Quoted from : SRI K. PATTABHI JOIS, “SURYA NAMASKARA”

PREFACE

The Surya Namaskara form the foundation for the entire method of the practice of yoga – and, as well all know, if one’s foundation is firm, then whatever is supported by it will be stable as well. So, if the Surya Namaskara are first learned properly and their inner meaning grasped, then all the various asanas, pranayamas and the like that follow them will be useful and beneficial in their outcomes.

The practice of yoga, as a whole, is a profound science of internal purification which leads practitioners very gradually to the realization of the non-difference between the jivatma, or indwelling Self of the individual, and the paramatma, or Universal Self. For this to occur, a proper intention and direction of energies needs to be established from the outset of a practice; in Sanskrit, this is known as “bhavana.” Pattabhi Jois has said that without bhavana the outcome of practice will not bear the fruit that yoga promises, namely that of union. Bhavana has its source in the verbal root “bhu,” which, at its simplest, means “to be” or “to become.” Thus, if one wishes to become “being” itself – that is, to attain a union between the individual and Universal Self – then the right bhavana must first be wholeheartedly embraced and inhabited.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SURYA NAMASKARA

The Surya Namaskara too are of ancient origin and serve as the foundation stone upon which the science of yoga rests. The Surya Namaskara, or sun salutations, are necessary to the practice of yoga, as they help gather the strength of the mind in one direction and aid in the attainment of mental focus. Without bringing the mind to a state in which it can push the body through the various stages of yoga practice, say texts of old, students cannot be certain to avoid injury.

Ancients texts of Hinduism teach that salutations are dear to the sun god Surya – namaskara priya Suryah – as dear to him as ceremonial bathing is to Siva – abhiseka priyah Sivah – and adornment is to Visnu – alankara priyo’ Visnuh. Surya is widely held to be the central figure in the world of health, both mental and physical, and according to the Puranas, the veneration of his stature is best achieved through the Surya Namaskara, which are believed to bestow lasting health and peace of mind upon the doer.

The postures of yoga have each a presiding deity, and there are 72,000 such deities in total. Before paying homage to the deities individually, a student of yoga must first begin with salutations to Surya who, according to belief, contains the rest of the pantheon within himself.

More broadly, to keep the sun god as the central figure of one’s existence requires the saying of prayers to him three times a day, at first morning light, in the afternoon and at twilight. This is known as the Brahmin ritual of sandhya vandana, and is the occasion for reflecting, in the mind and in the heart, on the life-giving and soul-sustaining role of Surya in the lives of all beings, large and small, that live on the earth. Texts of old also tell us – sucirvapi asucirvapi kale sandhya vidiyate – of the importance of paying such respect whether our bodies are clean or not, for in the words of the Vedic mantra – apavitrah pavitro va sarvavastham gato’pi va yah smaret pundarikaksam sa bahyabhyantara sucih – an individual that remembers the almighty cleanses himself internally and externally; such is the power of this mantra. Moreover, as a Brahmin cleanses himself internally by the performance of sandhya vandana, so too will anyone not initiated in such methods become purified by the performance of the Surya Namaskara.

In conclusion, let me repeat that no asana practice is complete without sun worship. Without its focusing of mental energies, yoga practice amounts to little more than gymnastics and, as such, loses meaning and proves fruitless. Indeed, the Surya Namaskara should never be mistaken for mere physical exercise – for something incidental, that is, that simply precedes the asanas of yoga. Therefore, it is necessary, before beginning the sun salutations, to pray to Surya – bhadram karnebih srnuyama devah bhadram pasyemaksabhir yajatrah sthirairangais tustuvagumsas tanubhi vyasema devahitam yadayuh – to bestow upon us the good fortune of having only good thoughts, of hearing and speaking only good words, and of attaining a sound and strong body, so that we may live a long life and, one day, achieve oneness with God.

SURYA NAMASUKARA

The practice of the Surya Namaskara, or sun salutations, has come down to us from the long distant past, and is capable of rendering human life heavenly and blissful. By means of it, people can become joyous, experience happiness and contentment, and avoid succumbing to old age and death.

Yet, nowadays, without ever having learned the traditions and practices of their ancestors and having no control over their sense organs, people engage in self-indulgence and destroy their mental powers for the sake of tangible gain. They deny reality simply because it cannot be seen and make their lives miserable, or subject to disease, poverty and death. If they were to follow the traditions of their ancestors, however, they would develop their bodies and minds, and, in so doing, make possible the realization of the nature of the Self, as a scriptural authority confirms: Nayam atma balahinena labhyah [This Self cannot be gained by one devoid of strength]. With strengthened bodies, sense organs and minds, they would become healthy and righteous, live long and intellectual lives, and be able to attain eternal liberation. Thus, if we want lives of health, righteousness, intellectuality and longevity, let us never forget the ways and traditions of our ancestors.

By following the precept of the great sages – sariramadyam khalu dharma sadhanam [the first duty is to take care of the body, which is the means to the pursuit of spiritual life] – our ancestors found the means to bodily health. Such means, they knew, should not violate the scriptures, but be in accordance with them. And this, they knew, could only be possible through the Surya Namaskara and limbs of yoga. So, they studied yogic science, brought it into practice, and were joyful. In all corners of India, too, people of every class were bringing the Surya Namaskara described in the yoga sastra into practice. This they did with the feeling that they were performing a righteous action which was a daily duty, for they knew the blessings of the Sun God are essential to good health. If we reflect on the saying “arogyam bhaskarad icchet [one should desire health from the sun],” it is clear that those blessed by the Sun God live healthy lives. Therefore, for health – the greatest wealth of all – to be attained, the blessings of the Sun God must alone be sought.

