Haryashtakam – Octet of prayers to Lord Vishnu
The Hari Ashtakam is a prayer dedicated to Vishnu as Hari. Hari means one who shows you the true path and removes the illusion or Maya in which you live. Our elders always emphasise that one should remember the Hari namam everyday as soon as they get up from bed in the early morning (atleast 3 times). Also hari namam with pranavam is frequently used at the starting or ending of sloka/aradanam.
This Stotra was composed and recited in praise of Hari by Shri Prahladazhwan, the Daitya or Demon who was one of the greatest devotees of Vishnu. As a result of his unflinching devotion and love, Lord Vishnu time and again saved his life and finally also took a great avatharam. This is a stotra of eight verses which glorifies the greatness of hari and hari namam called Hari Ashtakam.
This is a Stotra if recited with utmost devotion set one on the right path of Moksha or ultimate liberation.
harirharati pApAni duShtacittairapi smruta: |
anicchayApi samspruShto dahatyevahi pAvaka: || (1)
sa gangA sa gayA setu: sa kAshi sa ca puShkaram |
jihvAgre vartate yasya harirityaksharadvayam || (2)
vArANasyAm kurukshetre naimishAraNya eva ca |
yatkrutam tena yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (3)
pruthivyAm yAni tIrthAni puNyAnyAyatanAni ca |
tAni sarvANyasheShAni harirityaksharadvayam || (4)
gavAm kotisahasrANi hemakanyA sahasrakam |
dattam syAtten yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (5)
rugvedotha yajurveda: sAmavedopyatharvaNa: |
adhItastena yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (6)
ashvamedhair mahAyajnai: naramedhaistathaiva ca |
iShtam syAtthena yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (7)
prANa prayANa pAtheyam samsAra vyAdhinAShanam |
du:khAtyanta paritrANam harirityaksharadvayam || (8)
baddha: parikarastena mokshAya gamanam prati |
sakruduccAritam yena harirityaksharadvayam || (9)
haryashtakamidam puNyam prAtarutthAya ya: paTet |
Ayushyam balamArogyam yasho vruddhim ca vidanti || (10)
prahlAdena krutam stotram du:khasAgara shoShanam |
ya: paTetsa naro yAti tadviShNo: paramam padam || (11)
Meaning:
The name Hari, even when recited with a bad mind will destroy all our sins just like the fire which burns the hand even when touched inadvertently.
Lord’s name is so powerful that if we recite it even unwillingly, our sins gets destroyed. Such being the case, what about those who lovingly chant this name? (1)
If the two syllables Hari is in our tongue always, then it is equal to having bath at Ganga, performing Sraaddha at Gaya, visiting sacred places like Kashi, Puskara etc.,
No pilgrimage is required if we remember Hari always. (2)
The good deeds performed at Varanasi, Kurukshetra and Naimisharanya are equal to the chanting of two syllables Hari everyday. Again here, it is said that the chanting of the word Hari will bestow all good results that would be obtained by performing sacred karmas at various pilgrim centers. (3)
By reciting the two syllables Hari one gets all the punya (good results) that is being got by visiting all the pilgrimage centers in the entire world. (4)
Kanyadaana (performing daughter’s marriage) and Godaana (offering the cow) are considered very sacred. If we chant the name of Hari, it is equal to donating thousands of cows and performing thousands of marriages. (5)
The chanting of Harinama is equal to systematic recital of Rik Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Veda paaraayana bestows utmost benefits. Such benefits are obtained by mere recital of Harinama. (6)
Harinama is equal to performing Ashwamedha Yajna and other similar sacrifices. One can get the benefits they desire by chanting such Harinama. (7)
The chanting of Harinama is like carrying the food towards the last journey, which also destroys the pain of samsaara. It is saviour from many dire troubles of life. The chanting of Harinama at the time of last journey of a man will relieve him of all pains of samsaara. (8)
Even if the Harinama is chanted only once, it will lead to salvation by removing bondage. No other means to salvation is required if one recites Harinama. (9)
The recital of this Hariasthakam every day morning will confer long life, strength, health, wealth and glory.
