Surya Ashtakam is a sacred and powerful hymn of eight verses dedicated to Surya Dev, the radiant Sun God who brings light, life, and energy to the entire universe. It is known as Shri Shivaprokta Surya Ashtakam because it was lovingly proclaimed by Bhagawan Shiva himself. This beautiful stotra appears in the ancient Samba Purana, where Shiva shares it with Samba (the son of Bhagawan Krishna) to help him overcome deep suffering and receive Surya Dev’s healing grace. In simple words, chanting these verses connects our hearts directly to Surya Dev’s divine energy. It removes heavy burdens like planetary troubles, sins, and inner darkness while filling our lives with health, wisdom, prosperity, and ultimate peace. The words are simple yet deeply spiritual, like a gentle sunrise that slowly brightens the soul.
Now, here is the complete Surya Ashtakam with each verse in Sanskrit, followed by easy English transliteration, and then its beautiful explanation.
श्री सूर्य अष्टकम ॥
आदिदेव नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसीद मम भास्कर ।
दिवाकर नमस्तुभ्यं प्रभाकर नमोSस्तु ते ॥1॥
English Transliteration:
Ādideva namastubhyaṃ prasīda mama bhāskara ।
Divākara namastubhyaṃ prabhākara namo’stu te ॥1॥
Explanation
In this opening verse, we gently bow our heads and open our hearts to Surya Dev. We call him Ādideva – the very first and original divine source of all creation. We pray, “Please be kind and gracious to me, O Bhāskara, the shining one!” We also greet him as Divākara, who creates each new day, and Prabhākara, who spreads beautiful light everywhere. Like a child calling to its loving father, we ask Surya Dev to smile upon us and fill our lives with his warm, comforting glow. This verse teaches us that every new beginning starts with his light, chasing away fear and darkness from our minds and bringing fresh hope and peace to our souls.
Divakara (or Divakar) is a Sanskrit-derived name meaning “day-maker” or “sun” (combining diva, meaning “day,” and kara, meaning “maker/creator”). Prabhakara is derived from prabha (light, radiance) and kara (maker, creator).
सप्ताश्वरथमारूढं प्रचण्डं कश्यपात्मजम् ।
श्वेतपद्मधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥2॥
English Transliteration:
Saptāśvarathamāruḍhaṃ pracaṇḍaṃ kaśyapātmajam ।
Śvetapadmadharaṃ devaṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥2॥
Explanation
We lovingly salute Surya Dev who rides a splendid chariot pulled by seven strong horses, shining with mighty power as the beloved son of sage Kashyapa. In his hand he holds a pure white lotus, symbol of perfect beauty and goodness. Just as the seven horses carry his chariot across the sky, bringing life-giving warmth to every corner of the earth, Surya Dev travels through our lives too. He brings energy, health, and brightness to our days. This verse reminds us that Surya Dev is not far away in the sky – he is the gentle force that lifts our spirits, purifies our hearts, and helps us move forward with courage and joy every single morning.
लोहितं रथमारूढं सर्वलोकपितामहम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥3॥
English Transliteration:
Lohitaṃ rathamāruḍhaṃ sarvalokapitāmaham ।
Mahāpāpaharaṃ devaṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥3॥
Explanation
Here we bow to Surya Dev seated on his glowing red chariot, the loving grandfather and protector of all worlds. He is the great remover of even the heaviest sins. His red rays are like a caring father’s hand that wipes away every mistake and burden we carry. No matter how dark our past or how heavy our worries, Surya Dev’s light touches us with forgiveness and new beginnings. This verse fills us with comfort – it tells us that Surya Dev sees every soul as his own child and gently burns away all pain and guilt, leaving only peace and purity in our hearts.
त्रैगुण्यं च महाशूरं ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वरम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥4॥
English Transliteration:
Traiguṇyaṃ ca mahāśūraṃ brahmaviṣṇumaheśvaram ।
Mahāpāpaharaṃ devaṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥4॥
Explanation
We offer our deepest respect to Surya Dev who holds within himself the three qualities that shape the whole universe – creation, protection, and gentle transformation. He shines as the brave hero who takes the form of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva all at once. With his mighty power he destroys even the biggest sins. This verse shows us the beautiful secret that Surya Dev is not just the sun in the sky; he is the very heartbeat of life itself. His light balances everything – it creates new hopes, protects our goodness, and quietly transforms our troubles into strength. Chanting this fills our soul with courage and the feeling that we are safely held in divine love.
