Aditya Hrudayam : An Ancient Hymn for Empowerment and Spiritual Radiance

Introduction:

Aditya Hrudayam, an ancient Sanskrit hymn, is a sacred composition revered in Hinduism for its profound spiritual significance and its potential to instill courage, strength, and positivity in the hearts of its devotees. The hymn is a part of the larger Indian epic, the Ramayana, and it is attributed to the sage Agastya, who imparted it to Lord Rama on the battlefield to help him overcome a momentous crisis. The Aditya Hrudayam lyrics, when chanted with devotion and understanding, are believed to invoke the blessings of the Sun God, Lord Surya, and bestow divine protection and inner radiance upon the practitioner.

The Historical and Mythological Context:

The Aditya Hrudayam is recounted in the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana. Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, had been confronting the formidable demon king Ravana in an epic battle to rescue his beloved wife, Sita. However, despite his divine prowess, Rama found it challenging to overpower Ravana, who possessed several celestial boons and had become nearly invincible.

Sage Agastya, recognizing the gravity of the situation, approached Lord Rama and imparted the Aditya Hrudayam hymn, which was derived from the ancient Vedic scriptures. He advised Rama to recite it before commencing his battle with Ravana. This hymn, dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God), is a testament to the profound connection between the sun’s energy and human vitality.

The Significance of Aditya Hrudayam:

1. Invocation of Lord Surya: Aditya Hrudayam begins with an invocation to Lord Surya, the radiant Sun God, who is considered the source of life and energy. The hymn extols the divine qualities of Lord Surya and his role as the giver of life, strength, and prosperity.
2. Positive Influence on the Mind: The verses of Aditya Hrudayam emphasize the power of positive thoughts and the importance of maintaining a calm and focused mind. Chanting these lyrics with devotion is believed to dispel negativity and instill mental clarity.
3. Divine Protection and Strength: The hymn describes the many qualities of Lord Surya, including his invincible and fierce form, which is known to drive away darkness and grant protection from evil forces. Reciting Aditya Hrudayam is believed to invoke the Sun God’s blessings, providing inner strength and courage to face life’s challenges.
4. Healing and Wellness: In Vedic astrology and Ayurveda, the Sun is associated with healing energy and overall well-being. Chanting the Aditya Hrudayam is believed to have a positive impact on physical health and vitality.
5. Spiritual Growth: Apart from its practical benefits, the hymn also holds spiritual significance. It encourages devotees to seek the divine presence within themselves, recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings in the universe.

Aditya Hrudayam Lyrics

dhyānam
namassavitrē jagadēka chakṣusē
jagatprasūti sthiti nāśahētavē
trayīmayāya triguṇātma dhāriṇē
viriñchi nārāyaṇa śaṅkarātmanē

tatō yuddha pariśrāntaṃ samarē chintayāsthitam ।
rāvaṇaṃ chāgratō dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya samupasthitam ॥ 1 ॥

daivataiścha samāgamya draṣṭumabhyāgatō raṇam ।
upāgamyābravīdrāmaṃ agastyō bhagavān ṛṣiḥ ॥ 2 ॥

rāma rāma mahābāhō śṛṇu guhyaṃ sanātanam ।
yēna sarvānarīn vatsa samarē vijayiṣyasi ॥ 3 ॥

ādityahṛdayaṃ puṇyaṃ sarvaśatru-vināśanam ।
jayāvahaṃ japēnnityaṃ akṣayyaṃ paramaṃ śivam ॥ 4 ॥

sarvamaṅgaḻa-māṅgaḻyaṃ sarvapāpa-praṇāśanam ।
chintāśōka-praśamanaṃ āyurvardhanamuttamam ॥ 5 ॥

raśmimantaṃ samudyantaṃ dēvāsura namaskṛtam ।
pūjayasva vivasvantaṃ bhāskaraṃ bhuvanēśvaram ॥ 6 ॥

sarvadēvātmakō hyēṣa tējasvī raśmibhāvanaḥ ।
ēṣa dēvāsura-gaṇān lōkān pāti gabhastibhiḥ ॥ 7 ॥

ēṣa brahmā cha viṣṇuścha śivaḥ skandaḥ prajāpatiḥ ।
mahēndrō dhanadaḥ kālō yamaḥ sōmō hyapāṃ patiḥ ॥ 8 ॥

pitarō vasavaḥ sādhyā hyaśvinau marutō manuḥ ।
vāyurvahniḥ prajāprāṇaḥ ṛtukartā prabhākaraḥ ॥ 9 ॥

