Aditya Hridayam
Composed by Agastya Rishi
The hymn of the Sun's heart, taught by sage Agastya to Rama before his final battle with Ravana.
About Aditya Hridayam
The Aditya Hridayam is one of the most important hymns in the Valmiki Ramayana, appearing in the Yuddha Kanda (Book of War) at a critical moment. As Rama faces Ravana exhausted and uncertain of victory, the sage Agastya descends from the heavens to impart this secret hymn — the 'heart of the Sun' — to him. Rama recites it three times and, filled with renewed energy and divine grace, proceeds to slay Ravana.
The hymn addresses Surya in his many forms and qualities: as Aditi's son (Aditya), as the dispeller of darkness (Tamasah param), as the god who courses through the sky in his chariot drawn by seven horses, as the witness of all creation. Agastya describes Surya as the source of all life, the controller of rain, the destroyer of enemies, the bestower of victory.
The Aditya Hridayam is considered one of the most powerful hymns for invoking divine energy, success, and victory. It is recited before examinations, in the morning as part of Surya upasana (sun worship), and at the beginning of any important endeavour.
Source: Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Chapter 107
Verses
Sanskrit
ततो युद्धपरिश्रान्तं समरे चिन्तया स्थितम् । रावणं चाग्रतो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम् ॥
Transliteration
Tato Yuddha Pariśrāntaṃ Samare Cintayā Sthitam | Rāvaṇaṃ Cāgrato Dṛṣṭvā Yuddhāya Samupasthitam ||
Meaning
Then, seeing Rama exhausted from battle and standing lost in thought in the midst of the war, while Ravana stood before him ready for battle, sage Agastya arrived.
Sanskrit
आदित्यं दुःखशोकघ्नं सर्वज्वरविनाशनम् । शत्रुसैन्यप्रणाशाय जयसिद्ध्यर्थमेव च ॥
Transliteration
Ādityaṃ Duḥkha Śoka Ghnaṃ Sarva Jvara Vināśanam | Śatru Sainya Praṇāśāya Jaya Siddhy Arthameva Ca ||
Meaning
Agastya said: Worship Aditya (the Sun), the destroyer of sorrow and grief, the remover of all fevers; worship him for the destruction of the enemy army and for the attainment of victory and success.
Sanskrit
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । चिन्ताशोकप्रशमनमायुर्वर्धनमुत्तमम् ॥
Transliteration
Sarva Maṅgala Māṅgalyaṃ Sarva Pāpa Praṇāśanam | Cintā Śoka Praśamanam Āyur Vardhanam Uttamam ||
Meaning
This hymn is the auspicious of all auspicious things, the destroyer of all sins; it calms anxiety and grief, and it is the supreme enhancer of longevity and vital energy.
Sanskrit
सर्वदेवात्मको ह्येष तेजस्वी रश्मिभावनः । एष देवासुरगणान् लोकान् पाति गभस्तिभिः ॥
Transliteration
Sarva Devātmako Hyeṣa Tejasvī Raśmi Bhāvanaḥ | Eṣa Devāsura Gaṇān Lokān Pāti Gabhastibhiḥ ||
Meaning
He (Surya) is the embodiment of all gods, brilliantly radiant, the creator and nourisher through his rays; with his rays he protects all the worlds, including the hosts of gods and demons.
Sanskrit
एष ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च शिवः स्कन्दः प्रजापतिः । महेन्द्रो धनदः कालो यमः सोमो ह्यपां पतिः ॥
Transliteration
Eṣa Brahmā Ca Viṣṇuśca Śivaḥ Skandaḥ Prajāpatiḥ | Mahendro Dhanadaḥ Kālo Yamaḥ Somo Hyapāṃ Patiḥ ||
Meaning
He (Surya) is Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; he is Skanda (Kartikeya), Prajapati (creator), Mahendra (Indra), Dhanada (Kubera the god of wealth), Kala (time), Yama (the god of death), Soma (the moon), and Varuna (lord of waters).
Benefits of Reciting Aditya Hridayam
- ✓Grants victory in all conflicts, battles, and competitive endeavours
- ✓Removes exhaustion and fills the devotee with solar energy and vitality
- ✓Destroys all sins and removes sorrow, anxiety, and mental depression
- ✓Bestows longevity, good health, and freedom from all fevers and diseases
- ✓Recitation at sunrise is said to purify the devotee and attract divine grace
- ✓Chanting three times, as Rama did, is said to bring immediate strength and success