Surya (Sun God), our “Sun” in our solar system is known by twelve special names.

Learning these names and their inherent meaning

1. Mitra – One who is a Friend
2. Ravi – Shining one
3. Surya – One with the beautiful light
4. Bhanu – One who is brilliant
5. Khaga – One who moves in the sky
6. Pushan – One who nourishes
7. Hiranyagarbha – Golden centered one
8. Mareechi – The Lord of Dawn
9. Aditya – One who is the son of Aditi
10. Savitr – The beneficent one
11. Arka – One filled with energy, the essence
12. Bhaskar – One who leads us to enlightenment

Reciting these names while performing Surya namaskara (Sun propitiation) is common practice.