OBEISANCE TO SUN-GOD (SOORYA NAMASKAARAM)

(I-DISCOURSE BY N. R. SRINIVASAN, FEBRUARY 2012)

As is customary in Hindu Temples in America Hindu Religious Yoga enthusiasts are participating in the annual event of Suryanamskaram on Sunday 5 February, 2012. Aptly this happens to be on Ravi-Vaaram (Sun-day) named after the  Star  Sun by almost everybody in the world though they follow different faiths. Madhya Pradesh in India tried to set a world record for the largest number of people performing yogic exercise of Soorya Namskaram on Swami Vivekananda's Birthday, January 12, in Bhopal. There seems to be no specific day fixed for this, as the North American Panchangam does not even mentions about it. It seems to be motivated by Yoga enthusiasts thus becoming popular in countries like USA where even Muslims attend Yoga classes. It is unfortunate that Muslim leaders in the State of Madhya Pradesh in India Issued a fatwa against the exercise saying it was akin to idol worship, which is prohibited in Islam. We should feel proud how happy we are to celebrate it as and when we want and where we want in this country enjoying the religious freedom under the Bill of Rights about which I talked about in my discourse on "Hindu Mass Worship in Temples and Need for Spiritual Focus" which many of you would have glanced through. Your specific attention is also drawn to my discourse on "Ashtaanga Yoga of Patanjali" where I have drawn your attention as to how some Muslim leaders are not favorably disposed towards Yoga though Yoga as is practiced is only breathing and physical posture exercises and nothing to do with Yogasaastra of Patanjali though popularized by that name.

Lord Krishna says in Bhagvadgeetaa: "Aadityaanam aham Vishnuh jyotishaanaam Ravir amsumaan"—I am Vishnu among the twelve Aadityas (sons of Aditi); I am the radiant Ravi among the luminaries. Aadityas are celebrated as a group of deities in Rigveda. They are six in Rigveda, eight in Braahmanas and twelve in Satapata Braahmana. In Konark, the chariot of Soorya has twelve wheels each wheel has eight spokes drawn by seven horses. Seven represents seven days of the week, eight represents eight aspects of the Sun as in most of the Braahmanas and twelve represents twelve months in a year. Sun is meditated upon as Samvatsara (samyak vasanti sarvabhootaani asmin iti samvatsarah) because all entities are contained in Brahman and so this is Samvatasara. Supreme Principle is often defined as Time and sun is the custodian of Time. Aaditya is often meditated upon as Vyaahriti (compliment of) Brahman. Brahman is Time. There are Vedic mantras describing the same which are compiled in Mahaa Naaraayan Upanishad (MNU) as given in the discourse on Vedic Mantras from MNU.

Popularly Aadityas are described as twelve. They are: Mitra; Varuna; Aaryamaan; Daksha; Bhaga; Amsa; Tvastru; Savitar; Poosaan, Sakra: Vivasvat and Vishnu describing his various aspects as the name suggests. But in Soorya Namskaara mantras twelve name given differ somewhat: Mitra; Ravi; Soorya; Bhaanu: Khaga; Pushni; Hiranyagarbha; Mareecha; Aaditya; Savitar; Aarka; Bhaaskara. Some references also quote: Aruna; Soorya; Bhaanu; Tapanah; Chandramaa; Mitra; Hiranyveeyah; Ravih; Aaryamaah; Ghabartih; Divaakarah; Vishnuh.

Puranas mention about Sun's number of wives. The first is Sanjana, daughter of Viswakarma, the celestial architect, and the off-springs through her are Vaivasvata, a Manu; Yama, the God of Death; Yamuna and Aswini Dewas. His second wife is Chaayaa and his children through her are: Sani, Savarni Manu, and Tapati, a female child. Through the third wife Carsini his children are Bhrigu and Valmiki. Through Urvasi fourth wife Agastya and Vasishtha were born. Through Kunti, Karna was born. It was Surya who presented the Akshya Patra to Draupadi and the Jewel Syamantaka to Satrajit.

Sun gives light, produces day and night, gives energy and strength to the living beings, makes them active and destroys their laziness and diseases. The nourishing aspect of Sun is ascribed to Pusan (a vedic deity) celebrated in Upanishd Shanti Mantras. The famous Gayatree Mantra is dedicated to Savitar aspect of the Sun.

