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Today, as I sat on my balcony after a challenging day, the rays of the setting sun fell on my being. Basking in light and inspired by Gurumayi’s Message for 2026, I felt this poem for Lord Surya emerge from my heart:
You fill my heart with your light and warmth.
My inner being becomes silent in your presence.
The Truth you are,
Ablaze since time immemorial,
Illumining Earth century after century.
As your rays penetrate my being,
These eyes truly start seeing,
And my inner Self sends
A thousand blessings your way.
O Sun! I offer you my gratitude for every single day.
Bangalore, India
Reading this exposition on Lord Surya reminds me of what I experienced when I received shaktipat years ago. Just as the sun’s light enables me to better see the world and events around me, shaktipat enhanced my vision.
At that time, I was teaching middle school in an underprivileged district. I perceived one student, in particular, to be quite difficult, and he usually met my expectations. Shortly after I received diksha, this student did something that I would previously have responded to with a stern reprimand. However, this time my reaction was different, as a result of my new insight. The thought, “What a beauty,” came spontaneously to my mind. Somehow, this thought was nonverbally communicated to him, because, for the first time ever, he apologized for his behavior.
This newly awakened awareness also carried over to other areas. I could see the symmetry in a tree, the vibrant blue and purple color on a pigeon, the beauty in a falling leaf.
After years of sadhana, I can often carry this new awareness to events in my life that have been challenging and see them through an illuminating lens.
At that time, I was teaching middle school in an underprivileged district. I perceived one student, in particular, to be quite difficult, and he usually met my expectations. Shortly after I received diksha, this student did something that I would previously have responded to with a stern reprimand. However, this time my reaction was different, as a result of my new insight. The thought, “What a beauty,” came spontaneously to my mind. Somehow, this thought was nonverbally communicated to him, because, for the first time ever, he apologized for his behavior.
This newly awakened awareness also carried over to other areas. I could see the symmetry in a tree, the vibrant blue and purple color on a pigeon, the beauty in a falling leaf.
After years of sadhana, I can often carry this new awareness to events in my life that have been challenging and see them through an illuminating lens.
New York, United States
As I contemplated the teachings in this exposition with my eyes closed, I was taken back to my recent experience of the powerful chanting of Narayana with Gurumayi in honor of Makara Sankranti. I continue to experience the radiant light of Lord Surya enveloping my family and me with warmth and healing.
Nairobi, Kenya
The image of Surya Devata atop his seven horses draws me deep within. The moment I first saw it, I felt like I was having darshan of the sun god himself.
Over time, I have held this image in my meditation. The colors, the movement, the artistry, all to me reflect the shakti of the deity so well.
Over time, I have held this image in my meditation. The colors, the movement, the artistry, all to me reflect the shakti of the deity so well.
Montreal, Canada
Contemplating Lord Surya in winter is awesome. I imagine moving from my dark, cold valley to being above the earth. From here, I see the sun is always shining and is always this life-giving “friend.” I see that the density of matter blocks or reflects the light. When my mind moves from density to subtlety, from matter to space in-between, from limited patterns to bright perspectives, all rejections, all reflections come to cease, and everything is transparent, clear, simple, and One. I can recognize and truly adore the wonder of light, Lord Surya—this effulgent, pure Consciousness—and dive in.
Hindelang, Germany
It was so heartening to me to learn that one of the names of Lord Surya is Mitra, “friend.” I often experience Lord Surya’s friendship when I silently repeat the Surya Gayatri mantra.
Over the years, I have come to see that my inner recitation of this mantra has helped me to find and maintain inner balance. I’ve found that the light it evokes often inspires my thoughts and illuminates my path. It encourages me to imbibe and implement Gurumayi’s teachings as a way of life.
Over the years, I have come to see that my inner recitation of this mantra has helped me to find and maintain inner balance. I’ve found that the light it evokes often inspires my thoughts and illuminates my path. It encourages me to imbibe and implement Gurumayi’s teachings as a way of life.
Nairobi, Kenya
It is such a blessing to feel even the most gentle of the sun’s rays on my skin during the winter months. Reading this exposition, I understood how this instinctive yearning for the sun’s touch of grace brings forth such gratitude for light and life and inspires rituals that honor Surya Devata.
Quebec, Canada
Not a day goes by without my recitation of the Surya Gayatri mantra. Starting my day with this powerful invocation fills me with light, love, and great joy. Afterwards, I feel it touch everyone who crosses my path that day. Thus, I was so happy to read in this wonderful exposition that for ages, the Brahmins in India have glorified Lord Surya by reciting the Surya Gayatri mantra “to become free from all suffering and attain great joy.”
St. Laurent, Canada
As I waved a lit candle this morning before the image of Gurumayi, heat and light throbbed in my chest and I felt as if I were offering the sun to Gurumayi. At the same time, I felt Gurumayi within me, bestowing the sun of illumination to the world and dissolving the darkness of ignorance.
California, United States
I loved reading in this exposition about the scriptural description of Lord Surya’s chariot: it is pulled by seven horses as it moves through the heavens. Contemplating this imagery, I could feel Lord Surya’s never-ending vital force dispelling the darkness of ignorance from my eyes.
This morning as I listened to the Surya Gayatri mantra in the recording, my mind became quiet, my eyes closed, and I saw inwardly an AUM symbol garlanded by beautiful flowers. I began to recite the mantra along with the recording, falling more and more in rhythm with each repetition of the mantra, until I felt as if I were dancing and blessings for the whole world and the earth were naturally emanating from my being.
This morning as I listened to the Surya Gayatri mantra in the recording, my mind became quiet, my eyes closed, and I saw inwardly an AUM symbol garlanded by beautiful flowers. I began to recite the mantra along with the recording, falling more and more in rhythm with each repetition of the mantra, until I felt as if I were dancing and blessings for the whole world and the earth were naturally emanating from my being.
Allahabad, India