3(A). DHAUMYA’S SURYA MANTRA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > AARANYAKA PARVA > CHAPTER 3(A) - DHAUMYA’S SURYA MANTRA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, thus addressed by Shaunaka, approached his Purohita and in the middle of his brothers said, ‘The Brahmanas versed in the Vedas are following me who am departing for the forest. Pained with many calamities I am unable to support them. I cannot abandon them, nor have I the power to offer them livelihood: Tell me, O holy one (Bhagawaan in Sanskrit), what should be done by me in such a pass.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘After thinking for a moment seeking to find out the (proper) course by his yoga powers, Dhaumya, that foremost of all men of Dharma, addressed Yudhishthira, in these words, ‘In ancient days, all living beings that had been created were sorely pained with hunger. Like a father (to all of them), Savita (the Sun) took compassion upon them. Going first into the northern movement, the Sun drew up water by his rays, and coming back to the southern movement, stayed over the earth, with his heat centered in himself. While the sun so stayed over the earth, the lord of the vegetable world (the moon), converting the effects of the solar heat (vapours) into clouds and pouring them down in the shape of water, caused plants to spring up. Thus, it is the Sun himself, who, drenched by the lunar influence, is transformed, upon the sprouting of seeds, into holy vegetable furnished with the six tastes (Shad Rasa in Sanskrit). It is these which constitute the food of all creatures upon the earth. Thus, the food that supports the lives of creatures is instinct with solar energy, and the Sun is, therefore, the father of all creatures. You do, hence, O Yudhishthira, take refuge in him (the Sun). All illustrious monarchs of pure descent and action are known to have delivered their people by practising high Tapas. The great Kaartaveerya, Vainya and Nahusha, had all, by virtue of Tapas and Yoga preceded by vows (Vrata in Sanskrit), relieved their people from heavy pain. Therefore, O one of Dharma (Yudhishthira), as you are purified by the acts you do likewise, entering upon a file of austerities. O Bharata (Yudhishthira), Dharmically support the Dwijas.’

“Janamejaya said, ‘How did that bull among the Kurus, king Yudhishthira, for the sake of the Brahmanas adore the Sun of wonderful appearance?’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Listen attentively, O king (Janamejaya), purifying yourself and withdrawing your mind from every other thing. O king of kings (Janamejaya), you appoint a time. I will tell you everything in detail, O illustrious one, listen to the one hundred and eight names (of the Sun) as they were disclosed in ancient times by Dhaumya to the Mahatma Paarthaa (Yudhishthira). Dhaumya said,

     ‘1.                  Surya,

2.                  Aryamaa,

3.                  Bhaga,

4.                  Twashtaa,

5.                  Pooshaa,

6.                  Arka,

7.                  Savitaa,

8.                  Ravi,

9.                  Gabhastimaan,

10.              Aja,

11.              Kaalaa,

12.              Mrityu,

13.              Dhaataa,

14.              Prabhaakara,

15.              Prithivi,

16.              Aapa,

17.              Teja,

18.              Kha,

19.              Vaayu,

20.              the sole stay,

21.              Soma,

22.              Brihaspati,

23.              Shukra,

24.              Budhaa,

25.              Angaaraka,

26.              Indra,

27.              Vivaswaan,

28.              Deeptaamshu,

29.              Shuchi,

30.              Shauri,

31.              Shanaischara,

32.              Brahma,

33.              Vishnu,

34.              Rudra,

35.              Skanda,

36.              Vaishravana,

37.              Yama,

38.              Vaidyutaa,

39.              Jatharaagni,

40.              Aindhana,

41.              Tejasaampati,

42.              Dharmadhwaja,

43.              Veda-Kartaa,

44.              Vedanga,

45.              Vedavaahana,

46.              Krita,

47.              Treta,

48.              Dwaapara,

49.              Kali – full of every impurity,

50.              Kalaa,

51.              Kaashthaa,

52.              Muhoortaa,

53.              Pakshaa,

54.              Maasaa,

55.              Rutu,

56.              Samvatsara-kara,

57.              Aswattha,

58.              Kaalachakra,

59.              Vibhaavasu,

60.              Purusha,

61.              Shaaswata,

62.              Yogi,

63.              Vyaktaavyakta,

64.              Sanaatana,

65.              Lokaadhyaksha,

66.              Prajadhyaksha,

67.              Vishwakarma,

68.              Tamonuda,

69.              Varuna,

70.              Saagara,

71.              Amshu,

72.              Jeemootaa,

73.              Jeevana,

74.              Arihaa,

75.              Bhootaashraya,

76.              Bhootapati,

77.              Sarvabhoota,

78.              Nishevita,

79.              Mani,

80.              Suvarnaa,

81.              Bhootaadi,

82.              Kaamada,

83.              Sarvatomukha,

84.              Jaya,

85.              Vishaalaa,

86.              Varada,

87.              Sheeghraga,

88.              Praanadhaaranaa,

89.              Dhanwantari,

90.              Dhoomaketu,

91.              Aadideva,

92.              Aditisuta,

93.              Dwaadashaatma,

94.              Aravindaaksha,

95.              Pitaa,

96.              Maataa,

97.              Pitamaha,

98.              Swarga-dwaara,

99.              Prajadwaara,

100.          Mokshadwara,

101.          Trivishtapa,

102.          Dehakarta,

103.          Prashaantaatma,

104.          Vishwaatma,

105.          Vishwatomukha,

106.          Charaacharaatma,

107.          Sukhshmaatma,

108.          the merciful Maitreya.