Though Soorya is prayed daily in Sandhyavandana and other mantras, by way of salutation as "Suryanamskaram" there are very few temples dedicated to the Sun–God. He is looked at with a special shielded mudra formed by crossing fingers of both hands to shield against blinding effect during mid-day prayer (Maaddhyaahneekam) and prayed upon daily with a well known Vedic mantra. This is also believed to strengthen eye muscles according to Yoga. The reason assigned for this lack of temples for the Sun-God is that the earth and other planets are regarded as his temples and hence there is no need for any temple especially for him. Martaanda Temple in Kashmir and Konarak Temple (rock-cut) in Orissa are quite famous. There is no regular worship conducted in Konrak Temple. But he is invariably found in prominent position in every Siva temple in South India among Navagrahas and worshiped daily as their group leader.

Hindus particularly those who practice Yoga dedicate Magha Sukla Trayodasi Day as per Hindu calendar for Soorya Namaskasram for paying obeisance to Sun-God in the early morning hours when the rising Sun is seen on the horizon with his beautiful orange red color. He is preyed upon as the giver of energy to the world for self vitalization. Soorya Namskaaram is a combination of Yogaasana Postures in the open air, prayer and meditation. Soorya Namaskaaram is useful in achieving concentration for meditation. It is exercise combined with prayer and worship. People stand facing east in their Yoga postures and recite the mantras, chanting one mantra for each Aaasana:

1. Pranamaasana--Om Mitraaya namah
2. Hasta Utthanaasana—Om Ravaye namah
3. Hasta Paadaasana—Om Sooryaaya namah
4. Ekapaada Prasannaasana—Om Bhaanave namah
5. Dandaasana—Om Khagaaya Namah
6. Ashtaanga Namskaara—Om Pushne Namah
7. Baahyangaasana—Om Hiranyagarbhaaya Namah
8. Adhomuka svaasanaasana—Om Mareechaye Namah
9. Asva Sanchalanaasana—Om Aadityaaya Namah
10. Utthaasana—Om Savitre Namah
11. 
    Hasta Utthaasana— Om Arkaaya Namah
12. Pranamaasana—Om Bhaaskaraaya Namah

 

Aaditya hrudaya by Agastya

Aditya Hridayam is a   poem of Battlefield composed by Brhmarishi Agastya administered to anxious Sri Rama before his final encounter with his formidable enemy Ravana who was a threat to the entire mankind. Rama is believed to have vanquished Ravana in the final battle   after meditating on this sacred hymn dedicated to Soorya Devata who is celebrated as Vyahriti (emanation of Brahman) in Upanishads.  Religiously devoted Hindus chant this sloka daily to overcome all calamities.  Otherwise also Hindus pay their obeisance to Lord Surya daily in Sandhyavandana ritual as well as Surya Namaskar (yoga practitioners).  

Agastya its author is a Brahma rishi. A Brahma rishi is one who knows Bahman and constantly meditates on him and also enjoys his company always.  Hence it is no wonder he picked upon Surya Devata and conveyed the essence of Veda Mantras in simple language as Adityahrudaya Sloka. It is therefore a manta by itself.  Its Rishi is Agastya, Devata is Surya and Cchandas is Sloka. Agastya should be meditating on Surya as vyahriti of Brahman to come out with his Adityahridaya in simple language for the benefit of Rama and in turn for the benefit of all   humanity.  As we all know this meter was an outcome of grief by Sage Valmiki who composed Ramayana grieved by the wailing love infatuated Krauncha bird whose partner was killed by a hunter. Hence slokas are chanted to overcome grief initially andalso to grant one’s wishes. They invariably contain Phalasruti and therefore result oriented.

Solar energy is recognized as a vital alternate renewable power source for addressing the global energy crisis – in case fossil fuels are depleted in the coming few decades. Moral values are on the decline daily with falsehood and deception practiced casually these days. Lord Surya is the very embodiment of Truth. He is the most visible form of Saguna Brahman. Moreover Upanishds and Gita say  the Sun, Moon,  Fire and Stars all shine because of Brahman—“tasya bhaasaa sarvamidam  vibhaati”. Praying to these luminaries is praying to Brahman alone.  Praying to Him can strengthen the power of truth within us and in practicing truth and fairness in dealing with the outside world.

ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम्। रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्॥ १॥

Tato yudddha parisrantam samare chintayaa sthitam. Raavanam chaagrato drishtvaa yuddhaayasamupasthiitam--1

Rama, exhausted and about to face Ravana ready for a fresh battle was lost deep in contemplation.

दैवतैश्च समागम्य द्रष्टुमभ्यागतो रणम्। उपागम्याब्रवीद्राममगस्त्यो भगवान् ऋषिः॥ २॥

Deivatascha samaagamya drashtumabhyaagato ranam | upaagamyaabraveed-raamam-agastyo Bagavaan rishih—2

The all-knowing sage Agastya who had joined the Gods to witness the battle spoke to Rama thus

राम राम महाबाहो शृणु गुह्यं सनातनम्। येन सर्वानरीन् वत्स समरे विजयिष्यसि॥ ३॥

Raama  Raama mahaabaaho srunu guhyam sanaatanam | yena sarvaanareen vatsa samare vijayiahyasi--3

Oh Rama, mighty-armed Rama, listen to this eternal secret, which will help you destroy all your enemies in battle

आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रुविनाशनम्। जयावहं जपेन्नित्यम् अक्षय्यं परमं शिवम्॥ ४॥

Adityahridayam punyam sarvasatruvinaasanam | jayaavaham  japennityam akshayyam paramam Sivam—4

This holy hymn dedicated to the Sun deity will result in destroying all enemies and bring you victory and never ending supreme bliss.

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्। चिन्ताशोकप्रशमनम् आयुर्वर्धनमुत्तमम्॥ ५॥

sarvamangalamaangalyam sarvapa-paapa-pranaasanam | chintaasoka-prasamanam aayur-vardhanamuttamam—5 

This hymn is supreme and is a guarantee of complete prosperity and is the destroyer of sin, anxiety, anguish and is the bestowed for longevity.

रश्मिमंतं समुद्यन्तं देवासुरनमस्कृतम्। पूजयस्व विवस्वन्तं भास्करं भुवनेश्वरम्॥ ६॥

Rasmimantam samudyantam devaasur-namaskrutam | Poojayasva vivasvantam Bhaaskaram Bhuvanesvaram—6

Worship the One, possessed of rays when he has completely risen, held in reverence by the devas and asuras, and who is the Lord of the universe by whose effulgence all else brighten.

सर्वदेवात्मको ह्येष तेजस्वी रश्मिभावनः। एष देवासुरगणाँल्लोकान् पाति गभस्तिभिः॥ ७॥

Sarvadevaatmako hyesha tejasvee rasmibhaavanah |  esha devaasura-ganaan-lokaan paati gabhastibhih—7

He indeed represents the totality of all celestial beings. He is self-luminous and sustains all with his rays. He nourishes and energizes the inhabitants of all the worlds and the race of Devas and Asuras.

एष ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च शिवः स्कन्दः प्रजापतिः। महेन्द्रो धनदः कालो यमः सोमो ह्यपां पतिः॥ ८॥

Esha brahmaa cha vishnuscha sivaH skandah prajaapatih | mahendro dhanadah kaalo yamah somo hyapaam patih-- 8.

He is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Prajapati.  He is also Mahendra,Kubera, Kaaala, Yama, Soma and Varuna.

पितरो वसवः साध्या ह्यश्विनौ मरुतो मनुः। वायुर्वह्निः प्रजाप्राण ऋतुकर्ता प्रभाकरः॥ ९॥

Pitaro vasavah saadhyaa hyasvino maruto manuh |  vaayur-vahnhih prajaapraana rutukartaa prabhaakarah—9

He is the pitrus, vasus, sadhyas, aswini devas, maruts, manu, vayu, agni, prana and, being the source of all energy and light, is the maker of all the six seasons.

आदित्यः सविता सूर्यः खगः पूषा गभस्तिमान्। सुवर्णसदृशो भानुर्हिरण्यरेता दिवाकरः॥ १०॥

Aadityah savitaa sooryah Khagah pppshaa gabhastimaan | suvarnasadris bhanur-hiranyaretaa divaakarah—10

He is the son of Aditi, creator of the universe, inspirer of action, transverse  of the heavens. He is the sustainer, illumination of all directions, the golden hued brilliance and is the maker of the day.

