The Aditya Hridayam - Surya Mantra chanted by Lord Rama to defeat Ravana (2024)

The Aditya Hridayam - Surya Mantra chanted by Lord Rama to defeat Ravana (1)

Aditya Hridayam

- The Heart of Aditya (the Sun God) -Sundara Khanda, Valmiki Ramayanam

Aditya = the Sun God; Hridayam = that which is especially nourishing and healing for the heart.

Sage Agasthya Muni gave this powerful Mantra toSri Ramawhen Rama was perplexed, while fighting with Ravana. After chanting this Hymn three times Sri Rama defeated Ravana.

The Aditya Hridayam, is a hymn in glorification of the Sun or Surya and was recited by the great sage Agastya to Lord Rama
on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana. This historic hymn starts at the beginning of the Battle with Ravana, when Lord Rama is fatigued and getting ready to fight. The mystical hymn is dircted to the Sun God, the illustrious lord of all victories.

Trying to do justice to verses from the epic Ramayana – the first of all epics in the world – written over 5000 years ago, is impossible by anybody today. And for that matter, Sage Valmiki himself says that the prayer part is older than the epic itself. That must be obviously true, for, Sanskrit language existed in its poetic, prosaic and pristine form much before the penning of the epic. I have just attempted to give the limited version of my understanding of the Slokas (verses). Mistakes, if any, are all mine, and any praise for the work goes to blessings of Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama, the Sun God, and of course Sage Valmiki.

The Adityta-Hridyam Hymn is part of the Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana (the chapter of war) and contains 31 slokas.


Nama Suryaya Santaya Sarvaroga Nivarine|

Ayu rarogya maisvairyam dehi devah jagatpate||


Oh! Lord Surya, ruler of the universe, you are the remover of all diseases, the repository of peace

I bow to you. May you bless your devotees with longevity, health and wealth.


