Surya Ashtakam
Surya Ashtakam is a group of eight verses in praise of Surya Deva which can be recited in a very short time by those who wish to be blessed by the powerful deity. The Stotra has been taken from Samba Puran.
Sun has always remained a powerful deity from times immemorial. In Vedic literature, he is known as Surya who drives across the sky in a flaming chariot (the Greek God Helios is identical). In Rig Veda, the Gayatri Mantra is in the praise of the rising Sun Savitra / Savitri which has become one of the most popular mantras for us.
Modern science has also confirmed that the Sun is the regulator of life on the earth and is the controller of all weather phenomena. He is the establisher of order and is the powerhouse of energy. We have always paid respect and homage to Surya Deva.
The Makar Sankranti which occurs around 14th / 15th January every year is supposed to be the time when the Sun enters Makar Rashi (Capricorn sign). People throughout India pay homage to the Sun after taking ritual baths in rivers and ponds.
The Surya Shasthi Vrata (Chhath Puja) which is celebrated with extreme piousness and devotion by millions in India is also related to Surya Deva. The first Arghya is offered to the setting Sun while the second Arghya on the subsequent morning is offered to the rising Sun. Sun was born as the eldest son of Aditi on the Shasthi of Kartika month. His birth is therefore celebrated from the Surya Shasthi day. This festival is the mover of markets in many ways. This is celebrated for happiness, comfort and a disease-free life.
There is a religious belief that Samba who was the son of Sri Krishna was cursed by his father himself for his bad deeds. Samba became a patient of leprosy. He begged for mercy and forgiveness and Shri Krishna suggested to him to propitiate Surya deva for cure of his disease. He also ordered him to establish twelve Sun temples spread over many places specialist Brahmans were appointed for Sun worship in those temples.
सूर्याष्टकम् (Suryashtakam)
आदिदेव नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसीद मम भास्कर ।
दिवाकर नमस्तुभ्यं प्रभाकर नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१॥
Aadi-Deva Namastubhyam Prasiida Mama Bhaaskara |
Divaakara Namastubhyam Prabhaakara Namostu Te ||1||
Meaning:
My salutations to you O Adideva (the first God). Please be gracious to me O Bhaskara (the Shining One). My Salutations to you, O Divakara (the maker of the Day), and again Salutations to you, O Prabhakara (the maker of Light).
सप्ताश्वरथमारूढं प्रचण्डं कश्यपात्मजम् ।
श्वेतपद्मधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥२॥
Sapta-Ashva-Ratham-Aaruuddham Pracannddam Kashyapa-[A]atmajam |
Shveta-Padma-Dharam Devam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||2||
Meaning:
You are mounted on a chariot driven by seven horses. You are excessively energetic and the son of sage Kashyapa. You are the Deva who holds a white lotus; I Salute You, O Suryadeva.
लोहितं रथमारूढं सर्वलोकपितामहम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥३॥
Lohitam Ratham-Aaruuddham Sarva-Loka-Pitaamaham |
Mahaa-Paapa-Haram Devam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||3||
Meaning:
You have a reddish colour and are mounted on a chariot. You are the great-grandfather of all persons. You are the deva who removes great sins from our minds; I Salute You, O Suryadeva.
त्रैगुण्यं च महाशूरं ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वरम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥४॥
Trai-Gunnyam Ca Mahaa-Shuuram Brahma-Vissnnu-Maheshvaram |
Mahaa-Paapa-Haram Devam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||4||
Meaning:
You are the heroic one having the three gunas of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. You are the Deva who removes great sins from our minds (by your Illumination); I salute You, O Suryadeva.
बृंहितं तेजःपुञ्जं च वायुमाकाशमेव च ।
प्रभुं च सर्वलोकानां तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥५॥
Brmhitam Tejah-Pun.jam Ca Vaayum-Aakaasham-Eva Ca |
Prabhum Ca Sarva-Lokaanaam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||5||
Meaning:
You are a massively enlarged mass of fiery energy, which pervades everywhere like Vayu (Air) and Akasha (Sky). You are the Lord of all the worlds, I salute You, O Suryadeva.
बन्धुकपुष्पसङ्काशं हारकुण्डलभूषितम् ।
एकचक्रधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥६॥
Bandhuka-Pusspa-Sangkaasham Haara-Kunnddala-Bhuussitam |
Eka-Cakra-Dharam Devam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||6||
Meaning:
You appear beautiful like a red hibiscus flower and you are adorned with garland and earrings. You are the Deva who holds a discus in one hand; I salute You, O Suryadeva.
तं सूर्यं जगत्कर्तारं महातेजः प्रदीपनम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥७॥
Tam Suuryam Jagat-Kartaaram Mahaa-Tejah Pradiipanam |
Mahaa-Paapa-Haram Devam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||7||
Meaning:
You, O Suryadeva are the cause behind the World. You enliven others with great Energy. You are the Deva who removes great sins from our minds; I salute You, O Suryadeva.
तं सूर्यं जगतां नाथं ज्ञानविज्ञानमोक्षदम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥८॥
Tam Suuryam Jagataam Naatham Jnyaana-Vijnyaana-Mokssadam |
Mahaa-Paapa-Haram Devam Tam Suuryam Prannamaamy[i]-Aham ||8||
Meaning:
You, O Suryadeva are the Lord of the World who grants understanding and knowledge which leads to liberation. You are the Deva who removes great sins from our minds; I salute You, O Suryadeva.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.
I am a Vedic astrologer by profession. I have done Jyotish Acharya from Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan. I am devoted to my Sadguru Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi. I am also interested in spirituality. I love to guide people.