Since ancient Vedic times the glorious effulgent Sun, Lord Surya has been worshipped as the visible God (Pratyaksha Daiva) the personification of the Ultimate Reality, Brahman. In Atharvaveda’s Surya Upanishad, glowing tributes are paid to Lord Surya as the magnificent harbinger of life – the Sustainer, Nourisher, Protector of the Universe. Sage Atharvangiras also enumerates the numerous holistic benefits of praying to the Sun while handing out three mantras, the most famous Gayatri mantra, the Surya Gayatri mantra and the 8 syllabled Surya Mantra.
Surya Upanishad and Surya Suktas (Saura Suktas) are an essential part of Surya worship especially so in Ratha Saptami during Magh. This Upanishad explains the Suryaashtak Mantra, also briefly the Surya Gayatri and Gayatri Mantra
Here goes,
Shanti Mantra (Peace Mantra )
Om! O Devas, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious;
May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O ye worthy of worship!
May we enjoy the term of life allotted by the Devas,
Praising them with our body and limbs steady!
May the glorious Indra bless us! May the all-knowing Sun bless us!
May Garuda, the thunderbolt for evil, bless us!
May Brihaspati grant us well-being! Om! Let there be Peace in Me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be Peace in the forces that act on me!
Surya Upanishad begins
Hari aum atha suryaatharvaangirasam Vyaakhyaasyaamh.
Translation: Now, for the explanation of the Atharva Veda mantras with respect to the Sun, Surya
Hamsa Soham mantra, Surya Upanishad
Hamsah Sohamagninaraayanayuktam Beejam. Hrullekhaa shaktih.
Viyadaadisargasamyuktm keelakam.
Translation: The seer is Brahma, metre Gayatri, Aditya the deity.
‘Hamsa-Soham’ with Agni and Narayana is the seed, The power is Hrillekha or Hrim, the pin is the power in the process of unfolding the sky.
ChaturvidhPurushhaarthasiddhyarthe viniyogah.
The application is its use in repetition for winning the 4 human goals (Purusharth- Dharma, Artha , Kama and moksha)
Symbolism of Lord Surya in Surya Upanishad
Shatsvaraarooden Beejen Shaddangam raktaambujasansthitam.
Saptaashvarathinm hiranyavarnam chaturbhujam,
Padmadvayaabhayavaradahastam Kaalchakrapranetaaram,
ShreeSuryaNararayanam ya evam Veda sa vai braahmanh.
Translation: The six limbs consist of the seed with six vowels added.
He is indeed a Brahman who thus knows the golden Surya Narayana with the blessed sun, impeller of the time-wheel, having four arms and two lotuses, showing promise of refuge and boon, mounted on the sun chariot, set in the Red lotus
Gayatri Mantra in Surya Upanishad
Om BhurBhuvahsvah. aum tatsaviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhiimahi, dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat.
Literal translation :
Translation: Om, Earth, Middle Region and The Sky (all three planes of existence) ; we meditate on the adorable splendour of Savitar (Sun) who may inspire our thoughts.
Surya as the Atman (Soul) Self of the Universe
Surya aatma jagatasthasthushhashcha.
Suryaadvai khalvimaani bhootani jayante.
Suryaadyagya parjanyoannamaatmaa namasta aaditya.
Translation : The Sun is the Self of the world, moving as well as un-moving. From Surya indeed all creatures born, The Yajna (sacrifice) Parjanya (Rains), Food and Spirit. ‘
Surya as the Brahman, all manifestations of HIM ; Surya Upanishad
Tvameva pratyaksham karmakartaasi Tvameva Pratyaksham brahmaasi
Tvameva pratyaksham vishhnurasi. Tvameva pratyaksham rudroasi.
Tvameva pratyakshamrigasi. Tvameva pratyaksham yajurasi
Tvameva pratyaksham saamasi. Tvameva pratyakshamatharvaasi
Tvameva sarvam chhandoasi.
I bow to you Aditya, you are the agent himself, the manifest Brahman, Rudra, Vishnu, Rig-Veda, Yajur, Sama, Atharva- veda and their Chhandas.
Surya as the source of Panch Mahabhutas of Creation
Aadityaadvayuurjayate. Aadityaadbhoomirjayate.
Aadityaadaapojayante. Adityaajjyotirjayate.
AdityaaadVyoma disho jayante.
Aadityaaddevaa jayante. Aadityaadvedaa jayante
Aadityo vaa eesha etanmandalam tapati. asaavaadityo Brahma.
Translation: From Aditya is born Vayu (Air) , Bhumi (Earth), Water, Fire, Sky, Directions, Devas, Vedas. The Sun scorches this sphere (warms the planet), This Sun is Brahman.
