Surya Namaskar – How to do, Steps, Benefits, Photos, Mantra

Every religion in this world guides its followers on the path of light. The sun is the absolute source of light for us.   People of all ages have identified gods as a form of light. In light they see the truth, blessing, glory and complete divine bliss. Hence sun is called the soul of the entire universe and sustains the life of all animals plants and human beings. The main deity of the Navagrahas or the Nine Planets of Hindu Astrology as well, he is also considered as one of the Navagrahas. Surya is often portrayed as riding a chariot driven by 7 horses or alternatively, by 1 horse with 7 heads. These 7 horses represent the colors of the rainbow and the 7 chakras in the human body as well. Hence ancient people wove it into our religious practices to worship and acknowledge the sun as a god. Till today this tradition continues, all religions started out as worshippers of natural forces such as wind water, sun and earth.

Later as we progressed further gods sprung up and today there are innumerous gods in Hinduism but we still worship Mother Nature. The Tamil harvest festival of pongal is a perfect example. The farmer folk pray to the sun for giving them a bountiful harvest.

“AayiramKarangalNeeti.
AnaikkindraThayePotri.
ArulPongumMugathaiKaati.
Irul Neekam Thanthai Potri. “

These lines praise the Surya bhagavan for showing them the path of light with his thousand hands. They speak about the sheer magnitude of sun’s power. Sun light is beneficial for plants, animals and human beings. Plants can’t perform photosynthesis without sunlight and man needs vitamin d which is abundant in sunlight.

What is Surya Namaskar?

Surya Namaskar is a set of 12 postures, preferably to be done at the time of sunrise. Surya Namaskar is essentially about building a dimension within you where your physical cycles are in sync with the sun’s cycles, which run at about twelve-and-a-quarter years. It is not by accident but by intent that it has been structured with twelve postures or twelve asanas in it. If one’s system is in a certain level of vibrancy and readiness, and in a good state of receptivity, then naturally your cycle will be in sync with the solar cycle. The regular practice of Surya Namaskar improves circulation of blood throughout the body, maintains health, and helps one remain disease-free. There are numerous benefits of Surya Namaskar for the heart, liver, intestine, stomach, chest, throat, legs. From head to toe, every part of the body is greatly benefited by Surya Namaskar, which is why it is highly recommended by all yoga experts. Performing one round of Surya namaskar is equivalent to 108 asanas.

Surya Namaskar Steps – The 12 Steps Comprising Surya Namaskar

Along with the set of 12 steps, there also a set of mantras to be recited while performing Surya Namaskar. The significance behind doing Surya Namaskar is that the solar plexus (located behind the navel, which is the central point of the human body) is said to be connected with the Sun. This is the main reason why the ancient Rishis recommended the practice of Surya Namaskar, because the regular practice of this technique enhances the solar plexus, which increases one’s creativity and intuitive abilities.

1	Om Mitraaya Namah
2	Om Ravaye Namah
3	Om Suryaaya Namah
4	Om Bhaanave Namah
5	Om Khagaaya Namah
6	Om Puushne Namah
7	Om Hiranyagarbhaaya Namah
8	Om Mareechaye Namah
9	Om Aadityaaya Namah
10	Om Savitre Namah
11	Om Arkaaya Namah
12	Om Bhaaskaraaya Namah

Almost all the gods in Hinduism can’t be seen by the devotees. We can only see idols of Shiva, Vishnu and vinayaka etc. but Surya Bhagavan is a scientific phenomenon that one can see on all days. The power of the sun can be understood by those living in cold ice like conditions. The sun is the source of all warmth and light and that can also be interpreted as knowledge and potential. He also controls the seasons around the year which gives him the ability to affect ripening of crops, harvest time and so on. Hence sun is placed at a higher pedestal especially for agricultural communities. We being an agricultural nation have understood the significance of the sun god in a plentiful harvest.

The significance of Surya bhagavan can be felt in the great epics of our country Ramayana and Mahabarata. In Ramayana lord Rama is said to be descendant of the Suryavanshi clan and also Sugriva is mentioned as the sun of surya. Sugriva and his monkey forces helped Rama defeat Ravana in Lanka. Surya is also supposed to be Hanuman’s guru giving him two siddhis – lagima and garima which enable him to take the smallest and largest form at will.

In Mahabharata, Kunti Devi is said to receive a wish from sage Durvasa which gives her the power to summon a deva by reciting a mantra and also bear his child. Kunti Devi without realizing the consequences tested the mantra and Surya appeared and as a virgin she was blessed with Karna. Whom she could not raise being a unwed. Hence she left him along the river; Karna grows up to be one of the mightiest warriors in history.

Surya is not just exclusive to the Hindu culture, in Greek culture he is worshipped as Helios and in Egyptian as Ra.

Sun Temples in India

Lord Surya is worshipped mainly in two forms those are arka and mitra. In eastern India and north India. This is why the temples were named as Konark temple and Balark temple.

The Konark temple is built in the form of a huge chariot with wheels. It is known worldwide for its intricate craftsmanship and was declared a heritage site by the UNESCO. The temple is in ruins now. According to legend, Samba, the son of Krishna, suffered from leprosy. The sage Kataka asked him to worship Surya to cure his disease. Samba undertook penance for 12 years near the shores of Chandrabhaga and then built Konark and other temples as well.

In Gujarat mainly he is referred to as mitr that literally means a friend. The Sun temple in Modhera, Gujarat is a monumental stone temple built in such a way that the first rays of the sun fall first on the idol on equinoxes. Even though pujas are not conducted in the temple at present. The temple in ruins brings together lots of dancers who culminate for a dance festival.

The Suryanar Temple is situated in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. This temple was built even before the Konark temple, by Kulottunga Cholan. Comprising. The central sanctum sanctorum is dedicated to Surya, with shrines of the other planets situated all around it. Performing pujas to remove your doshas is the main attraction for this temple as people throng this place around auspicious days.