Surya is the supreme source of energy and light and the origin of the universe. Surya is an early deity in the Hindu creation myth. He was written about in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the texts. When the universe was created, the egg of the world split into two parts. The silver half became the earth, and the gold half became the sky. The parts inside of the egg became the mountains, the clouds and the waters. Lord Brahma emerged from the cosmic egg and created the supreme god, Vishnu. The very first sound in the cosmos, Om, united with the intelligence of Vishnu and Surya was created.
The Gayatri Mantra dedicated to Surya is considered one of the most powerful mantras in the Hindu religion. It is believed that the order and choice of words is arranged specifically to create an energetic power that impacts the person who chants in their body, their mind and spiritual self. The mantra is the very essence of the Vedas. It begins with the sound of Om, the very first sound that ever existed. Om is also a metaphor for divine energy and the oneness of all beings or a supreme being.
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
The general meaning of the ancient Sanskrit chant:
We mediate on the Supreme Lord and creator whose divine light illuminates all, the realm of the physical, mental and spiritual. May this divine light open our hearts and inspire our intellect.
Surya Namaskar means to bow down to the sun in the morning. The sun is the life source for this planet. In everything that you eat, drink and breathe, there is an element of the sun. Only if you learn how to better “digest” the sun, internalize it, and make it a part of your system, do you truly benefit from this process.
The practice of yoga also originated in the Vedas thousands of years ago. Known for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, yoga has millions of devotees in the Western world as well as in the East. The basis of yoga practice begins with the salute to the sun, Surya namaskar.
It has been said that the sun salutations are the movements of Hanuman facing Surya as the chariot traveled across the sky, showing his gratitude for the lessons he learned, honoring Surya as the source of energy and light for the world.
Every day the world over, students stand facing their teacher as they perform their Surya namaskar series with love and devotion in a show of respect for the tradition of honoring a teacher and the great Surya, who illuminates our lives and the universe.
tan.tra 
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