श्रीरामाष्टकम् - Shree Ramastakam

Sita Ram Swayamvar

कृतार्तदेववन्दनं दिनेशवंशनन्दनम् ।
सुशोभिभालचन्दनं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥१॥

मुनीन्द्रयज्ञकारकं शिलाविपत्तिहारकम् ।
महाधनुर्विदारकं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥२॥

स्वतातवाक्यकारिणं तपोवने विहारिणम् ।
करे सुचापधारिणं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥३॥

कुरङ्गमुक्तसायकं जटायुमोक्षदायकम् ।
प्रविद्धकीशनायकं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥४॥

प्लवङ्गसङ्गसम्मतिं निबद्धनिम्नगापतिम् ।
दशास्यवंशसङ्क्षतिं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥५॥

विदीनदेवहर्षणं कपीप्सितार्थवर्षणम् ।
स्वबन्धुशोककर्षणं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥६॥

गतारिराज्यरक्षणं प्रजाजनार्तिभक्षणम् ।
कृतास्तमोहलक्षणं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥७॥

ह्रताखिलाचलाभरं स्वधामनीतनागरम् ।
जगत्तमोदिवाकरं नमामि राममीश्वरम् ॥८॥

इदं समाहितात्मना नरो रघूत्तमाष्टकम् ।
पठन्निरन्तरं भयं भवोद्भवं न विन्दते ॥९॥

इति श्रीपरमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीरामष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ।

Narayan, Sita Ram
श्रीपरमहंसस्वामिब्रह्मानन्दविरचितं श्रीरामाष्टकम् 

श्री मृत्युञ्जयस्तोत्रम् - Shree Mrityunjaya Stotra

ॐ अस्य श्रीसदाशिवस्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य श्रीमार्कण्डेयऋषिरनुष्टुप्छन्द श्रीसदाशिवो देवता गौरीशक्तिः मम समस्तमृत्युशान्त्यर्थं समस्तऐश्वर्यप्राप्त्यर्थं जपे विनियोगः ॥

Maha Mrityunjaya Shiva

रुद्रं पशुपतिं स्थाणुं नीलकण्ठमुमापतिम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥१॥

कालकण्ठं कलामूर्तिं कालाग्निं कालनाशनम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥२॥

नीलकण्ठं विरूपाक्षं निर्मलं निरुपद्रवम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥३॥

वामदेवं महादेवं लोकनाथं जगदगुरुम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥४॥

देवदेवं जगन्नाथं देवेशमृषभध्वजम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥५॥

अनन्तमव्ययं शान्तमक्षमालाधरं हरम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥६॥

आनन्दं परमं नित्यं कैवल्यपदकारणम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥७॥

स्वर्गापवर्गदातारं सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तकारिणम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥८॥

प्रलय स्थिति संहारमादिकर्तारमीश्वरम् ।
नमामि शिरसा देवं किं नो मृत्युः करिष्यति ॥९॥

सत्यं सत्यं पुनः सत्यमुधृत्य भुजमुच्यते ।
वेदशास्त्रात्परं नास्ति न देवः शङ्करात्परः ॥

मार्केण्डेयकृतं स्तोत्रं यः पठेच्छिवसन्नधौ ।
तस्य मृत्युभयं नास्ति अग्निचौरभयं नहि ॥




इति श्रीमार्केण्डेयविरचितं श्रीमृत्युञ्जयस्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ।




Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram - Prayer of the Great Victor over Death, By Sage Markandeya

Background story about this stotra: Sage Mrukandu prayed Lord Shiva for a son. Lord Shiva gave him a choice - whether he wanted an intelligent son who will live only for 16 years or foolish one, who will live for hundred years. The sage chose the intelligent one. A son was born to him and was named as Markandeya. This boy became a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. On his sixteenth birthday, the Yama, the lord who takes care of the soul after death came. He ran away and entered the sanctum sanctorum of the lord Shiva and embraced him. He sang the Maha Mrituinjaya stotra. Lord Shiva turned down Yama and granted him live. This prayer is supposed to ward of all evils, remove fear of death and realize all wishes.

Om Sri Ganesaya Nama.

