Shri Surya Dev Aarti

This aarti is a brief tribute to Lord Surya — his glory, his form, his family lineage, and his graces. Eight stanzas, with the refrain “Om Jai Surya Bhagwan” sung between each.

The refrain invokes Surya by his familial epithets:

• Kashyap-nandan — son of Sage Kashyapa (his father in Puranic tradition)
• Aditi-nandan — son of Aditi (his mother; this is the source of his name Aditya)
• Tribhuvana-timira-nikandana — destroyer of the darkness of the three worlds
• Bhakta-hridaya-chandana — sandalwood-fragrance in the heart of devotees

Stanza 1 describes his iconic chariot — drawn by seven horses, with a single wheel.

Stanza 2 describes his golden form — wearing gold and jewels, bracelets and earrings, with a crown and a lotus in hand.

Stanza 3 is the theological centre: Surya is Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. He is the discerner beyond the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) — the very form of the karana (causal principle).

Stanza 4 traces his daily journey: dawn-rising, noon-blazing, evening-setting — and yet he is ever jnani (all-knowing).

Stanza 5 is the practice-stanza: those who offer arghya (water) receive health from Surya.

Stanza 6 specifies the Sunday vrat (fruit-only fast) — granted joy and prosperity.

Stanza 7 salutes Chhath Puja — the four-day festival especially beloved in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP, and the Nepal Terai.

Stanza 8 lists Surya’s most famous descendants: Rama (of the Surya-vamsha through Dasharatha) and Karna (the Mahabharata hero, son of Kunti and Surya).

Stanza 9 is the phalashruti — whoever sings this aarti with faith finds their disease, sorrow, and crisis fled.

This particular Surya Aarti was composed in the 19th–20th century, but Surya-vandana itself goes back to the Vedic period. The Gayatri Mantra is itself a Surya-stuti.

The melody “Jagdish Hare” has become the standard aarti tune of North India, and this Surya aarti is sung to it. Daily evening aarti at North Indian Surya-temples uses this composition.

Puranic references:

• Kashyap-nandan — son of Sage Kashyapa; in the Puranas, Surya is the son of Kashyapa and Aditi.
• Aditi-nandan — son of mother Aditi; this is the etymology of his name Aditya.
• Surya-vamsha — the Solar Dynasty that includes Dasharatha, Rama, Bhishma, Yudhishthira, Bhagiratha, and Ved Vyasa (son of Satyavati).
• Kunti-Karna — Karna is the son of Kunti and Surya; the radiant warrior of the Mahabharata.

Modern observance — sung today:

• At daily evening arati at Surya temples
• At Chhath Puja after the arghya offerings
• At Ratha Saptami worship
• After a Sunday vrat
• In household worship after sun-darshan

When

• Daily evening arati — before sunset
• Sunday — after special worship
• Ratha Saptami, Chhath Puja, Makar Sankranti — major festivals
• After a solar eclipse
• Before journeys, exams, and difficult tasks

Steps

1. Aarti is sung after Surya worship — following the Gayatri Mantra, Surya Chalisa, or Aditya Hridayam.
2. Prepare the thali with a 5-wick ghee lamp, incense, red flowers, akshat.
3. Light the lamp and begin.
4. Rotate the lamp clockwise seven full circles.
5. Keep tala with bell, claps, or conch.
6. Face east while singing.
7. After the aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers).
8. Apply red sandalwood tilak to the forehead.
9. Distribute prasad — jaggery, dates, fruits.

Musical accompaniment

Traditionally accompanied by harmonium, tabla, manjira, dholak, and conch. The conch sound is considered especially auspicious for Surya worship.

• Set to the famous “Jagdish Hare” tune — universally recognized.
• Surya’s familial roots — Kashyapa and Aditi remembered.
• Solar-dynasty pride — connection to Rama, Krishna, and Karna.
• Chhath Puja remembrance — especially meaningful for Bihari and Jharkhandi devotees.
• Beyond-the-gunas indication — the discerner of sattva, rajas, and tamas.

Is this aarti’s tune the same as “Jagdish Hare”?

Yes. The popular “Jagdish Hare” tune is the standard aarti melody of North India. This aarti is sung to it. Once you know the “Jagdish Hare” tune, you can sing this without re-learning.

How many times should the lamp be circled?

The traditional count is seven — four near the feet, two near the navel, one near the face. Five is acceptable as a shortened daily routine.

How to teach this aarti to children?

Start with the refrain — “Om Jai Surya Bhagwan, Swami Jai Surya Bhagwan” — repeated many times. Add stanzas one at a time.

Is this aarti only sung at Surya temples?

No. It is sung in homes as part of household Surya worship. Especially on Sundays, Chhath, and Ratha Saptami. Even in general household puja, after sun-darshan it can be added.

Can women sing the aarti during menstruation?

Mental singing and arati at a distance are always permitted. Avoid touching the murti or holding the lamp. Most contemporary acharyas hold mental remembrance to be universally meritorious.

What is suitable as prasad?

Jaggery, dates, fruits, thekua (especially for Chhath Puja), and red sweets. Surya likes red colour — red sandalwood, red flowers, red clothing — all suitable.

Should this aarti follow any other aartis?

Standard evening sequence: (1) Surya Chalisa / Aditya Hridayam / Gayatri Mantra; (2) this Surya Aarti; (3) “Om Jai Jagdish Hare” — as the universal closing arati to all gods.

Why is this aarti also sung after a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is traditionally seen as a time of crisis for the sun. After the eclipse, bathing, sun-darshan, and aarti carry the meaning of re-establishment and restoration of normal solar grace.