Sun Mantras

The twelve sun mantras
Every year the sun passes through twelve different phases: known as the zodiacal signs in Western astrology, and as the rashis in Hindu astrology. According to Hindu astrology, each rashi has specific attributes or moods, and in each of these twelve moods the sun is given a different name. These twelve names comprise the twelve sun mantras, which are to be mentally repeated in their respective order in conjunction with the twelve movements of Surya Namaskara.

These sun mantras are not merely names of the sun, but every sound syllable contained in them is the vehicle of a basic, eternal energy (shakti) represented by the sun itself. By repetition and concentration on these mantras, the whole mental structure will benefit and be uplifted.

Although these mantras do not require intellectual understanding, a translation of their meaning is given below for those with an enquiring mind as well as for the more spiritually inclined who wish to use the mantras as a form of attunement with the source of spiritual illumination symbolized by the sun.

1. Om Mitraya Namaha
(Salutations to the friend of all)

Pranamasana

The sun is our friend. HE is called Jaganmitra. He is lovable like a true friend. If the sun is not in the sky you get disturbed  bodily and mentally. Nervousness takes hold of our activities. You gather friends to restore your mood. You eat hot and drink hot and talk a lot to compensate the absence of the warmth and joy of the Sun God. Now you can understand why the people from far off countries come to India to enjoy the warmth of the sun. The touch of twilight has dramatic effect on our body. It is a touch of warmth and care. It is a magical healing touch. It is like the touch of a mother calming and soothing her crying child. The warmth the sun is like love and affection of the Sun God curing our physical and mental worries. The Sun God is to us as Lord Krishna is to Arjuna.

Namaskar Position. 

1. Retain your breath. (Kumbhak)
2. The vital point: The Anahat Chakra.
3. The colour of the Chakra: Yellow as that of the rising sun.
4. Location: In the centre of the chest.
5. Ruling element: The wind, Vayu.
6. Relation to body: Touch. Skin.
   
7. The chest cavity is enlarged to inhale more oxygen. The supply of more oxygen to all the cells activates the muscles. The experience of more energy and happiness is the result.
8. Stand straight.
9. Close the right toe and heel with the left.
10. Put your chest out.
11. Press your shoulders backward and pull them downwards.
12. Keep your eyes on your nose-tip.
13. Hands in namaskar position.
14. Palms closed. Fingers closed. At right angle to the ground.
15. Thumb touching the middle part of the chest.
16. Forearms in line with the ground.
    Useful to treat and prevent: Nervous breakdown, fits, sensory deprivation etc.

The first position, pranamasana, embodies the attitude of reverence to the source of all life as we know it: the sun is regarded as the universal friend, endlessly giving light, heat and energy to support this and all the other planets. In the scriptures, Mitra is described as calling men to activity, sustaining earth and sky, and beholding all creatures without discrimination, just as the early morning sun signals the beginning of the day's activities, and sheds its light on all life.

Hasta uttanasana

2. Om Ravaye Namaha
(Salutations to the shining one)

The meaning of the word Ravi is Tej. Glow. Shine. Good behaved pious men; saints and sages have this glow on their faces. This is the Tej of the Sun God. We bow to such people to get their blessings. The light of the moon and stars, the heat of fire and Yadnya Kunda everything is the Tej of the Sun God. The heat of the body, the heat (Jatharagni) that digests food is the presence of the Sun God in our body. If you are not well at stomach just don?t eat after the sunset. The presence of the Sun God, during daytime, will digest the food. The seven power points (Sapta Chakra) in our body represent the Sun God. These seven points control and govern our physical and mental activities. They are the source of heat and energy to all our activities. If there is no heat in our body we are cold  we are no more.
Worship this Tej of the Sun God.

Urddhva-hasta-asan. (Breath in.)

1. The vital point: The Vishudha Chakra.
2. The colour of the Chakra: Colour of smoke.
3. Location: At the base of the neck.
4. Ruling element: The space.
5. Relation to body: Sound and speech. Ears and speech organs.
6. Close your palms together. Put your hands straight up.
7. Straighten your hands and legs.
8. Fix your heels on the ground.
9. Close your right toe and heel with the left.
10. Give upward stretch to your hands and legs.
11. Look at the palms.
12. Bend your head backward slowly, gracefully.
13. Form an arch of the body above waist.
14. Useful to treat and prevent: Swelling (Internal and external), knot in the muscle, wound with pus, pus discharge from eyes pimples and freckles on skin, etc. Relieves the pain of the neck shoulders, arms, ankles, wrists. Gives stress and stretch to all the muscles from ankles to neck. Chemical and physical process of respiration becomes strong and healthy. Result is increase in the body height and health.

Ravaye means one who shines and offers divine blessings upon all life. In the second position, hasta uttanasana, we are stretching our whole being upwards, towards the source of light, to receive these blessings.

Padahastasana

3. Om Suryaya Namaha
(Salutations to he who induces activity)

The Sun God is a symbol of cosmic energy. The chariot of the Sun God is driven by seven beautiful horses. The horses represent the seven days of the week. They also stand for the seven colours of the rainbow. The seven power points in our body have different colours of their own. His work is colourful. It is endless and unlimited combination & permutation of colours. The span of time of His activities cannot be counted either. The end of His activities is beyond our imagination. The food supplied to all the plants is the same but the rose is not the same as other flowers. All the leaves of different trees are not the same. The varieties of the trees and the leaves are uncountable. HE is omnipresent in all and every act. When the sun rises in the sky all the creatures & worms, birds & animals start their work. Pray the Sun God to give inspiration and energy to do good deeds.

Hasta-pad-asan: Breath out.
The vital point: The Swadhistan Chakra.
The colour of the Chakra: Sindur / Saffron
Location: At the tip of the spine.
Ruling element: Jal, the water.
Relation to body: Taste. Tongue. Sleep.

Fix your palms flat on the ground. 
Adjust the big toes and the palms in line. Keep shoulder distance between the palms. Keep your legs straight and knees straightened. Touch your chin to the chest. Touch your forehead to the knees.

Here the sun is in a very dynamic aspect as the deity, Surya. In ancient vedic mythology, Surya was worshipped as the Lord of the Heavens, pictured crossing the sky in his fiery chariot, drawn by seven horses. This is a beautiful analogy and needs a correct interpretation. The seven horses actually represent the seven rays or emanations of the supreme consciousness, which manifest as the seven planes of existence, bhu (earthly, material), bhuvar (intermediate, astral), suwar (subtle, heavenly), mahar (the abode of the devas), janah (the abode of divine souls who have transcended ego); tapah (the abode of enlightened siddhas) and satyam (the ultimate truth of reality). Surya symbolizes the supreme consciousness itself, in control of all these different planes of manifestation. Surya is regarded as the most concrete of the solar gods, one of the original vedic triad, his place being in the sky, while Agni (fire) is his representative on earth.