Viniyoga - Details of the stotra: Om asya Sri Maha mrutyunjaya stotra mantrasya, Sri Markandeya rishi, Anushtup chanda, Sri Mrutyunjaya devatha, Gouri shakthi, samastha mrutyu santhyartham, sakala aiswarya prapthyartham, jape viniyoga

Salutations to Lord Ganesa. I am chanting this “Maha mrutyunjaya mantra (Chant to win over death), which is composed by Sage Markandeya, in anushtup meter, with Mrutyunjaya as God, Gowri as the strength, with a view to win over death and getting of all sorts of wealth.

Atha dhyanam (Meditating Lord Maha Mrituinjaya)
Chandrarkagni vilochanam, smitha mukam, Padmadwayantha sthitham,
Mudra pasa mrugakshasuthra vilasath paanim, Himaam suprabham,
Kotindu prakalathsudhaplutha thanum haaraathi, Bhooshojwalam,
Kantham viswa vimohanam, pasupathim, Mruthyunjayam bhavayeth.

I meditate on that victor over death, Who has moon, sun and fire as eyes, Who has a smiling face, Who sits on two lotus flowers, Whose hands shine with the sign the rope, The deer and the garland of rudraksha, Who has the pleasant shine of the ice, Who has a body drenched by nectar, From billions of moons, Who ornaments himself with several garlands, Who is very handsome, Who can attract the entire world, And who is the lord of all beings.

Now the chant is being started
Chandrashekara Ashtakam (Chandrasekharashtakam or Chandrasekhara Ashtakam) was written by Sage Markandeya, an ancient Hindu Rishi who was saved by Chandrashekara or Lord Shiva from Lord of Death (Kala or Yama) at the age of 16 and blessed him to be 16 forever. It is believed that Sage Markandeya sung this beautiful Sanskrit stotra when Chandra Shekara (Lord Shiv) saved the sage from death.

Benefits of chanting Chandrasekhara Ashtakam - Those who chant Chandra Sekhara Ashtakam daily or on every Monday will not have any fear of death and would have full healthy life and gain all wealth with the blessing of Lord Chandra Sekhara and attain salvation in the end.
Eight verses on the worship of of Chandra Shekhara (Shiva)



Rudram, pasupathim, sthanum, neelakandam, umapathim,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [9]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who is the angry one, Who is the lord of all beings, Who is stable, Who has a blue neck, And who is the consort of Uma.


Neelakandam, kalamoorthim kalagnamr kalanasanam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [10]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who is having a blue neck, Who is the form of death, Who knows paste, present and future, And who destroyed the god of death.


Neelakandam, viroopaksham nirmalam vimalapradham,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [11]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who has a blue neck, Who has a different eye, Who is clean, And who is dazzlingly bright.


Vamadevam mahadevam lokanadham jagatgurum,
Namami sirasa devam , kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [12]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who judges according to merit, Who is the greatest god, Who is the lord of the universe, And who is the teacher of the world.


Devadevam jagannatham devesam vrushabhadwajam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [13]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who is the God of gods, Who is the lord of the earth, Who is the god of devas, And who has a bull flag.


Traiksham chathurbhujam santham jata makuta dharanam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [14]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who has three eyes, Who has four hands, Who is peaceful, And who wears matted hair and a crown.


Bhasmoddulitha sarvangam nagabharana bhooshitham,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [15]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god Who is covered with ash, All over his body, And who wears the serpent, As an ornament.


Anatham avyayam santham akshamala dharam haram,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [16]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who is limitless, Who cannot be explained, Who is peaceful, Who is the killer, And who wears the garland of eyes.


Aaandham paramam nithyam kaivalya pada dhayinam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [17]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god Who is happiness, Who is beyond thought, Who is stable, And who grants salvation.


Ardhanaareeswaram devam parvathy prana nayakam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [18]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god Who is the god half male half female, And who is the darling of Parvathy.
Pralaya sthithi karthaaram adhi kartharameeswaram, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [19]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god Who creates the state of deluge, And who is the god who made the beginning.


Vyomakesam viroopaksham chandrardha krutha shekaram,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [20]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god Whose hair is the sky, Who has a different eye, And who has collected half of the moon.


Gangadharam sasidharam sankaram shoolapaninam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [21]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god Who carries the river ganga, Who keep moon as an ornament, Who is Lord Shankara, And who carries a trident.


Swargapavarga datharam srushti sthithyanthakarinam, Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [22]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that God, Who grant heaven and salvation, Who looks after creation, upkeep and destruction.


