Aaditya Hrudaya

Stotra

Unlike a mantra which is concise, a stotra is longer and often poetic, eulogising a specific deity. Three popular stotras have the suffix ‘hrudaya’ which literally means heart. These are Naarayana hrudaya, Lakshmi hrudaya and Aaditya hrudaya. On the face of it, the Aaditya hrudaya is in praise of the Sun-god.

The Raamayana

The Aaditya hrudaya is found in the Yuddha kaanda of the Raamayana. The popular tale goes that a tired Raama who is feeling hopeless and is frustrated, is taught this stotra by rishi Agastya. After Raama chants this stotra, he wins the war by killing Raavana. Thus, this powerful stotra grants mental peace and ensures victory.

Listen to this melodious rendering of the stotra by Sindhu and Smitha.