हरिदश्वः सहस्रार्चिः सप्तसप्तिर्मरीचिमान्। तिमिरोन्मथनः शम्भुस्त्वष्टा मार्ताण्ड अंशुमान्॥ ११॥

Haridasvah sahasraarchih saptasaptir-mareechimaan |  timironmathanah sambhus-tvashtaa maartaanda amsumaan—11

He is the Omnipresent One who pervades all with countless rays. He is the power behind the seven sense organs, the dispeller of darkness, bestowed of happiness and prosperity, the remover of misfortunes and is the infuser of life.

हिरण्यगर्भः शिशिरस्तपनो भास्करो रविः। अग्निगर्भोऽदितेः पुत्रः शङ्खः शिशिरनाशनः॥ १२॥

Hiranyagarbhah sisiras-tapano bhaaskaro  ravih | agnigarbho aditeh putrah  sankhah sisiranaasanah-- 12.

He is the primordial being manifesting as the Trinity. He ushers in the Day and is the teacher (of Hiranyagarbha), the fire-womb born, the son of Aditi, and has a vast and supreme felicity. He is the remover of intellectual dull-headedness.

व्योमनाथस्तमोभेदी ऋग्यजुःसामपारगः। घनवृष्टिरपां मित्रो विन्ध्यवीथीप्लवङ्गमः॥ १३॥

Vyomanaathas-tamobhedee Rigyajuh-saamapaaranah | ghana-vrishtir-apaam  mitro vindhya-veethee-plavangamah--13

He is the Lord of the firmament, dispeller of darkness. Master of all the vedas, he is a friend of the waters and causes rain. He has crossed the vindya range and sports in the Brahma Nadi.

आतपी मण्डली मृत्युः पिङ्गलः सर्वतापनः। कविर्विश्वो महातेजाः रक्तः सर्वभवोद्भवः॥ १४॥

Aatapee mandalee mrityuh pingalah sarvataapanah | kavirvisvo mahaatejaah raktah sarvabhavodbhavah—14

He, whose form is circular and is colored yellow, is intensely absorbed and inflicts death. He is the destroyer of all and is the Omniscient one being exceedingly energetic sustains the universe and all action.

नक्षत्रग्रहताराणामधिपो विश्वभावनः। तेजसामपि तेजस्वी द्वादशात्मन् नमोऽस्तु ते॥ १५॥

Nakshatra-grah-taaraanaam-adhipo visva-bhaavanah| tejasaamapi tejasvee dvaadasaatman namo'stu te--15.

He is the lord of stars, planets and all constellations. He is the origin of everything in the universe and is the cause of the lustre of even the brilliant ones. Salutations to Thee who is the One being manifest in the twelve forms of the Sun.

नमः पूर्वाय गिरये पश्चिमायाद्रये नमः। ज्योतिर्गणानां पतये दिनाधिपतये नमः॥ १६॥

Namah poorvaaya giraye paschimaayaadraye namah |  jyoti-gnaanaam  pataye dinaadhi-pataye namah—16

Salutations to the Eastern and Western mountains, salutations to the Lord of the stellar bodies and the Lord of the Day.

जयाय जयभद्राय हर्यश्वाय नमो नमः। नमो नमः सहस्रांशो आदित्याय नमो नमः॥ १७॥

Jayaaya jayabhadraaya haryasvaaya namo namah |  namo namah sahasraamso aadityaaya namo namaH-17.

Salutations to the One who ordains victory and the prosperity that follows. Salutations to the one possessed of yellow steeds and to the thousand rayed Lord, and to Aditya.

नम उग्राय वीराय सारङ्गाय नमो नमः। नमः पद्मप्रबोधाय मार्ताण्डाय नमो नमः॥ १८॥

Namah ugraaya veeraaya saarangaaya namo namah | namah Padma-prabodhaaya maartaandaaya namo namah—18

Salutations to the Terrible  One, the hero, the one that travels fast; Salutations  to the one whose emergence makes the lotus blossom and to the fierce and omnipotent one.

ब्रह्मेशानाच्युतेशाय सूर्यायादित्यवर्चसे। भास्वते सर्वभक्षाय रौद्राय वपुषे नमः॥ १९॥

Brahmesaan-achyutesaaya sooryaayaaditya-varchas |bhaasvate sarvabhakshaaya roudraaya vapushe namaH—19

Salutations to the Lord of Brahma, shiva and Achyuta, salutations to the powerful and to the effulgence in the Sun that is both the illuminator and devourer of all and is of a form that is fierce like Rudra.

तमोघ्नाय हिमघ्नाय शत्रुघ्नायामितात्मने। कृतघ्नघ्नाय देवाय ज्योतिषां पतये नमः॥ २०॥

Tamoghnaaya himaghnaaya Satrughnaayaa-mitaatmane | krutaghnaghnaaya devaaya jyotisham pataye namah—20

Obeisance to the transcendental atman that dispels darkness, drives away all fear, and destroys all foes. Obeisance also to the annihilator of the ungrateful and to the Lord of all the stellar bodies.

तप्तचामीकराभाय वह्नये विश्वकर्मणे। नमस्तमोऽभिनिघ्नाय रुचये लोकसाक्षिणे॥ २१॥

Tapta-chameekaraabhaaya vahnaye visvakarmane |namastamo abhiiniGghnaaya ruchaye lokasaakshine--21

Salutations to the Lord shining like molten gold, to the transcendental fire, the fire of supreme knowledge, the architect of the universe, destroyer of darkness and salutations again to the effulgence that is the Cosmic witness.

नाशयत्येष वै भूतं तदेव सृजति प्रभुः। पायत्येष तपत्येष वर्षत्येष गभस्तिभिः॥ २२॥

NaaSayatyesha vai bhootam tadeva srujati prabhuh | paayatyesha tapatyesha varshatyesha gabhastibhih--22.

Obeisance  to the Lord who destroys everything and creates them again. Obeisance to Him who by His rays consumes the waters, heats them up and sends them down as rain.

एष सुप्तेषु जागर्ति भूतेषु परिनिष्ठितः। एष एवाग्निहोत्रं च फलं चैवाग्निहोत्रिणाम्॥ २३॥

Esha supteshu jaagarti bhooteshu parinishthitah | esha evaagnihotram cha phalam chaivaagnihotrinaam—23

Obeisance  to the Lord who abides in the heart of all beings keeping awake when they are asleep. He is both the sacrificial fire and the fruit enjoyed by the worshippers.

वेदाश्च क्रतवश्चैव क्रतूनां फलमेव च। यानि कृत्यानि लोकेषु सर्व एष रविः प्रभुः॥ २४॥

Vedaascha kratavaschaiva kratoonaam phalameva cha |  yaani rutyaani lokeshu sarva esha ravih prabhuh--24.

The Sun is verily the Lord of all action in this universe. He is verily the vedas, the sacrifices mentioned in them and the fruits obtained by performing the sacrifices.

॥ फलश्रुतिः॥

एनमापत्सु कृच्छ्रेषु कान्तारेषु भयेषु च। कीर्तयन् पुरुषः कश्चिन्नावसीदति राघव॥ २५॥

.. Phalasrutih..

Enamaapatsu kruccreshu kaantaareshu bhayeshu cha |  keertayan purushah kaschin-naavaseedati raaghava--25

Raghava, one who recites this hymn in times of danger, during an affliction or when lost in the wilderness and having fear, he will not lose heart (and become brave).

पूजयस्वैनमेकाग्रो देवदेवं जगत्पतिम्। एतत् त्रिगुणितं जप्त्वा युद्धेषु विजयिष्यसि॥ २६॥

Poojayasvainam-ekaagro devadevam jagatpatim  |  etat trigunitam japtvaa yuddheshu vijayishyasi—26

Raghava, worship this Lord of all Gods and the Universe with one-pointed devotion. Recite this hymn thrice and you will win this battle.

अस्मिन् क्षणे महाबाहो रावणं त्वं वधिष्यसि। एवमुक्त्वा तदागस्त्यो जगाम च यथागतम्॥ २७॥

asmin kshane  mahaabaho raavanam tvam vadhishyasi | evamuktva tada-agastyo jagaama cha yathaagatam—27

O mighty armed One, you shall triumph over Ravana this very moment. Having spoken this, Agastya returned his original place. Raghava became free from worry after hearing this.

एतच्छ्रुत्वा महातेजा नष्टशोकोऽभवत्तदा। धारयामास सुप्रीतो राघवः प्रयतात्मवान्॥ २८॥

Etacchrutvaa mahaatejaa nashtasoko' abhavattada | D dhaarayaamaasa supreeto raaghavah prayataatmavaan—28

He was greatly pleased and became brave and energetic.

आदित्यं प्रेक्ष्य जप्त्वा तु परं हर्षमवाप्तवान्। त्रिराचम्य शुचिर्भूत्वा धनुरादाय वीर्यवान्॥ २९॥

Aadityam prekshya japtvaa tu param harshamavaaptavaan | triraachyamya suchirbhootvaa D dhanuraadaaya veeryavaan—29

Gazing at the sun with devotion, He recited this hymn thrice and experienced bliss.

रावणं प्रेक्ष्य हृष्टात्मा युद्धाय समुपागमत्। सर्वयत्नेन महता वधे तस्य धृतोऽभवत्॥ ३०॥

Raavanam prekshya hrishtaatmaa yudddhaaya samupaagamat  | sarvayatnena mahataa vadhe tasya dhruto' abhavat—30

Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana.

अथ रविरवदन्निरीक्ष्य रामं मुदितमनाः परमं प्रहृष्यमाणः। निशिचरपतिसंक्षयं विदित्वा सुरगणमध्यगतो वचस्त्वरेति॥ ३१॥

Atha raviravadan-nireekshya raamam muditamanaah paramam prahrishyamaanah nisicharapati-samakshayam viditvaa suraganama-dhyagato vachastvareti—31

Then knowing that the destruction of the lord of prowlers at night (Ravana) was near, Aditya, who was at the center of the assembly of the Gods, looked at Rama and exclaimed 'Hurry up' 

 

SOORYAGRAHA SOOKTAM

Om bhooh om bhuvah ogam suvah om mahah om janah om tapah ogam satyam | om tat-savitur- varenyam bhargoe-devasya dheemahi | dhiyo yo nah pracoedayaat | om-aapo jyotee-raso-amritam brahma bhor-bhuvas-suvarom ||

Mamopaata-samasta-duritaksahya-dwaaraa sriparameswara-preetyartham Aaditygraha prasaada-siddhyartham Aaditya graha namaskaaram karishye ||

Asatyena rajasaa vartamaanoe nivesayan-amritam martyancha | hiranmayena savitaa rathenaa-devo yaati-bhuvanaa vipasyan | agnim dootam vrineemahe hotaaram visvavedasam | asya yajnasya sukratum | Yeshaameesae pasupatih pasoonaam chatuspadaamuta cha dvipadaam |nishkreeto-ayam yajniyam bhaagametu raaysposhaa yajamaanasya santu || Om Adhidevata-pratyadhidevataa-sahitaaya Aadityaaya Namah ||

Japaa kusuma sankaasam kaasyapeyam mahaadyutim| Tamorim Sarva paapaghnam pranamaami divaakaram ||

The worship of Sun-God is prescribed by Sankaraacharya as one of the deities to be worshipped in his shan-mata (six traditional forms of worship) proposition.

Surya Ashtakam with English Translation

Published on Mar 03 2015 08:05 PM  |  Posted by P.R. Ramachander   |  Hindu Scriptures  |   IndiaDivine.org

 From ancient times Hindus recognized the Sun God as the one who is the cause of nature. They believed worshipping the Sun God would clear off all their sins. Surya, the Sun God, was the son of Sage Kasyapa and Aditi. He rides a huge chariot driven by Aruna. The God of death Yama and the planet Saturn were his sons. This beautiful octet is a prayer addressed to the Sun God, Surya.

Adhi deva Namasthubhyam,
Praseeda mama Bhaskara,
Divaakara namasthubhyam,
Prabha kara Namosthu they  || 1 ||

Salutations to the primeval God,
Please be kind to me, he who creates the morn.
Salutations to you the creator of day,
Salutations to you the creator of light.