Kalpa ayur dehi mey punyam yavad ayur arogatham,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [23]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who can grant a life of an eon, Who can bless you with a long life, Bereft of any sickness.


Shivesanam mahadevam vamadevam sadashivam,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [24]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who is Shiva as well as Easwara, Who is the great god, Who gives correct judgments, And who is always peaceful.


Uthpathi sthithi samhara karthara meeswaram gurum,
Namami sirasa devam, kim no mrutyu karishyathi. [25]
What can death do to the one, Who salutes with his head that god, Who takes responsibility, Of creation, upkeep and destruction, And who is a great teacher.


Markandeya krutham stotram ya padeth shiva sannidhou,
Thasya mruthyu bhayam nasthi na agni chora bhayaam kwachith. [26]
Any one reading this prayer, Written by Markandeya, In front of Lord Shiva, Would not have, Fear of death, Nr fear of fire and thieves.


Shathavrutham prakarthavyam sankate kashta nasanam,
Suchir bhoothwa padeth stotram sarva sidhi pradhayakam [27]
Reading it one hundred times, In times of misery, Will get rid of it, And reading it with a clean mind, Would make one get all his wants.

Mruthyunjaya mahadeva thrahi maam saranagatham,
Janma mrutyu jara rogai, peeditham karma bandhanai. [28]
Oh great god, Who has won over god of death, Please save me as I am submitting to you, From births, deaths, old age and disease, And also the ties of Karma which affect me.


Thaavaka stvad gatha prana thawa chithoham sada mruda,
Ithi vignapya devesam thryambakakhyam japeth,
Nama sivaya Sambaya haraye paramathmane,
Pranatha klesa naasaya yoginaam pathaye nama. [29-30]
I appeal to the God that, “My soul goes towards you, And my mind always meditates on you,” And then chant of Trayambaka Mantra*, And salute that Samba, Who is the inner soul of the destroyer, And pray, ”destroy all life’s problems, Oh Lord of Yoga, I salute you.”


Watch video of Maha Mrityunjaya Stotra


Maha Mrityunjaya Stotra, Markandeya Krit, Shiva, Yama, श्रीमार्केण्डेयविरचितं,

श्री शिबपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्रम् - Shree Shiva Panchakshari Stotra

नागेन्द्रहाराय त्रिलोचनाय  भस्भाङ्गराय महेश्वराय ।
नित्याय शुद्धाय दिगम्बराय  तस्मै न काराय नमः शिवाय ॥१॥
Nagendraharaya Trilochanaya, Bhasmangaragaya Maheshvaraya
Nityaya Shuddhaya Digambaraya, Tasmai Nakaraya Namah Shivaya .
Salutations to Shiva, who wears the king of snakes as a garland, the three-eyed god, whose body is smeared with ashes, the great lord, the eternal and pure one, who wears the directions as his garment, and who is represented by the syllable “na ”  

मन्दाकिनीसलिलचन्दनचर्चिताय  नन्दीश्वरप्रमथनाथमहेश्वराय ।
मन्दारपुष्पबहुपुष्पसुपूजिताय  तस्मै म काराय नमः शिवाय ॥२॥
Mandakini salila chandana charchitaya, Nandishvara pramathanatha Maheshvaraya
Mandarapushpa bahupushhpa supujitaya, Tasmai Makaraya Namah Shivaya .
I bow to Shiva, who has been worshipped with water from the Ganga (Mandakini) and anointed with sandalwood paste, the lord of Nandi, the lord of the host of goblins and ghosts, the great lord, who is worshiped with Mandara and many other kinds of flowers, and who is represented by the syllable “ma. ”


शिवाय गौरीवदनाब्जवृन्दसूर्याय दक्षाध्वरनाशकाय ।
श्रीनीलकण्ठाय वृषध्जाय  तस्मै शि काराय नमः शिवाय ॥३॥
Shivaya Gauri vadanabjavrunda, Suryaya Dakshadhvara Nashakaya
Shrinilakanthaya Vrushhadhvajaya, Tasmai Shikaraya Namah Shivaya
Salutations to shiva, who is all-auspiciousness, who is the sun that causes the lotus face of Gauri (Parvati) to blossom, who is the destroyer of the yajna of Daksha, whose throat is blue (Nilakantha), whose flag bears the emblem of the bull, and who is represented by the syllable “shi” 

