The shloka
जपाकुसुमसङ्काशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम् ।
तमोऽरिं सर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोऽस्मि दिवाकरम् ॥
japākusumasaṅkāśaṃ kāśyapeyaṃ mahādyutim |
tamo'riṃ sarvapāpaghnaṃ praṇato'smi divākaram ||
Japakusuma sankasham kashyapeyam mahadyutim
Tamorim sarvapapaghnam pranato'smi divakaram
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो जपा (गुड़हल) के फूल के समान लाल आभा वाले हैं, महर्षि कश्यप के पुत्र हैं, अत्यन्त तेजस्वी हैं, अन्धकार के शत्रु हैं और सब पापों का नाश करने वाले हैं, उन दिन के कर्ता भगवान सूर्य को मैं प्रणाम करता हूँ।
Meaning in English
I bow to Divakara, the maker of the day, who glows like the red hibiscus flower, who is the son of Sage Kashyapa, of great brilliance, the enemy of darkness and the destroyer of all sins.
Recited Japakusuma Sankasham?
Mark it, light a diya, or keep it for tomorrow.
Word-by-word meaning
- japākusuma
- hibiscus flower
- saṅkāśam
- resembling, having the hue of
- kāśyapeyam
- son of Sage Kashyapa
- mahādyutim
- of great brilliance
- tamo'rim
- enemy of darkness
- sarvapāpaghnam
- destroyer of all sins
- praṇato'smi
- I bow down
- divākaram
- maker of the day, the Sun
When and how to recite
- Bathe early and face the rising sun, ideally within the first hour after sunrise.
- Arghya: fill a copper vessel (lota) with clean water; a pinch of red flowers, kumkum or akshata (rice) may be added.
- Hold the vessel with both hands at chest height or above the head and pour the water in a slow, steady stream while reciting the mantra; view the sun through the falling water, never by staring directly.
- Let the water fall into a plant pot or clean ground rather than a drain, so it is not trampled.
- Finish by joining your palms, bowing, and, if you wish, turning around clockwise once in place.
Significance
Japakusuma Sankasham is the best-known prayer to Surya, the Sun God, and the opening verse of the Navagraha Stotra. It describes the rising sun as glowing red like the hibiscus flower, the radiant son of Sage Kashyapa who destroys darkness. Devotees recite it at sunrise while offering arghya, a stream of water, to the Sun. Short and melodious, it is a daily favourite in homes and on riverbanks across India.
The Sun is the visible source of light, warmth and life, and in Hindu thought he is also a symbol of awareness that dispels inner darkness. Calling him 'tamo'ri', enemy of darkness, the verse asks for clarity of mind as much as outer light. Offering arghya expresses gratitude for the gift of each new day and builds a disciplined habit of rising early. As the first verse of the Navagraha Stotra, it is also recited when worshipping the nine planets, Surya being the first among them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Japakusuma Sankasham?
It praises the Sun as glowing like the red hibiscus flower, son of Sage Kashyapa, greatly radiant, enemy of darkness and remover of sins, and says 'I bow to Divakara, the maker of the day.'
When should I chant the Japakusuma Surya mantra?
It is chanted at sunrise after bathing, usually while offering arghya (water) to the Sun. It may also be recited on Sundays and during Navagraha worship.
How do you offer arghya to the Sun?
Face the rising sun, hold a copper vessel of water with both hands and pour it in a slow stream while chanting the mantra, letting the water fall into a plant or clean ground.
Where does Japakusuma Sankasham come from?
It is the first verse of the Navagraha Stotra, which is traditionally attributed to Veda Vyasa.
