GUIDELINES FOR SURYA NAMASKAR

Prabhav – Chh. Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad)

“Hari Aum!

Q) Like many others, I also do Surya Namaskar as an exercise. Can you please explain the significance, and guidelines to perform Surya Namaskar?"

Manish ji’s reply:

[As understood by me]

Surya Namaskar is NOT a mere physical exercise. Thus, if it’s being done as an exercise alone, it should NOT be referred to as Surya Namaskar.

Surya Namaskar involves the integration of one’s physical and mental faculties towards offering obeisance to the Sun Lord and therefore should be treated as a prayer or part of one’s Sadhana. The Sun is the form representative of the Light of Consciousness and that must be kept in mind at the time of this offering.

Surya Namaskar must be done in a clean place and in the presence of the Sun.

Surya Namaskar consists of 12 Asanas (yoga poses) to be done in a prescribed sequential manner. Each of these Asanas is associated with a mantra, that praises Surya (symbol of Consciousness) with various names and attributes.

The 12 mantras are:

ॐ मित्राय नमः I bow down to the Friend of all

ॐ रवये नमः I bow down to the One that Radiates

ॐ सूर्याय नमः I bow down to the One that Dispels Darkness

ॐ भानवे नमः I bow down to the One that is the Brightest

ॐ खगाय नमः-I bow down to the One that Flies

ॐ पूष्णे नमः I bow down to the One that Nourishes

ॐ हिरण्यगर्भाय नमः I bow down to the Creator

ॐ मरीचये नमः I bow down to the One that is Golden

ॐ आदित्याय नमः I bow down to the God of Gods

ॐ सवित्रे नमः I bow down to the One who is the Cause of all Life

ॐ अर्काय नमः I bow down to the One that is Worthy of Praise

ॐ भास्कराय नमः I bow down to the One who Illuminates

There are two methods that may be followed:

1. With each asana, one different mantra must be chanted. In this manner, all 12 mantras are chanted over one Surya Namaskar.

2. Alternatively, the same mantra maybe chanted over all 12 Asanas. In such case one must do at least 12 Surya Namaskars - each one with the chant of one different Mantra. Multiple sets may be done in multiples of 12.