This is the phalasruti. (10)
One who recites this stotra told by Sri prahlada, attains the abode the Lord Vishnu namely Paramapada, besides all benefits in this world. (11)
Source : Anudinam
The Hari Ashtakam is a prayer dedicated to Vishnu as Hari. Hari means one who shows you the true path and removes the illusion or Maya in which you live. Our elders always emphasise that one should remember the Hari namam everyday as soon as they get up from bed in the early morning (atleast 3 times). Also hari namam with pranavam is frequently used at the starting or ending of sloka/aradanam.
This Stotra was composed and recited in praise of Hari by Shri Prahladazhwan, the Daitya or Demon who was one of the greatest devotees of Vishnu. As a result of his unflinching devotion and love, Lord Vishnu time and again saved his life and finally also took a great avatharam. This is a stotra of eight verses which glorifies the greatness of hari and hari namam called Hari Ashtakam.
This is a Stotra if recited with utmost devotion set one on the right path of Moksha or ultimate liberation.
harirharati pApAni duShtacittairapi smruta: |
anicchayApi samspruShto dahatyevahi pAvaka: || (1)
sa gangA sa gayA setu: sa kAshi sa ca puShkaram |
jihvAgre vartate yasya harirityaksharadvayam || (2)
vArANasyAm kurukshetre naimishAraNya eva ca |
yatkrutam tena yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (3)
pruthivyAm yAni tIrthAni puNyAnyAyatanAni ca |
tAni sarvANyasheShAni harirityaksharadvayam || (4)
gavAm kotisahasrANi hemakanyA sahasrakam |
dattam syAtten yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (5)
rugvedotha yajurveda: sAmavedopyatharvaNa: |
adhItastena yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (6)
ashvamedhair mahAyajnai: naramedhaistathaiva ca |
iShtam syAtthena yenoktam harirityaksharadvayam || (7)
prANa prayANa pAtheyam samsAra vyAdhinAShanam |
du:khAtyanta paritrANam harirityaksharadvayam || (8)
baddha: parikarastena mokshAya gamanam prati |
sakruduccAritam yena harirityaksharadvayam || (9)
haryashtakamidam puNyam prAtarutthAya ya: paTet |
Ayushyam balamArogyam yasho vruddhim ca vidanti || (10)
prahlAdena krutam stotram du:khasAgara shoShanam |
ya: paTetsa naro yAti tadviShNo: paramam padam || (11)
Meaning:
The name Hari, even when recited with a bad mind will destroy all our sins just like the fire which burns the hand even when touched inadvertently.
Lord’s name is so powerful that if we recite it even unwillingly, our sins gets destroyed. Such being the case, what about those who lovingly chant this name? (1)
If the two syllables Hari is in our tongue always, then it is equal to having bath at Ganga, performing Sraaddha at Gaya, visiting sacred places like Kashi, Puskara etc.,
No pilgrimage is required if we remember Hari always. (2)
The good deeds performed at Varanasi, Kurukshetra and Naimisharanya are equal to the chanting of two syllables Hari everyday. Again here, it is said that the chanting of the word Hari will bestow all good results that would be obtained by performing sacred karmas at various pilgrim centers. (3)
By reciting the two syllables Hari one gets all the punya (good results) that is being got by visiting all the pilgrimage centers in the entire world. (4)
Kanyadaana (performing daughter’s marriage) and Godaana (offering the cow) are considered very sacred. If we chant the name of Hari, it is equal to donating thousands of cows and performing thousands of marriages. (5)
The chanting of Harinama is equal to systematic recital of Rik Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. Veda paaraayana bestows utmost benefits. Such benefits are obtained by mere recital of Harinama. (6)
Harinama is equal to performing Ashwamedha Yajna and other similar sacrifices. One can get the benefits they desire by chanting such Harinama. (7)
The chanting of Harinama is like carrying the food towards the last journey, which also destroys the pain of samsaara. It is saviour from many dire troubles of life. The chanting of Harinama at the time of last journey of a man will relieve him of all pains of samsaara. (8)
Even if the Harinama is chanted only once, it will lead to salvation by removing bondage. No other means to salvation is required if one recites Harinama. (9)
The recital of this Hariasthakam every day morning will confer long life, strength, health, wealth and glory.
This is the phalasruti. (10)
One who recites this stotra told by Sri prahlada, attains the abode the Lord Vishnu namely Paramapada, besides all benefits in this world. (11)
Source : Anudinam
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