tato yuddha parishrantam samare chintaya sthitam|

ravanam chagrato drishtva yuddhaya samupasthitam|| 1


daiva taishcha samagamya drashtu mabhya gato ranam|

upagamya bravidramam agastyo bhagavan rishihi|| 2


rama rama mahabaho shrinu guhyam sanatanam|

yena sarvanarin vatsa samare vijayishyasi|| 3


aditya-hridayam punyam sarva shatru-vinashanam|

jayavaham japen-nityam akshayyam paramam shivam|| 4


sarvamangala-mangalyam sarva papa pranashanam|

chintashoka-prashamanam ayurvardhana-muttamam|| 5


rashmi mantam samudyantam devasura-namaskritam|

pujayasva vivasvantam bhaskaram bhuvaneshvaram|| 6


sarva devatmako hyesha tejasvi rashmi-bhavanah|

esha devasura gananlokan pati gabhastibhih|| 7


esha brahma cha vishnush cha shivah skandah prajapatihi |

mahendro dhanadah kalo yamah somo hyapam patihi || 8


pitaro vasavah sadhya hyashvinau maruto manuh |

vayurvahnih praja-prana ritukarta prabhakarah || 9


adityah savita suryah khagah pusha gabhastiman |

suvarnasadrisho bhanur-hiranyareta divakarah || 10


haridashvah sahasrarchih saptasapti-marichiman |

timironmathanah shambhu-stvashta martanda amshuman || 11


hiranyagarbhah shishira stapano bhaskaro ravihi |

agni garbho'diteh putrah shankhah shishira nashanaha || 12

vyomanathastamobhedi rigyajussamaparagaha |

ghanavrishtirapam mitro vindhya-vithiplavangamaha || 13


atapi mandali mrityuh pingalah sarvatapanaha |

kavirvishvo mahatejah raktah sarva bhavodbhavaha || 14


nakshatra grahataranam-adhipo vishva-bhavanah |

tejasamapi tejasvi dvadashatman namo'stu te || 15


namah purvaya giraye pashchimayadraye namah|

jyotirgananam pataye dinaadhipataye namah || 16


Jayaya jaya bhadraya haryashvaya namo namah |

namo namah sahasramsho adityaya namo namah || 17


nama ugraya viraya sarangaya namo namah |

namah padma prabodhaya martandaya namo namah || 18


brahmeshanachyuteshaya suryayadityavarchase |

bhasvate sarva bhakshaya raudraya vapushe namaha || 19


tamoghnaya himaghnaya shatrughnayamitatmane |

kritaghnaghnaya devaya jyotisham pataye namaha || 20


taptacami karabhaya vahnaye vishvakarmane |

namastamo'bhinighnaya ravaye (rucaye) lokasakshine || 21


nashayat yesha vai bhutam tadeva srijati prabhuh|

payatyesha tapatyesha varshatyesha gabhastibhih || 22


esha supteshu jagarti bhuteshu parinishthitaha |

esha evagnihotram cha phalam chaivagnihotrinam || 23


vedashcha kratavashcaiva kratunam phalam eva cha |

yani krityani lokeshu sarva esha ravih prabhuh || 24


ena-mapatsu krichchreshu kantareshu bhayeshu cha |

kirtayan purushah kashchinnavasidati raghava || 25


pujayasvaina-mekagro devadevam jagatpatim |

etat trigunitam japtva yuddheshu vijayishyasi || 26


asmin kshane mahabaho ravanam tvam vadhishyasi |

evamuktva tada'gastyo jagama cha yathagatam || 27


etachchrutva mahateja nashtashoko'bhavattada |

dharayamasa suprito raghavah prayatatmavan || 28


adityam prekshya japtva tu param harshamavaptavan |

trirachamya shuchirbhutva dhanuradaya viryavan || 29


ravanam prekshya hrishtatma yuddhaya samupagamat |

sarvayatnena mahata vadhe tasya dhrito'bhavat || 30


atha ravi-ravadan-nirikshya ramam

mudita manah paramam prahrishyamanaha |

nishicharapati-sankshayam viditva

suragana-madhyagato vachastvareti || 31


Translation

1& 2 Beholding Sri Rama, standing absorbed in deep thought on the battle-field, exhausted by the fight and facing Ravana who was duly prepared for the war, the glorious sage Agastya, who had come in the company of gods to witness the encounter (battle)now spoke to Rama as follows:

The Aditya Hridayam - Surya Mantra chanted by Lord Rama to defeat Ravana (2)

3 'O Rama', 'O Mighty armed elegant Rama', listen carefully to the eternal secret by which, 'O my child', you shall conquer all your enemies on the battle field and win against your adversaries.

4By Chanting the Aditya-Hridayam(the meditation of Sun in the heart ) which is very auspicious and highly beneficial, you will be victorious in battle. This holy hymn dedicated to the Sun-God will result in destroying all enemies and bring you victory and permanent happiness.

5 This supreme prayer is the best amongst auspicious verses, it will destroy all sins, dispel all doubts, alleviate worry and sorrow, anxiety and anguish, and increase the longevity of life. It is a guarantee of complete prosperity.

6 Worship the sun-god, the ruler of the worlds and lord of the universe, who is crowned with effulgent rays, who appears at the horizon and brings light, who is revered by the denizens of heaven (devas) and asuras alike.

7 Indeed, He is the very embodiment of all Gods. He is self-luminous and sustains all with his rays. He nourishes and energizes the inhabitants of all the worlds as well as the host of Gods and demons by his Rays.

8 He is Brahma (the creator), Visnu (the Sustainer), Shiva (the destroyer), Skanda (the son of Siva), Prajapati (progenitor of human race), the mighty Indra (king of heaven), Kubera (the god of wealth and lord of riches), Kala (eternal time), Yama (the Lord of death), Soma (the moon god that nourishes), and Varuna (the lord of sea and ocean).

9 Indeed, he is Pitris (ancestors, manes), the eight Vasus, the Sadhyas, the twin Aswins (physicians of Gods), the Maruts, 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.

10 He is the Son of Aditi (the mother of creation), the Sun God who transverser the heavens, he is of brilliant golden color, the possessor of a myriad rays, by illuminating all directions he is the maker of daylight. He is the all pervading, shining principle, the dispeller of darkness, exhibiting beautiful sight with golden hue

11 He has seven horses yoked to his Chariot, shines with brilliant light having infinite rays, is the destroyer of darkness, the giver of happiness and prosperity, mitigator of the sufferings and is the infuser of life. He is the Omnipresent One who pervades all with immeasurable amount of rays.

12 He is Hiranyagarbha born of Aditi of a golden womb, He is Sisirastapana the destroyer of the cold, snow and fog, illuminator, Ravi, bearer of the fire and conch, He is the remover of ignorance and giver of fame.

13 He is the Lord of the firmament and ruler of the sky, remover of darkness. the master of the three vedas Rig, Yaju, Sama, he is a friend of the waters (Varuna) and causes abundant rain. He swiftly courses in the direction South of Vindhya-mountains and sports in the Brahma Nadi.

* The Sun evaporates water from the ocean and rain is produced. Sun is the cause of rain. * The southward (apparent) jouney of the sun causes the change of seasons which is essential for life on earth.

