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

मैं दिवाकर सूर्य को प्रणाम करता हूँ, जो जपा (अड़हुल) के पुष्प के समान आभा वाले, कश्यप के पुत्र, महाद्युतिमान, अंधकार के शत्रु और समस्त पापों के नाशक हैं। ॐ, हम भास्कर को जानें, महातेजस्वी का ध्यान करें — वह आदित्य हमें प्रेरित एवं प्रकाशित करें। ॐ सूर्याय नमः; ॐ घृणिः सूर्याय नमः।

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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