A Historical Look at Surya Namaskar (सूर्य नमस्कार)

A Historical Look at Surya Namaskar (सूर्य नमस्कार)

The Surya Namaskar (सूर्य नमस्कार), or Sun Salutation, is a well-established part of modern yoga practice. Its historical roots blend spiritual, cultural, and physical significance. This sequence of poses, today recognized worldwide, pays homage to Surya (सूर्य), the Sun, revered in ancient Indian tradition as the source of energy and light.

The Surya Namaskar as we know it today is commonly attributed to Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi (भवानराव श्रीनिवासराव पंत प्रतिनिधि), the raja of Aundh, a small kingdom in what is now Maharashtra. In the 1920s, this forward-thinking ruler introduced a fixed sequence of asanas (आसन) or poses, and pranayama (प्राणायाम) or breathing exercises as a daily ritual. He urged everyone, regardless of age or gender, to practice this sequence for physical and spiritual well-being. His efforts are documented in his 1928 book "Surya Namaskar," detailing the sequences and benefits of the practice.

Historically, the practice of saluting or honoring the Sun can be traced back to ancient Vedic times, with spiritual and ritualistic elements that evolved over centuries. However, these early practices are not the physical exercise sequence we now recognize as Surya Namaskar. While this sequence's exact development and evolution remain subjects of scholarly debate, the practice in its modern form owes much to the Raja of Aundh's innovation and popularization.

In today's yoga, most students learn a version of Surya Namaskar early in their studies. The practice typically involves a sequence of twelve poses - starting and ending in Tadasana (ताडासन), or Mountain Pose, with various poses in between like lunges, Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana - अधोमुखश्वानासन), and Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana - ऊर्ध्वमुखश्वानासन). Each cycle is a journey - a move backward, then forward.

As practitioners move through their Surya Namaskars, many imagine facing the Sun as an embodiment of Ishvara (ईश्वर), the ultimate guru or teacher, illuminating their life and universe as Surya does for the world. Each movement becomes an offering filled with love and gratitude.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutra (योगसूत्र) reflects upon Ishvara as the primordial guru, the teacher of ancient sages. This state of high consciousness is not an individual but rather a transcendent and boundless state. For countless generations, humans have used symbols to represent this ultimate teacher, and one of the most enduring of these is Surya, the Sun. The revered Gayatri Mantra (गायत्री मंत्र) from the Vedic tradition addresses the Sun as "the one who illuminates our minds."

In the grandeur of its history, Surya Namaskar stands as a testament to the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world, serving as a physical and spiritual practice that links us to the vast cosmos. Rooted in reverence for the Sun, it represents the intrinsic harmony between us and the universe.