Mantras play a very significant role in Hinduism. There are several mantras chanted by most of us to get several benefits like Gauri Stuti, prayer to Param Tapasvini Mata Maha Gauri to obtain the desired husband, the Vishnu Mantra – Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam, prayer to the preserver of the universe Narayan to be under his shelter, the Gayatri Mantra prayer offered to Ved Mata Gayatri to get success in life, Lakshmi Stotra, prayer offered to the goddess of wealth, Mata Maha Lakshmi to get wealth and prosperity, etc. These mantras are not only chanted by us but also by gods and goddesses. One such powerful mantra is the Aditya Hridaya Stotra prayer to Surya Dev.

Where It Comes From

The Aditya Hridaya Stotra is mentioned in the Yuddha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayan. It is a prayer offered by Lord Ram to Surya Dev before he went on a war with Raavan. It was recited to Lord Ram by Agastya Rishi, one of the Saptarishis in Hindu Mythology.

Why Did Lord Ram Chant the Aditya Hriday Stotra?

The war with Raavan was on. Apparently, Lord Ram’s army was on the verge of winning but still, Lord Ram was horrified. As the days came closer when Lord Ram had to fight the final war with Raavan and take back his Sita along with him, his anxiety increased. He had a lack of confidence. He remained worried through the days and night. He was also not being able to have proper sleep. Seeing his Ram Bhaiya worried, Lord Lakshman immediately started meditating for his brother. Lord Lakshman’s prayers were answered when Agastya Rishi appeared before him. He promised him that he would return his brother’s mental peace. Moments later, Agastya Rishi went to Lord Ram and told him about a powerful mantra, Aditya Hriday Stotra. He told Lord Ram that by meditating on this mantra or even just hearing or reading this mantra can solve issues which have been unsolved since years. It won’t happen in one go. One needs to practice it regularly. One can have success in whatever he/she does with pure intentions. One can gain confidence and fight anxiety. One can remain focused towards his/her goal. One can also become emotionally independent. It can also solve problems related to love life also; just one needs to chant or hear or read this mantra. After hearing so, Lord Ram immediately told Agastya Rishi that he wanted to practice this stotra and started with it. As Lord Ram started practicing this stotra, all his anxiety went away. He became confident. Lord Ram practiced it for about sixteen days till the war with Raavan was about to start. It took sixteen days because Raavan lost his dear son brave Meghnad by the hands of Lord Lakshman and according to the Hindu tradition, one cannot perform any activities or step out of their homes till sixteen days of the death of a person in family.

Practicing Aditya Hriday Stotra

As per the Purans and the Ramayan, practicing Aditya Hriday Stotra is no less than a penance. If one practices this daily with purity in his heart, mind and soul, then he/she gets blessed with whatever he/she desires with pure intentions. Remember purity is what matters the most. No matter how much efforts you do, if you don’t have pure intentions then, you would never be able to get successful just like Raavan. There is no such limit nor a particular time to practice this. But it is mostly referred when Surya Dev is there i.e. the time between 5am–2pm.

The Mantra and Its Translation

Source:- Valmiki Ramayan Sanskrit English Translation, Geeta Press

Tatho yuddha parisrantham samare chinthaya sthitham Ravanam chagra tho drusthva yuddhaya samupasthitham (1) After getting exhausted in the battle and on seeing Ravana, who was duly prepared and reached the battleground, Rama stood in the war with a deep thought.

Daivataischa samagamya drashtama bhagyathoranam Upagamy aa bravidramam Agasthyo bhagavanrushihi (2) Seeing this, Bhagavan Sage Agastya, who came along with the Gods to see the battle, approached Rama and spoke to him.

Rama Rama mahabaaho srunuguhyam sanatanam Yena sarva nareen vastsaha samara vijayishyasi (3) Rama, O Rama, the elegant one with great shoulders, listen to this eternal secret by which you can be victorious over all your enemies in the war.

Aditya hrudayam punyam sarva shatru vinasanam Jayavaham japen nithyam akshayam paramam Shivam (4) This holy Aditya Hridayam destroys all enemies. Chanting it daily brings victory and unending felicity.

Sarva mangala mangalyam sarvapapapranaashanam Chintha soka prasamanamayurvardhanam uttamam (5) This hymn is always auspicious, destroys sins, alleviates sorrow, bestows wellbeing and longevity.

Rasmi-mantam samudyantham Devaasura namaskrutham Pujayasva vivaswantham Bhaskaram bhuvaneshwaram (6) Worship Bhaskara, the lord of the universe, worshipped by gods and demons.

Sarvadevatmako hyesha Tejaswi rasmi bhavanaha Esha devaasura ganan lokan pati gabasthibhihi (7) He is the embodiment of all devas, energizing all beings with his rays.