14 He, whose form is circular and is colored in yellow and red hues, is intensely brilliant and enegetic. He is a giver of heat, the cause of all work, of life and death. He is the destroyer of all and is the Omniscient one sustaining the universe and all action.

15 He is the lord of the constellations, stars and planets and the origin of every thing in the universe. Salutations to Aditya who appears in twelve forms (in the shape of twelve months of the year) and whose glory is described in his twelve names.

16 Salutations to the Lord of sunrise and sunset, who rises at the eastern mountains and sets in the western mountains. Salutations to the Lord of the Stellar bodies and to the Lord of daylight.

17 Oh! Lord of thousand rays, son of Aditi, Salutations to you, the bestower of victory, auspiciousness and prosperity, Salutations to the one who has coloured horses to carry him.

18 Salutations to Martandaya the son of Mrukanda Maharisi, the terrible and fierce one, the mighty hero, the one that travels fast. Salutations to the one whose appearance makes the lotus blossom (also the awakener of the lotus in the heart)

19 Salutations to the Lord of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, salutations to Surya the sun god, who (by his power and effulgence) is both the illuminator and devourer of all and is of a form that is fierce like Rudra.

20 Salutations to the dispeller of darkness, the destroyer of cold, fog and snow, the exterminator of foes; the one whose extent is immeasurable. 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.



21 Salutations to the Lord shining like molten gold, destroying darkness, who is the transcendental fire of supreme knowledge, who destroys the darkness of ignorance, and who is the cosmic witness of all merits and demerits of the denizens who inhabit the universe. Salutations to Vishvakarma the architect of the universe, the cause of all activity and creation in the world

22 Salutations to the Lord who creates heat by his brilliant rays. He alone creates, sustains and destroys all that has come into being. Salutations to Him who by His rays consumes the waters, heats them up and sends them down as rain again.



23 Salutations to the Lord who abides in the heart of all beings keeping awake when they are asleep. Verily he is the Agnihotra , the sacrificial fire and the fruit gained by the worshipper of the agnihotra.

24 The Sun God (Ravi) is the origin and protector of the four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva), the sacrifices mentioned in them and the fruits obtained by performing the sacrifices. He is the Lord of all action in this universe and decides the Universal path.

Phalashruti

25 Listen Oh Rama! Oh Ragava, scion of the Raghu dynasty, any person, singing the gloriesof Surya in great difficulties, during affliction, while lost in the wilderness, and when beset with fear, will not come to grief (or loose heart).

The Aditya Hridayam - Surya Mantra chanted by Lord Rama to defeat Ravana (3)

26 If you worship this lord of the universe, the God of all Gods, with concentrated mind and devotion by reciting this hymn (Aditya-Hridayam) thrice, you will emerge victorious in the battle.

27 O mighty armed one, you shall truimph over Ravana this very moment. After blessing Lord Rama thus, and predicting that He would slay (the demon) Ravana, sage Agastya took leave and returned to his original place.

28 Having heard this, that great warrior Raghava, feeling greatly delighted, became free from grief. His clouds of worry thus dispelled, the lustrous Lord Rama obeyed the sayings of sage Agastya with great happiness.With composed mind he retained this hymn in his memory, ready to chant the Aditya-Hridayam.

29 Having performed Achamanam (sipping water thice) and being purified, Rama gazing at the sun with devotion, recited the hymn Aditya-Hridayam thrice, then that great hero Raghava was thrilled and lifted his bow.

30 Lord Rama thus cheered, seeing Ravana coming to fight, put forth all his effort with a determination to kill him. (Ravana)

31 Then knowing that the destruction of Ravana was near, the Sun-God Aditya, surrounded by all the Gods in heaven, looked at Rama with delighted mind and exclaimed 'Hurry up' - 'Be quick'.


Thus ends the hymn Aditya-Hridayam in praise of the Sun God

recounted in the Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana (the war chapter)


This hymn (Aditya-Hridayam) praise to the Sun God is known as the Heart of Aditya. The word heart or hridayam refers to the One (ayam) who is shining or dwelling in the heart (hridi). Aditya is derived from “ad” meaning “to enjoy” or to perceive all sense objects like sound, touch, form, taste and smell, after entering the heart. So by the Heart of Aditya is meant the inner and unchanging witness of all thoughts, words and deeds, whose nature is the all-pervading Light of Consciousness. By the repetition of this holy hymn daily, one attains imperishableness, the highest good, all blissfulness, the end of all sins, troubles and sorrows, and a long life. Thus one should worship the rising Sun of divine rays who is hailed as the brilliant Lord of the universe by all devas and asuras, by all man and gods. The Sun God is Universal.


