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. 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.
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
4. 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
11. Hastauttanasana (Raised Arms pose)
What to chant:
Om Aarkaaya Namaha
Meaning:
Worthy of praise and glory
12. Tadasana
What to chant:
Om Bhaaskaraya Namaha
Meaning:
Giver of wisdom and cosmic illumination
This is the simple steps to chant mantra while doing Surya Namaskara. The advanced practitioners can follow the below way.
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.
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
4. 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
11. Hastauttanasana (Raised Arms pose)
What to chant:
Om Aarkaaya Namaha
Meaning:
Worthy of praise and glory
12. Tadasana
What to chant:
Om Bhaaskaraya Namaha
Meaning:
Giver of wisdom and cosmic illumination
This is the simple steps to chant mantra while doing Surya Namaskara. The advanced practitioners can follow the below way.
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