Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah (Surya Mantra)

What "ghrini" means

Ghrini (घृणि) here means a ray of light, the glow and heat of the sun. So Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah is "Om, to the radiant Surya, salutations." You will see it written both as ghrini and ghrinih (घृणिः); in the longer mantra Om Hreem Ghrinih Surya Adityah Kleem Om, the word stands on its own as the sun's name. The short form is easy to say on every breath while you pour water, which is why it is the one most people use at arghya.

Surya, the god you can see

Surya is called pratyaksha devata, the god who is directly visible. Morning worship of the sun is among the oldest Vedic practices. The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to Savitr, the sun as the inspirer of thought. Short mantras like this one make that worship possible for anyone, each morning, in a minute.

How to offer arghya with this mantra

• Time: within the first hour after sunrise, when the sun is soft enough to look toward.
• Vessel: a copper lota filled with clean water. Many people add a pinch of red sandalwood or kumkum, a red flower and a few grains of rice.
• Offering: face east, hold the lota at chest height with both hands, and pour a thin, steady stream while looking at the sun through the falling water. Chant Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah continuously, or 11 or 12 times.
• Finish: turn clockwise once on the spot (a small pradakshina), touch the wet ground and then your forehead, and fold your hands.

Our Surya arghya guide covers the full method, including what to do on cloudy days.

Pairing it with other Surya mantras

On Sundays, Surya's day, many people add the Surya verse of the Navagraha Stotra given above, Japakusumasankasham: "red as the hibiscus flower, son of Kashyapa, of great radiance, enemy of darkness, destroyer of all sins: to Divakara I bow." For a longer practice, the Aditya Hridaya Stotra, which Agastya taught Rama before the battle with Ravana, is the classic Surya hymn.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah?

"Om, salutations to Surya, the radiant one." Ghrini means a ray or the glow of the sun.

Is it "ghrini" or "ghrinih"?

Both spellings are used. "Ghrini" is common in the short mantra and "ghrinih" in the longer one. Say whichever you learned and say it consistently.

How many times should it be chanted during arghya?

There is no fixed rule. Many people chant it 11 or 12 times, or continuously while the water is falling. For japa, 108 times on a mala.

Can I chant it if I can't offer water?

Yes. Face east in the morning, fold your hands and chant it. The mantra is complete without the arghya.

Which day is best for Surya mantras?

Sunday is Surya's day, and Makar Sankranti, Ratha Saptami and Chhath are his festivals. Daily morning chanting is the most common practice.

Is this mantra used for a weak Sun in the horoscope?

Astrologers often suggest Surya mantras on Sundays for a weak or afflicted Sun. That is a jyotish remedy; the mantra itself is a simple prayer that anyone can say.