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Chant to the Sun
by Kathleen Karlsen, Author of Vocal Medicine
Surya, also known as Bhaskaraya or the giver of wisdom and illumination, is the Hindu god of the Sun. The meaning of this Surya Mantra is the following: “Let me meditate on the Sun. Let me think about the highest power. I bow before the Sun. Homage to the Sun! Let the giver of life illumine my mind.”
Symbolism of the Sun
The symbol of the sun brings hope, cheerfulness and optimism. The sun is one of the first things children draw spontaneously. The sun is associated with positivity, clarity, confidence and power. The sun is generally related to masculine energy, growth and higher consciousness.
Role of the Sun in Hinduism
Sun In the early Vedic period, the sun god Surya reigned supreme. In later Hindu periods, only certain sects worship Surya as a central deity. In many branches of Hinduism, Vishnu has largely taken over the role of Surya. In spite of this shift, there are many mantras are dedicated to Surya.
Surya Mantra Example
An example of a mantra to Surya as Bhaskaraya or the giver of wisdom and illumination is given below:
Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe
Om Maha Tejaya Dimahe
Om Surya Namaha Om Surya
Om Tanno Surya Prochodayat
The meaning of the Chant to the Sun in English is the following: “Let me meditate on the Sun. Let me think about the highest power. I bow before the Sun. Homage to the Sun! Let the Giver of life illumine my mind.”
All original songs are copyrighted by Living Arts Enterprises, LLC; Vocal Medicine, LLC; and Kathleen Karlsen. This score is provided for your personal use and spiritual practice. If you would like to perform or record any of these selections, please contact kathleenkarlsen@msn.com.
Symbolism of the Sun
The impact of the sun is universal: the sun is the most prominent symbol in our world. Images of the sun have graced interior environments since the time of the cave dwellers. The sun has been personified extensively, creating a pantheon of sun gods around the world. Each have their own mythology and unique creation stories.
Power of the Sun
The sun literally powers our world. Thus, the sun brings hope, cheerfulness, and optimism. The sun is one of the first things children draw spontaneously. We instinctively desire to remind ourselves of the power and life-giving comfort of the sun!
Meaning of the Sun
The sun symbolizes positivity, clarity, confidence and power. The sun is generally related to masculine energy, growth and higher consciousness. Dreams of the sun are usually good omens: everything works out when the sun is shining. Bringing this energy into our world through sun mantras is an uplift both psychologically and emotionally.
Politics and the Sun
Throughout history, many rulers have associated themselves with the sun to emphasize their own inherent power. This includes the ancient Egyptians as well as more recent hierarchs such as Louis XIV, known as the Sun King.
Religious Symbolism of the Sun
In the religious sphere, traditional Christian symbolism depicts Christ as the “sun” as well as the “son” of God. This is particularly true of the Celts. The rounded Celtic cross depicts the physical sun and Christ simultaneously. Archangel Michael is also symbolized by the sun.
Mythology of the Sun
The sense of awe inspired by the heavens is a universal phenomenon. People in nearly every culture have found great joy in studying the skies. Many cultures have myths and stories based on various configurations of the sun, the moon and the stars.
Names of the Sun in Mantras
There are also twelve names of the sun god, each corresponding to a different pose in the practice of Sun Salutations in hatha yoga. Each name can be used in Surya mantras. The Surya names in Sanskrit and English are as follows:
Om Mitraya Namah (Friend of all)
Om Ravaye Namah (Praised by all)
Om Suryaya Namah (Guide of all)
Om Bhanave Namah (Bestower of beauty)
Om Khagaya Namah (Stimulator of the senses)
Om Pushne Namah (Nourisher of all)
Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah (Creator of all)
Om Marichaye Namah (Destroyer of disease)
Om Adityaya Namah (Inspirer)
Om Savitre Namah (Purifier)
Om Arkaya Namah (Radiant One)
Om Bhaskaraya Namah (Illuminator)
Sun Deities Around the World
The alphabetical list below is just a few of the sun deities found in cultures around the world. Solar mythologies explain the sun’s movement across the sky, often traveling in a chariot or boat. In China, the sun is simply viewed as the male or “yang” principle, personified as a great cosmic eye. This is in contrast with the feminine or “yin” principle. Although most cultures view the sun as masculine, in Celtic lore the sun represents feminine power.
Meaning of the Sun in Astrology
In astrology, the sun represents the self, shining outwardly towards the world. There are many solar symbols including animals, gemstones, flowers, and the geometric form of the circle or wheel. Solar animals include the hawk, lion, salamander, rooster, horse, ram, phoenix, eagle, lion, dragon, and bull. Solar metals and gems include bronze, gold, diamond, ruby and topaz. Learn more about healing gems and crystals in the article Chakra Stones and Meaning.
