Surya Namaskar, also known as Sun Salutation, is a traditional yoga practice involving twelve postures and is often accompanied by specific mantras dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God). The practice is performed as a form of expressing gratitude and seeking blessings from the Sun, which symbolizes life and vitality. Here is the Surya Namaskar mantra:
Om Mitraya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the friend of all beings.”
Om Ravaye Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the shining one, the radiant Sun.”
Om Suryaya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who induces activity and stimulates growth.”
Om Bhanave Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who illuminates and bestows knowledge.”
Om Khagaya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who moves through the sky like a bird.”
Om Pushne Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the giver of strength and nourishment.”
Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the golden womb, the source of creation.”
Om Marichaye Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who possesses rays like that of light.”
Om Adityaya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the son of Aditi, the cosmic Mother.”
Om Savitre Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who brings forth life and vitality.”
Om Arkaya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who is worthy of praise and adoration.”
Om Bhaskaraya Namah
Translation: “Om, I bow to the one who is the cause of light and illumination.”
During the Surya Namaskar practice, each of these mantras is chanted before or after performing the corresponding yoga posture. The chanting helps in focusing the mind, enhancing the spiritual aspect of the practice, and expressing reverence to the Sun, which is considered a divine symbol in various cultures and traditions.
Benefits of Surya Namaskar Mantra
The Surya Namaskar Mantra, chanted during the practice of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation), offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the physical aspects of the yoga sequence. Some of the key benefits of chanting the Surya Namaskar Mantra are:
- Spiritual Connection: Chanting the Surya Namaskar Mantra helps establish a deeper spiritual connection with the Sun, which is considered a representation of the divine source of energy and life.
- Focus and Concentration: The rhythmic chanting of mantras during Surya Namaskar enhances concentration and helps practitioners stay focused during the practice, promoting a meditative state of mind.
- Stress Reduction: Chanting mantras, including the Surya Namaskar Mantra, induces a state of relaxation and calmness, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Energy Activation: The mantra, when chanted with devotion, is believed to activate the solar plexus (Manipura Chakra) and enhance the flow of prana (life force energy) throughout the body.
- Enhanced Positivity: The positive vibrations created by chanting the mantra can uplift one’s mood and promote a sense of well-being and positivity.
- Gratitude and Humility: Chanting the Surya Namaskar Mantra is a way of expressing gratitude to the Sun for its life-sustaining energy and recognizing our interconnectedness with nature.
- Inner Awareness: The repetitive chanting of mantras helps practitioners turn their attention inward, promoting self-awareness and introspection.
- Alignment with Natural Rhythms: Surya Namaskar, accompanied by the mantra, aligns the practitioner with the cycles of nature, acknowledging the importance of the Sun’s role in the universe.
- Increased Vitality: Regular practice of Surya Namaskar, along with the mantra, helps in improving overall health and vitality by harmonizing the body and mind.
- Purification: Mantra chanting is believed to purify the mind and purges negative thought patterns, promoting mental clarity and emotional balance.
- Spiritual Growth: As a part of the yoga practice, chanting the Surya Namaskar Mantra supports spiritual growth and the development of a deeper sense of connection with the inner self and the universe.
It is important to approach the chanting of mantras with sincerity, devotion, and understanding of their significance. When combined with the physical practice of Surya Namaskar, the mantra enhances the overall experience, making it not just a physical exercise but also a holistic practice with profound mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.
