Jayaya Jaya Bhadraya — Word-by-Word Meaning
जयाय जयभद्राय
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
जयाय
jayaya
To the victorious one; salutations to victory itself
जय
jaya
Victory, triumph, conquest
भद्राय
bhadraya
To the auspicious one; the bringer of welfare and good fortune
जयभद्राय
jayabhadraya
To him whose victory is auspicious; the bestower of victory and welfare
हरि
hari
Tawny, golden-green (the colour of the Sun's steeds)
अश्व
ashva
Horse, steed
हर्यश्वाय
haryashvaya
To the one with tawny (greenish-golden) horses, who drives the seven-horsed chariot of the Sun
नमो नमः
namo namah
Salutations again and again; repeated reverent obeisance
सहस्र
sahasra
A thousand; countless, innumerable
अंशु
amshu
Ray, beam of light
सहस्रांशो
sahasramsho
O thousand-rayed one (sahasra-amshu); the Sun of a thousand beams
आदित्याय
adityaya
To Aditya, the son of Aditi, the Sun-god
Complete Translation
Salutations again and again to the Victorious One, to him whose victory is auspicious, to the lord of tawny steeds. Salutations again and again, O thousand-rayed one; to Aditya, salutations again and again.
Origin & History
Source: Aditya Hridayam, verse 17 (Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 105)
Author: Sage Agastya (as recorded by Maharishi Valmiki)
Period: Ancient (Ramayana; text compiled c. 500 BCE–100 CE)
Within the Aditya Hridayam, after naming the Sun's many cosmic forms, the sage Agastya breaks into a series of fervent salutations. This verse is among the most resonant of them, repeatedly bowing to Surya as the very embodiment of victory — a fitting invocation as it was taught to Lord Rama on the eve of his triumph over Ravana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about 'Jayaya Jaya Bhadraya'?▼
It is the seventeenth verse of the Aditya Hridayam, a salutation verse hailing the Sun as victory itself (Jaya), auspicious in victory (Jaya-bhadra), lord of tawny horses (Haryashva) and the thousand-rayed (Sahasramshu). Its repeated 'namo namah' refrain makes it especially melodious and easy to chant.
Why is the Sun called 'Haryashva'?▼
Haryashva means 'one with tawny/golden-green horses'. The Sun is described as riding a chariot drawn by seven horses (or one seven-headed horse), and Haryashva is one of his classical epithets in this hymn.
Can this verse be chanted on its own?▼
Yes. As a self-contained salutation it is frequently chanted by itself, particularly during Surya Namaskar or while offering water to the Sun, as well as within the complete Aditya Hridayam recitation.
What does 'Sahasramshu' mean?▼
Sahasramshu (sahasra + amshu) means 'the one of a thousand rays', a celebrated name of the Sun pointing to his boundless light that nourishes and sustains all the worlds.
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