Significance of Surya Namaskar mantras (chants)🔗

A mantra (chant) is a composition of syllables, words, phrases or sentences that, when repeated with awareness, has a very powerful and penetrating influence on the mind and body. The Surya Namaskar mantra comprises a bija * (seed) mantra and a

glorification mantra. The glorification is to the Sun god.

The bija (seed) mantra has no meaning by itself but the vibration created by chanting it is very powerful in the human system. The ‘Theory of Vibration’ expounded by modern scientists was put to direct application thousands of years ago by the ancient inner world scientists, our vedic seers!

Scientific studies conducted by Dr. Masaru Emoto of Japan have clearly proven that sound vibration has a profound effect on water. Since water makes up over sixty percent of the human body, it is evident that sound vibrations can and do influence our entire mind-body system also.

Unconscious thoughts and emotions create strong vibrations within us in the form of stored memories or samskaras. We need to dissolve them with awareness. Then we will experience the completely positive consciousness that already exists deep within us.

There are six bija mantras. They are:

Om hraam

Om hreem

Om hroom

Om hraim

Om hraum

Om hraha

The glorification mantras highlight the glorious qualities of the sun. Beginning with the first, each mantra is chanted with complete awareness before every cycle of Surya Namaskar. The mantra is empowered to imbibe the same qualities of the glorification in the sincere practitioner.

Through this simple set of steps, we can realize that the outer sun symbolizes the shining intelligence of our inner Self. We come to understand our connection to the cosmic energy that is all pervasive.

1. ~ OM hraam mitraaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Friend of all

2. ~ OM hreem ravaye namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Shining One

3. ~ OM hroom suryaaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal One who Induces Activity

4. ~ OM hraim bhaanave namaha

Salutations to the Eternal One who Illumines

5. ~ OM hraum khagaaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal One who Moves swiftly

Bija - Seed.

Dr. Masaru Emoto - Japanese scientist and author of ‘The Hidden Messages in Water’ showing the effects of one’s thoughts and words on water and therefore on living beings. 6. ~ OM hraha pushne namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Giver of Strength

7. ~ OM hraam hiranya garbhaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Golden Cosmic Womb

8. ~ OM hreem mareechaye namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Lord of Dawn

9. ~ OM hroom adityaaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Son of Aditi, the Infinite Cosmic Mother

10.~ OM hraim saavitre namaha

Salutations to the Eternal Benevolent Mother

11. ~ OM hraum arkaaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal One who is Praiseworthy

12. ~ OM hraha bhaaskaraaya namaha

Salutations to the Eternal One who Leads to Enlightenment

In Surya Namaskar, every movement of the body is synchronized with the breath. With every inhalation and exhalation, visualize clearly you are taking in and sending out bliss energy. Feel the bliss energy moving in every cell of your body and revitalizing your body-mind.

This should be done on an empty stomach preferably in the morning.

Asana (Posture) Sequence of Surya Namaskar:

1. Stand with the feet slightly apart for balance. Bring the hands together into namaskar (prayer position) in front of the chest. Keep the eyes open throughout the practice of Surya Namaskar. Chant the corresponding mantra.

2. Inhaling, gracefully sweep the arms up over your head and gently arch the spine backwards.

3. Exhaling, sweep the arms forward and down so the hands touch the floor on either side of the feet and close to them, and the forehead comes in close to the knees. You may bend the knees to allow for greater ease in doing this.

4. Inhaling, step the right foot backward as far as you can and lift your heart center, looking up at the same time.

5. Holding the breath, step the left foot back and come into a plank position with the spine, neck and head in one straight line, your hands placed directly beneath your shoulders and eyes looking down at the floor.

6. Exhaling, lower the knees, chest, and chin to the floor and assume ashtanga namaskar (salute with eight parts or points of your body touching the floor). Let your stomach be off the floor with your hips lifted up gently, the elbows tucked in.

7. Inhaling, point the toes out, relax your stomach to touch the floor, keeping the elbows bent at a ninety-degree angle. Then, gently pushing with your hands, lift the chest off the floor. Come into bhujangasana (cobra pose).

