Kashi Vishwanatha Suprabhatam
श्री काशी विश्वनाथ सुप्रभातम् in English · English
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✦ Meaning
The Kashi Vishwanatha Suprabhatam is a 'good-dawn' (suprabhatam) hymn that lovingly awakens the divine presences of Kashi (Varanasi) at daybreak — beginning with Kala Bhairava, the guardian of the city, then the holy Ganga, and Dhundhiraja Ganesha — before the worship of Lord Vishwanatha, the Jyotirlinga of Kashi. Each verse closes with the gentle refrain 'tava suprabhātam' — 'a blessed dawn to you'. It is sung at sunrise to invoke the grace of Kashi's deities and to begin the day in devotion.
Origin & Story
Shaiva devotional tradition of Kashi (Varanasi) · Traditional (Kashi devotional tradition) · Traditional
Kashi (Varanasi), the eternal city of Lord Shiva on the banks of the Ganga, has its own daily rhythm of worship that begins before dawn. This Suprabhatam belongs to that living tradition: at first light, devotees gather at the ghats to bathe in the Ganga and then to worship Vishwanatha, the presiding Jyotirlinga. The hymn gently awakens, in turn, Kala Bhairava the guardian of the city, Mother Ganga, and Dhundhiraja Ganesha, before the great darshan of the Lord — each invoked with the loving refrain 'a blessed dawn to you'. It captures the devotion with which Kashi greets every new day.
✦ As told in scripture
It is held in Kashi that the city's deities — Bhairava the guardian, the ever-flowing Ganga, and Dhundhiraja Ganesha — grant a good destiny even to the most sinful who take refuge in them, as the third verse declares; and that to begin the day by awakening them with this Suprabhatam draws their protection over the whole day.
Complete Text with Meaning
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Uttiṣṭha bhairava-svāmin kāśikā-pura-pālaka। Śrī-viśvanātha-bhaktānāṁ sampūraya manoratham॥1॥
Meaning:Arise, O Lord Bhairava, guardian of the city of Kashi! Fulfil the heart's desires of the devotees of Sri Vishwanatha.
Snānāya gāṅga-salile'tha samarcanāya Viśveśvarasya bahu-bhakta-janā upetāḥ। Śrī-kāla-bhairava lasanti bhavan-nideśaṁ Uttiṣṭha darśaya daśāṁ tava suprabhātam॥2॥
Meaning:For bathing in the Ganga's waters and then for the worship of Vishweshwara, many devotees have gathered, awaiting your command, O revered Kala Bhairava. Arise and show your gracious presence — a blessed dawn to you!
Yāga-vratādi-bahu-puṇya-vaśaṁ yathā tvaṁ Pāpātmanām-api tathā su-gati-pradā'si। Kāruṇya-pūra-mayi śaila-sutā-sapatni Mātar-bhagīratha-sute tava suprabhātam॥3॥
Meaning:Just as you bestow a good destiny upon those rich in the merit of sacrifices and vows, so too you grant it even to the sinful. O Mother filled with a flood of compassion, co-consort of the Mountain's Daughter, O daughter of Bhagiratha (Ganga) — a blessed dawn to you!
Dugdha-pravāha-kamanīya-taraṅga-bhaṅge Puṇya-pravāha-paripāthita-bhakta-saṅghāḥ। Nityaṁ tapasvi-jana-sevita-pāda-padme Gaṅge śaraṇya-śiva-de tava suprabhātam॥4॥
Meaning:O Ganga, whose breaking waves are lovely as a stream of milk, who carry across the devotees gathered in the flow of merit, whose lotus-feet are ever served by ascetics, O refuge-giver and bestower of all good — a blessed dawn to you!
Vārāṇasī-sthita-gajānana duṇṭhi-rāja Samprārthiteṣṭa-phala-dāna-samartha-mūrte। Uttiṣṭha vighna-virahāya bhajāmahe tvāṁ Śrī-pārvatī-tanaya bhos-tava suprabhātam॥5॥
Meaning:O elephant-faced Lord dwelling in Varanasi, King Dhundhiraja, whose form is able to grant the longed-for fruits that are prayed for — arise! We worship you for the removal of all obstacles, O son of Sri Parvati — a blessed dawn to you!
Pūjāspada prathamam-eva sureṣu madhye Sampūraṇe kuśala bhakta-manorathānām। Gīrvāṇa-bṛnda-paripūjita-pāda-padma Sañjāyatāṁ gaṇapate tava suprabhātam॥6॥
Meaning:O first and foremost object of worship among the gods, skilled in fulfilling the heart's desires of devotees, whose lotus-feet are worshipped by the assembly of celestials — may an auspicious dawn come to you, O Ganapati!
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting श्री काशी विश्वनाथ सुप्रभातम्
A devotional way to begin the day by awakening and saluting the divine presences of Kashi at dawn
Invokes the grace of Kala Bhairava (guardian of Kashi), Mother Ganga, Dhundhiraja Ganesha and Lord Vishwanatha together
As the verses say, even the sinful are granted a good destiny by these compassionate deities
Especially recited for the removal of obstacles, calling on Dhundhiraja Ganesha of Varanasi
Sanctifies the mind and home with the atmosphere of the holy city of Kashi, even from afar
A cherished prelude to morning Shiva worship, preparing the heart for the darshan of Vishwanatha
How to Chant श्री काशी विश्वनाथ सुप्रभातम्
As a suprabhatam, this hymn is meant to be sung at daybreak. After bathing, sit facing east or toward an image of Lord Vishwanatha and recite the verses gently, as if lovingly waking the deities of Kashi — first Kala Bhairava the guardian, then Mother Ganga, then Dhundhiraja Ganesha — each verse ending with the tender greeting 'tava suprabhātam'. It is a beautiful way to open the morning before performing one's daily Shiva worship, and may be followed by the Kashi Vishwanathashtakam or Om Namah Shivaya.
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Read the full श्री काशी विश्वनाथ सुप्रभातम् with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts