Krishna Dharajiya All Vedas sings significance of Lord Sun as the sustainer of life on earth. He is the Prana (Universal Energy Force) Himself. He is the son of Mother Aditi and Sage Kashyap. So he is also known as “Aditya”, being the son of “Aditi”. The Aditya Hriday Stotra is one of the most sacred hymn of Sanaatan Dharma dedicated to Lord Aditya.
This stotra is said to be as powerful as the Lord Sun himself. As this hymn is close to Lord Sun’s heart, it is termed as “Aditya Hriday (heart) Stotra”.
Origin of Aditya Hriday Stotra
The battle of Lanka in Treta yuga has reached upto a decisive mode. All the fierce demons were killed by Lord Rama and his army. It was now only Ravan left alive. The battle was turning towards a final approach.
Lord Rama certainly had tried all Astras and weapons against Ravana to kill him. But the demon being blessed by several boons of Lord Shiva was giving a tough fight to the human incarnation of Lord Vishnu. (Lord Rama was unaware of the fact – that He is an Avtar of Lord Vishnu till this point of his life.)
Rama, being a normal human being, is agonized by fatigue, both mentally and physically. He glances at his enemy, who is ready for the battle. Ravana seems invincible to him. Soon a line of worry crosses on his forehead.
Seeing this, the Devas sent revered Sage Agastya to help Lord Rama in this enigma. Sage Agastya stayed invisible and contacted Lord Rama with his subtle body to give his identity and purpose of arrival. With the help of his Sukshma Sharir (Subtle Body) recited this Hymn of Lord Sun into ear holes of Lord Rama.
Upon hearing this prayer, Rama became free of miseries. He looked at the Sun, with happiness. Chanting of this hymn 3 times rejuvenated Rama once again and he prepared himself for final battle. He looked at Ravana, and valorously advanced to battle, knowing well that Ravana’s death is now inevitable.
Lord Sun, standing in middle of the Devas in the sky, looked delightedly at Rama. Knowing that Ravana’s death is at hand, He asked Rama to lose no time and speed up.
Thus, Aditya Hriday Stotra is a prayer, reciting which Lord Rama was successful in killing Ravana.
Aditya Hriday Stotra With Meaning
ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम्।
रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्॥1॥
When Rama was exhausted in battle field standing with deep sorrow and deep thought to fight against Ravana who was duly prepared for the battle, Agastya observed that,
दैवतैश्च समागम्य द्रष्टुमभ्यागतो रणम्।
उपागम्याब्रवीद्राममगस्त्यो भगवान् ऋषिः॥2॥
Agastya who was with other Gods approaches Rama and says as follows
राम राम महाबाहो शृणु गुह्यं सनातनम्।
येन सर्वानरीन् वत्स समरे विजयिष्यसि॥3॥
Hey Rama, hey dear Rama, be pleased to hear, that which is secret and perennial, by reciting which, son, you would be victorious in war.
आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रुविनाशनम्।
जयावहं जपेन्नित्यम् अक्षय्यं परमं शिवम्॥4॥
This is the prayer called “the heart of the sun”, which is holy, destroys all enemies, which leads to victory, and by reciting which daily, leads you to perennial state of good.
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्।
चिन्ताशोकप्रशमनम् आयुर्वर्धनमुत्तमम्॥5॥
This supreme prayer of Sun God always gives happiness, destroys all sins, worries and increase the longevity of life.
रश्मिमंतं समुद्यन्तं देवासुरनमस्कृतम्।
पूजयस्व विवस्वन्तं भास्करं भुवनेश्वरम्॥6॥
Worship the Sun God, the ruler of the worlds and lord of the universe, who is worshiped by devas and asuras and who is worshipped by every one of the universe.
सर्वदेवात्मको ह्येष तेजस्वी रश्मिभावनः।
एष देवासुरगणाँल्लोकान् पाति गभस्तिभिः॥7॥
He has within him all the devas, He is the brightest among the bright, He runs the whole world by his rays, And protects all the worlds of Devas and Asuras, By his great Rays.
एष ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च शिवः स्कन्दः प्रजापतिः।
महेन्द्रो धनदः कालो यमः सोमो ह्यपां पतिः॥8॥
He is pervading in all viz., Brahma (the creator), Visnu (the Sustainer), Shiva (the destroyer), Skanda (the son of Siva), Prajapati (progenitor of human race), the mighty Indra (lord of senses), Kubera (the God of prosperity), Kala (eternal time), Yama (the Lord of death), Soma (the moon god that nourishes), and Varuna (God of rain).
पितरो वसवः साध्या ह्यश्विनौ मरुतो मनुः।
वायुर्वह्निः प्रजाप्राण ऋतुकर्ता प्रभाकरः॥9॥
He is the manes (ancestors); He is the eight Vasus viz., Anala, Anila, Soma, Ahas, Dhara, Dhruva, Pratyoosha and Prabhasa. Thou is the God Sadhya, Ashwini devatas (Gods of health). He is the maruths who are responsible for breeze, He is the wind God, He is the fire God, and he is the Manu, Vayu (the wind God), Agni (the fire God), Prana (the Life breath of all beings), the maker of six seasons and the giver of light.
आदित्यः सविता सूर्यः खगः पूषा गभस्तिमान्।
सुवर्णसदृशो भानुर्हिरण्यरेता दिवाकरः॥10॥
He is the son of Adithi, Savitha (bright), Soorya (supreme light), Khaga (bird, travels on the sky,), feeds the world by rain, gabhastiman (possessed of rays) Golden colored (beautiful, wise), always shining, he is the creator, day starts with him.
हरिदश्वः सहस्रार्चिः सप्तसप्तिर्मरीचिमान्।
तिमिरोन्मथनः शम्भुस्त्वष्टा मार्ताण्ड अंशुमान्॥11॥
He has green horses (green is a symbol of victory). He has thousands of rays (infinite), he is dispeller of darkness. One has seven horses (symbol of seven lokas). He removes sufferings and gives a pleasant life. He pervades all with immeasurable amount of rays.
हिरण्यगर्भः शिशिरस्तपनो भास्करो रविः।
अग्निगर्भोऽदितेः पुत्रः शङ्खः शिशिरनाशनः॥12॥
He is golden source (knowledge, prosperity). One who cools down world from his rain (minds of devotees). He who bestows heat. One is the illuminator (source of light). He who is praised by everyone. One who has fire within himself. He who is the son of Adhithi and Kashyapa. He who merges at night and become cool, destroyer of the cold, snow and fog.
व्योमनाथस्तमोभेदी ऋग्यजुःसामपारगः।
घनवृष्टिरपां मित्रो विन्ध्यवीथीप्लवङ्गमः॥13॥
He is the lord of the space and ruler of the sky, dispeller of darkness, master of the three Vedas viz., Rig, Yajur and Sama vedas, he is the reason for heavy rain, and friend of the water God (Varuna), He swiftly courses in the direction South of Vindhya-mountains and sports in the Brahma Nadi (in daxinayana he travels swiftly like monkey.
आतपी मण्डली मृत्युः पिङ्गलः सर्वतापनः।
कविर्विश्वो महातेजाः रक्तः सर्वभवोद्भवः॥14॥
He is a producer of heat, his form is circular, he is the death of foes, he is yellow colored, he gives heat to all things, he is greater brilliance, shining with great radiance and expert in knowledge, pervades in whole universe, is dear to everyone, sustaining the universe and all actions.
नक्षत्रग्रहताराणामधिपो विश्वभावनः।
तेजसामपि तेजस्वी द्वादशात्मन् नमोऽस्तु ते॥15॥
Salutations to him who is the Lord of stars, planets and zodiac, To him who looks after the universe, To him who gives light to all that shines, And To him who has twelve forms.
नमः पूर्वाय गिरये पश्चिमायाद्रये नमः।
ज्योतिर्गणानां पतये दिनाधिपतये नमः॥16॥
Salutations to the Lord who rises from the mounts of east and sets on mounts of west, Salutations to the Lord of the stellar bodies and to the Lord of daylight.
जयाय जयभद्राय हर्यश्वाय नमो नमः।
नमो नमः सहस्रांशो आदित्याय नमो नमः॥17॥
Pray him who has green horses and the bestower of victory, auspiciousness and prosperity. He has thousand rays and who has power to attract all towards him.
नम उग्राय वीराय सारङ्गाय नमो नमः।
नमः पद्मप्रबोधाय मार्ताण्डाय नमो नमः॥18॥
Salutations to him who is terrible and fierce one to the sinners, to him who is the hero (controlled senses); one who travels fast, Salutations to the one whose appearance makes the lotus blossom. Salutations to the son of Martanda Maharshi.
ब्रह्मेशानाच्युतेशाय सूर्यायादित्यवर्चसे।
भास्वते सर्वभक्षाय रौद्राय वपुषे नमः॥19॥
Salutation to Him who is the inspiration to Trimurtis (Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha) and inspiration to all creatures, salutation to who is fierce like Rudra at the end of the creation.
तमोघ्नाय हिमघ्नाय शत्रुघ्नायामितात्मने।
कृतघ्नघ्नाय देवाय ज्योतिषां पतये नमः॥20॥
Salutations to the dispeller of the darkness (ignorance) and cold (snow), who is fearful to bad people, Salutations also to the annihilator of the ungrateful and to the Lord of all the stellar bodies, who is the first amongst all the lights of the Universe.
तप्तचामीकराभाय वह्नये विश्वकर्मणे।
नमस्तमोऽभिनिघ्नाय रुचये लोकसाक्षिणे॥21॥
Salutations to Him, Who is the color of molten gold and the form of fire, one who burns all, dispeller of darkness, adorable from all and Salutations to Vishvakarma the architect of the universe, the cause of all activity and creation in the world, yet beyond the world.
नाशयत्येष वै भूतं तदेव सृजति प्रभुः।
पायत्येष तपत्येष वर्षत्येष गभस्तिभिः॥22॥
Salutation to the Sun God who is able to destroyer all with his rays and then create them again, he can be the producer of rain and also a showered of wisdom as well.
एष सुप्तेषु जागर्ति भूतेषु परिनिष्ठितः।
एष एवाग्निहोत्रं च फलं चैवाग्निहोत्रिणाम्॥23॥
The lord Sun God is always awake and abides in the heart of all beings and awake them, he is only the sacrifice and fruit of the sacrifice performed by Yajna.
वेदाश्च क्रतवश्चैव क्रतूनां फलमेव च।
यानि कृत्यानि लोकेषु सर्व एष रविः प्रभुः॥24॥
Behind the all Vedas, Yagas and fruits of all yagas and results of all actions of the world is Sun God only, he is the omnipresent.
एनमापत्सु कृच्छ्रेषु कान्तारेषु भयेषु च।
कीर्तयन् पुरुषः कश्चिन्नावसीदति राघव॥25॥
Listen, Oh Rama! Oh Raghava, scion of the Raghu dynasty, any person, singing the glories of Surya in great difficulties, during affliction, while lost in the wilderness, and when beset with fear, will not come to grief (or lose heart.
पूजयस्वैनमेकाग्रो देवदेवं जगत्पतिम्।
एतत् त्रिगुणितं जप्त्वा युद्धेषु विजयिष्यसि॥26॥
Do worship Aditya by chanting this prayer with even minded. If you chant three times for sure you will be the conquer of this battle.
अस्मिन् क्षणे महाबाहो रावणं त्वं वधिष्यसि।
एवमुक्त्वा तदागस्त्यो जगाम च यथागतम्॥27॥
Agastya Maharshi says to Rama that “You would kill Ravana within a moment,” and left that battlefield, Agastya had come to Rama to teach this holy hymn of Son God. With the grace of Gods he encourages Rama with his meditation power.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा महातेजा नष्टशोकोऽभवत्तदा।
धारयामास सुप्रीतो राघवः प्रयतात्मवान्॥28॥
Hearing this, the resplendent one became devoid of sorrow and with utmost devotion, wore this prayer within himself.
आदित्यं प्रेक्ष्य जप्त्वा तु परं हर्षमवाप्तवान्।
त्रिराचम्य शुचिर्भूत्वा धनुरादाय वीर्यवान्॥29॥
Himself being purified concentrated on Sun God; Rama recited the prayer thrice with achamana (sipping water) then thrilled and lifted his holy bow.
रावणं प्रेक्ष्य हृष्टात्मा युद्धाय समुपागमत्।
सर्वयत्नेन महता वधे तस्य धृतोऽभवत्॥30॥
Came he facing Ravana, for starting the war again, with all preparations great, with an intention of killing him.
