9/6/2014 Sun Salutation Mantras | Surya Namskar Mantras Meaning

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Sun Salutation Mantras Love Song to the
Sun
Add the attitude of gratitude to your Sun Salutation practice with sun salutation mantras. That's
when through Surya Namaskar, you can honor not only the Sun but also the whole Nature.
(Honoring the creation brings in a sense of sacredness to your yoga practice.)
I stand on my yoga mat, getting ready to start my Sun Salutation practice. My hands are
folded in front of my chest, in prayer position. I chant the first mantra for Sun Salutation, my
hands go up and then as I recite the second sun salutation mantra, they come down and touch
the floor, as if bowing to this higher power the Sun. I have a gentle smile on my face as I
carry on with each Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) posture and coordinate it with a mantra
recital. My whole Surya Namaskar practice turns sacred. This is what mantra chants can do to
the Sun Salutation practice, which can otherwise seem like a physical exercise intended to lose
weight or stretch and tone the muscles.
Sure, sounds good, you say. But what are Sun Salutation
mantras?
Mantras refer to a combination of syllables, sounds, or phrases, which can be chanted or sung.
In case of Sun Salutation, they are sung in praise of the Sun. Chanting mantras extends Sun
Salutation benefits; it has subtle yet penetrating effects on both mind and body. There are 12
mantras which praise different qualities of Sun and add a profound spiritual touch to the entire
practice.
How to chant the Sun Salutation mantras?
Sun Salutation mantras add a profound spiritual touch to the practice
English
9/6/2014 Sun Salutation Mantras | Surya Namskar Mantras Meaning
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The only rule to remember is to chant them with gratefulness. Each sun salutation mantra has
a specific meaning, but it is not important to delve into what each mantra means.
For instance, Om Bhaanve Namaha means 'one who brings light'. When you recite this mantra,
feel a sense of deep gratitude to the Sun for giving us light and making life possible on Earth.
Similarly, addressing the Sun as a friend with the chant, Om Mitraaya Namaha, where we look
at this glowing ball as our friend.
How to include mantras in Surya Namaskar?
You can either chant the sun salutation mantras verbally or in your mind.
Now let's see how you can chant the mantras while doing the Sun Salutation sequence. One
set of Sun Salutation comprises two rounds one with the right leg, one with the other. It is
ideally recommended to practice 12 sets of Sun Salutation daily. But you can choose your
own number, according to what seems comfortable. If you choose to do 6 sets or more, chant
one mantra each at the start of every new sequence. Recite the first mantra as you start one
set, finish the two rounds in that set and then start the next set with the second mantra and so
on. This way, you would have chanted 12 mantras with 12 sets of Sun Salutation.
If you practice less than 12 rounds of Sun Salutation 2 or 4 you can recite one mantra each
with every posture in the sequence. This would make it 12 mantras corresponding to 12 poses
of Surya Namaskar.
Sun Salutation
Pose
Sun Salutation
Mantra
Meaning
Pranamasana
(Prayer pose)
Om Mitraaya
Namaha
Who is
friendly to
all
Hastauttanasana
(Raised arms
pose)
Om Ravaye
Namaha
The shining
one, the
radiant one
Hasta Padasana
(Hand to foot
pose)
Om Suryaya
Namaha
Who is the
dispeller of
darkness
and
responsible
for bringing
activity
Ashwa
Sanchalanasana
(Equestrian
pose)
Om Bhaanave
Namaha
One who
illumines,
the bright
one
Dandasana
(Stick pose)
Om Khagaya
Namaha
Who is all-
pervading,
one who
moves
through the
sky
9/6/2014 Sun Salutation Mantras | Surya Namskar Mantras Meaning
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Ashtanga
Namaskara
(Salute with
eight parts or
points)
Om Pooshne
Namaha
Giver of
nourishment
and
fulfillment
Bhujangasana
(Cobra pose)
Om
Hiranyagarbhaaya
Namaha
Who has
golden color
brilliance
Parvatasana
(Mountain pose)
Om Mareechaye
Namaha
The giver of
light with
infinite
number of
rays
Ashwa
Sanchalanasana
(Equestrian
pose)
Om Aadityaaya
Namaha
The son of
Aditi the
cosmic
divine
Mother
Hasta Padasana
(Hand to foot
pose)
Om Savitre
Namaha
One who is
responsible
for life
Hastauttanasana
(Raised arms
pose)
Om Aarkaaya
Namaha
Worthy of
praise and
glory
Tadasana
Om Bhaaskaraya
Namaha
Giver of
wisdom and
cosmic
illumination
It is a good idea to chant the sun salutation mantras with the proper intonations. You could
learn the correct mantra chanting along with the video.
Include these mantras in your daily practice of Surya Namaskar and feel a sense of oneness
with the Sun.
(Based on inputs by Krishan Verma and Dinesh Kashikar. Written by Pritika Nair.)


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