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 Asana	Mantra
Pranamasana	Om Mitraya Namaha
Hasta Uttanasana	Om Ravaye Namaha
Pada Hastasana	Om Suryaya Namaha
Ashwa Sanchalanasana	Om Bhanave Namaha
Parvatasana	Om Khagaya Namaha
Ashtanga Namaskara	Om Pushne Namaha
Bhujangasana	Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha
Parvatasana	Om Marichaye Namaha
Ashwa Sanchalanasana	Om Adityaya Namaha
Pada Hastasana	Om Savitre Namaha
Hasta Uttanasana	Om Arkaya Namaha
Pranamasana	Om Bhaskaraya Namaha

Meaning of Surya Namaskar Mantras:

Mantra	Name of God Sun	Meaning
Om Mitraya Namaha	Mitra	Who is friendly to all
Om Ravaye Namaha	Ravi	The shining one, the radiant one
Om Suryaya Namaha	Surya	Who is the dispeller of darkness and responsible for bringing activity
Om Bhanave Namaha	Bhanu	One who illumines, the bright one
Om Khagaya Namaha	Khaga	Who is all-pervading, one who moves through the sky
Om Pushne Namaha	Pushna	Giver of nourishment and fulfillment
Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha	Hiranya Garbha	Who has golden color brilliance
Om Marichaye Namaha	Marichaya	The giver of light with infinite number of rays
Om Adityaya Namaha	Aditya	The son of Aditi, the cosmic divine Mother
Om Savitre Namaha	Savitra	One who is responsible for life
Om Arkaya Namaha	Arka	Worthy of praise and glory
Om Bhaskaraya Namaha	Bhaskara	Giver of wisdom and cosmic illumination