Surya as a manifestation of aspects of Prakriti; Surya Upanishad
Aadityoantahkaranamanobuddhichittaahankaaraah.
Aadityo vai Vyaanah samaanodaanoyapanah pranah.
Aadityo vai Shrotratvakchakshoorasanaghraanaah.
Aadityo vai Vaakpaanipadapaayupasthah.
Aadityo vai shabdasparsharooparasa gandah.
Aadityo vai vachanaadaanagamanavisargaanandaah.
Anandamayo gyaanamayo vigyaananamay Adityah.
Translation : I bow to Aaditya who is in the form of the inner instruments of perception; the mind, intellect, mind-stuff and Ego. He is Prana, Apana, Samana, Vyana and Udhana (the 5 types of vital airs), The five sense organs; ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose and five motor organs, sound, touch, form, taste and smell, speech, grasping (hands), release (of bowels).
Surya as Sat-Chit-Ananda , Mitra and Bhanu, the very source of Creation
Anandamayo gyaanamayo vigyaananamay Adityah.
Eternal Bliss, Knowledge , Wisdom and Intelligence are Surya Himself.
Namo mitraay Bhaanave mrityormaa paahi.
Bhraajishhnave vishvahetave Namah.
Translation: I bow to Mitra, Bhanu, To the shining one, the cause of the Universe and let him protect me from death.
Suryaadbhavanti bhootani Suryenn paalitaani tu.
Surye layam praapnuvanti yah Suryah Sohameva cha.
Chakshurno devah savitaa chakshurna uta parvatah.
Chakshurdhaataa dadhaatu nah.
Translation : All creatures are born of Surya and are protected by him, dissolve in Him – I am Surya Himself. The divine Savitur is our eye, called Parvata as he keeps the spirit of the Time periods, let Him safeguard our eyes.
Surya Gayatri Mantra of Surya Upanishad
Aadityaay vidmahe sahastrakirannaay dhimahi, Tannah Surya Prachodayat.
We know the Sun (Aditya/ Surya). Mediatate on the thousand rayed, may the Sun inspire us.
Savitaa pashchaattatsavitaa purastaatsavitottarrattatsavitaadharaattaath Savitaa nah suvatu sarvataatin savitaa no raasataam deerghamaayuh.
Translation: Savitar is before us, as well as behind, above and below. May he grant us omnipresence and long life
Om and Suryaashtak (8 syllabled) Mantra, Surya Upanishad
Aum ityekaaksharam brahma. Ghriniriti dve akshare.
Surya Ityaksharadvayam. Aaditya iti treenyaksharaani.
Etasyaiva suryasyaashhtaaksharo manuh.
Brahman is the single syllable Om, ‘Ghrini has two syllables, ‘Surya’ too, Aditya has three, This is the mantra of eight syllables.
“Om Ghrinih Surya Aaditya Om’
‘Om Hreem Ghrinih Surya Aaditya Om’
Meaning : Salutation to Brahm represented in the Word OM . Your effulgence shines in the brilliant rays of the Sun, Surya, Aditya and its heat, light and dynamism
Suryaashtak mantra practice and benefits, Surya Upanishad
Yah sadaaharaharjapati sa vai braahmano bhavati sa vai braahmano bhavati .
Suryaabhimukho japtvaa mahaavyaadhibhayaatpramuchyate.
Alakshmiirnashyati. Abhakshyabhakshanaatpuuto bhavati.
Agamyaagamanaatputho bhavati. Patitasambhaashhanaatputho bhavati.
Asatsambhaashhanaatputho bhavati
He who recites this every day is a Brahmana. If recited facing the Sun, He is released from the fear of great diseases. His poverty-ill fortune ends. He is released from the sins of eating Forbidden food, dubious relationships, conversation with dubious men and dubious talks.
Madhyaahne suraabhimukhah patheth.
SadyotpannaPajnchamahaapaatakaatpramuchyate.
Translation: At midday, if he recites facing the sun, and he will be released from the 5 Great Sins.
Saishhaan saavitriin vidyaan na kijnchidapi na kasmaichitprashamsayeth.
Translation : He should be watchful not impart this Savitri Vidya to undeserving candidates.
Ya etam mahaabhaagah prataah Pathati sa bhaagyavaajnjayate.
Pashoonvindati. Vedaartham labhate
Trikaalametajjaptvaa Kratushataphalamavaapnoti.
Yo hastaaditye Japati sa mahaamrityum tarati ya evan veda.
Translation: He who recites at dawn becomes fortunate, gets live-stock, masters Vedas. Reciting during the three periods (Dawn, Mid-day, dusk) he gets fruit of a hundred Yagyas. Reciting when the Sun has risen to eighteen fingers, conquers death.
Ityupanishhath .. Hari Om
This is the Upanishad.
