Surya Mantra

Om Surya Devan Namaste Stu Grihaanam Karoona Karam!
Arghyam Ch Falam Sanyukta Gandh Maalyaakshatai Yutam!!

Surya Mantra is chanted in the early morning in front of Sun after taking bath. Following regular ritual gives peace of mind and keeps us away from all the odd things in life and makes us healthy and prosperous.

Sunlight  and Health

The best-known benefit of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply; most cases of vitamin D deficiency are due to lack of outdoor sun exposure. At least 1,000 different genes governing virtually every tissue in the body are now thought to be regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]D), the active form of the vitamin, including several involved in calcium metabolism and neuromuscular and immune system functioning.

M. Nathaniel Mead in his article "Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health" writes that "Most public health messages of the past century have focused on the hazards of too much sun exposure. UVA radiation (95–97% of the UVR that reaches Earth’s surface) penetrates deeply into the skin, where it can contribute to skin cancer indirectly via generation of DNA-damaging molecules such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals. Sunburn is caused by too much UVB radiation; this form also leads to direct DNA damage and promotes various skin cancers. Both forms can damage collagen fibers, destroy vitamin A in skin, accelerate aging of the skin, and increase the risk of skin cancers. Excessive sun exposure can also cause cataracts and diseases aggravated by UVR-induced immunosuppression such as reactivation of some latent viruses.

"However, excessive UVR exposure accounts for only 0.1% of the total global burden of disease in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), according to the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) report The Global Burden of Disease Due to Ultraviolet Radiation. DALYs measure how much a person’s expectancy of healthy life is reduced by premature death or disability caused by disease."

The Sun and the Astrology

The Indian astrology gives 12 different names to the Sun. There are 12 months  and during each month, the Sun moves into a new zodiac constellation.

Mitra means  Friend, the name is given to the Sun when it moves into Aries, where it is exalted and therefore at its most generous and friendly.

Ravi means the Radiant, In Taurus, the sun exhibits his brilliant beauty.

Surya means the  Bestower of Beauty,  so in Gemini the Sun concentrates on making people beautiful.

Bhanu stands for Catalyst of Emotion,    so in Cancer, the Sun becomes the spark which ignites deep emotion.

Khaga means the Awesome. In Leo the Sun becomes royal and kingly, an object of awe and reverence.

Pushna means one which Nourishes. In Virgo, the Sun destroys disease and nourishes health.

Hiranya Garba stands for the All-Inclusive. The 7th sign, Libra the Sun illuminates our universal relationship to all beings.

Marica stands for the    Destroyer of Darkness. The 8th sign, Scorpio, is a place shrouded in mystery. Here, the Sun destroys darkness.

Aditya means the Illuminator of the Way. The 9th sign, Sagittarius, is the source of moral fortune. Here the Sun illuminates the correct path.

Savitra stands for the Arouser. Capricorn is the 10th sign of the zodiac, which is equivalent to the 10th House, which represents noon. Here the Sun wakes us and arouses our external impulses.

Arka alias Flash of Warmth. In Aquarius,the Sun flashes warmth to the world.

Bhaskara means the Liberator. In Piesces, the last sign of Zodia indicates that the Sun illuminates the spiritual knowledge that leads to liberation.