Sun Salutations Beyond the Body
“The practice of the Surya Namaskara, or Sun Salutations, has come down to us from the long distant past, and is capable of rendering human life heavenly and blissful. ”
A sun salutation is more than just physical exercise. Sure it stretches, massages, tones and stimulates all the muscles, vital organs and physical parts. It also has the depth and completeness of a spiritual practice.
The origins of sun salutations date far back to the earliest epochs, when humans first became aware of a spiritual power in themselves that is reflected in the material universe. This awareness is the foundation of yoga. Sun Salutations have form, energy, and rhythm creating “a physical matrix around which the form of the practice is woven. These postures generate prana, the subtle energy, which activates the psychic body.” See Surya Namaskara: A Technique of Solar Vitalization. The steady, rhythmic sequence reflects the rhythms of the universe, the hours of the day, the twelve zodiac phases of the year, and the biorhythms of the body. Connecting with this rhythm can be a transforming force generating a fuller more vibrant experience of the radiant world we live in.
Adoration of the sun was one of man’s first, most natural forms of inner expression. Most of the ancient traditions included some form of sun worship, incorporating various solar symbols and deities, but nowhere have these traditions been as well preserved as they are in the Vedas. Praise of the sun is still practiced as a daily ritual in many parts of India and elsewhere in the world today.
The seers of the Rig Veda described the sun as remover of all weakness, healer of all illness, lord of all that stands and goes, He who slays the demons and guards the worshippers. The sun is personified as brilliant like gold, with four arms, sitting on a red lotus, and driving a chariot drawn by four horses. He sets in motion the wheels of time, and from him emerge the five physical elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether, and the five senses. The Suryopanishad says that people who worship the sun as Brahman become powerful, active, intelligent and have long life.
Below is an ancient prayer to the sun.
The face of truth is hidden by your orb
Of gold, O sun. May you remove your orb
So that I, who adore the true, may see
The glory of truth. O nourishing sun,
Solitary traveler, controller,
Source of life for all creatures, spread your light
And subdue your dazzling splendor
So that I may see your blessed Self.
Even that very Self am I!
- Verses 15 and 16 Isha Upanishad, Eknath Easwaran Translation
Notice the key concepts in the prayer:
truth
nourishment
adoration
solitary traveler
source of life
dazzling splendor
blessings
revelation of the true self
Surya Mantras
A sun salutation can be a pure vocal expression, a mantra, a single letter, syllable, word, or phrase. Some mantras are in Sanskrit. Some say that the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet are like the “little wombs of all sounds,” embedded in the subtle sound, that give birth to language.
A traditional practice is hearing the rhythmic chanting of the Surya mantras while moving through the physical Sun Salutation sequence. You can also chant the mantras aloud or silently.
Om Mitraya Namahah (one who is friendly to all)
Om Ravaye Namahah (one who brings change)
Om Suryaya Namaha (one who induces action)
Om Bhanave Namaha (one who gives light)
Om Khagaya Namaha (one who moves in the sky)
Om Pushne Namaha (one who nourishes)
Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namaha (one who contains all)
Om Marichaye Namaha (one who possesses rays)
Om Adityaya Namaha (son of the divine Mother)
Om Savitre Namaha (one who produces life)
Om Arkaya Namaha (one worthy of praise)
Om Bhaskaraya Nama (one who gives wisdom and illumination)