एष ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च — Word-by-Word Meaning
एष ब्रह्मा च विष्णुश्च
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
एष
Esha
He (this Sun)
ब्रह्मा
Brahma
The creator Brahma
च विष्णुः च
cha Vishnuh cha
And Vishnu (the preserver)
शिवः
Shivah
Shiva (the auspicious, the destroyer)
स्कन्दः
Skandah
Skanda (Kartikeya, the war-god)
प्रजापतिः
Prajapatih
Prajapati, lord of creatures
महेन्द्रः
Mahendrah
The great Indra, king of the gods
धनदः
Dhanadah
Kubera, the giver of wealth
कालः
Kalah
Kala, Time itself
यमः
Yamah
Yama, the lord of death and righteousness
सोमः
Somah
Soma, the moon
हि अपां पतिः
hi apam patih
And indeed Varuna, the lord of the waters
Complete Translation
यह सूर्य ही ब्रह्मा, विष्णु और शिव है; यही स्कन्द और प्रजापति है; यही महेन्द्र, कुबेर (धनद), काल, यम, सोम (चन्द्र) और वरुण (जल का स्वामी) है।
Origin & History
Source: Aditya Hridayam, verse 8 (Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda)
Author: Sage Valmiki (recorded); taught by Sage Agastya
Period: Ancient (Treta Yuga traditionally)
On the battlefield of Lanka, when Rama stood weary before the seemingly invincible Ravana, Sage Agastya descended from among the watching gods and revealed the Aditya Hridayam — the Heart of the Sun. In this eighth verse the sage declares that the Sun is the very form of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and all the deities, so that in worshipping Surya, Rama worshipped them all. Strengthened by the hymn, Rama slew Ravana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Esha Brahma cha Vishnush cha' mean?▼
It means 'This (Sun) is Brahma and Vishnu' and continues to name Shiva, Skanda, Prajapati, Indra, Kubera, Kala, Yama, Soma and Varuna. The verse declares that the Sun embodies all the great deities.
Which stotra is this verse from?▼
It is the eighth verse of the Aditya Hridayam (Aditya Hridaya Stotra) from the Yuddha Kanda of Valmiki's Ramayana, taught by Sage Agastya to Lord Rama before his final battle with Ravana.
Why is this verse so important?▼
It is the scriptural basis for the belief that worshipping Surya is worshipping all the gods. Since the Sun is here identified with Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and the rest, reciting the Aditya Hridayam is regarded as honouring every deity at once.
When should I chant it?▼
At sunrise facing the Sun, especially on Sundays, Rathasaptami and Makar Sankranti, and before any important undertaking — just as Agastya taught it to Rama on the eve of victory.
Ready to start chanting?
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