अथ रविरवदन्निरीक्ष्य रामं
मुदितमनाः परमं प्रहृष्यमाणः।
निशिचरपतिसंक्षयं विदित्वा
सुरगणमध्यगतो वचस्त्वरेति॥31॥
Immediately then Lord Sun, who is the king of the skies arose from the middle of the bevy of Gods, with mind full of happiness and asked Rama to kill Ravana forthwith.
Benefits of Reciting Aditya Hriday Stotra
The Benefits of reciting Aditya Hriday Stotra is stated in FalShruti from verses 4-5 and 25-26.
Verse 4-5 : Agastya enlightens Rama of the benefits of the stotra at the outset, by saying, “This Aditya Hriday Stotra has the potency to vanquish all enemies, bestow victory and bless its chanter with unending auspiciousness, sound health (implying curing of diseases) and eradication of all miseries and sins.”
Verse 25-26 : After reciting the hymn, Agastya promises Rama, “During times of danger, in places of fear or uncertainty, whoever recites this hymn shall not fall into misery. Upon chanting this hymn thrice unto Lord Aditya with complete devotion, you shall attain victory. You shall defeat Ravana the very next instant, Oh Rama!”
Sanskrit Names of Lord Sun in Aditya Hriday Stotra
- Aditya – son of Aditi, one who attract all towards Him
- Savitha – one who rule the world, controller of the world
- Soorya – one who encourages all, active
- Khaga – one who moves in space (bird)
- Poosha – one who protects all worlds
- Gabhastiman – one who has bright rays
- Suvarnasadrisha – golden colored
- Bhanu – pervaded in all
- Hiranyareta – radiant round shaped like golden egg
- Diwakara – one who is reason for bright day
- Haridashwa – one whose chariot is dragged by green horses
- Sahasrarchi – one who has thousands of rays (infinite)
- Saptasapti – one whose horses are seven (represents seven Lokas)
- Marichiman – whose body radiates rays
- Timironmathana – dispeller of darkness
- Shambhu – one who gives contentment
- Twastha – one who removes sorrow and gives elation
- Martanda – one who comes from annihilated creation and again creates
- Anshuman – vastness, pervaded in all
- Hiranyagarbha – one who has powers of Brahman, prosperity and who is wise (Jnani)
- Sishira – one who makes cold by rain produced by him
- Tapana – one who generates heat
- Bhaskara – one who gives light (Jnana)
- Ravi – one who is praised by everyone
- Agnigharbha – one who has
- Aditeputra – son of Aditi and Kashyapa Maharshi
- Shankha – one who become cool when he sets
- Shisiranashana – one who melts snow, fog and cold
- Yomanatha – one who is the lord of space and the ruler of sky
- Tamobedhi – dispeller of darkness
- RigYajuSamaparagha – one who mastered Three Vedas viz., Rig, Yajur and Samaveda
- Ghanavrusthi – one who is the reason for heavy rain
- Apam-mitra – one who is friend of Rain God
- Vindhyavithiplavangamaha – one who swiftly courses in the direction South of Vindhya-mountains like monkey
- Atapi – one who is the creator for heat
- Mandali – round shaped
- Mrithyu – death for enemies
- Pingala – yellow colored
- Sarvatapana – one who makes heat to all things
- Kavi – greater brilliance
- Vishwa – pervaded in whole universe
- Mahateja – Shining with great radiance
- Raktha – one who is dear to everyone
- Sarvabhavodbhava – creator of all things
- Jaya – one who brings victory
- Jayabhadra – one who gives auspiciousness and prosperity
- Haryashwa – one who is carried by Green horses
- Sahasramsha – one who has infinite rays
- Ugra – terrible for enemies
- Veera – brave (powerful)
- Saranga – one who runs swiftly
- Padmaprabodha – one whose appearance makes the lotus blossom
- Martanda – after that annihilation of the creation one who is able to create it again
- Tamoghna – dispeller of the darkness (ignorance)
- Himaghna – one who is the reason for melting snow
- Shatrugna – one who punishes ungrateful people
- Amitatmane – one who has enormous will power
- Krithagna – annihilator of the ungrateful people
- Jyotishampati – lord of the all stellar things
- Deva – one whose form is illuminating
- Taptachamikarabha – whose color is like molten gold
- Vahnaye – one who burns all
- Vishwakarma – one who is the reason for all actions
- Tamobhinighna – dispeller of darkness
- Ravi – one who is adored by all
- Lokasakshine – one who is witnessed to all
_*_
Love & Light
Krishna
