Surya Namaskar Mantras: Word-by-Word Meaning
सूर्य नमस्कार मंत्र
Traditional names of the Sun; author unknown
The Surya Namaskar mantras are twelve short Sanskrit salutations to the Sun. Each one has three parts: "Om", the sacred syllable; a name of the Sun in the form "to …"; and "namaḥ", "salutation". The names are Mitra ("the friend"), Ravi, Surya, Bhanu ("the shining one"), Khaga ("the one who moves in the sky"), Pushan ("the nourisher"), Hiranyagarbha ("the golden womb"), Marichi ("the ray of light"), Aditya ("the son of Aditi"), Savitri ("the one who stirs all to life"), Arka ("the radiant one") and Bhaskara ("the maker of light"). Many people say one name with each round of the Surya Namaskar, the salutation to the Sun made with the whole body.
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Verse 1
Our explanation The first name: Om, salutation to Mitra, the friend of all.
हिंदी अर्थ पहला नाम: ॐ, सबके मित्र, मित्र को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- मित्राय mitrāya · to Mitra, the friend (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: 1. mitra, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 816, col. 1 “a friend, companion, associate”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 2
Our explanation Om, salutation to Ravi, the Sun.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, रवि, यानी सूर्य, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- रवये ravaye · to Ravi, the Sun (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: ravi, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 869, col. 1 “the sun (in general) or the sun-god”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 3
Our explanation Om, salutation to Surya, the Sun and its god.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, सूर्य, यानी सूर्य देव, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- सूर्याय sūryāya · to Surya, the Sun (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: sūrya, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 1243, col. 1 “the sun or its deity”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 4
Our explanation Om, salutation to Bhanu, the shining one.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, भानु, यानी प्रकाशमान, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- भानवे bhānave · to Bhanu, the shining one (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: bhānu, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 751, col. 1 “the sun”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 5
Our explanation Om, salutation to Khaga, the one who moves through the sky.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, खग, यानी आकाश में चलने वाले, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- खगाय khagāya · to Khaga, who moves in the sky (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: kha-ga, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 334, col. 2 “moving in air”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 6
Our explanation Om, salutation to Pushan, the Sun as the one who nourishes and protects.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, पूषा, यानी पोषण और रक्षा करने वाले सूर्य, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- पूष्णे pūṣṇe · to Pushan, the nourisher (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: pūṣan, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 645, col. 1 “the sun”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 7
ॐ हिरण्यगर्भाय नमः ।
Om hiranyagarbhaya namah
Our explanation Om, salutation to Hiranyagarbha, the golden womb from which all things are born.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, हिरण्यगर्भ, यानी सोने के गर्भ, जिससे सब कुछ जन्म लेता है, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- हिरण्यगर्भाय hiraṇyagarbhāya · to Hiranyagarbha, the golden womb (compound (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: hiraṇya-garbha, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 1299, col. 3 “a golden fetus”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 8
Our explanation Om, salutation to Marichi, the ray of light.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, मरीचि, यानी प्रकाश की किरण, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- मरीचये marīcaye · to Marichi, the ray of light (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: marīci, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 790, col. 1 “a ray of light (of the sun or moon)”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 9
ॐ आदित्याय नमः ।
Om adityaya namah
Our explanation Om, salutation to Aditya, the son of Aditi, the mother of the gods.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, आदित्य, यानी देवताओं की माता अदिति के पुत्र, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- आदित्याय ādityāya · to Aditya, son of Aditi (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: 1. āditya, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 137, col. 2 “‘son of Aditi’”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 10
Our explanation Om, salutation to Savitri, the Sun as the one who stirs all beings to life.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, सविता, यानी सब प्राणियों को जीवन के लिए प्रेरित करने वाले सूर्य, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- सवित्रे savitre · to Savitri, the one who stirs to life (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: savitṛ, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 1190, col. 2 “a stimulator, rouser, vivifier”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 11
Our explanation Om, salutation to Arka, the radiant one.
हिंदी अर्थ ॐ, अर्क, यानी तेजस्वी, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- अर्काय arkāya · to Arka, the radiant one (noun (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: arka, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 89, col. 1 “Ved. a ray, flash of lightning, RV. &c.; the sun”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Verse 12
ॐ भास्कराय नमः ।
Om bhaskaraya namah
Our explanation The last name: Om, salutation to Bhaskara, the maker of light.
