The Origins of Surya Namaskar

"Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise"

This timeless reminder speaks to the natural rhythm of life—the inevitable transition from darkness to light. And while it may sound poetic, in the world of yoga and the yogic tradition, this idea runs much deeper. It’s not about religion or worship. It’s about recognizing the cyclical nature of existence, and our own connection to something greater.

In Mystics Musings, Sadhguru reminds us:

"This body is a piece of earth powered by the sun. You are a solar-powered life. If the sun does not come up tomorrow, the scientific data says in eighteen hours, all the water in the oceans, your blood, your brain—everything—will be frozen solid."

Think about it. Every single day, we’re given this gift of light, warmth, and life itself. And yet, how often do we take it for granted? The sun rising each morning isn’t just a mundane fact of life; it’s everything. Whether we’re conscious of it or not, our very existence is tied to this relationship between the earth and the sun. This is a truth that transcends religion, culture, and belief. It’s simply life.

The Sun: More Than Just a Star

For thousands of years, different cultures and traditions have honored the sun. In Hinduism, the sun—Surya—is revered as the physical and spiritual heart of our world. But this reverence is not confined to one religion. The sun has always been a symbol of life, light, and renewal across many traditions.

As Alain Daniélou points out in The Myths and Gods of India:"Since everything that exists originates from the sun, it must contain the potentiality of all that is to be known."

For the Hindus, the sun is often referred to as the “eye of the world” (loka chakshus), witnessing all things, uniting all beings in its gaze. But whether we call it Surya or simply "the sun," this celestial body holds symbolic power far beyond any one religion. It’s a reminder of life’s energy, our connection to nature, and the divine potential within all of us.

The Origins of Surya Namaskar - A Cultural Perspective

The origins of this practice go back to over 10,000 years ago according to the Hindu tradition.

Hanuman, the great monkey hero of the Ramayana, was fascinated with Surya the Sun. As a baby he saw the sun in the sky and thought it was a fruit, and, being a monkey with supernatural strength, he wanted to eat it. Hanuman had so much divinity in him, he had the ability to leap as high as the sun, so pushing off from the earth with his powerful legs and stretching up through his long arms, Hanuman leapt and soared towards the sun.

The gods were astonished by this, and were concerned, because if someone took the sun there would be no life; all life would perish. At the moment the young Hanuman was going to take the sun, Indra the god of thunder picked up his deadly diamond thunderbolt ‘Vajra’ and went towards the impudent monkey. The clouds rumbled and lightning thundered across the vast skies in an expression of Indra’s wrath. Indra raised his thunderbolt and struck Hanuman on the chin knocking Hanuman from the sky.

Hanuman fell back to the earth unconscious. His father Vayu, the lord of the air, saw his injured son and was so upset that he withdrew his air from all living things. “Let all those who have harmed Anjana’s son choke to death”.

Again, all existence was threatened with death. All the gods entreated Vayu, "Please provide your air to all beings once again, with compassion for all living things, and we will restore your son Hanuman and give him our powers." Vayu agreed, so all the gods of the Hindu pantheon gave gifts to Hanuman in order to empower him even further.

Surya the Sun, feeling responsible for the whole ordeal, now said “I bestow on him a hundredth part of my brilliance. I myself shall impart the wisdom of the sacred scriptures, and teach the vast knowledge of Yoga to him”. Surya was the perfect choice to become Hanuman’s Guru because the sun is the sole karma sakshi, or the eternal witness of all the deeds of human beings.

As Surya was Hanuman’s guru, Hanuman would salute the sun upon each visit. Surya was the source of all the world's knowledge and all the world's power, so Hanuman would bow-down to his master to express his eternal gratitude. "O Surya, I can only offer you my grace and namaskars (respectful greetings) as payment" Surya was happy to have such a devoted student and agreed. And so the surya namaskar series was born.

A Practice for All

Here’s the key point: you don’t have to be Hindu to practice Surya Namaskar. You don’t need to believe in the myths or stories. The practice itself is symbolic—it’s a physical, mental, and spiritual acknowledgment of the light that powers our lives. Whether you see the sun as divine, scientific, or simply as the star that gives us warmth, the message is the same: we’re connected to something greater, and it’s worth honoring.

When we practice Surya Namaskar, we align ourselves with the sun’s rhythm. We rise, we move, we bow down, and we rise again—just as the sun rises and sets. It’s a practice of gratitude, humility, and connection.

Leaping Towards the Light

There’s a metaphorical beauty in Hanuman’s leap towards the sun. It wasn’t just a physical act—it was an expression of his boundless potential, a reflection of the light that exists within us all. Every time we step onto the mat, we’re leaping in our own way. We’re reaching beyond our limitations, connecting to our inner strength, and aligning with the natural rhythms of life.

In today’s fast-paced world, we often lose sight of that connection. We forget the power of simply pausing, breathing, and acknowledging the energy that sustains us. Surya Namaskar offers us a way to reconnect—not in a religious sense, but in a deeply personal and symbolic one.

So, the next time you practice Sun Salutations, remember that it’s not about worship. It’s about alignment—with the universe, with nature, and with the light within yourself. You are part of this cosmic dance, and each time you bow to the sun, you’re acknowledging the profound connection that binds us all.

It’s a reminder that, no matter how dark things may seem, the sun will always rise again. And with it, so will you.

"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky."

— Hafiz, a beloved Sufi poet, uses the sun as a symbol of unconditional love. Just as the sun gives its light freely, so should our love be without expectation or attachment.

Zahir Akram - Eternal Seeker

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