Devouring the Sun
Many cultures also have stories of monsters or creatures that devour the sun. These myths may be associated with the phenomena of solar eclipses. Other myths show the foolishness of attempting to reach or interact with the sun. In Hinduism, some say the monkey-faced god Hanuman tried to eat the sun as a child, thinking the sun was an orange. Learn more about this beloved and fascinating hindu god in the article Hanuman Mantra.
Alphabetical List of Sun Gods & Goddesses
Amaterasu: Shinto Sun God
Japanese sun goddess and a central figure to the Shinto religion. The emperors in Japan claim to be descendants of Amaterasu. This is what gives them the divine right to rule. Amaterasu has a brother who is the moon. When he misbehaves, she retreats to a cave. This causes a crisis as the earth is without light or warmth. Eventually the other gods trick her into returning to the world from her cave.
Arinna/Arinniti: Hittite Sun Goddess
Sun goddess in Hittite mythology. The Hittites were a people located between Greece, Assyria, and the Red Sea. Arinna was called the “Queen of All Lands.”
Apollo: Greek God of Illumination
Olympian god of many different things, including the sun. God of music, light, poetry, healing, plague, prophesy, knowledge, order, beauty, archery, and agriculture. Apollo supplanted Helios in Greek mythology.
Belenus: Celtic Sun God
Celtic sun god whose journey was viewed as a yearly rather than a daily cycle. The Celtic celebration in the spring is called Beltane in his honor.
Freyr/Freya: Norse Sun Goddess
Norse sun goddess. Freya is the goddess of sunshine, rain, fertility, and peace.
Helios: Greek Sun God
An Olympian god believed to drag the sun behind a golden chariot in the sky during the day, returning during the night. Helios is the god of oaths and vision. Helios dwells in a golden palace near the river Oceanus. Each day he leaves this palace driven by four winged steeds. He is crowned with the areole of the sun and dressed in purple robes. When Helios reaches the far west, he descends into a golden cup that bears him back to his rising place in Oceanus. Helios is closely identified with other fire gods including Hephaestus and Apollo.
Hebat/Hepa: Asia Minor Sun Goddess
Asia Minor goddess made the national goddess by the Hittites. Renamed Arinna.
Huitzilopochti: Aztec Sun God
Aztec deity of war, sun, human sacrifice, and was also the patron of the city of Tenochtitlan.
Huar Khshaita: Zoroastrian Sun God
Zoroastrian deity of the “radiant sun.”
Intil/Apu Punchau: Incan Sun God
Inca sun god believed to be the ancestor of the Inca people.
Jóhonaa’éí: Navajo Sun God
Navajo sun bearer who carries the sun across the sky on his back. At night he hangs the sun on a peg on the wall as he rests for the labors of the following day.
Liza: African Sun Goddess
Fon people of West Africa associated this goddess with the sun.
Lugh/Lug: Celtic Sun God
Ancient Irish god. He was so prominent that in Victorian times he was considered to be a sun god. Lugh is a skilled warrior who carries a magic spear. He is also the god of storms and lightning. Perhaps most importantly, Lugh is the god of the harvest and grain. Lugh is accordingly the patron of artisans and farmers.
Mithra: Iranian Sun God
God of sun, justice, contract, and war in pre-Zoroastrian Iran.
Ra: Egyptian Sun God
Egyptian god seen as the sun at midday. Later he was combined with Amun to make a “solar creation god” and became known as Amun Ra. The ancient Egyptians had three different sun gods to indicate the position of the sun in the sky. Horus is the rising sun, Osiris is the setting sun and Ra represents the sun at the highest point or zenith in the sky. Other experts view each of these gods as stages in life for a single god. Ra is a creator god traveling through the sky and through the underworld at night. Ra vanquishes the evil serpent Apopis.
Sol/Sunna: Norse Sun Goddess
Norse sun goddess who rode a horse-drawn chariot.
Chant to the Sun Article Summary
This article covers the Chant to the Sun and the meaning and symbolism of sun and moon deities around the world, including the Hindu sun god known as Surya or Bhaskaraya. Sun gods are known for their ability to bring illumination and wisdom.
Kathleen Karlsen is an author, musician, artist, and composer. She has written three books (The Color-Music Connection, Flower Symbols, and Vocal Medicine) and over 200 articles. Her YouTube channel features over 600 videos. Kathleen and her family live in Bozeman, Montana, USA.
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