By Sadhguru – Founder, Isha Foundation
Sadhguru: Makar Sankranti is round the corner. “Makara” refers to the winter time or the time when the sun is at the lowest in the northern hemisphere. “Sankranti” suggests movement. We have moved from one phase on this planet to the next phase.
In the yogic terminology, the time between the summer solstice and winter solstice, from June 21 to December 21, is referred to as sadhana pada. This is the time to work upon yourself and everything around you. From the winter solstice to summer solstice, from December 21 to June 21, is called kaivalya pada, which means the time to harvest. It is the time to reap the fruits of your work. We are entering that phase.
This means our relationship with the sun, which is the very source of our life on this planet, is changing. Many people are probably fearing the summer, the heat, the lack of water, maybe the power cuts and many other inconveniences. This means we are beginning to rue the very source of our life, because whether it is a tree, an insect, a worm, a man or a woman, every creature on this planet is solar-powered.
In Indian culture, this phase of the year when we have maximum solar energy, is welcomed with the celebration of Makar Sankranti. But today, we have begun to fear this, not because the sun has turned against us — the sun is the basis of our existence — but because when the sun is in full glory, we don’t have a tree to sit under!
We have ripped the planet and this country apart in the last two or three generations. Essentially, it is ignorance that we have done this and it is time we correct it. When the sun comes up, should your children not have a tree to sit under or climb upon? Should there not be enough vegetation and water on the land?
Makar Sankranti means the wisdom of knowing where the source of our life is. We are all solar-powered, so we are welcoming the sun. But if we really want to enjoy this spring and summer, we must create an atmosphere where we can enjoy and reap the benefits of sunlight rather than suffering it.
This Makar Sankranti, each one of us should take this up in our lives in whatever capacity we can — the future generations in this country should be able to joyfully welcome the summer. This will only be possible if we create a conducive atmosphere in nature where the land is rich with vegetation and water resource and the soil is rich to hold the water. Only then can we genuinely celebrate Makar Sankranti. Let us make this happen.
[Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a yogi, is a visionary, humanitarian and a prominent spiritual leader. An author, poet and internationally-renowned speaker, Sadhguru’s wit and piercing logic provoke and widen our perception of life. www.ishafoundation.org]
This post was published on January 9, 2026 6:10 pm