हिंदी अर्थ अंतिम नाम: ॐ, भास्कर, यानी प्रकाश करने वाले, को नमस्कार।
Word by word
Every word, with its dictionary page
Word by word
- ॐ oṃ · Om, the sacred syllable (indeclinable) Dictionary: om, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 235, col. 3 “a word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent”
- भास्कराय bhāskarāya · to Bhaskara, the maker of light (compound (masculine), dative singular) Dictionary: bhās-kara, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 756, col. 1 “the sun”
- नमः namaḥ · salutation (noun (neuter), nominative singular) Dictionary: namas, Monier-Williams 1899, p. 528, col. 1 “bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration”
Sanskrit text: Acharendu (आचारेन्दुः) of Tryambaka Mate, a digest of daily rites, edited by Dattatreya Shastri Agashe (Anandashrama Sanskrit Series, no. 58), 1909. Meanings: written for Pujadeep and checked against the cited edition. Source and changes
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Surya Namaskar Mantras
ॐ मित्राय नमः ।
Om mitraya namah
The first name: Om, salutation to Mitra, the friend of all.
(Meaning written for Pujadeep and checked against the cited edition.)
Text: Anandashrama (Hari Narayan Apte), Poona, 1909 (public domain).
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About the Surya Namaskar Mantras
The names are traditional and have no known author. They are read here from the Acharendu, a Sanskrit digest of daily rites by Tryambaka Mate, printed in Poona in 1909, where they are said in the worship of the Sun, one for each of the twelve petals of the Sun's diagram. A Hindi book on the Surya Namaskar printed in 1930, a version of the English book by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi, the ruler of Aundh, gives the same twelve names as "the twelve names of the Sun in the form of a salutation" (praṇām), the chief mantras of the Surya Namaskar. Two present-day texts we compared have the same names in the same order.
Under each name, a word-by-word list gives every word with a short meaning in English and Hindi, and its entry in Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary (1899), with the page and column, so the meaning can be checked in the printed book.
How to say it
Om is said "aum". Each name is in the dative ("to …"): mitrāya, ravaye, sūryāya, bhānave, khagāya, pūṣṇe, hiraṇyagarbhāya, marīcaye, ādityāya, savitre, arkāya, bhāskarāya. In "pūṣṇe" and "hiraṇya" the ṣ and ṇ are said with the tongue turned back. "Savitre" has three syllables: sa-vi-tre.
When it is recited
Sunday (Ravivara, 'the Sun's day') is the day of the week named after the Sun; these twelve names of the Sun are listed for it. On Makar Sankranti many families offer water to the rising Sun, and the twelve names said with Surya Namaskar are among the prayers often used. Many people say one name with each round of the Surya Namaskar, as the 1930 Hindi book on it describes.
- Weekdays: Sunday
- Makar Sankranti 2027: date in your city
Festivals whose guides name this prayer
More prayers to the Sun and to Shani, the Sun’s son
Related
Questions families ask
Who wrote the Surya Namaskar Mantras?
Traditional names of the Sun; author unknown.
When is the Surya Namaskar Mantras recited?
Sunday (Ravivara, 'the Sun's day') is the day of the week named after the Sun; these twelve names of the Sun are listed for it. On Makar Sankranti many families offer water to the rising Sun, and the twelve names said with Surya Namaskar are among the prayers often used. Many people say one name with each round of the Surya Namaskar, as the 1930 Hindi book on it describes.
Which text does this page follow?
Sanskrit text: Acharendu (आचारेन्दुः) of Tryambaka Mate, a digest of daily rites, edited by Dattatreya Shastri Agashe (Anandashrama Sanskrit Series, no. 58), 1909. Meanings: written for Pujadeep and checked against the cited edition. See the source
Source and licence
- Text
- Acharendu (आचारेन्दुः) of Tryambaka Mate, a digest of daily rites, edited by Dattatreya Shastri Agashe (Anandashrama Sanskrit Series, no. 58) (Tryambaka Mate, Dattatreya Shastri Agashe, Anandashrama (Hari Narayan Apte), Poona, 1909). Public domain. The Sanskrit on these pages was read from this printing’s page images.
- Our explanation
- Explanation written for this site from the sources listed here, and checked against the cited edition. It is not a translation and not the only way to read the text. Free to quote with credit.
- Checked
- Checked against the cited edition, October 15, 2026.