One can understand how important is Sun worship when remembering that the Lord Rama himself was taught the Aditya Hridaya Stotram by the great sage Agastya in a critical moment. After fighting with Ravana and being severely tried and tired, Sri Rama became anxious on the battlefield. It is then that Sage Agastya appeared to him and taught him the perennial secret through which all foes are conquered, not only the external foes but the internal as well. Our constant internal foes are passion, anger and greed caused by delusion and ignorance.

The benefit of Aditya Hridaya Stotra recitation

1. By reciting Aditya Hridaya Stotra lord Sri Rama killed Ravana and achieved Victory.

2. "Tejaskamo Vibhavasum" people desirous of Tejas-Aura around them, have to recite Aditya Hridaya Stotra. This is stated in Bhagavata.
3. By the grace of Bhagavan Surya Kunti Devi was blessed with Kama and the Monkey Rurajasa with Sugreeva, as sons.
4. Satrajit obtained Syamantaka-mani by worshipping Surya.
5. Dharma Raja obtained Akshaya patra by worshipping Lord Surya and he used to entertain his guests with this wish yielding bowl.
6. "Dinesam Sukhardham" It is stated in Skanda purana that one has to pray to Surya Bhagavan for happiness and welfare.
7. The Samba purana declared that Samba the son of Jambavati could get himself cured of his leprosy by worshipping Lord Surya.
8. Mayurabhatta could make his body a diamond wise and became free from disease.

Sunday is very dearer to Aditya.

One must avoid keeping mundane Company, liquor and Meat on that day. Also one should observe Celibacy on Sunday. Veda has stated that it is essential to get up early before sun rise. The method of Suryopasana is said as Naturopathy.

One must get up in the early morning and offer oblations to Sun God. It is desirable to take bath in any lake or pond or river. Stand opposite to Sun God and offer the Arghya. Then the Cosmic rays covering the flowing water in Arghya pradana will emanate the power received from the rays of Sun and they project on our body. Hence the infective germs in our body will die due to that and our body receive the vital energy (pranic sakti).

The Vedas declare, that the colours embeded in the Sun rays cure all diseases.

These Seven rays, viz. 1. Red 2. Orange 3. Yellow 4. Green 5. Blue 6. Indigo 7. Violet, are the seven horses of Surya. We also see the same colours in the Rainbow.
The system of curing the diseases with the different colours of cosmic rays and its benefits are detailed.

This system of “Chromopathy” is the method of systematic application of the Seven colours present in Sun.

In this the health advantages and its procedures are stated.By this treatment certain specific diseases and other common ailments are cured.

This means that leucoderma, heart diseases when attacked exposure to the red rays of Sun health will be resorted.

In this treatment the application of blue colour cures fever, dysentry, diabetics, blood motions. Bronchitis, head ache, urinary disorders, small pox, filarial Elephantasis.
In the line of colours the last one orange, the ultra violet ray are hiddenly secure in its rays. When these rays radiate on our body the ‘D’ Vitamin in the middle of the Skin will be produced.

This ‘D’ Vitamin manufacture the substances ‘Calcium’ and phosphorous essential for our body. Due to these substances teeth get improved and help the actions of the body perfectly.

Due to chromopathy hernia will be cured. The medicine used for cure is kept in coloured bottles and allow the Sun ray pass through there and made a mixture from two to three bottles each time and used each time for three months. Improvement is found. Every disease through the red colour, the yellow the stomach diseases, the green colour heart and all skin diseases are cured. In the Sun’s ray all the colours of red and white are secretly penetrated.

In our body we have different colours in different organs separately. The skin has wheatish colour, hair black, eye balls and teeth whitel the other organs too has different colours in the body. The essence of this cosmic colour therapy is that the deficiency of colour and the reduction of them cause ill health.

The blue colour gives good health and the red colour enthusiasm and energy.
Depending upon the types of disease pure water is filled in the different coloured bottles, and the Sun rays are being attracted through the bottles into the water, and given to the diseased for few days and there by the colours in their body is recouped and health is restored.

The oil and water can be prepared from the cosmic rays during the convenient time from (April, May and June) Caitra to Jesta months. During this period the Sun rays are profusely available.

Medicated Oil Preparation with Sun Rays
To cure the diseases of head, pour gingelly oil, or Badam ol, two inches below the neck of a bottle, tie with the cork or cotton and keep it in Sun shine. When cotton is plugged, every day the cotton has to be replaced. The oil will be ready in Ninety days. After the oil is prepared perfume can be added but not colours.

