Harivarasanam
हरिवरासनम्
Also known as: harivarasanam lyrics · hari varasanam vishwamohanam · ayyappa harivarasanam · harivarasanam song
Origin & Story
Devotional Sanskrit stotra to Lord Ayyappa; sung as the nightly closing prayer at Sabarimala · Attributed to Kambakudi Kulathur Srinivasa Iyer · Traditional; popularised in the 20th century
Ayyappa is Hariharatmaja, born of the union of Vishnu (as Mohini) and Shiva — uniting the two great streams of Hindu devotion. Harivarasanam is sung at Sabarimala as the 'urakka paattu', the lullaby that puts the Lord to sleep: as the last verse fades, the sanctum lamp is dimmed and the doors are closed for the night. Carried across the world by the voice of K. J. Yesudas, it has become the signature prayer of every Ayyappa devotee.
✦ As told in scripture
Pilgrims who complete the arduous 41-day vratham and climb to Sabarimala describe the nightly Harivarasanam as the most moving moment of all — the whole hill falls silent, and the gentle hymn carries thousands into a shared surrender at the Lord's feet. Devotees say that ending the day with this prayer brings deep, untroubled rest and a sense of being held in Ayyappa's care.
Complete Text with Meaning
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हरिवरासनं विश्वमोहनं हरिदधीश्वरं आराध्यपादुकम्। अरिविमर्दनं नित्यनर्तनं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Harivarasanam Vishwamohanam Haridadhishwaram Aradhyapadukam Arivimardanam Nityanartanam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in Hariharatmaja (Ayyappa) — seated on the noble throne of Hari, enchanter of the world, whose sandals are worshipped, destroyer of foes, ever in blissful dance.
शरणकीर्तनं शक्तमानसं भजनमानसं नर्तनालसम्। अरुणभासुरं भूतनायकं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Sharanakirtanam Shaktamanasam Bhajanamanasam Nartanalasam Arunabhasuram Bhutanayakam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in the Lord praised by the Saranam chants, ever in the hearts of devotees, radiant as the dawn, master of all beings.
प्रणयसत्यकं प्राणनायकं प्रणतकल्पकं सुप्रभाञ्चितम्। प्रणवमन्दिरं कीर्तनप्रियं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Pranayasatyakam Prananayakam Pranatakalpakam Suprabhanchitam Pranavamandiram Kirtanapriyam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in the Lord of true love, leader of life-breath, fulfiller of the prayers of those who bow, ever luminous, who dwells in Om and delights in song.
तुरगवाहनं सुन्दराननं वरगदायुधं देववर्णितम्। गुरुकृपाकरं कीर्तनप्रियं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Turagavahanam Sundarananam Varagadayudham Devavarnitam Gurukripakaram Kirtanapriyam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in him who rides the horse, of beautiful face, bearing the noble mace, praised by the gods, bestower of the guru's grace, lover of kirtan.
त्रिभुवनार्चितं देवतात्मकं त्रिनयनं प्रभुं दिव्यदेशिकम्। त्रिदशपूजितं चिन्तितप्रदं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Tribhuvanarchitam Devatatmakam Trinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam Tridashapujitam Chintitapradam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in him worshipped in the three worlds, the soul of the gods, three-eyed Lord, divine teacher, adored by the celestials, granting all that is wished.
भवभयापहं भावुकावहं भुवनमोहनं भूतिभूषणम्। धवलवाहनं दिव्यवारणं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham Bhuvanamohanam Bhutibhushanam Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in him who removes the fear of birth and death, who brings auspiciousness, enchanter of the worlds, adorned with sacred ash, of white mount and divine elephant.
कलमृदुस्मितं सुन्दराननं कलभकोमलं गात्रमोहनम्। कलभकेसरी वाजिवाहनं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Kalamridusmitam Sundarananam Kalabhakomalam Gatramohanam Kalabhakesari Vajivahanam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in him of gentle smile and lovely face, tender as a young elephant, of enchanting form, lion-like, rider of the horse.
श्रितजनप्रियं चिन्तितप्रदं श्रुतिविभूषणं साधुजीवनम्। श्रुतिमनोहरं गीतलालसं हरिहरात्मजं देवमाश्रये॥
Shritajanapriyam Chintitapradam Shrutivibhushanam Sadhujivanam Shrutimanoharam Gitalalasam Hariharatmajam Devamashraye
Meaning:I take refuge in him dear to those who seek him, granter of wishes, ornament of the Vedas, life of the virtuous, ravisher of hearts through the scriptures, fond of song.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Harivarasanam
The 'urakka paattu' (sleep song) sung as the doors of Sabarimala close each night
An eight-verse refuge prayer to Lord Ayyappa, son of Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva)
Each verse ends 'Hariharatmajam Devamashraye' — 'I take refuge in that Lord'
Soothing and slow — a perfect night prayer to end the day in surrender
Immortalised in the voice of K. J. Yesudas, heard in Ayyappa temples everywhere
How to Chant Harivarasanam
Sing slowly and gently, as a lullaby of surrender, letting each verse close on 'Hariharatmajam Devamashraye'. It is the final prayer of the day at Sabarimala, sung as the sanctum lamp is dimmed and the Lord is laid to rest — chant it likewise as the last act before sleep.