Saptha aswa ratha roodham,
Prachandam, Kasypathmajam,
Swetha padma dharma devam,
Tam suryam pranamaamyaham  || 2 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who rides on chariot with seven horses,
Who is the brightest of lights,
Who is the son of Sage Kashyapa,
And who wears the white lotus flower.

Lohitham Rathamaaroodham,
Sarva loka pitaamaham,
Maha papa haram devam,
Tam suryam pranamamyaham  || 3 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who is reddish brown in color,
Who rides on a chariot,
Who has created all the worlds,
And who is the god who kills all the sins

Trigunyam cha maha sooram,
Brahmaa Vishnu Maheswaram,
Maha papaharam devam,
Tam suryam pranamamyaham  || 4 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who is blessed with three fold qualities,
Who is a greatest of heroes,
Who has within himself the great trinity.
And who is the god who kills all sins.

Bramhitham teja punjam cha,
Vaayu maakaasa meva cha,
Prabhustwam sarva lokaanam,
Tam suryam pranamamyaham  || 5 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who developed by the sparkling,
Of air, fire and ether,
And who is the lord of all universe.

Bandhooka pushpa sankaasam,
Haara kundala bhooshitham,
Eka chakra dharma devam,
Tam suryam pranamamyaham  || 6 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who is as red as the hibiscus flower,
Who wears ornaments of garlands and ear rings,
And who is the god who has one great Wheel .

Viswesam Viswa karthaaram,
Mahaa  teja pradheepanam,

Mahaa paapa haram  Devam
Tam suryam pranamamyaham  || 7 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who is the Lord of all universe,
Who created all the universe,
And who is the God who can destroy all sins.

Sri Vishnum jagathaam nadam,
Jnana Vijnana mokshadham,
Mahaa paapa haram devam,
Tam suryam pranamamyaham  || 8 ||

My salutations to the Sun God,
Who is the lord of peace,
Who is the Lord of this world
Who showers on us knowledge, science and salvation,
And who is the God who can destroy all sins.

Phala Sruthi

Suryashtakam idham nithyam,
Gruha peeda pranasanam,
Aputhro labhathe puthram,
Daridhro dhanavaan Bhavet.

If one recites daily this octet on Sun God,
The sufferings of his house will vanish,
If he does not have a son will get one,
And if he is poor, he would become wealthy.

Aamisham madhu panam cha,
Ya karothi raver dhine,
Saptha janma bhaved rogi,
Janma janma dharidhrathah.

The one who eats meat,
Or drinks alcoholic drinks on Sundays,
Will become sick for seven births,
And would be poor from birth to death.

Sthree thails cha madhu maamsani.,
Yah tyejet  raver dine,
Na vyaadhi soka dharidhryam,
Surya lokam sa gachchati.

One who forsakes on all Sundays,
Woman oil bath, meat and drinks,
Will never be sick nor sad nor poor,
And would reach the land of sun after death.

Makara Sankranti  2016  Message from Mukundan of Singapore

Makara Sankranti (Pongal) and the start of Uttarayana is just a couple of days away, I am happy to share a beautiful hymn on Lord Surya by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu taken from Bhavishya Puranam, Saptami Kalpam, Chapter 153. These two hymns appear together in the same chapter and I have omitted a few lines in between these two hymns which are not stotra related.

As we have seen before in the previous years, Samba Purana and Saptami Kalpa in Bhavishya Purana are devoted entirely to Lord Surya although there are many Surya stotras in almost all puranas. These two puranas extol Lord Surya as the Supreme-being and all other forms including the Trinity (Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva) are said to emanate from Surya.

As we can see in the attached stotra itself, Lord Vishnu mentions this unequivocally (tvatta eva samutpannam sadevAsura mAnuSham | brahmA cA.ahaM rudrashca samutpannA jagatpate || Meaning : ... Lord Surya! From you emanated everything including Devas, Asuras and Human beings. Brahma, myself and Rudra originated from you ...). In fact Lord Vishnu prays him as Lord Shanmukha, Rudra, and Navagrahas, Digpalakas, etc. And this is exactly  the same message Sage Agastya gives in the famous Aditya Hrudayam in Ramayana to Lord Rama.

