Surya Ashtakam - Hymns for Worship of Sun God

Surya Ashtakam is a composition of 8 hymns for the worship of the Sun God. The hymns glorify the Sun God's virtues and his importance. He is described as the transcendental source of light and energy that provides and sustains life in the universe. Worshipping him will provide you with knowledge, strength, and energy, and protect you from diseases. 

The sun is the source of our life and energy. For this reason, he is worshipped and adored throughout the ages. Sandhyavandanam is a ritual practised by all our ancestors and sages. Throughout our Epics, there have been incidents of his worship performed by even the Paramatma's incarnations, such as Sri Rama, Krishna, and others.

So, it is natural that we humans should adore and worship him to obtain his blessings for our health and sustenance.

Prelude to Suryashtakam

DhyEya ssadaa savitr mandala madhyavartee

NArAyaNa sarasijaasana sannivishtah 

Keyooravaan makara kundalavaan kireetee 

Haaree HiraNmaya vapuhu dhrita Shanka chakra ||

Meaning:

Concentrating on the central point of you, which is believed to be the abode of Lord Srimannarayan sitting on a lotus, bearing armlets, earrings, a crown, a conch, and the Sudarshana wheel, in his golden hue, O Sun! I pray to thee.  

Suryashtakam with Meanings

AadidEva namastubhyam

Praseeda mama Bhaaskaraha

Diwaakara namastubhyam

Prabhaakara namOstutE || (1)

Meaning:

O Primeordial God, known as Bhaskar, I bow to thee. Please grace me.

O Diwaakar, I salute you. I prostrate to you, O Prabhakar!

Bhaskara means provider of light and wisdom. Diwakar provides the daylight. Prabhakar means provider of glow.

saptaasva rathamaaroodham

prachandam kashyapaatmajam

svEta padma dharam dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (2)

I offer salutes to you who rides on a chariot drawn by seven horses. who are ferocious due to the heat and the blinding glow, who are the offspring of Kashyapa Maharshi, who bear a white lotus.

LOhitam rathamaaroodham

sarvalOka pitaamaham

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (3)

Meaning:

I salute you, who rides on a chariot that glows reddish with emeralds and jewels, who is the grandfather (ancestor) of the whole universe, and who destroys and removes the greatest sins and evils from the world.

traiguNyam cha mahaa sooram

Brahma Vishnu MahEsvaram

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (4)

Meaning:

You are the greatest warrior, an embodiment of the three qualities of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. You are Brahma, Vishnu, and Parameswar. You are the destroyer of all sins. I salute Thee.

Brumhitam tEjasaam punjam

vaayuraakaasha mEvacha

priyamcha sarvalOkaanaam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (5)

Meaning:

Spreading the bright and powerful rays all through the air and sky, you are the beloved of all lokas. I salute you, O Sun God.

Bandhooka Pushpa Samkaasham

haara kundala bhooshitam

Ekachakra dharam dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (6)

Meaning:

O Sun! You are bright red-hued like a Bandhooka flower. You are adorned with garlands and earrings. You bear a Wheel in your hands. I salute you, O Surya Narayan.

Tam Suryam lOka kartaaram

mahaatEja pradeepanam

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (7)

Meaning:

You, O Sun God, are the creator of the Universe, the spreader of brilliant heat and light. You, who destroys even the greatest of sins, I offer my salutations to Thee.

Tam Suryam jagataam naatham

jnaana praakaashya mOkshadam

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (8)

Meaning:

O Surya! You are the Lord of this Universe, the provider of Knowledge, light, and liberation. I salute Thee, who can evaporate the greatest of sins.

Phala Shruti

Suryaashtakam paThE nnityam

graha peedaa praNaashanam

aputrO labhatE putram

daridrO dhanavaan bhavEt ||

Meaning:

Whoever recites this Suryashtakam will be released from the troubles of the Grahas (the planetary effects). Childless will beget children, the poor will beget riches.

stree taila madhu maamsaani

yE tyajanti ravEr dinE

na vyaadhi shOka daaridryam

Surya lOkam cha gachhati ||

Meaning:

Whoever refrains from women, alcohol, and meat on Sundays will not suffer from diseases, sadness, or want. They will reach the Sun's abode at the end.

itihi Suryaashtakam sampoorNam ||

Om naMo shri Surya nAraayaNaaya namaha |

Om namO shri Lakshmi nArAyaNaaya namaha ||

Sankata Nashak Ganesha Stotram - Sankashtahara Chaturthi

Sankata Naashan Ganesh Stotram was recited by Narada Maharshi, as per the Narada Puran. The hymns refer to the twelve names of Ganesha, each embodying significant qualities. 

