Since its inception in 2014, International Yoga Day has reached its 11th edition and has grown in importance globally. This day dedicated to yoga signifies that the ancient traditions not only emphasize religious beliefs but also recognize health as one of life’s greatest achievements. Hence, it's often quoted, 'Shariramadyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam', meaning a healthy body is the foundation of all endeavors.
Good Health: The Ultimate Blessing for Human Life
In this context, a verse highlights that losing wealth is no major loss, losing health is a partial loss, but losing morals and character is a total loss. Hence, health is seen as a significant gift in human life. The oldest scriptures, such as the Rigveda, also contain numerous verses praising good health.
In the Rigveda, physical health is directly linked to the blessing from the gods. During a sacrificial worship, it is expressed as, 'O Indra! Accept this offering and make us strong with its power.' This prayer is extended not only to Indra but also to the Sun god. The Rigveda extols the Sun, presenting it as the soul of the universe and a symbol of truth. The Sun is honored as the giver of life, providing the world with light, energy, and consciousness. Detailed descriptions of the Sun’s glory are found in the Rigveda, speaking of its role in overcoming darkness, destroying sins, and illuminating the path of righteousness. Notably, it is called the source of energy and is the first among deities to be saluted.
The Ever-Present Deity: Sun God
Lord Bhaskara, the ancient deity, represents all gods and graces us with his presence every day. An offering to the Sun automatically encompasses all deities, including Lord Vishnu. From a scientific perspective, the Sun is the fundamental source of life on Earth. It is the primary energy source, and its rays are essential for the vitality and energy in living beings. Scientifically, this energy is known as Vitamin D, crucial for body strength and immunity.
Source: aajtak
India's wisdom crafted a salutary style where various postures pay homage to the sun, combining physical exercise with devotional prostration. Ayurveda recognizes this practice as Surya Namaskar. This yoga method was perfected by figures like Maharishi Chyavan, Rishi Kanad, and before them, Vishwamitra, the revered tutor of Lord Rama. When it comes to the origins of Surya Namaskar, we find references in the Ramayana, where Sage Vishwamitra taught the practice to Rama and Lakshman while imparting the mantras of Aditya Hridaya.
Where Did Surya Namaskar Originate?
Surya Namaskar, essentially a series of dynamic movements, is a comprehensive exercise consisting of several postures. It was initiated in the 1920s by the Raja of Aundh, Shrimant Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi. Later, prominent yoga gurus like K.V. Ayyar and Ayurvedic yogaguru Krishnamacharya popularized it more widely. It draws its roots from the fitness system described in 'Deepika', known for exercises called Dandals, ancient physical training employed by wrestlers and martial artists of India.
The pushups seen in Western bodybuilding owe their origin to these Dandals. Surya Namaskar blends physical exercise and yoga, forming a basis for modern workouts. Simplified forms of it have been incorporated into contemporary yoga by institutions like the Swami Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Bihar School of Yoga, and Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Institute. It is an effective practice for health and wellness.
Surya Namaskar is precisely described in the 'Exercise Deepika', a yoga-based text written in the 15th century. It includes another part known as 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika'. Composed by Yogi Swatmarama of the Nath Sampradaya, these scriptures compile various physical yoga postures. They also view the Sun as the center of consciousness and a major source of energy, upon which Surya Namaskar’s poses are consolidated. 'Hatha Yoga Deepika' and 'Pradipika' are crucial documents of ancient Indian yoga tradition, emphasizing several core aspects.
Asanas: Physical postures that strengthen and make the body flexible.
Pranayama: Breathing techniques that balance the mind and life energy (prana).
Mudras and Bandhas: Specific physical techniques that control the flow of energy.
Nadanusandhana: Awakening the spirit through meditation and sounds.
Source: aajtak
Reciting these thirteen mantras leads to performing the 12 different asanas:
Om Mitraya Namah -
the Sun is the foundation of energy, hence a friend to all beings.
Om Ravaye Namah -
meaning, I bow to Ravi (another name for the Sun).
Om Suryaya Namah -
This is the well-known name, meaning I bow to the Sun.
Om Bhanave Namah
- One of the Sun’s names is Bhanu, respected for its dominance in the universe.
Om Khagaya Namah
- Like a bird traversing the sky. 'Khaga' means bird.
Om Pushne Namah
- Another naming of the Sun.
Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah
- The solar radiance is likened to the golden embryo's luminescence, named Hiranyagarbha.
Om Mareechaye Namah
- As a descendant of Mareechi’s lineage, thus called Mareechi.
Om Adityaya Namah
- Known as Aditya, being the offspring of Aditi and Sage Kashyapa.
Om Savitre Namah -
Because of positive rays, labeled as Savita.
Om Arkaya Namah -
Herb potency infused by solar energy, termed as Arkaya.
Om Bhaskaraya Namah -
a synonym for the Sun.
Om Shree Savitri Suryanarayanaya Namah
- represents full completion of the Surya Namaskar, depicting them as a divine representation of Narayana.
Executing Surya Namaskar
Start by standing straight and joining your hands. Inhale, raise both arms above, aligning them with the ears while stretching backward. Exhale, leaning forward with hands touching the ground beside the feet, ensuring knees remain straight. Inhale as you move your right leg back, tilting your neck backwards. Hold in this pose briefly. Gently exhale while stepping the left leg back, merging the heels, stretching the body backward.
Inhale deeply while lying down. Raise the upper body; tuck the neck backward and stretch the entire body backward, holding briefly. Lift the back upwards, bow the head, pressing heels into the ground. Return to the fourth step by bringing the right leg forward, tilting the neck back, and stretching. Bring the left leg parallel to the right, touching the ground beside the feet while keeping knees straight. Inhale, lift arms aligned with ears, arched backward, and return to the previous position. Finally, revert to standing upright with palms joined at the center.
These twelve Surya Namaskar postures offer remarkable health benefits, balancing the body, alleviating pain, enhancing the neck, lungs, ribs, and muscles, reducing fat, and lightening the body.
