The divine song “Harivarasanam” or Hari Haratmaka Ashtakam is recited just prior to the closing of the temple doors at night. The emotions of the Ayyappa devotees at Sabarimala have no explanation when they hear Harivarsanam at the Sanctorium. The entire region will be filled with Sarana Manthra and every devotee will feel the presence of Lord Ayyappa in his mind. Harivarasanam is the creation of Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer. In 1955, Swami Vimochananad recited this Ashtakam for the first time in front of Ayyappa Swamy at Sabarimala.
Melshanti and the other priests stand on either side of the Ayyappa idol and recite the Harivarasanam. Although this was done one by one, the priests left the Sanctorum Sanctum without making any noise. When the song is sung halfway, the high Priest or Melshanti extinguishes each of the lamps of the Sanctorum shrine. When the song ends, only the Melshanti will be inside the Sreekovil or sacred sanctuary. When the last line is sung, the main priest closes the door of the Sanctorum Sanctum and closes it.
At present, the temple plays the Harivarasanam recital of the singer and a strong Ayyappa devout “Ganagandharvan” K.J. Yesudas. The music is composed at Madhyamavathi Raga by the famous musical director G.Devarajan. The composition has 352 letters, 108 words in 32 lines (8 stanzas).
Listen Shri Harivarasanam Ashtakam online mp3:
Shri Harivarasanam Ashtakam lyrics in English:
Harivarasanam Viswamohanam
Haridadhiswaram Aaradhyapadhukam
Arivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 1 ||
One who is seated on the supreme Simhasana. One who enchants the Universe. One whose holy feet are worshipped by Surya. One who kills the enemies of good thought and who enacts cosmic dance every day. Oh, Son of Hari And Hara, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Saranakirtanam Bakhtamanasam
Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam
Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 2 ||
One whose mind gladdens on hearing Sharana Gosham, One who is a great ruler of the Universe, One who loves to dance, One who shines in the rising Sun, One who is the master of all beings, Oh Hariharaputra Deva, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Pranayasathyakam Praananayakam
Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanjitham
Pranavamanidram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 3 ||
One whose soul is truth, One who is the darling of all souls, One who created the universe, One who shines with a glittering Halo, One who is the abode of “OM”, One who loves songs, Oh Hariharaputra Deva, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Huragavahanam Sundarananam
Varagadhayudham Vedavavarnitham
Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 4 ||
One who has a pretty face One who rides a horse, One who has a pretty face, One who has the blessed mace as a weapon, One who bestows grace like a teacher, One who loves songs, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Tribuvanarchitam Devathathmakam
Trinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam
Tridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 5 ||
One who is worshiped by the three worlds, One who is the soul of all gods, One who is the lord of Shiva, One who is worshipped by devas, One who is worshipped three times a day, One whose thought is fulfilling, Son of Hari and Hara I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham
Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam
Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 6 ||
One who destroys fear, One who brings prosperity, One who is the enchanter of the universe, One who wears holy ash as an ornament, One who rides a white elephant, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Kalamrudusmitham Sundarananam
Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam
Kalabhakesari Vajivahanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 7 ||
One who blesses with an enchanting smile, One who has is very pretty, One who is adorned by sandal paste, One who has a pretty mien, One who is a like a lion to the elephants, One who rides on a tiger, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
Srithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam
Sruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam
Sruthimanoharam Geethalalasam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa
Saranam Ayyappa Swamy Saranam Ayyappa || 8 ||
One who is dear to his devotees, One who fulfills wishes, One who is praised by Vedas, One who blesses the life of ascetics, One who is the essence of Vedas, One who enjoys divine music, Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in you Ayyappa, I take refuge in you Ayyappa.
“Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa”.
Also Read:
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Thank you for offering the translation. God Bless