Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) literally means greeting God Sun respectfully. Surya dev (Sun God) has special significance in many cultures and countries. He is the God which we can feel in physical form by his light and warmth. There is no doubt about that he is the one who keeps life going. In hindu ancient philosophy, there is concept of giving arghya to Sun God every morning. We pray to him and call him in sacrifices (yagna) too.

Also, in yoga there is collection of asanas called Surya namaskar or Sun Salutation. It includes twelve asanas and with each asana we honour Lord Sun. We start the asana (pose) with a mantra, hence 12 mantras are recited while doing 12 asanas of Surya Namaskar.

Here is the list of 12 poses (yoga asanas) along with mantra.

Pose/Yoga AsanaMantra
PranamasanaOm Mitraya Namaha
Hasta UttanasanaOm Ravaye Namaha
Pada HastasanaOm Suryaya Namaha
Ashwa SanchalanasanaOm Bhanave Namaha
ParvatasanaOm Khagaya Namaha
Ashtanga NamaskaraOm Pushne Namaha
BhujangasanaOm Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha
ParvatasanaOm Marichaye Namaha
Ashwa SanchalanasanaOm Adityaya Namaha
Pada HastasanaOm Savitre Namaha
Hasta UttanasanaOm Arkaya Namaha
PranamasanaOm Bhaskaraya Namaha

Meaning of Surya Namaskar Mantras:

MantraName of God SunMeaning
Om Mitraya NamahaMitraWho is friendly to all
Om Ravaye NamahaRaviThe shining one, the radiant one
Om Suryaya NamahaSuryaWho is the dispeller of darkness and responsible for bringing activity
Om Bhanave NamahaBhanuOne who illumines, the bright one
Om Khagaya NamahaKhagaWho is all-pervading, one who moves through the sky
Om Pushne NamahaPushnaGiver of nourishment and fulfillment
Om Hiranya Garbhaya NamahaHiranya GarbhaWho has golden color brilliance
Om Marichaye NamahaMarichayaThe giver of light with infinite number of rays
Om Adityaya NamahaAdityaThe son of Aditi, the cosmic divine Mother
Om Savitre NamahaSavitraOne who is responsible for life
Om Arkaya NamahaArkaWorthy of praise and glory
Om Bhaskaraya NamahaBhaskaraGiver of wisdom and cosmic illumination

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