वसिष्टकुम्भोद्भवगौतमार्यमुनीन्द्रदेवार्चितशेखराय ।
चन्द्रार्कवैश्वानरलोचनाय  तस्मै व काराय नमः शिवाय ॥४॥
Vasishhtha kumbhodbhava gautamarya, Munindra devarchita shekharaya
Chandrarkavaishvanara lochanaya, Tasmai Vakaraya Namah Shivaya .
Vasishhtha, Agastya, Gautama, and other venerable sages, and Indra and other gods have worshipped the head of (Shiva’s linga). I bow to that Shiva whose three eyes are the moon, sun and fire, and who is represented by the syllable “va”
यक्षस्वरुपाय जटाधराय  पिनाकहस्ताय सनातनाय ।
दिव्याय देवाय दिगम्बराय  तस्मै य काराय नमः शिवाय ॥५॥
Yakshasvarupaya Jatadharaya, Pinakahastaya Sanatanaya
Divyaya Devaya Digambaraya, Tasmai Yakaraya Namah Shivaya
salutations to Shiva, who bears the form of a Yaksha, who has matted hair on his head, who bears the Pinaka bow in his hand, the primeval lord, the brilliant god, who is digambara (naked), and who is represented by the syllable “ya. ” 



पञ्चाक्षरमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ ।
शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते ॥६॥
Panchaksharamidam Punyam Yah Pathechchhivasannidhau.
Shivalokamavapnoti Shivena Saha Modate
.Anyone who recites this sacred five-syllable mantra, (Namah Shivaya) near the Shiva (linga), attains the abode of Shiva and rejoices there with Shiva.

श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचितं शिबपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्रम् शुभम् ॥

Kailash Pati Bhole Nath

Shiva Linga

Head of Kedar Nath Mahadev at Kathmandu, Nepal

Rudra, Shiva, Srimad Shankraracharya krit, शिबपञ्चाक्षरस्तोत्र, श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचित,

अच्युताष्टकम् - Achyutastakam

जय श्री कृष्ण

अच्युतं केशवं रामनारायणं  कृष्णदामोदरं वासुदेवं हरिम् ।
श्रीधरं माधवं गोपिकावल्लभं  जानकीनायकं रामचन्द्रं भजे ॥

अच्युतं केशवं सत्यभामाधवं  माधवं श्रीधरं राधिकाराधितम् ।
इन्दिरामन्दिरं चेतसा सुन्दरं  देवकी नन्दनं नन्दजं सन्दधे ॥

विष्णवे जिष्णवे शङ्खिने चक्रिणे  रुक्मणीरागिणे जानकी जानये ।
वल्लवीवल्वभायार्चितायात्मने  कंशविध्वंसिने वंशिने ते नमः ॥

कृष्ण गोविन्द हे राम नारायण  श्रीपते वासुदेवाजित  श्रीनिधे ।
अच्युतानन्त हे माधवाधोक्षज  द्वारकानायक द्रौपदीरक्षक ॥

राक्षसक्षोभितः सीतया शोभितो  दण्डकरण्यभूपुण्यताकारणः ।
लक्ष्मणेनान्वितो वानरैः सेवितो  ऽगस्त्यसम्पूजितो राघवः पातु माम् ॥

धेनुकारिष्टकानिष्टकृद्द्वेषिहा  केशिहा कंसह्रद्वंशिकावादकः ।
पूतनाकोपकः सूरजाखेलनो  बालगोपालकः पातु मां सर्वदा ॥

विद्युदुद्योतवत्प्रस्फुरद्वाससं  प्रावृडम्भोदवत्प्रोल्लसद्विग्रहम् ।
वन्यया मालया शोभितोरःस्थलं  लोहिताङ्घ्रिद्वयं वारिजाक्षं भजे ॥

कुञ्चितैः कुन्तलैर्भ्राजमानाननं  रत्नमौलिं लसत्कुण्डलं गण्डयोः ।
हारकेयूरकं कङ्कणप्रोज्ज्वलं  किङ्किणी मञ्जुलं श्यामलं तं भजे ॥

अच्युतस्याष्टकं यः पठेदिष्टदं  प्रेमतः प्रत्यहं पूरुषः सस्पृहम् ।
वृत्ततः सुन्दरं कर्तृविश्वम्भरस्तस्य वश्यो हरिर्जायते सत्वरम् ॥

