Surya Namaskar Mantra

The Surya Namaskar Mantra is a salutation prayer to the Sun God, Surya. The mantra is recited or listened to by yoga practitioners worldwide.

The prayer is made of 12 chants. It is usually chanted in the morning facing the sun while practicing its 12 poses of Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation.

Adept yoga practitioners recommend reciting or listening to each verse of the mantra while performing the respective yoga postures.

This natural way of exercise benefits the mind and body immensely. Each chant can also be used to start a new repetition of the Surya Namaskara.

The beauty of this mantra is that each individual chant focuses on replenishing the energy of a specific part of the body.

Each mantra is associated with the 12 poses of a Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation:

1. Pranamasana (Prayer pose)

2. Hasta Uttanasana (Raised arms pose)

3. Pada Hastasana (Hand to foot pose)

4. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian/Lunge pose)

5. Dandasana (Plank Pose)

6. Ashtanga Namaskara (Eight Limbs pose)

7. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

8. Adho Mukha Shvanasana (Downward Dog Pose)

9. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian/Lunge pose)

10. Pada Hastasana (Hand to foot pose)

11. Hasta Uttanasana (Raised arms pose)

12. Tadasasana(Mountain pose)

The Surya Namaskar mantra is part of the Ancient Chants from India - Volume 1 album.

The Surya Namaskar mantra is also called the Ravaye Surya Mantra or the Adityaaya Surya Mantra.

The Surya Namaskar mantra is a set of salutations to the Sun, and its composition can vary. There isn't a single universally accepted 12-verse Surya Namaskar mantra.

Different traditions, schools, or individuals may use variations of mantras or prayers during the practice of Surya Namaskar. The significance of this shloka remains steady in its mantra meaning.

The Surya Namaskar Mantra holds several benefits for the mind of both the chanter and the listener.

Listening to this energizing Sun mantra along with meditation helps you in the following ways.

Chanting the Om Mareechaya Namaha along with the Adho Mukha Shvanasana pose increases blood flow to the spine and strengthens muscles

Chanting the Om Khagaya Namaha along with the Dandasana pose is beneficial for strengthening the upper body and calming the mind

Chanting the Om Adityaaya Namaha along with the Ashwa Sanchalanasana tones up the abdominal organs

There is a mythological story behind the practice of Surya Namaskara asanas and mantras: Hanuman’s mother, Anjana, wished that her son should get an education under Lord Surya (the Sun).

She asked Hanuman to request Surya to teach him.Hanuman approached Lord Surya and requested him to accept him as his student. But Surya refused to teach Hanuman.

However, after much persuasion, Surya agreed to teach Hanuman. To Surya’s amazement, the great Hanuman had mastered all the Vedas within a week!

At the end of the class, Hanuman asked as to what can be given back as a reward to his guru. Surya declined to accept a fee from Hanuman.

He said that having Hanuman as a student itself was a reward for him. Further, Hanuman said, well, I can only offer you my gratitude and namaskars (respectful greetings) as “Guru Dakshina” (teacher's fee).

Lord Hanuman bowed down in front of his guru.Lord Surya was much pleased with this and he blessed Hanuman. And since then, Hanuman started propagating the Surya Namaskar as an homage to his guru.

He practiced it daily.The Surya Namaskar is also considered to be the reason for Lord Hanuman's impeccable health. It made Lord Hanuman the epitome of strength.

This story is also believed to be the beginning of practicing Surya Namaskara. It is the foundation of asanas in hatha yoga.