Sun Salutation Mantras Love Song to the

Sun

Sun Salutation mantras add a profound spiritual touch to the practice

Add the attitude of gratitude to your Sun Salutation practice with sun salutation
mantras. That's when through Surya Namaskar, you can honor not only the Sun but
also the whole Nature. (Honoring the creation brings in a sense of sacredness to your
yoga practice.)
I stand on my yoga mat, getting ready to start my Sun Salutation practice. My hands are
folded in front of my chest, in prayer position. I chant the first mantra for Sun
Salutation, my hands go up and then as I recite the second sun salutation mantra, they
come down and touch the floor, as if bowing to this higher power the Sun. I have a
gentle smile on my face as I carry on with each Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)
posture and coordinate it with a mantra recital. My whole Surya Namaskar practice
turns sacred. This is what mantra chants can do to the Sun Salutation practice, which
can otherwise seem like a physical exercise intended to lose weight or stretch and tone
the muscles.

Sure, sounds good, you say. But what are 12 Sun

Salutation mantras?
Mantras refer to a combination of syllables, sounds, or phrases, which can be chanted
or sung. In case of Sun Salutation, they are sung in praise of the Sun. Chanting mantras
extends Sun Salutation benefits; it has subtle yet penetrating effects on both mind and

body. There are 12 mantras which praise different qualities of Sun and add a profound
spiritual touch to the entire practice.

How to chant the Sun Salutation mantras?

The only rule to remember is to chant them with gratefulness. Each sun salutation
mantra has a specific meaning, but it is not important to delve into what each mantra
means.
For instance, Om Bhaanve Namaha means 'one who brings light'. When you recite this
mantra, feel a sense of deep gratitude to the Sun for giving us light and making life
possible on Earth. Similarly, addressing the Sun as a friend with the chant, Om Mitraaya
Namaha, where we look at this glowing ball as our friend.

How to include mantras in Surya Namaskar?

You can either chant the sun salutation mantras verbally or in your mind.
Now let's see how you can chant the mantras while doing the Sun Salutation sequence.
One set of Sun Salutation comprises two rounds one with the right leg, one with the
other. It is ideally recommended to practice 12 sets of Sun Salutation daily. But you can
choose your own number, according to what seems comfortable. If you choose to do 6
sets or more, chant one mantra each at the start of every new sequence. Recite the
first mantra as you start one set, finish the two rounds in that set and then start the
next set with the second mantra and so on. This way, you would have chanted 12
mantras with 12 sets of Sun Salutation.
If you practice less than 12 rounds of Sun Salutation 2 or 4 you can recite one
mantra each with every posture in the sequence. This would make it 12 Sun Salutation
mantras corresponding to 12 poses of Surya Namaskar.

1
Pranamasana (Prayer pose)
What to chant:
Om Mitraaya Namaha

Meaning:
Who is friendly to all

2
Hastauttanasana (Raised Arms pose)
What to chant:
Om Ravaye Namaha

Meaning:
The shining one, the radiant one

3
Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot pose)
What to chant:
Om Suryaya Namaha

Meaning:
Who is the dispeller of darkness and responsible for bringing activity

Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)

What to chant:
Om Bhaanave Namaha

Meaning:
One who illumines, the bright one

5
Dandasana
(Stick pose)

What to chant:
Om Khagaya Namaha

Meaning:
Who is all-pervading, one who moves through the sky

6
Ashtanga Namaskara
(Salute With Eight Parts Or Points)
What to chant:
Om Pooshne Namaha

Meaning:
Giver of nourishment and fulfillment

7
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
What to chant:

Om Hiranyagarbhaaya Namaha

Meaning:
Who has golden color brilliance

8
Parvatasana (Mountain pose)
What to chant:
Om Mareechaye Namaha

Meaning:
The giver of light with infinite number of rays

9
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
What to chant:
Om Aadityaaya Namaha

Meaning:
The son of Aditi the cosmic divine Mother

10
Hasta Padasana (Hand to Foot pose)
What to chant:
Om Savitre Namaha

Meaning:
One who is responsible for life