seven great sages (Saptarishis) who guide humanity through different cosmic ages. This connection suggests that divine wisdom and solar energy are intrinsically linked - knowledge and light being different expressions of the same ultimate reality.
Another rare teaching identifies the horses with the seven vital breaths (sapta prana) that sustain life. This association emphasizes that the sun is not merely an external astronomical body but intimately connected with the life force within every being.
Living Wisdom for Modern Times
The symbolism of the seven horses of Surya offers timeless wisdom applicable even in contemporary life. They remind us that diversity serves unity, that cosmic forces operate in harmony, and that both external nature and internal consciousness follow divine patterns. By understanding and meditating upon these sacred symbols, devotees can align themselves with cosmic rhythms and progress steadily on their spiritual journey, just as the Harits carry Surya unfailingly across the celestial vault, day after day, age after age.