In one of our yoga teacher trainings in India, we discovered the practice of Sun Salutations through reciting each of their mantras. It’s a meditative way to practice the sun salutations — quieting the mind and flowing with sound, movement, and breath.
Additionally, once we know the meaning of each mantra, it helps us cultivate gratitude toward the Sun, Surya, its energy of expansion, warmth, transformation, and joy. The Sun gave life to this planet and offers us its light, warmth, and energy every day. What better way to move, warm your body, and exercise than by thanking the Sun for its gifts?
We encourage you to practice by reciting the mantras mentally, following your own rhythm and breathing! You can listen to Tushar Pargaonkar’s Surya Namaskar song with its mantras while you practice.
Write us and tell us about your experience practicing the traditional Rishikesh Surya Namaskar with mantras.
Here we share the meaning of each mantra and a video.
SURYA NAMASKAR: 12 mantras, 12 movements
1. Om Mitraya Namaha
Salutations to the Friend of all
2. Om Ravaye Namaha
Salutations to the Shining One
3. Om Suryaya Namaha
Salutations to the Dispeller of darkness, who induces activity
4. Om Bhanave Namaha
Salutations to One who illuminates
5. Om Khagaya Namaha
Salutations to One who is all-pervading, who moves through the sky
6. Om Pushne Namaha
Salutations to the Giver of nourishment and fulfillment
7. Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namaha
Salutations to the golden Cosmic Self
8. Om Marichaye Namaha
Salutations to the Giver of light with infinite rays
9. Om Savitre Namaha
Salutations to the One responsible for life
10. Om Arkaya Namaha
Salutations to the One fit to be praised
11. Om Adityaya Namaha
Salutations to the Son of Aditi, the Cosmic Mother
12. Om Bhaskaraya Namaha
Salutations to the Giver of wisdom and cosmic illumination
