Surya Mantra — Meaning and How to Chant
Surya Dev is the god we can see with our own eyes, who gives light and life to the whole world. 'Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah' is chanted while offering water (arghya) to the rising sun. 'Japakusuma Sankasham' is the first verse of the Navagraha Stotra, praising the Sun as the enemy of darkness.
Om ghrini suryaya namah ||
Japa-kusuma-sankasham kashyapeyam maha-dyutim | tamo'rim sarva-papaghnam pranato'smi divakaram ||
Meaning
Mantra
Om ghrini suryaya namah ||
I bow to Surya Dev, full of radiant light.
Verse 1
Japa-kusuma-sankasham kashyapeyam maha-dyutim | tamo'rim sarva-papaghnam pranato'smi divakaram ||
Red like the hibiscus flower, son of sage Kashyap, of great brilliance, enemy of darkness and destroyer of all sins — I bow to the Sun, the maker of the day.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
Read next
Frequently asked questions
How many times should the Surya mantra be chanted?
'Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah' is chanted 108 times (one mala), or 3, 7 or 12 times while offering arghya.
When should the Surya mantra be recited?
At sunrise, while offering water to the Sun from a copper pot. Sundays, Makar Sankranti and Chhath are considered especially important.
What does 'Ghrini' mean?
'Ghrini' means a ray of light or radiance. 'Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah' means salutations to the radiant Sun.