Ādityahṛdayam
Sunday, January 7th, 12-1PM, $20
The Ādityahṛdayam, “the heart of the Sun,” is a chant to the Sun God, from the Yuddha Kāṇḍa (6th book) of the Rāmāyaṇa. Rāma, the hero, has gone to rescue his beloved wife, Sītā, who has been kidnapped by Rāvaṇa, but in the pivotal moment, he becomes paralyzed on the battlefield. The sage Agastya arrives and tells him to pray to the Sun God for the strength and courage to face his obstacles and fears. This chant is said to convey all of the same benefits as sūrya namaskāra, sun salutations. It can be chanted before practice in order to gather the energy and vitality of the sun. In this workshop we will chant this auspicious mantra, discuss its meaning and invoke the courage to face our own obstacles and fears.
आदित्यहृदयं पुण्यं सर्वशत्रुविनाशनम् ।
जयावहं जपेन्नित्यमक्षय्यं परमं शिवम् ॥ ४ ॥
āditya-hṛdayaṃ puṇyaṃ sarva-śatru-vināśanam |
jayāvahaṃ japennityam akṣayyaṃ paramaṃ śivam || 4 ||
One should always recite the Ādityahṛdayam.
It is holy, the destroyer of all enemies,
Bringer of victory, eternal,
The most auspicious.
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्यं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ।
चिन्ताशोकप्रशमनमायुर्वर्धनमुत्तमम् ॥ ५ ॥
sarva-maṅgalam āṅgalyaṃ sarva-pāpa-praṇāśanam |
cintā-śoka-praśamanam āyurvardhanam uttamam || 5 ||
The highest blessing among all blessings,
Destroying all evil,
Pacifying anxiety and sorrow,
The best at increasing longevity.