DVĀDAŚĀDITYA MANTRAS (THE 12 NAMES OF THE SUN, SŪRYA)

DVĀDAŚĀDITYA MANTRAS (THE 12 NAMES OF THE SUN, SŪRYA)

1. Oṃ Hrāṁ Mitrāya Namaḥ Salutations to the friend of all

2. Oṃ Hrīṁ Ravaye Namaḥ Salutations to one who shines

3. Oṃ Hrūṁ Sūryāya Namaḥ Salutations to one who induce activity

4. Oṃ Hraiṁ Bhānave Namaḥ Salutations to one who illuminates

5. Oṃ Hrauṁ Khagāya Namaḥ Salutations to one who moves quickly

6. Oṃ Hraḥ  Pūṣṇe Namaḥ                   Salutations to one who gives strength

7. Oṃ Hrāṁ Hiraṇya Garbhāya Namaḥ Salutations to  golden cosmic self

8. Oṃ Hrīṁ Marīcaye Namaḥ                            Salutations to Lord of dawn

9. Oṃ Hraiṁ Savitre Namaḥ salutations to the Lord of Creation

10. Oṃ Hrauṁ Arkāya Namaḥ                           Salutations to one who is fit to be praised

11. Oṃ Hrūṁ Ādityāya Namaḥ           salutations to the son of Aditi, the cosmic Mother

12. Oṃ Hraḥ Bhāskarāya Namaḥ Salutations to one who leads to enlightenment

 

1. History

• These 12 mantras are Vedic in origin, found in texts such as the Taittirīya Āraṇyaka, Mahānārāyaṇa Upaniṣad, and Puranic compilations like the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa (Āditya Hṛdayam).

• The Sun (Sūrya) is worshipped in 12 forms (Dvādaśāditya), representing the 12 months of the year and the 12 phases of the Sun’s annual course (zodiac signs).

• In Yoga tradition, they are chanted during Sūrya Namaskāra to align body, breath, and mind with solar energy.

• In Āyurveda and Tantra, these bīja mantras are used for health, vitality, and balancing the manipūra cakra (solar plexus).

 

2. Etymology (Name-by-Name)

Each begins with Oṁ (primordial sound) and a solar bīja (Hrām, Hrīm, Hrūm, Hraiṁ, Hrauṁ, Hraḥ):

1. Mitra – Friend of all, symbol of universal friendliness.

2. Ravi – Radiant one, source of energy.

3. Sūrya – The shining, supreme light.

4. Bhānu – The luminous one.

5. Khaga – Sky-traveler, mover in space.

6. Pūṣan – Nourisher, sustainer of life.

7. Hiraṇyagarbha – Golden womb, cosmic seed of creation.

8. Marīci – Ray of light, effulgence.

9. Savitr – Inspirer, impeller of life force (connected with Gāyatrī mantra).

10. Arka – Sun as source of healing energy.

11. Āditya – Son of Aditi, universal sustainer.

12. Bhāskara – The giver of light and wisdom.

 

3. Benefits

4. a) Spiritual

• Awakens solar consciousness: clarity, wisdom, inner radiance.

• Aligns practitioner with ṛta (cosmic order).

• Strengthens devotion and surrender to the universal life-giver.

1. b) Psychological

• Boosts confidence, courage, and focus.

• Reduces lethargy, depression, and mental dullness.

• Encourages optimism and expansiveness.

1. c) Physical / Therapeutic

• Improves digestion and metabolism (manipūra chakra activation).

• Strengthens eyesight and regulates circadian rhythm.

• Supports cardiovascular health by synchronizing breath and heartbeat with chanting.

• Boosts immunity and overall vitality.

 

4. Contraindications

• Generally safe, but with some cautions:

  • Avoid over-chanting loudly if suffering from high blood pressure, anxiety, or heart disease (soft chanting is fine).

  • Should be practiced with clean body and pure intention, preferably at sunrise.

  • People with migraine or heat imbalance (pitta prakṛti in Āyurveda) should avoid long intense Sūrya mantras in hot sun.

5. Science Behind the Mantras

• Phonetics & Brain:

  The solar bījas (Hrām, Hrīm, Hrūm…) vibrate in different regions of the nervous system, particularly stimulating the solar plexus (manipūra chakra), linked with metabolism and vitality.

• Chronobiology:

  Chanting at sunrise regulates circadian rhythms, aligning the body with solar cycles, which influences hormones like melatonin and cortisol.

• Psychological Science:

  Positive affirmations and sound vibrations rewire neural circuits, reducing stress and enhancing mental clarity.

• Group Resonance:

  Collective chanting synchronizes heart rate variability and brainwave patterns, improving well-being.

• Biophysics:

  Sound waves from Vedic mantras create resonance in cells; “solar bījas” generate warmth and vitality, similar to exposure to sunlight.

 

Summary:
The 12 mantras — Oṁ Hrām Mitrāya Namaḥ … Oṁ Hraḥ Bhāskarāya Namaḥ — are ancient Vedic invocations to the 12 forms of the Sun. Their etymology points to friendship, nourishment, brilliance, healing, and universal sustenance. They bring spiritual awakening, mental clarity, and physical vitality, with minor precautions for overuse in heat-related conditions. Modern science confirms their value in regulating nervous system, metabolism, circadian rhythm, and psychological resilience.