These are the hundred and eight names of Surya of immeasurable energy, as told by Shakra (Lord Indra). Shakra told to Naarada, who told this to Dhaumya, and Dhaumya taught this to Yudhishthira. For the acquisition of prosperity, I bow down to you, O Bhaskara, blazing like to gold or fire, who is worshipped of Devas, Pitrus, Yakshas, and who is adored by Asuras, Nishaacharaas, and Siddhas. He that with fixed attention recites this hymn at sunrise, obtains wife, offspring, riches and the memory of his former existence, and by reciting this hymn a person attains patience and memory. Let a man concentrating his mind, recite this hymn. By doing so, he shall be proof against grief, forest-fire, ocean and every object of desire shall be his.’

वैशंपायन उवाच -

शृणुष्वावहितो राजञ्शुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः |

क्षणं च कुरु राजेन्द्र सर्वं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः ||

धौम्येन तु यथ प्रोक्तं पार्थाय सुमहात्मने |

नाम्नामष्टशतं पुण्यं तच्छृणुष्व महामते ||

सूर्योअर्यमा भगस्त्वष्टा पूषार्कः सविता रविः |

गभस्तिमानजः कालो मृत्युर्धाता प्रभाकरः ||

पृथिव्यापश्च तेजश्च खं वायुश्च परायणम् |

सोमो बृहस्पतिः शुक्रो बुधोअङ्गारक एव च ||

इन्द्रो विवस्वान्दीप्तांशुः शुचिः शौरिः शनैश्चरः |

ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च स्कन्दो वैश्रवणो यमः ||

वैद्युतो जाठरश्चाग्निरैन्धनस्तेजसां पतिः |

धर्मध्वजो वेदकर्ता वेदाङ्गो वेदवाहनः ||

कृतं त्रेता द्वापरश्च कलिः सर्वामराश्रयः |

कला काष्ठा मुहूर्ताश्च पक्षा मासा ऋतुस्तथा ||

सवत्सरकरोअश्वत्थः कालचक्रो विभावसुः |

पुरुषः शाश्वतो योगी व्यक्ताव्यक्तः सनातनः ||

लोकाध्यक्षः प्रजाध्यक्षो विश्वकर्मा तमोनुदः |

वरुणः सागरोंअशुश्च जीमूतो जीवनोरिहा ||

भूताश्रयो भूतपतिः सर्वभूतनिषेवितः |

मणिः सुवर्णो भूतादिः कामदः सर्वतोमुखः ||

जयो विशालो वरदः शीघ्रगः प्राणधारणः |

धन्वन्तरिर्धूमकेतुरादिदेवोअदितेः सुतः ||

द्वादशात्मारविन्दाक्षः पिता माता पितामहः |

स्वर्गद्वारं प्रजाद्वारं मोक्षद्वारं त्रिविष्टपम् ||

देहाकर्ता प्रशान्तात्मा विश्वात्मा विश्वतोमुखः |

चराचरात्मा सूक्ष्मात्मा मैत्रेण वपुषान्वितः ||

एतद्वै कीर्तनीयस्य सूर्यस्यैव महात्मनः |

नाम्नामष्टशतं पुण्यं शक्रेणोक्तं महात्मना ||

शक्राच्च नारदः प्राप्तो धौम्यश्च तदनन्तरम् |

धौम्या युधिष्ठिरः प्राप्य सर्वान्कामानवाप्तवान् ||

सुरपितृगणयक्षसेवितं ; ह्यसुरनिशाचरसिद्धवन्दितम् |

वरकनकहुताशनप्रभं ; त्वमपि मनस्यभिधेहि भास्करम् ||

सूर्योदये यस्तु समाहितः पठे ; त्स पुत्रलाभं धनरत्नसञ्चयान् |

लभेत जातिस्मरतां सदा नरः ; स्मृतिं च मेधां च स विन्दते पराम् ||

इमं स्तवं देववरस्य यो नरः ; प्रकीर्तयेच्छ्रुचिसुमनाः समाहितः |

स मुच्यते शोकदवाग्निसागरा ; ल्लभेत कामान्मनसा यथेप्सितान् ||

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Having heard from Dhaumya these words suitable to the occasion, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, with heart concentrated within itself and purifying it duly, became engaged in severe meditation, moved by the desire of supporting the Brahmanas. Worshipping the maker of day (the Sun) with offerings of flowers and other articles, the king (Yudhishthira) performed his bath. Standing in the stream, he turned his face towards the God of day (the Sun). Touching the water of Ganga, the Dharmic Yudhishthira with senses under complete control and depending upon air alone for his livelihood, stood there with absorbed soul engaged in praanaayama. Having purified himself and restrained his speech, he began to sing the hymn of praise (to the Sun).’