श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यकृतमच्युताष्टकं शुभम् ।

Achyutastakam in English and Unicode Sanskrit
Achyutham Kesavam Rama-Narayanam
Krishna-Damodaram Vasudevam Harim;
Shreedharam Madhavam Gopikavallabham
Janakee-Nayakam Ramachandram Bhaje[1]

Achyutham Keshavam Satyabhamadhavam
Madhavam Shreedharam Radhikaradhakam;
Indiramandiram Chetasa Sundaram
Devakee-Nandanam Nandajam Sandadhe[2]

Vishnave Jishnave Shakhine Chakrine
Rukmineeragine Janakeejanaye;
Vallaveevallabha Yarchitayatmane
Kamsavidhvamsine Vamshine Te Namah[3]

Krishna Govinda he Rama Narayana
Shreepate Vasudevajite Shreenidhe;
Achyutanata he Madhavadhokshaja
Dvarakanayaka Draupadee-Rakshakaa[4]

Rakshasakshobhitah Seetayah Shobhito
Dandakaranya Bhoopunyata Karanah;
Lakshmanenanvito Vanariah Sevito
Gastyasampoojito Raghavah Patumam[5]

Dhenukarishtaka Nishtakriddveshinam
Keshiha Kamsahridvamshiko vadakah;
Poothanakopakah Soorajakhelano
Bala-Gopalakah Patu mam Sarvada[6]

Vidyududyotavan Prasphuradvasasam
Pravridambhodavat Prollasavigraham;
Vanyaya Malaya Shobitorasthalam
Lohitanghridvayam Varijaksham Bhaje[7]

Kunchitaih Kuntalairbhrajamananam
Ratnamaulim Lasatkundalam Gandayoh;
Harakeyoorakam Kankanaprojjvalam
Kinkineemanjulam Shyamalam Tam Bhaje[8]

Achyuta syastakam Yah Pathedistadam
Prematah Pratyaham Purusah Saspruham;
Vrittatah Sundaram Kartrivisvambharas
Tasya Vasyo Harirjayate Satvaram[9]

Achyutastakam  Meaning 
(pronounced Acyutāṣṭakam)

I adore Rāmacandra, Who is infallible, Who is Keśava, Rāma, Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Dāmodara, Vāsudeva, Hari, Śrīdhara, Mādhava, Who is dear to Gopikā, and Who is the consort of Jānakī.[1]

I offer a salute with my hands together to Keśava, Who is infallible, Who is the consort of Satyabhāmā (as Kṛṣṇa), Mādhava, Śrīdhara, Who is longed-for by Rādhikā, Who is the temple of Lakṣmī (Indirā), Who is beautiful by thought, Who is dear to Devakī, and Who is dear to all.[2]

Salutations for Viṣṇu, Who conquers everyone, Who holds a conch-shell and a discus, Who is dear to Rukmiṇī (Kṛṣṇa), Who is the consort of Jānakī (Rāma), Who is dear to cowherdesses, Who is offered [in sacrifices], Who is the Ātman (soul), Who destroyed Kaṁsa, and Who plays the flute.[3]

O Kṛṣṇa! O Govinda! O Rāma! O Nārāyaṇa, Who is the consort of Lakṣmī! O Vāsudeva, Who attained the treasure of Lakṣmī! O Acyuta, Who is immeasurable! O Mādhava, O Adhokṣaja, Who is the leader of Dvārikā, and Who is the protector of Draupadī!1[4]

May Rāghava — Who upsetted the demons, Who adorned Sītā, Who is Danḍaka-forest purification cause, Who is accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, Who was served by monkeys, and Who is revered by Sage Agastya — protect me.[5]

May Baby Gopāla (Kṛṣṇa) — Who was unfavorable to Dhenukāsura and Ariṣṭāsura, Who destroyed Keśī, Who killed Kaṁsa, Who plays the flute, and Who got angry on Pūtanā2 — always protect me.[6]

I sing praise of Acyuta, Who is adorned by a lightening like shining yellow robe, Whose body is resplendent like a cloud of the rainy-season, Who is adorned by a wild-flower garland at His chest, Whose twin-feet are of copper-red color, and Who has lotus-like eyes.[7]

I sing praise of that Śyāma, Whose face is adorned by falling locks of curly tresses, Who has jewels at forehead, Who has shining ear-rings on the cheeks, Who is adorned with a Keyūra (flower) garland, Who has a resplendent bracelet, and Who has a melodious anklet.[8]

