Sonic salutations to the sun

HRAAM HREEM HROOM HRAIM HRAUM HRAHA

This chant is called ‘surya namaskar’s beeja mantras.’ It consists of six syllables repeated twice per sun salutation.  These six syllables are the ‘beeja’ (seed) or ‘sonic distillation’ of the twelve names of ‘Surya’, the Sun.

‘Beeja’ are sonic seeds that when chanted are planted in the body-mind plane, where if nurtured, they may grow into higher consciousness. They are sonic representations of particular energetic states, subtle forms or deities. By planting the ‘beeja’ mantras within ourselves, we align ourselves with the vibration of the idea or energy each represents. Sacred seeds have been known and used since Vedic times. Shiva Rea’s Embodying the Flow translates Surya’s names in the chant as follows:

Om Mitrayanamah – HRAAM – Salutations to the friend of all

Om Ravayenamah – HREEM – Salutations to the shining one

Om Suryayanamah  – HROOM – Salutations to He who induces activity(Source of Creation)

Om Bhanavenamah  – HRAIM – Salutations to He who illuminates

Om Khagayanamah – HRAUM – Salutations to He who moves quickly in the sky

Om Pooshnenamah  – HRAHA – Salutations to the giver of Strength and Nourishment

Om Hiranyagarbhayanamah  – HRAAM – Salutations to the Golden Womb, cosmic Self

Om Mareechayenamah  – HREEM – salutations to the Lord of dawn

Om Adityayanamah – HROOM – salutations to the son of Aditi, the cosmic mother

Om Savitrenamah  – HRAIM – Salutations to the Lord of Creation

Om Arkhayanamah  – HRAUM – Salutations to He who is Source of Life Energy

Om Bhaskarayanamah  – HRAHA – Salutations to He who leads to enlightenmentt

Each mantra consists of ‘h’, ‘r’, vowel and ends in ‘m’. The vowels are ‘aa’, ‘ee’, ‘uu’, ‘ai’, ‘ou’ and ‘visarga or hah’.  The chanting of AUM mantra activates stomach, heart, brain and the overall body/mind, creating vibrations in the associated chakras. 

Digestion, respiratory and sensory activities go through the powerful lens of AUM turning intellect and memory into sharp and powerful tools. The root alphabets of the Bija Mantra or Bija akshara are:

H –The heart is the source of its pronunciation. It empowers the heart to perform all its functions in a better manner.

R – The centre of the forehead is the source of its pronunciation. The palate and the brain are gently buffeted by the vibration. The result is good taste and better intellect.

Swar (vowels) – various organs are impacted by the sound vibrations, making these organs strong and sensitive.

aa as in ‘hraam’: vibrations stimulate brain, heart and respiratory organs.

ee as in ‘hreem’: vibrations work on palate, vocal cord and nasal area.

uu as in ‘hruum’: vibrations work on stomach, small intestine, and pancreas. 

ai as in ‘hraim’: vibrations work on kidney and urinary passage.  

ou as in ‘hroum’: vibrations work on excretory system. 

Visarga (hah) as in ‘hraha– vibrations work on the chest and the vocal cord.

The mantras chanted while performing the ‘namaskar’ generate minute vibrations in the body which help correct the functioning of all systems in the body – glandular, sensory, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, etc.  Balanced state of emotions, concentration and profound mental powers also result. 

Ancient ‘rishis’, through meditation, insight, study and research, understood how the various organs of the body can be kept in optimal and strong functioning levels. Their knowledge and understanding of the externals and the internals are amazing. Modern science is only gradually scratching the surface of the vast knowledge hidden in the Vedas. Now you can start small, enjoy as you go and derive the full pleasure and benefits of chanting while performing ‘namaskars’.