Surya Namaskar Mantra

In Hindu mythology, the sun god is worshipped as a symbol of health and immortal life. It is also revered as the source of life and energy. A well-known Hindu mode of worship of the devotional movements of Surya is done at the rising of the Sun, known as Surya namaskar (sun salutation). Surya Namaskar means Sun Salutation: Surya = sun; Namaskar = salutation.

The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara – सूर्य नमस्कार) originated as a series of prostrations to the sun which is done at the rising of the Sun. Thirteen sacred Surya Namaskar Mantra are uttered and for each mantra, one complete namaskar is done. The ancient practice is to do 108 namaskars a day. It is considered most auspicious by Hindus to do this.

The best way to start your day fresh is getting up early in the morning and doing Surya namaskar. There are many benefits of doing Surya Namaskara. The sun makes life possible on earth and doing sun salutations daily, is a way of practicing gratitude – we acknowledge and thank the sun for supporting and nourishing us. It mobilizes the entire body and gets the joints loose and the blood flowing.

It’s no wonder that Surya Namaskar makes a great warm-up exercise. It induces peace of mind, reduces emotional conflicts, neurosis, and stress. It is an excellent routine to practice when you get up in the morning as it will prepare you in all ways to face the oncoming day with physical strength and mental poise. Surya Namaskara is generally safe for people of all age groups as long as one keeps each of the stretches and moves within one’s individual capability.

Chant these 13 mantras for Surya Namaskar!

ॐ मित्राय नमः

Om Mitraya Namaha

Meaning –  salutations to the friend of all

ॐ रवये नमः

Om Ravaye Namah

Meaning –  salutations to the shining one

ॐ सूर्याय नम:

Om Suryaya Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the one who induces activity

ॐ भानवे नम:

Om Bhanave Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the one who illumines

ॐ खगाय नम:

Om khagāya Namah

Meaning – salutations to the one who moves quickly in the sky

ॐ पूष्णे नम:

Om Punshne Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the giver of strength and nourishment

ॐ हिरण्यगर्भाय नम:

Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the golden cosmic self

ॐ मरीचये नम:

Om Marichaye Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the bringer of the dawn

ॐ आदित्याय नम:

Om Adityaya Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the son of Aditi, the cosmic mother

ॐ सवित्रे नम:

Om Savitre Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the stimulating power of the sun

ॐ अर्काय नम:

Om Arkaya Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the one who is fit to be praised

ॐ भास्कराय नम:

Om Bhaskaraya Namaha

Meaning – salutations to the one who leads to enlightenment

Final Mantra

ॐ श्री सबित्रू सुर्यनारायणाय नम:

Om shree sabitru suryanarayanaya namah

The complete Mantra:

OM RHAM RHIM RHUM RHAIM RHOUM RHAH, MITRA RAVI SURYA BHANU KHAGA PUSHAN HIRANYAGARBHA MARICHI ADITYA SAVITRU ARKA BHASKAREBHYO NAMO NAMAHA.

The benefits of Surya Namaskar

• Boosts your overall health – The obvious advantage of Surya Namaskar is the workout it provides for the muscles, but it also benefits joints, ligaments, and the skeletal system by improving posture and balance. It helps to gain overall health.

• Improves digestion – Practicing Surya Namaskar is beneficial for the health of the digestive system. Yoga poses increase blood flow to your digestive tract and stimulates the intestinal action known as peristalsis so digestion is more efficient.

• Gives you rock-hard abs – Practicing Surya Namaskar is the easiest way to be in shape. It stretches the abdominal muscles. It helps you to lose excessive belly fat and gives a flat stomach and the core muscles including your abs get a great workout.

• Helps you detox – Due to active inhalation and exhalation process the body gets detox, as the lungs are thoroughly ventilated and blood gets fully oxygenated.

• Keeps anxiety at bay – Regular practice of sun salutation boosts endurance power. It gives vitality and strength. It also reduces the feeling of restlessness and anxiety.

• Improves flexibility – These asanas are a workout for the whole body, making you more flexible and agile.

• Promotes regular menstrual cycle – These asanas help you in suppressing menstrual irregularities.

• Tones the arms, strengthens the spine – Daily practice of Surya Namaskar makes the body flexible. It improves flexibility in the spine, arms, and in limbs.

• Keeps you youthful – Sun salutation exercise helps to add glow on your face making facial skin radiant and ageless.

• Helps in weight loss – Regular practice of Surya Namaskar helps to lose extra calories. It helps to stay thin. Practicing Surya Namaskar is the easiest way to be in shape. It stretches the abdominal muscles. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar helps to lose excessive belly fat and gives a flat stomach.

Though Surya Namaskar should be a part of your morning routine, pregnant women should not practice these after the third month of pregnancy.

Suggested Read: Surya Mantra