Poet: Ādi Śaṅkara
Book: Bṛhatstotraratnākaraḥ
Translation by Animesh Kumar

Achyut, Keshav, Krishna, Narayan, Srimad Shankraracharya krit, Vishnu, अच्युताष्टकम्, श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यविरचित, 

सूर्याष्टकम् - Suryastakam

सूर्य भगवान

साम्ब उवाच -
आदिदेव नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसीद मम भास्कर ।
दिवाकर नमस्तुभ्यं प्रभाकर नमोऽस्तु ते ॥१॥ Bhāskara, Ādideva (the primodial Lord), bless me! prostration unto thou, O Divākara (The deity responsible for the creation of Day), O Prabhākara(the deity responsible for ushering light unto the world), prostrations unto to thou.

सप्ताश्व रथमारूढं प्रचण्डं कश्यपात्मजम् ।
श्वेत पद्माधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥२॥  
The Sun God (Sūrya) seated on a chariot drawn by seven horses, the resplendent one, the son of Kaśyapa, holding a lotus in the hand, unto Him I prostrate.

लोहितं रथमारूढं सर्वलोकपितामहम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥३॥
 Seated on a red chariot, the father of the whole world, the annihilator of deadly sins, unto him I prostrate.

त्रैगुण्यश्च महाशूरं ब्रह्माविष्णु महेश्वरम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥४॥  
The one who assumes the form of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, and also the form(s) of Brahmā, ViṢṇu and Maheśvara, the great warrior, remover of deadly sins, unto that Sun God, I prostrate.

बृह्मितं तेजःपुञ्जञ्च वायुराकाशमेव च ।
प्रभुत्वं सर्वलोकानां तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥५॥  
The Omni-present and luminous Lord of the whole Universe, unto that Sun God, I prostrate.

बन्धूकपुष्पसङ्काशं हारकुण्डलभूषितम् ।
एकचक्रधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥६॥  
Sūryadeva of red complexion like that of the Bandhūka tree, adorning a garland around His neck, Earrings on his ear, holding the divine discus (cakra) in the shape of time, unto Him, I prostrate.

तं सूर्यं लोककर्तारं महा तेजः प्रदीपनम् ।
महापाप हरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥७॥  
The supreme ruler of all the worlds, the administrator, of all deadly sins, unto that Sun God I prostrate.

तं सूर्यं जगतां नाथं ज्ञानप्रकाशमोक्षदम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥८॥  
I prostrate the Lord of The world, the bestower of liberation through the effulgent rays of knowledge and the destroyer of great sins.

श्री शिवप्रोक्तं सूर्याष्टकमं शुभम्।

सूर्यनारायण भगवान

Surya is  the visible form of God that one can see every day. Furthermore, Surya is regarded as the form of  Shiva by Shaivites as Astamurti and Vishnu by Vaishnavas as Surya Narayana.
Other names of Surya are

• Vishnu, Vivasvān (Sanskrit root: Vivasvat, विवस्वत्)  
• Ravi रवी (lit. "the Fire Bird"),
• Aditya आदित्य(lit. the son of Aditi),
• Pusha (the best Purifier),
• Divakar दिवाकर (the maker of the day),
• Savita सविता(the vivifier),
• Arka अर्क (the ray),
• Mitra मीत्र (friend),
• Bhanu भानु(light),
• Bhaskar भाष्कर (maker of Light), and
• Grahapati ग्रहपती(the Lord of Grahas)

Astamurti, Narayan, Shivaprokta, Sun, Surya Narayan, Surya stotra, सूर्याष्टकम्,

Rakhi - Raksha Bandhan Festival

Raksha Bandhan, popularly known as the festival of Rakhi is a festival which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters which has been observed by Hindus for years. The literal meaning of Raksha Bandhan is 'the bond of Protection'.

Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan by Hindu calendar. This day is known as Shravan Poornima. On this day, sister ties Rakhi or holy thread on the wrist of her brother. It signifies the pure bond between brother and sister. The brother in response presents a souvenir to his sister and swears to take care of her. The brother and sister customarily feed one another sweets.

Rakhi celebrations have been strengthening the link of affection between brothers and sisters and nurturing brotherhood in our society. Raksha Bandhan is not just celebrated between brother and sister of blood relation. Rakhi can be tied to a person who protects the girl and accepts her as his sister. History has umpteen examples of women requesting for their defense, through Rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus.


