Chanting mantras adds a unique spirituality and peace to your Surya Namaskar practice.
Chant the Mantras While Doing the Poses
Just for you! Below are the Surya Namaskar mantras in English and Sanskrit. The Sanskrit version is in English too because it uses phonetic spelling, making it easy to remember and adopt. In other words, ABCs are used instead of Sanskrit characters. Also provided is the pose number in the sequence (because surya namaskar is a series of poses) and the specific yoga pose (in English and Sanskrit).
Will a Beginner’s Yoga Class Do Surya Namaskar?
The Surya Namaskar series is suitable for many beginners and is performed at the beginning of typical Hatha yoga and Sivananda yoga classes. However, you can perform it as a stand alone practice, meaning not followed by other yoga poses.
Why do Surya Namaskar 108 times?
Some folks really go for it and work their way up to performing Surya Namaskar 108 times. What is the significance of 108 times? Click to Georgia‘s website, where she explains this number’s spiritual and mathematical significance.
Surya Namaskar Mantras in English and Hindi
The 12 mantras that accompany the asanas are presented as a list below. Let’s learn together the one word that’s in all the mantras: namaha. Say namaha using three syllables and the following phonetic spelling: “nah-mah-hah”. The bold type indicates which syllable to emphasize. The specific 12-step sequence provided is Surya Namaskar A, from the book Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha (by Swami Satyananda Saraswati).
If you want to advance your yoga practice to the next level, get friendly with these mantras. Chanting Surya Namaskar mantras elevates the spirituality of your your practice, taking your further on your journey to enlightenment, the ultimate goal of yoga the ancient yogi’s intended. Moreover, a class full of folks chanting as they move through the poses is an experience your yoga students will never forget and will want to come back for.
Asana 1 – Pranamasana, Prayer Pose
Hindi: Om Mitraya namaha
English: Salutations to the friend of all
Asana 2 – Hasta Utthanasana, Raised Arms Pose
Hindi: Om Ravaye namaha
English: Salutations to the shining one
Asana 3 – Padahastasana, Hand to Foot Pose
Hindi: Om Suryaya namaha
English: Salutations to he who induces activity
Asana 4 – Ashwa Sanchalasana, Equestrian Pose
Hindi: Om bhanave namaha
English: Salutations to he who illumines
Asana 5 – Adho Mukha Svanasana, Downward Dog
Hindi: Om khagaya namaha
English: Salutations to he who moves quickly in the sky
Asana 6 – Ashtanga Namaskara, Salute with Eight Points
Hindi: Om punshne namaha
English: Salutations to the giver of strength
Asana 7 – Bhujangasana, Cobra Pose
Hindi: Om hiranya garbhaya namaha
English: Salutations to the golden, cosmic self
Asana 8 – Adho Mukha Svanasana, Downward Dog
Hindi: Om marichaye namaha
English: Salutations to the Lord of the Dawn
Asana 9 – Ashwa Sanchalasana, Equestrian Pose
Hindi: Om adityaya namaha
English: Salutations to the son of Aditi, the cosmic Mother
Asana 10 – Padahastasana, Hand to Foot Pose
Hindi: Om savitre namaha
English: Salutations to the Lord of Creation
Asana 11 – Hasta Utthanasana, Raised Arms Pose
Hindi: Om arkaya namaha
English: Salutations to he who is fit to be praised
Asana 12 – Pranamasana, Prayer Pose
Hindi: Om bhaskaraya namaha
English: Salutations to he who leads to enlightenment
References for Surya Namaskar Mantras in English and Hindi
1. Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha; Swami Satyananda Saraswati; Yoga Publications Trust; Munger, Bihar, India; First edition 1969; Quoted edition for this article 2008.
2. Satyananda Yoga – Bihar Yoga; Bihar School of Yoga and Sivananda Ashram
Feature photo from FreeDigitalPhotos.net
