For the intercontinental ballistic missile, see Surya (missile). For the actor, see Saravanan Sivakumar

In Hinduism, Surya (Devanagari: सूर्य, sūrya) is the chief solar deity, son of Dyaus Pitar. He has hair and arms of gold. His chariot is pulled by seven horses, which represent the seven chakras. Tvashtar is his son.

Surya Namaskara

A well-known Hindu mode of worship of Surya is done at the rising of the Sun, known as Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation). Ten yogic postures are assumed in successive flowing movements to complete one namaskar. Twelve sacred Hindu mantras uttered and for each mantra one complete namaskar is done. Ancient practice is to do 108 namaskaras a day. It is considered most auspicious by Hindus to do this. The 12 mantras for surya namaskar:

1. ऊँ मित्राय नमः aum mitrāya namah
2. ऊँ रावये नमः aum rāvayé namah
3. ऊँ सूर्याय नमः aum sūryāya namah
4. ऊँ भानवे नमः aum bhānavé namah
5. ऊँ खगय नमः aum khagaya namah
6. ऊँ पुष्णे नमः aum pushné namah
7. ऊँ हिरण्यगर्भाय नमः aum hiranyagarbhāya namah
8. ऊँ मारिचाये नमः aum mārichāyé namah
9. ऊँ आदित्याय नमः aum ādityāya namah
10. ऊँ सावित्रे नमः aum sāvitré namah
11. ऊँ आर्काय नमः aum ārkāya namah
12. ऊँ भास्कराय नमः aum bhāskarāya namah

The Gayatri Mantra is also associated with Surya. Another hymn associated with Surya is the Aditya Hridayam, recited by the great sage Agastya to Rama on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana.

Literary sources

In Hindu religious literature, Surya is notably mentioned as the visible form of God that one can see every day. Furthermore, Shaivites and Vaishnavas often regard Surya as an aspect of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively. For example, the sun is called Surya Narayana by Vaishnavas. In Shaivite theology, Surya is said to be one of eight forms of Shiva, named the Astamurti.

In the Mahabharata, princess Kunti receives instruction for a mantra from sage Durvasa reciting which she is able to summon any god and bear a child with him. Unable to believe the power of this mantra, she tries to summon Surya. When Surya appears, she is overawed and requests him to go back, but Surya is compelled to fulfil the mantra before returning. Surya magically causes Kunti to bear a child immediately so that she, an unmarried princess, would not be subject to questions from the king or his court. Kunti discards this child, Karna, who grows up to become one of the central characters in the great battle of Kurukshetra.

Trivia

• The intercontinental ballistic missile "Surya" was named after the deity.

See also

• Hindu deities
• Sun chariot
• Navagraha

External links

• An ancient hymn to Surya - from the Rig Veda
• Weekly podcast on Vedic Chanting and Vedic Mythology with stories from the Puranas
• OR www.myspace.com/grassrootsstreetorchestra websites for the Grassroots Street Orchestra, a band led by hip-hop vocalist Surreal OR Surya McEwen

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