History of Raksha Bandhan

In Hindu religion, there are a lot of references to the worth of the Rakhi festival. Some of these vital historical facts are:

Vritra-Indra
The derivation of this celebration is more often than not traced back to the past incidents of Lord Indra's fight with the Demon Vritra. In this fight, Indra lost. After that, his wife tied a thread or Rakhi around Indra's wrist and that gave him power and courage to defeat the demon. The Rakhi hence indicated godly powers to ensure victory or success. Hence, the tradition of Rakhi (now only by sisters) to make the bearer successful and strong. In return, the sister gets protection from them in times of difficulty.


Krishna and Draupadi

A different event is the one from the epic Mahabharat that is in relation to Lord Krishna and Draupadi, the spouse of the Pandavas. She had torn a band of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's index finger to discontinue the run of blood. Krishna was so moved by her deed that he felt a bond of love for her. He assured to pay back the liability and after that spent the subsequent 25 years doing just that. Draupadi, in the face of being wedded to 5 grand warriors and being a descendant of an influential emperor trusted and depended entirely on Krishna.
Krishna paid off the debt of love at the stage of "Vastra-Haran"(factually "clothing-theft") of Draupadi. Draupadi's "Vastra-Haran" was done in the congregation of King Dhritarashtra, while Yudhishthir, her husband lost her in a stake. At that time Krishna for an indefinite period extended her saree, so it could not be aloof, to keep her dignity. This is how he paid his debt towards rakhi tied to him by Draupadi. Thus, Raksha Bandhan was of great significance in the epic Mahabharta.


King Bali and Goddess Laxmi
In accordance to a fable the devil King Bali was a great follower of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu had undertaken the task to watch his kingdom leaving his own dwelling in Vaikunth. Deity Lakshmi desired to be with her lord back in her dwelling. She went to Bali concealed as a Brahmin woman to look for shelter until her husband came back.
On the day of Shravan Purnima celebrations, Lakshmi tied the blessed thread or Rakhi to the King. And later when she was asked she exposed who she was and why she was there. The king felt warmth by her benevolence for his family and her reason and requested the Lord to go along with her. He gave up all he had for the Lord and his dedicated spouse.
In consequence, the occasion of Raksh Bandhan is too called 'Baleva' that is Bali Raja's loyalty to the Lord. It is believed that since that day it has been custom to request sisters in Shravan Purnima, to tie the thread or Rakhi.


Yama and the Yamuna
In accordance to another tale, Raksha Bandhan was a ceremony observed by Lord Yama (the god of Death) and his sister Yamuna. Yamuna tied rakhi to Yama and conferred immortality. Yama was immensely touched by the calmness of the time that he acknowledged that whoever gets a rakhi tied from his sister and pledged her safety will become eternal.


Alexander and the great-Puru
In accordance to a number of tales, Alexander, the emperor of Greece marched into India in 326 B.C. He wedded an Indian lady, Roxana (Roshanak) to strengthen his relations with the Central Asian regions. Alexander's wife sent a sacred thread or Rakhi to Porus, asking him not to hurt her husband in the skirmish. In compliance with Hindu civilization, Porus gave full admiration to the rakhi. On the battleground, when Porus was about to carry a final blow to Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his wrist and self-possessed himself from attacking Alexander in person.


Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun
It is a very popular incident which shows the significance of Rakhi very well. The tale of Rani Karnavati and monarch Humayun is the most major indication in the history. At some stage in the medieval era, Rajputs were fighting Muslim attacks. Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan at that time meant a holy binding and defense of sisters was primary. When Rani Karnawati the widowed queen of the king of Chittor comprehended that she could in no way protect from the assault of the Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, she sent a rakhi or holy thread to Emperor Humayun. The ruler was moved by the gesture and moved on with his troops devoid of wasting any time.


Celebration of Raksha Bandhan in India
Rakhi is an age old ritual which has evolved with the time. For a very long time now, Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated in the similar approach. Each and every one of the rituals is followed with the same eagerness. The major change is that the events have become grander now. Rakhi festival is about the merriment of the pure bond of love among the siblings.

This festival is a symbol of joy and rejoices as one and all start preparing for this carnival beforehand. Females start to shop for rakhi and rakhi gifts relatively early on. They buy new clothes and striking rakhi gifts particularly those that have to be sent to their brothers who stay away. More or less every shop, be it for sweets, garments or gifts.

