Surya Namaskara Mantra Services

Transcription

1 2... Aum Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya Surya Namaskara Mantra Services Sri.S.N.Swamy, Sri Ramana Bhaktha Samajam, Chennai Introduction You should participate in the Surya Namaskara Mantra services for a super healthy heart. A healthy heart increases the prana or the life energy in your physical body. Only a healthy body can house a mind that is free of delusions and ignorance. It destroys all sins, dispels all doubts, alleviates from worries and sorrow, anxiety and anguish. Listening to the powerful hymns of The Luminous One illuminates your thoughts so that positive words and purposeful actions become a habit for you. It alters your state of well being and the very nature of your consciousness to bliss and light. This article on Surya Namaskara Mantra services completely differs from Suryanamaskaram that consists of Asanas i.e. the yogic postures performed and advocated by the practitioners of Yoga. Surya Namaskara Mantra services is an annual feature in Sri Ramana Bhaktha Samajam conducted in the month of Karthigai coinciding with Nov/Dec every year. This year it was conducted on 11 th Dec 2016 between 7.30am and 9.30am. It is auspicious to perform this during Suryodhayam i.e. during the rising of Sun - God. The Procedure It takes approximately 60 to 75 minutes to chant the 132 hymns of Surya Namaskra Mantras that are spread across 32 distinct sections. Surya Namaskaram or physical prostrations to the Sun God also done by those who feel fit to prostrate 132 times, or 32 times by the end of each section. The elaborate worship starts with a Ganesh pooja, Sankalpa, Kalash Puja and Navagraha Homa with Sun as their leader. This is followed by exclusive Surya Namaskara mantra recitals. The worship concludes with yet another follow-up pooja, purnahuthi, and swirling of lamps. This special worship is performed without taking any food on Sunday Mornings. Not only the one who chants but all those who merely participate and listen will also be conferred with the blessings of long healthy life. You will observe that the Namaskara mantras initially beseech the blessings for the benefit of the external environmental factors and one s own physical and personal requirements and gradually draws attention towards one s own inner world. Page 1 of 8

2 What it deals with & What you should do Sectionwise Section - 1 Fertility the rains, rivers, seasons, pasture, growth and progeny The hymns urge us to offer complete attention to safeguarding the nature and all its resources. This is a very important prayer especially for the current times. Prosperity listening, seeing, saying positive statements & auspicious affirmations Everyone aspires for health, wealth and happiness in their lives. The prosperity can happen only when surrounded consciously by positive sounds, cultivating positive thought patterns and actions. 1. Visualize a fertile earth. 2. Pray that no natural disasters occur and the earth is healed. 3. Take a pledge internally that you will do every possible to conserve our planet earth. 4. Pray for blessing to hear auspicious news, see auspicious sights and enjoy disease free, long life. 5. Promise to yourself that you will henceforth speak only positive and encouraging words. Section - 2 Accessing the higher intelligence Acquisition of knowledge through the company of the wise and learned people The evidence cognized by the senses directly, and applying one s own experience, one can realize any truth physical or metaphysical. This is can be achieved only by strong focussed minds. 1. To be intelligent and focussed, we should keep temptations at bay. Hence the prayer is to protect your thoughts. 2. Visualize bright blue rays of light emanating from all directions converge at your Ajna Chakra, the meeting point of your eyebrows. Section - 3, 4 These verses describe various seasons. From the Vedic perspective there are 6 seasons (Rutu) and each has a presiding deity and their praise is sung in these hymns. It is explained very symbolically that for those who respect /worship these deities and perform the rites meant to be performed in each season, will live long and healthy. The emphasis is on the health and wellbeing of each person. Respecting and conserving the planet and to fashion our lifestyle according to the flow of the seasons is the key for a complete healthy living. 1. Sun provide food to the world. He is the life-infuser. 2. Pray that he protects the world with all its living and nonliving things in the constantly changing times. Page 2 of 8

