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"Aditya," "Bhaskara," "Martanda," "Bhanu," "Ravi," "Mitra," "Varuna," "Surya," ... the list goes on...innumerable names that
refer to one of the most powerful forces of nature – the sun.
Scientifically and mythologically, the sun occupies a position of pride and great importance. Every civilization across the world
has glorified the sun as the giver of light and heat, as the force that dispels darkness and as the nourisher of all life on
earth.
The Indian Vedic tradition is replete with chants that venerate this vital force, the sun. Other composers have also written
elaborately about the many attributes of the sun, thereby deifying this force of nature. Indeed, the sun is considered one of
the most powerful deities, and is much revered by young and old alike.
This CD presents a collection of beautiful Vedic chants in praise of the sun. Also included are slokas or poems on the sun
that are equally popular, and no less powerful than the Vedic mantras.
"Mitra," the rising sun, brings into our lives a ray of hope. "Varuna," the setting sun leaves us with the promise of another
day. Literally and figuratively, listening to these timeless chants brings not just light into our live, but health and harmony
as well.
Track listing:
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mukta vidhruma
This is a traditional dhyana sloka (invocatory prayer) on Gayatri, the feminine personification of the sun. Her five benign
faces reflecting different hues, each with three eyes, her head adorned with a crown bearing the crescent moon, with ten
hands, two of which are in the pose of bestowing protection and the other eight, bearing weapons, Gayatri is presented in
this chant as a powerful force who represents the very essence of the mantra "Om."
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ayatu varada Devi
This chant is a prayer inviting Gayatri into our hearts, praising her as the vital force behind all life. She symbolizes
brilliance, tolerance and strength, and has the power to cleanse us of our sins. This chant is taken from the Mahanarayana
Upanisat.
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gayatrim anusamsmarami
This is a composition of T Krishnamacharya in which he praises Gayatri and repeatedly offers his heartfelt salutations to her. -
pratardhyayami gayatrim
This is a part of the traditional sandhya vandanam (sun salutation) ritual, where the sun is hailed as Gayatri in the
morning, as Savitri at noon and as Sarasvati in the evening. -
madhyandine tu Savitrim
This is a part of the traditional sandhya vandanam (sun salutation) ritual, where the sun is hailed as Gayatri in the
morning, as Savitri at noon and as Sarasvati in the evening. -
sayam sarasvati syama
This is a part of the traditional sandhya vandanam (sun salutation) ritual, where the sun is hailed as Gayatri in the
morning, as Savitri at noon and as Sarasvati in the evening. -
sapta vyahrti sasira gayatri
The gayatri mantra is one of the significant and popular hymns from the Vedic tradition. Interestingly, it honors the sun
in a feminine form. Considered as one of the prerequisites for many Indian rituals, this mantra asks the sun to dispel the
darkness of our ignorance and provide us with clarity and strength. The gayatri mantra is taken from the Mahanarayana
Upanisat. Here, the gayatri mantra is presented along with the sapta vyahrti (the seven sounds that are believed to be
responsible for the creation of the universe) and the siras which honors not only the elements in creation but the Supreme
Being as well.
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gayatri – krama, jata, ghana
In Vedic chanting, there is a beautiful tradition where a series of words are chanted in challenging combinations. Here, the gayatri
mantra is presented in this format following krama, jata and ghana sequences.
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surya namaskara mantrah
The sun is the nourisher of life, guardian of health and remover of darkness. This chant requests the sun to remove all our
physical, mental and emotional problems, to vanquish our enemies and to guide us in our every step. Taken from the Taittiriya
Brahmana, this chant is a verbal salutation to the sun.
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suryasca ma
This chant, taken from the Mahanarayana Upanisat, is addressed to the morning sun, Here, we ask the sun to cleanse us of any
impurities that we may have acquired on account of our actions the previous day. This chant is used in the traditional
sandhya vandanam (sun salutation) ritual.
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mitrasya carsani
This is the first of the sandhya vandanam upasthana mantras (chant used in the morning sun salutation ritual). Here, the
rising sun is hailed as a benevolent friend, Mitra, who protects the universe at all times.
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a satyena
This is the second sandhya vandanam upasthana mantra (chant used in the noon time sun salutation ritual). Here the sun,
Surya, is described as the one who travels across the skies on a brilliant golden chariot. In this chant, we seek a long
and healthy life so that we may offer our salutations to the sun every day of our lives.
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imam me
The third of the sandhya vandanam upasthana mantras (chant used in the evening sun salutation ritual), this chant hails the setting
sun as Varuna, asking this all-seeing force to forgive any mistakes we may have knowingly or unknowingly committed during the day
and protect us.
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Suryopanisat
This is a beautiful chant in which the sun is praised as the primary force from which emerged all creation. It is the sun that is
responsible for the sustenance of life. Also presented in this chant is the significance of the sacred surya mantra comprising
eight syllables.
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atharvasiropanisat (surya)
Based on the popular Atharvasiropanisat, that glorifies Narayana as the highest and most powerful force, this adaptation of
the chant praises the sun as the vital force without which the universe itself would not exist.
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aditya hrdayam
At a certain stage in the battle between Rama and Ravana, Rama was exhausted and sat in pensive thought. At this point
Sage Agastya came to Rama's aid and advised him to worship the sun. He initiated Rama into the Aditya hrdayam, a chant in
praise of the sun. Agastya told Rama that by saluting the sun with this mantra, he would be blessed with extraordinary
energy that would enable him to emerge victorious in battle. Rama chanted the Aditya hrdayam, and with the blessings of
the sun, defeated Ravana on the battle field. Significantly, even Rama who is believed to be divinity personified, offered
his salutations to the sun. Hence, it is believed that chanting or listening to the Aditya hrdayam empowers one to be
successful in facing the battles of life. This chant is a part of the Yuddha Kandam of Valmiki Ramayanam.
TKV Desikachar
TKV Desikachar is the son and long-time student of the legendary yogi, T Krishnamacharya.T Krishnamacharya not only brought to
light the teachings of yoga in the early twentieth century, he also opened the doors of the Vedic tradition to all who were
genuinely interested in preserving this ancient legacy. His son, TKV Desikachar founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM)
in 1976. An expert in yoga and all branches of Indian philosophy, TKV Desikachar has published several books and presented a
number of Vedic chant CDs with the aim of spreading the message and teachings of his teacher, T Krishnamacharya.
Mekhala Desikachar
Daughter and student of TKV Desikachar, and granddaughter of T Krishnamacharya, Mekhala Desikachar has been teaching yoga and
Vedic chanting for over two decades both at the KYM and abroad. Although a qualified Engineer, her passions are yoga, Vedic
chanting and singing. She is also proficient at playing the Veena. Mekhala has also recorded a number of audio Cds of Vedic
chants and the Yoga Sutra.
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