This festival of Raksha Bandhan, in India, is renowned for its festival spirit and for intensification of the bond of love among brothers and sisters. In actual fact, India is worldwide known for its bright festivals and colorful rituals. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed with diverse rituals, family meet and sweets. Rakhi festival is about feelings, love and pleasure. Similar to any other celebration, rakhi has its one of its kind significance.

On the day of Rakhi festival, the celebration of this promising day starts on by the crack of dawn. First people get ready and gather for worship to take the blessings of God. After that the sister performs brother's arti, puts tika and chawal on his brow and ties Rakhi surrounded by chanting of mantras. Sisters sincerely give sweets to their brothers to eat which in order add more lovability in the Raksha Bandhan festivity and pray for their well being. In response, brothers present striking gifts.

This festival of Raksha Bandhan is observed as different festivals in different regions. These festivals which are observed across nation are mentioned below.

Rakhi Purnima
Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima in North and South India. The word "Purnima" means a full moon night. It is in addition called as Raksha Bandhan.


Nariyal Purnima
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Nariyal Purnima in western India and parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. On this day a present of a coconut is made to the ocean, as a symbol of admiration to Lord Varuna, the deity of the Sea. Nariyal Purnima marks the commencement of the fishing period and the fishermen, who depend on the sea for livelihood, make a present to Lord Varuna so that they can garner plentiful fish from the sea.


Janyo Punyo
The community of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, commemorate Raksha Bandhan and Janopunyu on the day of Shravan Purnima. On this day people change their sacred thread. On this day the well-known Bagwal fiesta is held at Devidhura in the region of Champawat.


Pavitropana
Raksha Bandhan or the festival of Rakhi is celebrated as Pavitroparna in parts of Gujarat. On this day people carry out the grand worship of Lord Shiva. It is the conclusion of the prayers done all over the year.

The occasion of Rakhi celebrations are similar as in all across North India. It is a festival of great significance in the regions of North India. The significance of this festival is mentioned below.


Significance of Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is at the present well thought-out as a day to rejoice the blessed relation of a brother and a sister. Nevertheless there have been instances in the past where rakhi has just been a Raksha or shield symbol. It could be tied by spouse, a daughter or mother. The saints used to tie the Rakhi tied to their followers who come to them for blessings. The learned tied the sacred thread or Rakhi to themselves to defend them from the vice.

In many scriptures, this day was also better known as the 'Papa Todak' or Punya Pradayak Parva' or the day that bequeaths boons and finish all sins.

Until that time, Rakhi festival takes in the tenderness shared amid the siblings but at the present it goes way further than it. A number of people knot Rakhi to neighbors and close friends suggestive of a passive co-existence of each individual.

Raksha Bandhan was first made famous by Rabindranath Tagore to uphold the sentiment of agreement and pledge to all members of culture to guard each other and support a harmonious communal life.

In present state of affairs, Rakhi has a diverse point of view. The instance involves a promise of life-time practice of ethical, civilizing and religious values. The values and the emotions attached to the rites of this event are worth inculcating by the entire humankind, the sentiments of harmony and peaceful coexistence. The festival of Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is about all forms of guard, of uprightness and destructive force of all transgression. The ceremony of Rakhi tying has turn out to be so momentous that come what may, brothers and sisters try to call each other place on this day in turn to fetch back the oneness of the people, binding the family as one in a poignant link of love.


Gifts on Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan fiesta is the mainly expected festival for the sisters. As on this very day they expect loads of gifts from their brothers. This day is marked by lot of shopping for girls. Though Rakhi is an old festival still it is celebrated in a very contemporary way. Many shops present special gifts for the occasion of Rakhi. These gifts dot the merriment of warmth and love of the sibling relationship.
In this affectionate ritual of love and fondness amid brothers and sisters, exchange of rakhi gifts is of great significance. These gifts are the token of love from the brother's end. It is believed that if such gifts are kept safe for the lifetime then the bonding remain strong. These gifts also help in cherishing the sweet memories by the siblings.

Various gifts given on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan are Apparels, Fashion Jewelry, Leather Bags & Wallets and Soft Toys. Greeting Cards have become the latest trend on the festival of Rakhi. Some other gifts are Household Utility Items, Decorative Items, Books, Cakes and Chocolates.