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Chhath Puja Surya Arghya Mantra (Japa Kusuma Sankasham) — Word-by-Word Meaning

छठ पूजा सूर्य अर्घ्य मंत्र (जपाकुसुमसङ्काशं)

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

जपाकुसुमसङ्काशम्
Japa-Kusuma-Sankasham
Resembling the red hibiscus (japa) flower in his glowing colour
काश्यपेयम्
Kashyapeyam
The son of the sage Kashyapa (and Aditi)
महाद्युतिम्
Mahadyutim
Of great brilliance and radiance
तमोऽरिम्
Tamo'rim
The enemy of darkness (dispeller of all darkness, inner and outer)
सर्वपापघ्नम्
Sarva-papaghnam
Destroyer of all sins
प्रणतोऽस्मि
Pranato'smi
I bow down, I offer my obeisance
दिवाकरम्
Divakaram
To Divakara, the maker of the day (the Sun)
भास्कराय विद्महे
Bhaskaraya Vidmahe
May we know Bhaskara (the light-maker, the Sun)
महाद्युतिकराय धीमहि
Mahadyuti-karaya Dhimahi
Let us meditate on the one of great brilliance
तन्नो आदित्यः प्रचोदयात्
Tanno Adityah Prachodayat
May that Aditya (Sun) inspire and illumine us
ॐ सूर्याय नमः
Om Suryaya Namah
Om, salutations to Surya, the Sun-god
ॐ घृणिः सूर्याय नमः
Om Ghrinih Suryaya Namah
Om, salutations to the compassionate, effulgent Sun (the Surya seed-invocation)

Complete Translation

I bow to Divakara, the Sun, who glows like the red hibiscus flower, the son of Kashyapa, of great brilliance, the foe of darkness and destroyer of all sins. Om, may we know Bhaskara, let us meditate on the maker of great light — may that Aditya inspire and illumine us. Om, salutations to Surya; Om, salutations to the compassionate, radiant Sun.

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Surya worship mantras (the Japa-Kusuma dhyana, Surya Gayatri and Surya bija) used in the Chhath Puja arghya

Author: Traditional (the Surya Gayatri from the Gayatri tradition)

Period: Classical / traditional

Chhath Puja is an ancient four-day festival of Sun worship, especially beloved in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, observed on the Shashthi (sixth day) of Kartik. The vratis fast rigorously, often without water, and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun standing in water, praying for the health and prosperity of their families. The Sun-god Surya, the visible deity and source of all life, is invoked with these classic verses — the Japa-Kusuma dhyana, the Surya Gayatri and 'Om Suryaya Namah' — together with the worship of Chhathi Maiya.

Frequently Asked Questions

What mantra is chanted during Chhath arghya?▼
The classic Surya dhyana 'Japa Kusuma Sankasham Kashyapeyam Mahadyutim...' is recited while offering arghya, along with the Surya Gayatri ('Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe...') and the simple 'Om Suryaya Namah'. These honour the Sun as the dispeller of darkness and destroyer of sins.
Why are two arghyas offered in Chhath Puja?▼
On Shashthi evening the Sandhya Arghya is offered to the setting Sun, and the next morning the Usha Arghya is offered to the rising Sun. Worshipping both the setting and rising Sun expresses gratitude for the whole cycle of life and is unique to Chhath.
Who is Chhathi Maiya?▼
Chhathi Maiya is the goddess worshipped alongside Surya during Chhath, regarded as a form of the Divine Mother (often identified with Shashthi Devi, protector of children) and as the Sun's sister or consort. Devotees pray to her and to Surya for the well-being and long life of their children and family.
What does 'Japa Kusuma Sankasham' mean?▼
It means the Sun glows like the red japa (hibiscus) flower. The verse salutes Surya as the radiant son of Kashyapa, the enemy of darkness and the destroyer of all sins — one of the most beloved verses for daily Sun worship.

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