ādityaḥ savitā sūryaḥ khagaḥ pūṣā gabhastimān ।
suvarṇasadṛśō bhānuḥ hiraṇyarētā divākaraḥ ॥ 10 ॥

haridaśvaḥ sahasrārchiḥ saptasapti-rmarīchimān ।
timirōnmathanaḥ śambhuḥ tvaṣṭā mārtāṇḍakōṃ’śumān ॥ 11 ॥

hiraṇyagarbhaḥ śiśiraḥ tapanō bhāskarō raviḥ ।
agnigarbhō’ditēḥ putraḥ śaṅkhaḥ śiśiranāśanaḥ ॥ 12 ॥

vyōmanātha-stamōbhēdī ṛgyajuḥsāma-pāragaḥ ।
ghanāvṛṣṭirapāṃ mitraḥ vindhyavīthī plavaṅgamaḥ ॥ 13 ॥

ātapī maṇḍalī mṛtyuḥ piṅgaḻaḥ sarvatāpanaḥ ।
kavirviśvō mahātējā raktaḥ sarvabhavōdbhavaḥ ॥ 14 ॥

nakṣatra graha tārāṇāṃ adhipō viśvabhāvanaḥ ।
tējasāmapi tējasvī dvādaśātma-nnamō’stu tē ॥ 15 ॥

namaḥ pūrvāya girayē paśchimāyādrayē namaḥ ।
jyōtirgaṇānāṃ patayē dinādhipatayē namaḥ ॥ 16 ॥

jayāya jayabhadrāya haryaśvāya namō namaḥ ।
namō namaḥ sahasrāṃśō ādityāya namō namaḥ ॥ 17 ॥

nama ugrāya vīrāya sāraṅgāya namō namaḥ ।
namaḥ padmaprabōdhāya mārtāṇḍāya namō namaḥ ॥ 18 ॥

brahmēśānāchyutēśāya sūryāyāditya-varchasē ।
bhāsvatē sarvabhakṣāya raudrāya vapuṣē namaḥ ॥ 19 ॥

tamōghnāya himaghnāya śatrughnāyā mitātmanē ।
kṛtaghnaghnāya dēvāya jyōtiṣāṃ patayē namaḥ ॥ 20 ॥

tapta chāmīkarābhāya vahnayē viśvakarmaṇē ।
namastamō’bhi nighnāya ruchayē lōkasākṣiṇē ॥ 21 ॥

nāśayatyēṣa vai bhūtaṃ tadēva sṛjati prabhuḥ ।
pāyatyēṣa tapatyēṣa varṣatyēṣa gabhastibhiḥ ॥ 22 ॥

ēṣa suptēṣu jāgarti bhūtēṣu pariniṣṭhitaḥ ।
ēṣa ēvāgnihōtraṃ cha phalaṃ chaivāgni hōtriṇām ॥ 23 ॥

vēdāścha kratavaśchaiva kratūnāṃ phalamēva cha ।
yāni kṛtyāni lōkēṣu sarva ēṣa raviḥ prabhuḥ ॥ 24 ॥

phalaśrutiḥ

ēna māpatsu kṛchChrēṣu kāntārēṣu bhayēṣu cha ।
kīrtayan puruṣaḥ kaśchinnāvaśīdati rāghava ॥ 25 ॥

pūjayasvaina mēkāgraḥ dēvadēvaṃ jagatpatim ।
ētat triguṇitaṃ japtvā yuddhēṣu vijayiṣyasi ॥ 26 ॥

asmin kṣaṇē mahābāhō rāvaṇaṃ tvaṃ vadhiṣyasi ।
ēvamuktvā tadāgastyō jagāma cha yathāgatam ॥ 27 ॥

ētachChrutvā mahātējāḥ naṣṭaśōkō’bhavattadā ।
dhārayāmāsa suprītaḥ rāghavaḥ prayatātmavān ॥ 28 ॥

ādityaṃ prēkṣya japtvā tu paraṃ harṣamavāptavān ।
trirāchamya śuchirbhūtvā dhanurādāya vīryavān ॥ 29 ॥

rāvaṇaṃ prēkṣya hṛṣṭātmā yuddhāya samupāgamat ।
sarvayatnēna mahatā vadhē tasya dhṛtō’bhavat ॥ 30 ॥

adha raviravadannirīkṣya rāmaṃ muditamanāḥ paramaṃ prahṛṣyamāṇaḥ ।
niśicharapati saṅkṣayaṃ viditvā suragaṇa madhyagatō vachastvarēti ॥ 31 ॥

ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmikīyē ādikāvyē yuddhakāṇḍē pañchādhika śatatamaḥ sargaḥ ॥

The Aditya Hrudayam lyrics have transcended time and continue to be cherished by millions of devotees seeking strength, protection, and spiritual elevation. The hymn’s timeless wisdom and devotional essence make it a powerful tool to dispel darkness, invoke the blessings of Lord Surya, and attain inner radiance. Embracing the Aditya Hrudayam with sincerity and devotion can illuminate one’s path and lead to a life filled with positivity, courage, and spiritual growth.