3 3. Acknowledge and be thankful of his benevolent acts that are behind the growth of all auspiciousness. 4. He is the Kaala or time that is eternal. Pray that he keeps us protected from all calamities at all times, because both time and we are nourished by him. Section 5 Sun- the agent and controller of time This section describes the time as a huge river with tributaries from all directions flowing into it. The smaller units of time such as seconds, minutes, hours, days and bigger units such as months, seasons and solstices reach the mighty river and become one. Thus the river of Time swells in volume and never dries up or reverses its course, but only becomes bigger and larger. The movement of earth relative to Sun is the basic for the measure of time. Respecting Time is reverence to Sun-God. 1. Even a correct decision is pointless when it is taken too late. Life is a game of timing. 2. Effective Time management is crucial for success. 3. Pray that the Sun, the eternal time controller positions you to be the right person doing the right thing at the right moment of time. 4. Visualize yourself to be active and energetic all the time and making many accomplishments in your respective areas of interest. 5. Pledge to yourself that you will not waste time. Section 6 These verses highlight the benefits of Surya namaskaram. Of all possible benefits, moving into a state of surrender is the highest. Even the seasons prostrate before such a person who has attained the status of complete surrender to the Divine. Pray that 1. your inner mind is tuned to conduct positive thoughts only 2. The mind conduce great and lofty ideas not only for oneself for the benefit of many. 3. May my knees touch the ground in prostration and may my hands be folded in anjali mudhra. Section 7 This section talks about many forms of Surya. It also provides a description of Surya Mandalam i.e. the galaxies and Eight Aadityas along with Mahaa Meru mountain. It also mentions about the poles. Prays for longevity, fame, speed and strength, sharp eyesight to see everything with clarity. Page 3 of 8

4 Section 8 In this Section, reasons and cause of death are explained. Timely and untimely death (kaala mruthyu, akaala mruthyu) and their reasons are mentioned. There is a prayer to Agni to bless us to travel in the righteous direction so as to acquire a deathless constitution which symbolically refers to LIGHT BODY. 1. This is the time to pray for a healthy heart. 2. Place your left palm on your chest and right palm on top of the left palm. 3. Visualize bright golden rays from the Sun entering your heart making it supple and healthy. 4. Enjoy your heart beat. It is the rhythm of your life. 5. Thank your heart for working non-stop to keep you alive. Section 9 This section deals with prayers to many sub-deities and ways to mitigate untimely death. 1. If there had been any incidents of unnatural demises in your family, pray for them. Imagine that their souls have got healed and are in bliss. 2. Visualize strongly that they are blessing you from their heavenly abodes. Section -10 The focus of this section is Aswini Devas. Aswini Devas are the physicians of gods. One can pray to be healed of all physical and psychological ailments. Section -11 This section elaborates the grandeur of Surya and how powerful Surya Namaskrara is. One who does Surya Upasana (Sun god worship) regularly attains all prosperity and greatness. They acquire the aura of divinity on their being. The mention of Gayatri Mantra eulogizing the Sun God finds its place here. 1. Humans have only limited vision and hence can see only those objects which are comprehendible to their mind. 2. The inner vision can happen not through mind-centric experience, but heartcentric experiences. 3. Surya who is the centre of the cosmos is the one who can bestow it on us. 4. The physical reality and the ultimate truth are hidden behind the veil of maya or illusion. Surya is the jyothi [Light] that can remove the ignorance. Section - 12 This section contains prayer to Indra, the king of gods. He rules over Indriyaas or sense organs. Page 4 of 8

5 He has consumed the elixir of anti-aging and immortality. In Rig Veda, Lord Siva is referred to as Indra in its literal meaning i.e The supreme Leader, Master, Captain etc. 1. Please remove the impediments experienced by the senses in grasping the joys of life. 2. Arrest their diminishment with age and make me youthful and healthy 3. Please chase away the difficulties in pursuing my livelihood 4. Especially remove skin allergies & other ailments like heat boils. Visualize a clear and glowing skin. Section - 13 This section deals with akaala mruthyu, or untimely death. How the deity of mruthyu reduces the longevity of people which is described as rising and setting of Mruthyu. Performing Surya Namaskara and sun worship during the twilight hours are described as effective ways to blunt the power of Mruthyu. 1. This is the time to pray for the souls of all who have passed away due to violent activities of other persons. Pray that their souls are healed permanently. 2. At a time where explosions and shooting incidents have become frequent occurrences, this prayer for the world peace is extremely crucial. Section - 14, 15, 16 These 3 sections have a total of 6 hymns which are adorations, tribute and prayers to the Sun. It is only due to the heat of his rays that objects are perfected or ripened. He is a self-illuminated body of energy. Therefore, he is the clearest manifestation of the formless one god. Recognizing his greatness gives great health, immense strength and energy as well as spiritual knowledge. This is the truth beyond doubt. 1. Prayers for health- especially for good eyesight, healthy heart and to protect from blood related disorders. 2. Healing from headaches, migraines and any illnesses that relates to head or brain. 3. Courage, administrative skills, enthusiasm. 4. Purity of mind, straightforwardness, openness and great vision 5. Those who want favors from the government can visualize and pray for it. 6. Pray that your state/ country and the entire world is blessed with good governments. 7. Pray for good relationship with your father. The above should be prayed for while chanting these verses. These above prayers mentioned are also based on the astrological perspective. Section - 17, 18 Sections 17, 18 are propitiations to Vayu, the wind god. Page 5 of 8