I believe this recitation was performed by Narada to appease Vighneswara after Narada bathed in a river to rid himself of a curse, possibly the Alakananda River in Badrinath or the Narayana Lake at the site of Saraswati's merger into the sea in Gujarat. Though I am not certain whether my belief is true.

Whatever the context, this stotram was offered by Narada Muni to us to obtain the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Devotees observing Sankashtahara Chaturthi consider this stotram as one of the most effective means to obtain his grace and blessings by observing the fast on that day.

Sankata Nashak Ganesha Stotram

PraNamya sirasaa dEvam Gouriputram vinaayakam

bhaktaavaasam smarEn nityam aayuh kaamaartha siddhayE || (1)

Meaning:

I offer my salutations to Lord Ganesha, the son of Mother Gauri and known as Vinaayak (short form of Vighna Naayak), with my head bowed. I worship him daily to obtain the blessings of long life and other fruits of requirements.

Prathamam vakratundam cha Ekadantam dviteeyakam

triteeyam krishna pingaaksham gajavaktram chaturthakam || (2)

Meaning:

First of all, you have a twisted/curved trunk/snout, which signifies your adaptability to circumstances.

Second, you are single-tusked, which refers to your quick wit ( he broke one of his tusks to use it as a pen while writing the Mahabharat)

Thirdly, your eyes are dark red (or golden wheat-hued), which signifies your sharp vision and intelligence.

Your fourth identity is an elephant countenance (the front portion of his face) that signifies your magnanimous nature/generosity, and cleverness.

LambOdaram panchamam cha sashtam vikatamEva cha

saptamam vighnaraajam dhoomra varNam tathaashtamam || (3)

Meaning:

The fifth quality of Ganesha is a large stomach, which refers to his ability to engross the whole universe within him, and the largeness of his qualities.

Sixth is Vikatam, referring to the seriousness and ferocity of his nature.

Seventh, he is Vighnaraj, the King of Obstacles. It specifies his control over obstacles and hindrances.

His eighth speciality is his smoky/ashy hue, wherein he appears in his four shoulders to control ego and arrogance. 

navamam phaalachandram cha dashamam tu vinaayakam

Ekaadasham GaNapatim dvaadasham tu Gajaananam || (4)

Meaning:

Ninth is Phaalachandraa. His face glows like moonlight attributing to his glowing personality, as well as his superb position.

Tenth is that He is Vinayak, without any superior above him. It denotes his empowerment.

Eleventh, He is GaNapati, the Lord of GaNAs. All beings are under his control, assisting Him to protect his devotees from any kind of obstacles or problems.

Twelve, He is Gajaanan. He bears an elephant face. This attribute points to his huge form, Strength, Valor, and Rule.

Phalashruthi

dvaadashaitaani naamaani trisandhyam yah pathEnnaraha

na cha vighna bhayam tasya sarvasiddhi kaarakam prabhO (5)

Meaning:

These are the twelve names of Ganesha that showcase his unique features and qualities. Whoever recites these twelve names, thrice a day, does not suffer from fear or obstacles. They succeed in their endeavors with his grace.

Vidyaarthi labhatE vidyaan dhanaarthi labhatE dhanam

putraarthi labhatE putraan mOkshaarthi labhatE gatim (6)

Meaning:

Those who seek education obtain Education/Knowledge. Those seeking wealth possess wealth. Seekers of children obtain children, and seekers of Moksha/Liberation are granted thus.

JapEt gaNapati stotram shadbhirmaasai phalam labhEt

samvatsarENa siddhimcha labhatE naatra sanshayah (7)

Meaning:

Reciting this stotram for six months grants all the fruits of life.

If one renders such service for a full year, they earn enlightenment and superior powers.

There is no doubt in these results.

AshtabhyO braahmaNebhyascha likhitvaa yah samarpayEt

tasya vidyaa bhavEt sarvaa GaNeshasya prasaadatah (8)

Meaning:

If you write these lyrics in your handwriting and distribute them to eight brahmins, you will be graced with complete knowledge and everything blessed by Ganesha.