Esha Brahma cha Vishnvascha Shivaha Skandaha Prajapathihi Mahendro Dhanadaha Kaalo Yamaha Somo Hyapampathihi (8) He is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Prajapati, Indra, Kubera, Kala, Yama, Soma and Varuna.

Pitaro Vasavaha Sadhyah Ashwinau Marutho Manuhu Vayurvagnihi Prajaprana Ruthukartha Prabhakaraha (9) He is the ancestors, Vasavas, Ashwins, Maruts, Manu, Vayu, Agni and the maker of seasons.

Adithyaha Savitha Suryaha Khagaha Pusha Gabhasthiman Suvarna-sadruso Bhanur Hiranyaretha Divakaraha (10) He is Aditya, Savita, Surya, Pusha, radiant like gold, the maker of the day.

Harid-ashwaha Sahasrarchi sapthasapthir marichimaan Timiron-madhanaha Shambhustwastha marthandako amsuman (11) He has green horses, thousand rays, removes darkness and bestows auspiciousness.

Hiranyagarbhaha sisirasthapano bhaskaroravihi Agni gharbho aditheh putraha sagkahahasisiranasanaha (12) He is Hiranyagarbha, son of Aditi, remover of cold and affliction.

Vyomanathas-thamobhedhihi rugyajuhu samaparagaha Ghana vrushthir apam-mitro vindhya veedhee-plavangamaha (13) He is the lord of space, dispeller of darkness and friend of waters.

Aathapi mandali mruthyuhu pingalahasarvatapanaha Kavirshwo mahatejau rakthaha sarvabhavodbhavaha (14) He destroys evil, is red in color, origin of all beings.

Nakshatra graha taranamadhipo vishwabhavanaha Tejasamapi Tejaswi dwadasatmannanamosthuthe (15) He is the lord of stars and planets, resplendent in twelve forms.

Namah purvayagiraye paschimayadraye namaha Jyothirganam pathayedinadhipathaye namaha (16) Salutations to the deity of east and west, lord of day and light.

Jayaya jayabhadraya haryashwaya namonamaha Namo namahasahasramso adityaya namo namaha (17) Salutations to the thousand-rayed Aditya, giver of victory.

Namah ugraya veerayasarangaya namo namaha Namah padmaprabhodhayamarthandaya namo namaha (18) Salutations to the fierce and radiant Surya.

Brahmaesanatchyuthesaya suryaya-aditya varchase Bhasvathe sarva bhakshayaraudraya vapushe namaha (19) Salutations to Surya who embodies Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Tamognaya himaghnaya shatrughnaya mitatminae Kruthaghanghnaya devayajothisham pataye namaha (20) Salutations to the destroyer of darkness and enemies.

Taptha chamekarabhayavahnaye viswakarmane Namasthe moabhinighnaya ruchaye lokasakshine (21) Salutations to the creator and witness of the universe.

Nasayathyesha vaibhutham tadeva srujathi prabhuhu Payatyesshatapatyesha varshatyesha gabhasthibhihi (22) He destroys and recreates the universe, bringing rains.

Esha suptheshu jagarthi bhutheshu parinishtithaha Esha chaivagni hothram cha phalam chaivagni hothrinaam (23) He dwells in all beings and is the essence of Agnihotra.

Devascha krathavaschaiva krathunam phalamevacha Yani kruthyani lokeshu sarva esha ravihiprabhuhu (24) He is the doer and fulfiller of all actions.

Phalastuti Enamapatsukrucchreshu kanthireshu bhayeshu cha Keerthiyan purushaha kaschinnavasidathi raghva (25) Those who recite this hymn shall never be defeated.

Pujayasvaina mekagro devadevam jagathpitham Etatri gunitham japthva yuddheshu vijayishyasi (26) Reciting it thrice daily grants victory.

Asmin kshane mahabaaho Ravanam twam vadhishyasi Eevamukthva tada agasthyo jagamacha yadhagatham (27) Thus spoke Agastya and departed.

Ethacchrutva mahateja nasta soko abhavattada Dharayamasa supreetho raghavahaprayatatmavaan (28) Hearing this, Rama’s sorrow vanished.

Adithyamprekshye japtwathu param harsha mavapthaman Trirachamya suchirbhuthya dhanuradaya veeryavan (29) Rama became purified and lifted his bow.

Ravanam prekshya hrusthatmayuddhaya samupagatam Sarvayatnena mahata vadhetasya drutho abhavath (30) Rama resolved to kill Ravana.

Adhah ravi vadan nireekhya ramam Muditamanah paramam prahrushya manaha Nisicharapati samkshayam vidhithva Suragana madhyagatho vachasthvarethi (31) Surya urged Rama to be swift, knowing Ravana’s end had come.

Ithi Aditya Hridayam