Medicated Water Preparation with Sun Rays
Depending upon the type of disease, in different coloured bottles, water has to be filled two inches less to the full capacity of the container, and the same coloured cork has to be fitted to the bottle. The oil or water has to be kept on a wooden plank and not on the ground and expose it in full shine from 10 ‘O’ clock in the morning to 5 ‘O’ clock in the evening. In the mean while no shadow should befall on it. If by any mistake it is allowed to stay after the setting of Sun, and the ray of moon, or Stars falls on them the water will be spoiled. Then the bottles must be emptied. It has to be cleansed, fresh water is filled up and again prepared.

When different coloured bottles are kept in the same cabin or when they are exposed to Sun rays simultaneously, a separate coloured papers matching their own colour is daily wrapped and separately kept up with out touching each other and one’s own shade of the bottle will not fall on the other.

The water prepared in one bottle can not be kept more than three days. Immediately it has to be transferred to a white bottle. It is useful only for three days and again it has to be prepared separately. The water prepared though the Sun rays in a white bottle is very beneficial.This water can be used two times during a day.

SAPTA SAPTIH – SURYA BHAGAVAN


1.He possesses Seven horses (Seven rays) :
They are Jaya, Ajaya, Vijaya, Jitaprana, Jitakrama, Mano Japa, Jita Krodha (Bhavisya purana)

  • Jaya : The first ray bestows firm conviction, mental and physical strength generosity domination of others and benevolence.
  • Ajaya : gives Compassion, tranquility and intelligence, inward understanding.
  • Vijaya : Voracious reading, high thinking and spiritual base.
  • Jita prana : Deep thinking, extremely kind, merciful.
  • Jita krama : grants high quality discipline, very knowledgeble and scientific evaluators.
  • Manojapa : Dedication and devotion, sincere and pursues the path of truth.
  • Jita krodha : In depth evaluation, artistic taste in fine arts and adoration of beauty, love for display.

2.The Seven Chandas : (poetic metres) :
1. The Gayatri 2. Jagati 3. Usnik 4. Tristupp 5. Anustupp 6. Pankti became the six horses. 7. the bhruhati chanda has became the seat in the middle of the Chariot. Surya Bhagavan sits on this Chariot of Chandas and travel on the space.

3.Lord Surya has Seven rays:
These are 1. Susumna 2. Suradana 3. Udanvasu 4. Visvakarma 5. Udavasu 6. Visvavyaca 7. Harikesa

  • “Susumna”: This is equivalent to the brightness of thousand rays. This ray with this name make Candra (Moon) the most beautiful one. The Nectar given by the fullmoon to all the panis bestows on them all happiness and pleasure.
  • “Surandana” : The moon has originated from this ray. Even the rays of are only the rays of Surya (Sun) alone.
  • “Udannvasu” : From this the Kuja graha (planet) is originated. This ray of Surya will protect the living being from the defects of blood, and gives them health, brilliance and wealth.
  • “Visva karma” : This constructs the Budhagraha (planet). This ray will remove the mental agitations of the people and grants all auspiciousness and peace.
  • “Udavasu” : This ray constructs Bruhaspati planet. This planet grants pleasures and liberation to all living beings. By worshipping this planet all hurdles, obstructions, opposition will be removed and success is achieved.
  • “Visva vyaca” : From this ray Sukra and Sani have originated. Among them sukra is responsible for Virya (sperm) Sukra is incharge of humans procreation and also his ray brings death. Hence by worshipping this ray one will get complete longevity.
  • “Harikesa” : Due to this ray, all Stars (Nakshatras) are born. These come to be known as Nashatra because they are protecting the human bodies from the loss of strength, virya, and teja.

Surya has seven service personnel :
They are 1. Namshatras 2. Months 3. Fortnights 4. Seasons 5. Years 6. Days 7. Nights.

  • He has Seven Indriyas (organs) they are 1. Two eyes 2. Two Nostrils 3. Two ears 4. One face. Surya Bhagavan is the person that activates the functions of these organs.6. He has a Horse by name Sapta. Having a Chariot with this name he is called as Sapta Sapti. This name is denoted at the end of Kalki Avatara riding this horse.

The seven colours of Surya :
These seven colours, viz. 1. Red 2. Orange 3. Yellow 4. Green 5. Blue 6. Indigo 7. Violet, are the seven horses of Surya. We also see the same colours in the Rainbow.

The Aditya Hridayam - Surya Mantra chanted by Lord Rama to defeat Ravana (2024)
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