Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra - Complete meaning and benefits of chanting

Surya Mandala Ashtakam is a Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. It consists of eight verses praising the radiance, splendor, and cosmic significance of the Sun, symbolizing the ultimate source of energy and life. The hymn is recited by devotees to invoke blessings for vitality, health, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment from the divine essence of the Sun.

Table of Contents
1. Stotra

2. Meaning

3. Benefits of chanting Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra

4. Who can chant Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra & When to chant?

5. How to chant the stotram?

Stotra

Yanmanḍalan dīptikaran vishālamratnaprabhan tīvramanādirūpam ।

dāridrya duahkhakṣhayakāraṇan cha, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 1॥

Yanmanḍalan devagaṇaiah supūjitam vipraiah stutan mānavamuktikovidam ।

tan devadevan praṇamāmi bharga, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 2॥

Yanmanḍalan jnyānaghanantvagamyan, trailokya pūjyan triguṇātmarūpam ।

samasta tejomaya divya rūpan punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 3॥

Yanmaṇḍalan gūḍha़yati prabodham,dharmasya vṛuddhian kurute janānām ।

tat sarvapāpakṣhaya kāraṇan cha, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 4॥

Upāsanīya savitā muze pavitra kare । yanmaṇḍalan byādhi vināshadakṣham,yadṛug yajuah

sāmasu sampragītam । prakāshitan yen ch bhūrbhuvah svah, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 5 ॥

Yanmaṇḍalan vedavido vadanti, Gāyanti yachchāraṇ siddhasanghāah ।Yadyogino yogajuṣhāan ch sanghāah,
Punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 6 ॥

Yanmaṇḍalan sarva janeṣhu pūjitan, jyotishcha kuryādih martyaloke । yatkāl kālādimanādi rūpam,
Punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 7॥

Yanmaṇḍalan viṣhṇuchaturmukhāsyan,yadakṣharan pāpaharan janānām ।
Yatkālakalpakṣhayakāraṇan cha, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 8 ॥

Yanmaṇḍalan vishvasṛujāan prasiddhan,utpattirakṣhā pralaya pragalbhamyasmin jagat

sanharate’khilan cha,punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 9॥

Yanmaṇḍalan sarvagatasya viṣhṇoah, ātmā paran dhām vishuddhatatvam ।

sūkṣhmātisūkṣhmayogapathānugamyan, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 10॥

Yanmaṇḍalan brahmavido vadanti,gāyanti yachchāraṇ siddhasanghāah ।

yanmaṇḍalan vedavidah smaranti, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 11॥

Yanmaṇḍalan ved vidopagītan,yadyogināan yogapathānugamyam ।
Tatsarvavedan praṇamāmi divyan punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 12 ॥

Stotra with meaning

Yanmanḍalan dīptikaran vishālamratnaprabhan tīvramanādirūpam । dāridrya duahkhakṣhayakāraṇan cha, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 1॥
Meaning: May the worshipable Savita, whose circle is light-giving, whose radiance is like a huge gem, whose form is illustrious and eternal, who destroys poverty and sorrow, purify me.

Yanmanḍalan devagaṇaiah supūjitam vipraiah stutan mānavamuktikovidam । tan devadevan praṇamāmi bharga, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 2॥
Meaning: I bow to that Sun God whose circle is worshipped by the gods, who liberates humans and who is praised by the Brahmins. May that worshipable Savita purify me.

Yanmanḍalan jnyānaghanantvagamyan, trailokya pūjyan triguṇātmarūpam । samasta tejomaya divya rūpan punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 3॥
Meaning: Whose circle knows the density of knowledge, who is worshipped by the three worlds and is the form of nature, who is radiant and has a divine form. May that worshipable Savita purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan gūḍha़yati prabodham,dharmasya vṛuddhian kurute janānām । tat sarvapāpakṣhaya kāraṇan cha, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 4॥
Meaning: The one whose circle is the source of enlightenment for the hidden beings, who increases the religion of the people, who is the cause of the destruction of all sins,

