MB#51: ๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ง'๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ ๐ค๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ง๐ช๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ข.
- www.suryanarayana.com
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
[MemoirBlogthon #51] My father lived a remarkably healthy life until 90, a vitality he attributed to his daily ritual: reciting the 31 verses of Aditya Hrudayam while sitting in the morning sun, often after applying olive oil. This sacred Hindu hymn, given to Lord Rama to secure victory over Ravana, became my fatherโs "kavacha" (armor), instilling unwavering confidence and dispelling darkness. Today, I continue this legacy, listening to the hymn in a voice that resembles his, honoring his belief that mental clarity and physical strength are aligned with the sun's universal energy.
The Ancient Power of Aditya Hrudayam
I learned from my father in both childhood and adulthood that the Aditya Hrudayam is a sacred Hindu hymn dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God). Its significance is rooted in the Yuddha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, where the sage Agastya recited it to Lord Rama to restore his confidence and strength before his final battle with Ravana.
For my father, the hymn's importance transcended history, providing deep spiritual and psychological benefits:
Victory Over Adversity: The central purpose of the stotram is to grant victory over both external foes and internal negative emotions like fear and doubt.
Source of Energy and Consciousness: Surya is revered as the ultimate source of life, energy, and the eternal witness (Atman). Chanting the hymn aligns one's inner self with this universal energy.
Dispelling Ignorance: The Sun is a powerful metaphor for light and knowledge, fostering clarity of thought and a positive outlook on life. It is considered a protective "kavacha" (armor) that wards off negative influences.
The Engineer's Approach to Health and Vitality
My father linked these spiritual benefits directly to practical, modern well-being. He lived to be 90 with very few ailments beyond age-related issues, a vitality he largely attributed to this daily practice.
He always emphasized the health-wise benefits:
Stress Relief and Mental Clarity: The rhythmic chanting acts as a meditative practice that calms the mind and reduces stress.
Improved Focus: The structured Sanskrit verses challenge the brain, enhancing cognitive functions and concentration, which is beneficial for professionals.
Mind-Body Connection: Performing the practice during sunrise encourages alignment with the circadian rhythm.
This belief led to his rigorous daily routine: he would sit in the sunshine for about an hour daily after applying olive oil to his skin. He would recite all 31 verses of the Aditya Hrudayam entirely from memory.
Listen Audio:
The Inherited Legacy
The strength and determination that my father exhibited throughout his career and life were undoubtedly fueled by this daily invocation of solar energy.
The ritualistic habits I inherited from him, which I continue today, are simple but powerful:
Applying olive oil to the skin before a bath.
Sitting in the sun for at least ten minutes while listening to the Aditya Hrudayam.
Listening to an audio file of the hymn whose voice resembles my father'sโa practice that keeps his presence and his strong, ethical character close.
This practice is more than a hymn; it is the enduring legacy of a confident, healthy, and determined life.
MB#51 Quiz
MB51: Question: In which Hindu epic and which specific section (Kanda) is the Aditya Hrudayam hymn found?
A. Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita.
B. Ramayana, Bala Kanda.
C. Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda.
D. Skanda Purana, Kedara Kanda.
MB#51 Quote
"Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit." โ B.K.S. Iyengar
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