In Vedic astrology, the Sun is the principal of light, life, and love, or true-will and perception. It is the most important factor for determining the spiritual life and potential of an individual. It represents the soul—the causal body or reincarnating entity—whose will is behind our fate. It is also the mind or the mental principal on a lower level as reason, discernment, clarity, and illumination.

Sun Mantras for Chanting

The following is the special name (nama) mantra for the Sun, as preceded by its Shakti or power mantra. It can be used to connect with the planetary deity and to energize all the higher powers of the Sun.

"Om Hrim Sum Suryaya Namah"
The word 'Hrim' in the above mantra denotes Harana Shakti, the power to hold, energize, attract, and fascinate. (The word 'Hrim' should be pronounced as 'Hreem'.)

The following mantras are also considered very good for the planet Sun. You may opt to recite one of the following mantras if you find it comparatively easy to remember.

• "Om hram hrim hraum sah suryaya namah"
• "Om ghrinih suraya namah"

The mantras are chanted on japa beads, with 108 beads per string, similar to rosaries.

Recitation Rules and Practices

• Recite the Sun's mantra for 7,000 times within 30 days.
• Once recitation is started, there should not be any break until the recitation is complete.
• Do 'Surya Namaskar' every day early in the morning.
• Begin recitation on a Sunday during the bright half of the Moon.
• The presence of 'Surya yantra' and/or 'Gayatri yantra' and/or 'Vishnu yantra' at the place of recitation may help you in achieving the desired results faster.

Gayatri Mantra for Sun

"Om Asva dhvajaya vidmahe, pasa hastaya dhimahi, tanno Suryah prachodayat"

This Gayatri mantra consists of three parts. The first is the chants to the Sun. The second is the mantra proper. The third is a summary of the mantra's energies.

The Gayatri mantra is chanted at sunrise, noon, and sunset. At dawn, it is called Gayatri, the youthful form of the Goddess, consort of Lord Brahma, the creator. It is called Savitri, the mature form, at noon, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is called Sarasvati, the elderly form, at sunset, the consort of Lord Vishnu.

Other Powerful Mantras

You may also opt to chant the following Sun Mantra (7,000 times):

Japa kusuma-sankarsham kashyapeyam maha-dyutim
tamo-rim sarva-papa-ghnam pranato ' smi divakaram

When translated in English, it means: "Let us chant the glories of the Sun God, whose beauty rivals that of a flower. I bow down to him, the greatly effulgent son of Kashyapa, who is the enemy of darkness and destroyer of all sins."

Puranic Mantra for propitiating the Sun: (To be chanted 11 times daily)

Om bhaskaraya Vidmahe Divakaraya Dhimahi Tanno Surah prachodayat