बृंहितं तेज:पु़ञ्जं च वायुमाकाशमेव च ।
प्रभुं च सर्वलोकानां तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥5॥
English Transliteration:
Bṛṃhitaṃ tejaḥpuñjaṃ ca vāyumā kāśameva ca ।
Prabhuṃ ca sarvalokānāṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥5॥
Explanation
We bow with wonder to Surya Dev, who is a vast, glowing bundle of brilliant light. He is the very form of wind and sky, the loving master of all worlds. His energy spreads everywhere like soft morning rays that touch every leaf, every river, and every heart. This verse helps us feel that Surya Dev is not limited – he is as free as the wind and as vast as the open sky. When we remember him, our own narrow worries melt away. His light expands our minds, brings fresh air into our lives, and makes us feel connected to the whole beautiful universe.
बन्धूकपुष्पसंकाशं हारकुण्डलभूषितम् ।
एकचक्रधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥6॥
English Transliteration:
Bandhūkapuṣpasaṅkāśaṃ hārakuṇḍalabhūṣitam ।
Ekacakradharaṃ devaṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥6॥
Explanation
We salute Surya Dev whose body glows like the lovely red bandhuka flower, beautifully decorated with shining garlands and earrings. He holds a single divine wheel that represents time and the cycle of life. His appearance is so charming and full of grace that just thinking of him brings a smile to our hearts. This verse paints a picture of Surya Dev as the most attractive and kind presence in the universe. His wheel gently turns our days, reminding us that every sunset leads to a new sunrise. His beauty teaches us to see divinity in simple, natural things and to live each moment with love and wonder.
तं सूर्यं जगत्कर्तारं महातेज:प्रदीपनम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥7॥
English Transliteration:
Taṃ sūryaṃ jagatkartāraṃ mahātejaḥpradīpanam ।
Mahāpāpaharaṃ devaṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥7॥
Explanation
We bow again to Surya Dev, the creator of the entire world, the one who lights up the universe with his supreme brilliance. He is the great destroyer of all sins. Like the first ray of dawn that wakes up the whole earth, he creates new possibilities in our lives and burns away everything that holds us back. This verse fills us with deep gratitude – Surya Dev does not just give light to the sky; he kindles the light of goodness inside every heart. His presence turns darkness into hope and mistakes into lessons, guiding us lovingly toward a brighter tomorrow.
तं सूर्यं जगतां नाथं ज्ञानविज्ञानमोक्षदम् ।
महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥8॥
English Transliteration:
Taṃ sūryaṃ jagatāṃ nāthaṃ jñānavijñānamokṣadam ।
Mahāpāpaharaṃ devaṃ taṃ sūryaṃ praṇamāmyaham ॥8॥
Explanation
In this closing verse of the ashtakam we offer our heartfelt salutations to Surya Dev, the true master and Bhagawan of all worlds. He lovingly gives us true knowledge, deep understanding, and the ultimate freedom of moksha. Once again he removes even the greatest sins. This verse is like a warm embrace from the sun itself – it tells us that Surya Dev is not only the giver of physical light but also the giver of inner wisdom that frees our souls. When we remember him, confusion fades, clarity comes, and our hearts feel light and liberated, ready to walk the beautiful path of life with joy and peace.
इति श्रीशिवप्रोक्तं सूर्याष्टकं सम्पूर्णम् ।
This beautiful hymn ends here, exactly as proclaimed by Bhagawan Shiva. Whoever recites Surya Ashtakam every day with love and faith receives Surya Dev’s special blessings – troubles from planets disappear, the childless are blessed with children, the poor become rich, and the soul journeys toward the pure world of Surya Dev. May these sacred verses bring light, love, and endless blessings into your life every single day.
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