To secure these blessings, the Surya Namaskara should be practiced in accordance with scriptural rules. The worship of the sun must always be in the Namaskara form since, while there are other forms of worship, the Namaskara alone are important. In the words of the scripture: Namaskara priya suryah [Namaskara is the beloved of the sun]. Thus, they should not be practiced whimsically, but in accordance with the method prescribed in the sastras. For it is only by the Namaskara, done in consonance with the rules and without violating the scripture, that the sun, the god associated with health, will be pleased and confer the wealth of vitality upon us, and protect us as well. In short, if a person is to secure the fortune of health, he should perform the Surya Namaskara without abandoning the path prescribed in the sastras.

What are the sastras? The sastras explain the meaning of mantras in such a way that even dull minds can easily understand them. Among the sastras, those that elucidate the import of mantras related to the sun god offer adorations and prayers to him as follows: bhadram karnebih srnuyama devah bhadram pasyemaksabhir yajatrah [O gods, while engaged in sacrifices, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious, may we see with our eyes what is auspicious]. The purport of this mantra is to discern divinity in all the objects of the senses through the strengthening of the senses. It is a prayer not merely for the strength of the body, senses and the mind, and for the elimination of diseases, but for inner happiness and ultimate liberation from transmigratory existence. If such happiness is to be gained, it can only be done so by the healthy, not by the sick. Therefore, to become healthy, one should practice the Surya Namaskara in accordance with scriptural injunctions.

The method for doing the Surya Namaskara has been described in various ways by various people. We cannot categorically state which is correct, but when we reflect on the science of yoga, we see that the tradition of the Surya Namaskara follows, in the main, the method of vinyasa, or the breathing and movement system, the movements of recaka, or exhalation, and puraka, or inhalation, and meditation. According to the yoga sastra, this tradition includes: vinyasa; recaka and puraka; dhyana [meditation]; the drsti [sight, or gazing place]; and the bandhas [muscle contractions, or locks]. And this alone is the method that should be followed when learning the Surya Namaskara, as yogis declare from experience. Indeed, performing the sun salutations without following the rules mentioned above is little more than exercise, and not true Surya Namaskara. There are two types of Surya Namaskara. The first consists of nine vinyasas, and the second, of seventeen. To learn the method for the vinyasas, recaka and puraka, the bandhas, dhyana, and for the trataka [gazing] and the like, one should be certain to consult a satguru, for it would be wrong to try to learn yoga without recourse to such a teacher. If, however, one follows the scriptural path, and brings it into practice under the guidance of a satguru who is not only well-versed in the yoga sastra, but who has brought it into practice himself, then the three-fold diseases will be destroyed, and one will live a healthy life.

There is a common perception that no medicine exists for mental illness. The srutis, however, say that through the Surya Namaskara, even mental illness can be cured. Now, if we reflect on the meaning of a mantra such as hrdrogyam mama surya harimanam ca nasaya [remove, O sun, the pallor unhealthy to my heart and mind], we see that even mental illnesses and diseases born of prarabdha karma [the results of past actions that are bearing fruit in this lifetime] can be destroyed. Our ancestors certainly studied the mantras, understood their meanings, and put them into practice. As a result, they lived long lives of good health, great strength and high intellect, and, without ever succumbing to disease, death or poverty, they attained divine knowledge, merged with bliss, and were forever content.

Thus, if the scriptural way of practicing the Surya Namaskara is followed, the most terrible diseases, such as leprosy, epilepsy and jaundice, will be cured. In this regard, no one need entertain any doubt or disbelief; without question, the terrible diseases just referred to can be destroyed. Some people have received medical treatment for illnesses such as leprosy for years without ever being cured. Within five to six months, however, of practicing the Surya Namaskara, yogasana, pranayama, and the like, they have found themselves relieved of their ailments. This is borne out by my own experience. Therefore, people who practice yoga and the Surya Namaskara will not fall victim to maladies of any type. Hence, aspirants should engage in their practice and leave behind all fear and doubt.

Some people work by sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time and experience pains in their joints which make them unable to sit or walk without great difficulty. They pursue all kinds of medical treatment, and lead futile lives. But their afflictions can definitely be cured by the Surya Namaskara. Yogis speak of such afflictions as being associated with the nadis. To keep the body, which is the foundation of the performance of all sorts of meritorious deeds, pure and free from obstacles such as disease as much as possible, the Surya Namaskara and yogasana are very important. Indeed, in the present world, they are essential to all, men and women, young and old. Were all people to recognize their usefulness, bring them into practice, and teach their traditions to their families, it can be said with pride that our holy land of India would rejoice to find itself filled with fresh energy. Were the government itself to understand their usefulness, and make the practice of yogasana, the Surya Namaskara, and their traditions compulsory for all students, in all educational institutions, boys and girls alike, and, in doing so, help render their lives pure, it would be doing a great service to the world. Indeed, Mother India would be very pleased. We should, therefore, never forget to carry the torch of this divine light of yogic knowledge, which has been passed down to us with our Vedic culture, and to keep its flame alight for all eternity.