Salutations to the primeval God,

Surya ashtakam (Octet to Sun God)

Translated in to free verse By P.R.Ramachander

Pantheism has been a very strong part of Hindu relegion. They gave form to the several aspects of nature and worshipped them. Of these, they recognized Sun God as the one who is the primeval cause of nature. They believed worshipping Sun God would clear off all their sins. He was the son of Sage Kasyapa and Adhithi. He rode a huge chariot driven by Aruna. The God f death Yama and the planet Saturn were his sons. This beautiful octet is a prayer addressed to the sun god.

Adhi deva Namasthubhyam,,

Praseeda mama Bhaskara,

Divakara namasthubhyam,

Prabha kara Namosthu they. 1

Salutations to the primeval God,

Please be kind to me , he who creates the morn.

Salutations to you the creator of day,

Salutations to you the creator of light.

Saptha aswa radha roodam,

Prachandam, Kasypathmajam,

Swetha padma dharma devam,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 2

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who rides on chariot with seven horses,

Who is the brightest of lights,

Who is the son of Sage Kashyapa,

And who wears the white lotus flower.

Lohitham Radha maroodam,

Sarva loka pithamaham,

Maha papa haram devam,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 3

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who is reddish brown in colour,

Who rides on a chariot,

Who has created all the worlds,

And who is the god who kills all the sins

Trigunyam cha maha sooram,

Brahma Vishnu maheswaram,

Maha papaharam devam,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 4

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who is blessed with three fold qualities,

Who is a greatest of heroes,

Who has within himself the great trinity.

And who is the god who kills all sins.

Bramhitham teja punjam cha,

Vayu makasa meva cha,

Prubhustwam sarva lokaanam,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 5

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who developed by the sparkling ,

Of air , fire and ether,

And who is the lord of all universe.

Bandhooka pushpa sankaasam,

Hara kundala bhooshitham,

Eka chakra dharma devam ,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 6

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who is as red as the hibiscus flower,

Who wears ornaments of garlands and ear rings,

And who is the god who has one great Wheel¹.

Viswesam Viswa karthaaram,

Maha Theja pradheepanam,

Maha papa haram devam,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 7

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who is the Lord of all universe,

Who created all the universe,

And who is the God who can destroy all sins.

Sri Vishnum jagathaam nadam,

Jnana Vijnana mokshadham,

Maha papa haram devam,

Tham suryam pranamamyaham 8

My salutations to the Sun God,

Who is the lord of peace,

Who is the Lord of this world

Who showers on us knowledge, science and salvation,

And who is the God who can destoy all sins.

Phala Sruthi

Suryashtakam idham nithyam,

Gruha peeda pranasanam,

Aputhro labhathe puthram,

Daridhro dhanavan Bhaveth.

If one recites daily this octet on Sun God,

The sufferings of his house will vanish,

If he does not have a son will get one,

And if he is poor , he would become wealthy.

Aamisham madhu panam cha,

Ya karothi raver dhine,

Saptha janma bhaved rogi,

Janma janma dharidhratha.

The one who eats meat ,

Or drinks alchholic drinks on Sundays,

Will become sick for seven births,

And would be poor from birth to death.

Sthree thails madhu maamsani.,

Yasth yejathu raver dhine,

Na vyadhi soka dharidhryam,

Surya lokam sa gachathi.

One who forsakes on all Sundays,

Woman oil bath , meat and drinks,

Will never be sick nor sad nor poor.

And would reach the land of sun after death.