Suryashtakam

Meaning:

Ādideva namastubhyaṁ prasīda mama bhāskara .

Divākara namastubhyaṁ prabhākara namo'stute ..1..

Salutations to you, O primal being. Bless me, O creator of light. Salutation to you, O creator of the day. Salutations to  you, O creator of light.

Saptāśvarathamārūḍhaṁ pracaṇḍaṁ kaśyapātmajam .

Śvetapadmadharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..2..

I salute that Sun who rides on a chariot with seven horses, Who is terrible, Who is the son of sage Kashyapa, and who holds a white lotus in his hand.

Lohitaṁ rathamārūḍhaṁ sarvalokapitāmaham .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..3..

I salute that Sun who rides in a copper chariot, who has created all the worlds, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

Traiguṇyam ca māhāśūram brahmaviṣṇumaheśvaram .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..4..

I salute that Sun who is the master of the three gunas, who is very brave, who is Brahma Vishnu and Shiva, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

Bṛṁhitaṁ tejapuñjaṁ ca vāyumākāśameva ca .

Prabhuṁ ca sarvalokānāṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..5..

I salute that Sun who is strong, who is a ball of light, who is the air and the space, and who is the lord of all the worlds.

Bandhūkapuṣpasankāśaṁ hārakuṇḍalabhūṣitam .

Ekacakradharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..6..

I salute that Sun who has a complexion like that of the scarlet mallow , who wears necklaces and earrings, and whose chariot has one wheel.

Taṁ sūryaṁ jagatkartāraṁ mahātejapradīpanam .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..7..

I salute that Sun who created the universe, who shines with great brilliance, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

Taṁ sūryaṁ jagatāmnāthaṁ jñānavijñānamokṣadam .

Mahāpāpaharaṁ devaṁ taṁ sūryaṁ praṇamāmyaham ..8..

I salute that Sun who is the lord of all the worlds, who gives knowledge, wisdom and salvation, and who removes even the most heinous of sins.

This hymn was composed by Samba and is found in the Samba purana.

Notes:

  This hymn is composed in praise of the sun god Surya by Samba the son of Krishna after he got inflicted by leprosy. After he composed this hymn, he was cured of all his ailments. hence this hymn is also called "Rogapanayana" Suryashtakam or the Suryashtakam which removes all diseases.

  Samba was known for his unruliness and his vanity. One day he insulted Narada. Narada, wanting to teach Samba a lesson, lured him into the bathing chamber of Krishna's wives. They went and complained about this to Krishna. An irritated Krishna cursed his son to become a leper. Samba was shocked. He pleaded forgiveness and told Krishna what actually happened. Krishna realized that Samba was not at fault.

   Krishna however could not take back his curse, so he asked Samba to worship Surya on the seashore at Konarka. Samba worshipped the sun for 12 years and was cured of his leprosy. The famous Konark temple, built by Narasimhadeva I is said to be built over the same spot where Samba performed his penance.