Ghosha’s Stotra to Sūrya
This is a stotra (hymn of praise) to Bhagavān Sūrya by King Ghosha of the solar dynasty. He sang it at the place in Ayodhyā that became Ghoshārkakuṇḍa. It is found in the Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Vaishṇava Khaṇḍa, Ayodhyā Māhātmya, Chapter 7, verses 122 to 128.
Ghosha had been healed of festering wounds full of worms when he bathed in a sacred lake. In thanks and devotion he sang this stotra. Bhagavān Sūrya was pleased and appeared in person. He gave the king a vara (boon): an image carrying both their names, Ghoshārka, would be set up at that spot for ever.
The setting
Ghosha was a king, an emperor of the solar dynasty. He had been suffering from worm-infested, festering wounds, the result of past karma. He bathed in a sacred lake and was healed at once. His body became radiant and divine.
The ṛshis who were present on the bank told him that the lake was a tīrtha (holy place). Moved by deep thanks, he made this stotra and sang it to Bhagavān Sūrya.
The stotra
The stotra has seven verses, 122 to 128.
Verse 122
“O Bhagavān Sūrya, chief of the chiefs of the Devas, obeisance to you; to Bhagavān Sūrya in the form of consciousness. Obeisance to Savitṛ, to Sūrya who gives delight to the universe.”
Verse 123
“Obeisance to Bhagavān Sūrya, to the abode of brilliance. Obeisance to you, who are one with the three Vedas. Obeisance to you; to Vivasvān; to the one who knows Yoga; to the one in the form of Sat (existence).”
Verse 124
“Obeisance to the greatest one; to the great Bhagavān Sūrya; to the one who drives away the darkness of the three worlds; to the one beyond thought; obeisance to you, who always have bright brilliance.”
Verse 125
“Obeisance to the one who loves Yoga; obeisance to Yoga; obeisance to the one who always knows Yoga; obeisance to Oṃkāra; to the one in the form of Vashaṭkāra; to the one who is the embodiment of perfect knowledge.”
Verse 126
“Obeisance to Yajña; to the one for whom Yajña is the measure; obeisance to Havis (the offering); obeisance to the Ṛtvik (the priest); obeisance to the destroyer of sickness; obeisance to the one of good form; to the one who gives delight to the lotuses.”
Verse 127
“Hail to the very gentle one; to the very fierce one! Obeisance to the master of the Suras; salutations to you, who take part in the Satras (long yajñas); to the protector of devotees; to the one who is fond of the Ātman.”
Verse 128
“Obeisance to the one who always makes the worlds bright; to the one who brings welfare to the worlds. Be pleased with me. I have now bowed to you. I am your devotee.”
Epithets and their meanings
| Epithet | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bhagavān Sūrya in the form of consciousness | Caitanya-svarūpa, awareness itself |
| Savitṛ | The life-giving, creating side of the Sun |
| Sūrya who gives delight to the universe | The sun’s disc, which keeps all life going |
| Abode of brilliance | Tejo-dhāma |
| One with the three Vedas | Trayī-maya; the Sun is the Ṛk, Yajus and Sāman |
| Vivasvān | The bright one; the first ancestor of the solar line |
| In the form of Sat (existence) | Sat-svarūpa, pure Being |
| Driver away of the darkness of the three worlds | Trailokya-tamo-nāśa |
| Oṃkāra | The Sun as one with the first syllable |
| Destroyer of sickness | Rogahara; the Sun is the physician of the three worlds |
| The one who always makes the worlds bright | Nityaṃ jagat-prakāśaka |
The phalaśruti
Bhagavān Sūrya was pleased with the king’s stotra and appeared before him. He said that he would be pleased with everyone who reads this prayer and would give them what they wish for.
Sūrya gave Ghosha his vara: an image called Ghoshārka would be set up there for ever. Anyone who reads this prayer made by Ghosha will receive all that they desire. In this way the tīrtha of Ghoshārkakuṇḍa was established.
Sources
- Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Vaishṇava Khaṇḍa, Ayodhyā Māhātmya, Chapter 7 (verses 122–128)