6 1. Those who suffer from lung related or any respiratory problems should visualize that golden rays from all directions enter your lungs thus healing them. 2. Imagine your lungs or whichever part of the system is affected glows bright golden in colour. 3. Seek protection from airborne diseases. Section - 19,20,21 These sections further detail on the concept and the benefits of a very special ritual performed particularly to the Sun, called Aruna Kethuka Sayanam. It details on many rituals like procurement of water, construction of the platform for the ritual etc. The rituals mentioned in these hymns are very procedural and demand immense Sanskrit knowledge with a strong training and background. But it is equally effective to listen attentively to the chants and visualize blessings from Sun God or your favorite deity (Ishta Devatha). Section 22 This is salutation to the Jala devatha or the water deities. This prayer is also called Manthra pushpam. 1. Pray that the earth is fertile and green. The food and water is divine. 2. The herbs, plants and creepers provide beautiful flowers and tasty fruits. Let it be a feast to the eye and satiate the hunger. 3. Be profusely benevolent to us. Section - 23,24,25,26 This touches upon subjects like creation of the universes etc. It also talks about the importance of Sankalpa or the intent for any creative activity. The entire creation has happened due to the sankalpa of the Divine. 1. To be an achiever you should have the strong intent to be one. During these chants you are gearing up to be successful by visualizing the results. 2. Visualize your deep desires one at a time. 3. Focus on each of them with full intent and visualize that you have accomplished them. 4. Experience the happiness. 5. Continue with every desire or ambition that you cherish for yourself in your heart. Section 27 This section details more on the construction ofhuman body and its physiology. Additional information on old age, acquiring diseases is also given. Further, the karma and its results, rebirth, the immortal state of the Atma or spirit, and moksha or liberation, the release from the cycles of birth and death are explained. Page 6 of 8

7 1. Visualize every system in your body, namely circulatory, respiratory, muscular, skeletal, reproductive, excretory and the rest. 2. Visualize all related organ are healthy and full of life. Enjoy the energy. 3. Imagine all good acts done by you; thank god for giving such opportunities and pray for more. 4. Pray that all good karma earned by such acts increase and help in your material success, spiritual growth and evolution of consciousness. Section - 28 This section instructs us on how to pray to Lord Agni. 1. Fire is the purest of the 5 elements of nature. It can never be polluted. Agni is an aspect of Sun god and your prayers should be focused on him. 2. To bless us and not to show his anger on us by burning away our valuable possessions. 3. To protect us by warding away all thieves and envious people who want to acquire our wealth and possessions. 4. To bless us with a healthy constitution by easily digesting the food consumed. 5. To negate ailments like fever caused by various viruses or due to intake of wrong food and drinks. 6. It is very important that those with food allergies pray strongly to get healed. Section 29 This section offers instruction on how to pray to the Rain God. He is described to be so benevolent that even without the earth asking for it, he senses the heat and sends the showers. The water descends from the skies and touches the earth, thus creating a link between both. This verse emphasizes, though implicitly, the connect between the earth and the sky and also between their inhabitants. These verses strongly condemn those who cheat or exploit others. In the event of such acts from the people, It warns that the Lord of Time (Sun) will eventually withdraw the life forces to create famines, wars and calamities. It highlights the necessity of being integral. 1. Pray that you have the sensitivity towards misfortunes of others so that all are connected to each other. 2. Pray for transformation of mind so as to accept the other and not to be judgmental. 3. Every individual s thoughts and actions cast an effect on the collective. 4. Pray that the Rain showers as love in the hearts of the people. 5. Pray that people naturally unite themselves and live in friendship and harmony. 6. Pray that he showers sufficient rains at the right seasons for sustenance and nourishment of life on earth. Page 7 of 8

8 Section This is a prayer for long life 1. Visualize your body, mind and spirit to be healthy and full of zest and positive energy. 2. You can even image yourself in your old age and physically agile as well as mentally alert. 3. Pray specifically for a disease-free body. Section 31 This section deals with importance of prayers. Pray as intense good wishes for oneself and the other. Also specifically mentions that with prayers to Kubera, one can fulfil desires for material wealth. The purpose of the riches is to enjoy one s life and also to serve fellowbeings who are in need of support. 1. To visualize and pray for material wealth and riches and also richness of the mind to help others who are in need. 2. Pray for blessing with a good heart and wisdom to realize that the purpose of wealth is not to hoard but to use for the benefit of oneself and others. 3. Kubera grants abundant wealth to those who are willing to share with others. Section 32 The final section describes the procedures for performing Samvatsara Vratam, which is a highly meritorious ritual to accumulate auspiciousness. During this chants, you can pray that all the prayers you had made so far are granted and that you are blessed with a great body, mind and spirit. Express your gratitude for granting your prayers. Aum Sri Ramanarpanamastu Page 8 of 8