What it means
I bow to Surya. He's called the pratyaksha deva, the visible god, because he's the one deity we see with our own eyes every day.
Where it comes from
Each posture of Surya Namaskar has a name of the sun to go with it: Om Mitraya Namah, Om Ravaye Namah, and third, this one. Many people say it while offering water to the sunrise. Sun worship is at its grandest at Chhath, on the ghats of Bihar and Purvanchal, and again at Makar Sankranti.
How to chant it
At sunrise, facing east, while pouring water from a copper vessel. If you practise Surya Namaskar, it goes with the third posture.
When: At sunrise, especially on Sundays.
Try it now
The japa counter opens with this mantra selected and keeps count for you.
Questions people ask
Fill a copper vessel with water, a little roli and a red flower. Face east and pour slowly with both hands.