Upāsanīya savitā muze pavitra kare । yanmaṇḍalan byādhi vināshadakṣham,yadṛug yajuah sāmasu sampragītam । prakāshitan yen ch bhūrbhuvah svah, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 5 ॥
Meaning: May the worshipable Savita, whose circle is capable of destroying diseases, who has been described in Rigveda, Yaju and Sama, who shines on earth, space and heaven, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan vedavido vadanti,
Gāyanti yachchāraṇ siddhasanghāah ।
Yadyogino yogajuṣhāan ch sanghāah,
Punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 6 ॥ 

Meaning: May that worshipable Savita, whose circle is described by the Veda scholars, whose praises are sung by the Charans and Siddhas, whom the Yogis meditate upon, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan sarva janeṣhu pūjitan, jyotishcha kuryādih martyaloke । yatkāl kālādimanādi rūpam,
Punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 7॥
Meaning: May that worshipful Sun, whose circle is worshipped by all, who spreads light in the mortal world, who is the time form of time itself, who is eternal, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan viṣhṇuchaturmukhāsyan,yadakṣharan pāpaharan janānām ।
Yatkālakalpakṣhayakāraṇan cha, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 8 ॥

Meaning: May that worshipable Sun, whose circle is the form of Vishnu and Brahma, who is Akshar and destroys the sins of people, who is capable of destroying even time, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan vishvasṛujāan prasiddhan,utpattirakṣhā pralaya pragalbhamyasmin jagat sanharate’khilan cha,punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 9॥
Meaning: May that worshipable Savita, through whose circle the universe has been created, who is capable of creation, protection and destruction, in whom this entire universe gets absorbed, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan sarvagatasya viṣhṇoah, ātmā paran dhām vishuddhatatvam । sūkṣhmātisūkṣhmayogapathānugamyan, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 10॥
Meaning: May the worshipable Savita, whose circle is the form of the all-pervasive Vishnu, who is the ultimate abode of the soul, who is the pure element, who knows even the subtlest of distinctions through the path of Yoga, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan brahmavido vadanti,gāyanti yachchāraṇ siddhasanghāah । yanmaṇḍalan vedavidah smaranti, punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 11॥
Meaning: May that worshipable Savita, whose circle is described by the knowers of Brahman, whose praises are sung by the Charans and Siddhas, whose glory is remembered by the Ved scholars, purify me.

Yanmaṇḍalan ved vidopagītan,yadyogināan yogapathānugamyam ।
Tatsarvavedan praṇamāmi divyan punātu māan tatsaviturvareṇyam ॥ 12 ॥
Meaning: Salutations to that Sun, whose circle is described by the Ved scholars, whom the Yogis follow after following the path of Yoga, may that worshipable Savita purify us.

Benefits of chanting Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra

Chanting Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra is believed to offer several benefits:

1. Health and Vitality
2. Clarity of Mind
3. Prosperity and Success
4. Spiritual Enlightenment
5. Protection and Purification

Overall, chanting Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra is considered a potent spiritual practice that not only offers physical and mental benefits but also facilitates spiritual growth and connects the practitioner with the divine energy of the Sun.

Who can chant Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra & When to chant?
Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra can be chanted by anyone who wishes to connect with the energy of the Sun and seek its blessings. There are generally no specific restrictions based on age, gender, or religious background. The hymn is open to all individuals who want to cultivate a deeper spiritual connection with the Sun.

As for when to chant Surya Mandala Ashtakam Stotra, it can be recited during various times of the day, preferably during sunrise or sunset when the energy of the Sun is most pronounced. Additionally, some devotees may choose to chant it as part of their morning or evening prayers, or during their daily meditation practice. Ultimately, the timing of chanting can be based on personal preference and one's spiritual routine.

How to chant the stotram?

Before chanting the Surya Mandala Ashtakam here are some traditional practices that devotees may follow to prepare for a more focused and meaningful experience:

1. Take a bath or wash your hands and face to feel physically clean. This can symbolize inner purification as well.
2. Find a quiet, clean space free from distractions where you can focus on the chanting.
3. Wear comfortable and clean clothes that allow you to sit comfortably.
4. Approach the chanting with reverence and devotion to Lord Surya. Set an intention for your chanting, whether it's seeking protection, peace, or spiritual growth.
5. You can offer a short prayer to Lord Surya before chanting, expressing your gratitude and seeking his blessings.