8. Exhaling, push with your hands, raise your hips upwards and backwards into the air, and assume adhomukha svanasana (downward-dog pose). Spread the fingers wide and gently push your heels toward the floor. If you are unable to touch the floor with your heels, don't bother about it. But don't shift your position in order for them to touch.

9. With a soft gaze look forward between your hands and step the right foot forward as far as you can, between the hands and in line with them if possible. Inhale, lifting your chin and chest.

10. Step the left foot forward to meet the right foot, bending your knees slightly if you need to. Exhale and bring the head in close to the legs.

11. Inhaling, sweep your arms up over your head and gently arch the spine, saluting the sun. 12. Exhaling, bring your arms down, and your hands back into prayer position in front of your heart.

Each cycle consists of two such movements of twelve positions each. In the first half of the cycle, lead with your right leg in steps 4 and 9. In the second half of the cycle, lead with your left leg.

Complete at least 6 such cycles and if possible 12. Before starting on each cycle chant the mantra in sequence.

Up to the age of eleven, I explored and experimented with numerous traditional meditation techniques. At the age of twelve, I had my deep spiritual experience. From twelve to twenty-one years of age, I consciously scanned and analyzed the benefits of several techniques. For three years after my enlightenment, I created and perfected a technology to reproduce the experience of enlightenment in others. The essence of this entire inner-world research to date is formulated in the Nithya Dhyaan meditation technique.

Nithya Dhyaan is a formula and a technique that works on the entire being to transform it and make it ready for the ultimate experience of enlightenment. Each segment of this unique technique complements the other steps to help raise the individual's consciousness. It is an everyday meditation for eternal bliss - nithya ananda.

This is a five-step technique, each step being of seven minutes duration. Please refer to the Nithya Dhyaan chapter for meditation instructions.

Everyday for half an hour, read the books of an enlightened master or listen to his discourses.

A master's words are straightaway shaastra – ultimate knowledge, Truth.

Weapons used to slay your ignorance are called shastra.

When words become the very weapons to slay the ignorance it is called shaastra-shastras or knowledge-weapons!

The master's words are the knowledge-weapons that can directly slay the ignorance. A master continuously expresses many ideas. Suddenly, some idea will click for you. It will bring you out of depression. It will give the solution to some problem. That is a click. And that click is what is called initiation.

The person who gives these knowledge-weapons through his words, techniques and body language is a master.

The person who receives these knowledge-weapons through the master is the initiate.

A master is a person who has created a technology to reproduce in others, the same ultimate experience that happened in him. Initiation is the technique. The knowledge– weapons are the techniques to raise ourselves again and again to Higher Consciousness. The totality of these knowledge-weapons sitting inside us is our inner master. Till the inner master is awakened, the outer master works on us. He works through words, techniques, his body language, and gives us the confidence to use the knowledge, and above all to live the life of an enlightened being.

Blessed are those who have had the click with enlightened beings. This click is not through logic. Suddenly, some words from the master will get connected to our heart. The first time it happens, we will suddenly know that he is our master, that this is our path. That click is the first initiation. Whoever has felt this click through the master’s words, his teachings, books, blessings, techniques, energy, or body language, is blessed.

Understand: the seed is always afraid of breaking open, of rupturing. But only the seed that ruptures and opens becomes a tree. Then the tree needs to give courage to the other seeds by saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, you will never die by breaking, you will only live. You will only expand like me.’ But the seed is waiting for the tree to happen and the tree is waiting for the seed to open! That is the problem.

This energy, this inspiration is the master. The advent of the master is the greatest adventure in one’s life. Once the master has entered our inner space, all we need to do is stand up with trust, courage and confidence.

Again and again, use the clicks that have happened in your life. Any weapon not used will not only lose its power on us, but we will also forget how to use it. Again and again, the weapons that are actually used will bring us clarity and courage and we will also have the intelligence to use them.

Add more and more clicks to your life by listening to the master’s words. Add them to your inner space. Creating a family, friends, a spiritual circle, will constantly give us the courage and inspiration to use the knowledge-weapons.

One more thing, when we watch the master talk, we are watching the body language of an enlightened being. A person’s body language radiates his own truth and totality. A master is an embodiment of the ultimate Truth of Existence. His body language is therefore the very body language of Existence. By watching him, the Truth will work on us beyond our logic.