We have also seen that Sage Vyasa claims that there is none beyond Lord Surya and there is no greater refuge than Lord Surya (nAsti sUrya-samo devo nAsti sUrya-samA gatiH) in Bhavishya Puranam.  

|| śrīsūrya stutiḥ - śrībhaviṣya purāṇam ||

Sri Surya Stuti – By Shiva & Vishnu – Bhavishya Puranam

The following is a rare hymn on Lord Surya by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu taken from

Bhavishya Purana, Saptami Kalpa and Chapter 153.

mahādeva uvāca -

jaya-bhāva jayā'jeya jaya-haṁsa divākara |

jaya-śaṁbho mahābāho khaga gocara bhūdhara || 1 ||

jaya-loka-pradīpena jaya-bhāno jagatpate |

jaya-kāla jayā'nanta saṁvatsara śubhānana || 2 ||

jaya-devā 'diteḥ-putra kaśyapā'nanda-vardhana |

tamoghna jaya-sapteśa jaya-saptāśva-vāhana || 3 ||

graheśa jaya-kāntīśa jaya-kāleśa śaṅkara |

artha-kāmeśa dharmeśa jaya-mokṣeśa śarmada || 4 ||

jaya-vedāṅga-rūpāya graha-rūpāya vai namaḥ |

satyāya satya-rūpāya surūpāya śubhāya ca || 5 ||

krodha-lobha-vināśāya kāma-nāśāya vai jaya |

kalmāṣa-pakṣi-rūpāya yati-rūpāya śaṁbhave || 6 ||

viśvāya viśva-rūpāya viśvakarmāya vai jaya |

jayoṁkāra vaṣaṭkāra svāhākāra svadhāmaya || 7 ||

jayā'śvamedha-rūpāya cā'gnirūpā 'ryamāya ca |

saṁsārārṇava-pītāya mokṣa-dvāra-pradāya ca || 8 ||

saṁsārārṇava-magnasya mama deva jagatpate |

hastālambano deva bhava tvaṁ gopate 'dbhuta || 9 ||

viṣṇuruvāca -

namāmi devadeveśaṁ bhūta-bhāvanaṁ avyayam |

divākaraṁ raviṁ bhānuṁ mārtāṇḍaṁ bhāskaraṁ bhagam || 10 ||

indraṁ viṣṇuṁ hariṁ haṁsaṁ arkaṁ loka-guruṁ vibhum |

trinetraṁ tryakṣaṁ tryaṅgaṁ trimūrtiṁ trirgatiṁ śubham || 11 ||

ṣaṇmukhāya namo nityaṁ trinetrāya namo namaḥ |

caturviṁśati-pādāya namo dvādaśa-pāṇaye || 12 ||

namaste bhūta-pataye lokānāṁ-pataye namaḥ |

devānāṁ-pataye nityaṁ varṇānāṁ-pataye namaḥ || 13 ||

tvaṁ-brahmā tvaṁ-jagannātho rudras-tvaṁ ca prajāpatiḥ |

tvaṁ-somas tvaṁ-tathā'dityas tvaṁ-oṁkāraka eva hi || 14 ||

bṛhaspatir-budhas-tvaṁ hi tvaṁ-śukras tvaṁ-vibhāvasuḥ |

yamas-tvaṁ varuṇas-tvaṁ hi namaste kaśyapā'tmaja || 15 ||

tvayā tatamidaṁ sarvaṁ jagat sthāvara jaṅgamam |

tvatta eva samutpannaṁ sadevā'sura-mānuṣam || 16 ||

brahmā cā'haṁ rudraśca samutpannā jagatpate |

kalpādau tu purā deva sthitaye jagato 'nagha || 17 ||

namaste vedarūpāya ahorūpāya vai namaḥ |

namaste jñāna-rūpāya yajñāya ca namo namaḥ || 18 ||

prasīdā 'smāsu deveśa bhūteśa kiraṇojjvala |

saṁsārārṇavamagnānāṁ prasādaṁ kuru gopate || 19 ||

vedāntāya namo nityaṁ namo yajñakalāya ca || 20 ||

|| iti śrībhaviṣye mahāpurāṇe saptamī-kalpe

sūrya-tejo-varṇanaṁ-nāmādhyāye śrīśiva-viṣṇu-kṛta

śrīsūrya stotraṁ sampūrṇam ||