Aditya Hrdayam - the Hymn to the Sun-God is ascribed to the Sage Agastya.

It forms
part of the Yuddha Kanda (canto 107) of Valmiki's Ramayana.
The first two shlokas (stanzas) depict the situation when this hymn was presented to Sri
Rama. A forced respite was introduced into the battle between Ravana and Sri Rama
because Rama was whisked away by this charioteer to avoid being killed. During this
period, Sri Rama fell into a thoughtful mood as to how He should fulfil his mission on
earth, because Ravana, by his own prowess never seemed to entertain any fear from
man. And by a boon he made himself invincible by the Gods. Though Sri Rama was
aware of His own divinity, He was asserting only His human form and in that form Sri
Rama had to fulfil his role as an incarnation.
It was in this seemingly irreconcilable situation that Sage Agastya sang this hymn to Sri
Rama to establish the truth of the Vedantic message: Jivo brahmaiva naparah" - The
individual self is identical with the Universal self and not distinct from it. However in the
case of ordinary humanity, it is an ascent to Divinity, whereas in the case of an
incarnation it has to be a descent to humanity.
In purport and efficacy (verses -5) the Aditya Hridayam is akin to the Gayatri Mantra -
only more elaborate in the delineation of the "Supreme Effulgence' (Varenyam bhargah)
mentioned in the Gayatri. The all-knowing sage Agastya was aware that Sri Rama was
none other than Lord Vishnu. Nevertheless the 'Secret Eternal' as any human would be
initiated into Gayatri by a Guru. While being conscious of His Divinity, Sri Rama on His
part was keen to show man that the seeker and the Sought (Brahman) are one and the
same. By the solemn chanting of this holy hymn all obstacles in the path of the seeker
after eternal truth would be removed.
The epithets in the verses (Slokas) 6-14 refer to God in the various manifestations
which ultimately get absorbed into Bramhan. The obeisance that is being offered in the
shlokas (16-21) symbolises the union of the grosser manifestation with the subtler
manifestation. Thus the advice to Sri Rama in verses 26-27 is to contemplate on Aditya
(Sun-God) would indicate the way to the realisation of the Mahakavya - Thou art that.
In short, Aditya calls upon his mortal counterpart, Sri Rama (in the last verse) to hasten
to fulfil his mission to the delight of all.
Imagine the battlefield. Rama is facing Ravana. Ravana is fully prepared for the battle. He is
well versed with Maya and he fights in the night with his powers going up many fold. After
losing his kith and kin, he is fighting to save his honor. He is also fighting to prove a point to
Sita. He wants to destroy Rama. 

Rama is unable to destroy Ravana. Whatever he does, Ravana does not die. That is the situation
in the battlefield. That is where this sloka comes in.

******************************************************************************
*****************************************************

Tato yuddhaparishraantam samare chinmayaa sthitam.

raavanam chaagrato drushtva yuddhaaya samupasthitam.1

Tato yuddha parisrantam = At that battle ground; Samare cintaya sthitam = with great worry
engulfing in the battle; Ravanam cagrato drustva = Gazing at Ravana with Single minded
attention; yuddhaya Samupasthitam = Having prepared to fight.

Rama is looking at Ravana. Rama has tried everything. But, nothing has destroyed Ravana.
Rama is now tiring. But, inspite of the tiredness, he is looking at Ravana with great
concentration. He is thinking : "what do I do now". He is depressed. He is tired. He needs a
breakthrough here. How will it come?

Daivataishcha samaagamya drashhtumabhyaagato ranam..

upaagamyaa braviidraama magastyo bhagavaan rishhi.. 2

Daiva taisca Samagamya = Came along with the Devas to witness the war; Drastu
mabhyagatoranam = Seen Rama depressed; upagamyabra-vidrama = Met him alone; Agasthyo
Bhagavan = The Cosmic Rsi Agasthya.

That is when the Rishi, the Great Sage Aghastya, who has come to see the epic battle between
Rama and Ravana, decided to come and speak to Rama. He had come there along with the Devas
to see the battle. He had come there to see Rama win. To see Dharma becoming victorious over
Adharma. However, he saw Rama depressed and tired. he decided to tell Rama the secret of how
to win this epic battle.

Raama Raama mahaabaaho shrnu guhyam sanaatanam .

yena sarvaanariinvatsa samare vijayishhyasi .. 3
Rama Rama Mahabaho = Addressing the elegant armed Rama; Srunu guhyam Sanatanam = Hear
the most secret and ancient; Samare Vijaisyasi = Will win in the war.

Aghastya Says : Oh Rama! Oh my dear mighty armed Rama! Please listen to me. I will tell you
the eternal secret of winning this epic battle. I will tell you how to win over Ravana. I will tell
you the secret which will remove your depression. I will tell you the secret which will remove
your tiredness. This secret will energize you... 

Aaditya hrudayam punyam sarva shatru vinaashanam

Jayaavaham japennityam akshayyam paramam shivam.. 4
Aditya hrudayam punyam = The meditation of Sun in the heart highly beneficial; Sarva
Satruvinasanam = Destroyer of all enemies, Jayavaham = Ensures Victory at all times;
Japetnnityam = To the one who to be meditated always; Akshayam paramam sivam = The
indestructible and bestows permanent happiness.
The secret is worshipping the Sun God - The Aditya. The one who meditates upon the Sun God
in his heart, becomes victorious at all times. The one who always meditates upon the Sun God
becomes indestructible. He becomes happy as the Sun God bestows permanent happiness to him.

Sarvamangalamaangalyam sarvapaapapranaashanam
Chintaashokaprashamanam aayurvardhanamuttamam .. 5

Sarva mangala mangalyam = Most favourable among the auspicious ones; Sarvapapa
pranasanam = All Sins destroyed; Cinta Soka prasamanam = Removes worries and subdues
sorrows; Ayurvardhanam = Enhances longevity; uttamam = the best
This stotra gives supreme happiness. This is one of the most auspicious of the stotras. The
moment you meditate upon this, all your sins are destroyed. It removes all your worries. It
removes all your sorrows. It gives you a long life. It gives you complete prosperity. It destroys
your anguish and bestows happiness at all times. 

Rashmimantam samudyantam devaasuranamaskritam .

Puujayasva vivasvantam bhaaskaram bhuvaneshvaram.. 6

Rasmi mantam = Having golden hue warm rays; Samudyantam = Rising on all sides properly
and appearing well; Devasura namaskrutam = Being worshipped by Devas and Danavas;
Vivasvantam = By his light encircling the lights of the solar logos; Bhaskaram = grants light to
Surya, Candra, Agni; pujayasva = Fit to be worshipped, Bhuvaneswaram = Lord of the world. 

Agasthya tells Rama to Worship the Sun God. He tells him to worship the one having the rays
when he rises. He told him to worship the one who is held in reverence by the devas and the
devatas and even the asuras. He told Rama to worship the Lord of the Universe. Agasthhya told
Rama to Worship the one by whose shining, the entire world shines.Agastha tells Rama to see
the Sun God inside his heart and worship to start with. 

Sarvadevaatmako hyeshha tejasvii rashmibhaavanah .

Eshha devaasuraganaan llokaan paati gabhastibhi .. 7
Sarva devatmanah = Being the embodiment of all gods; Tejasvi = Having the immense
illumination that subdues the light of all others; Esah = This person; Gabhastibhih = With the
rays; Devasuraganan = The groups of Devas and Rakshasas; pati = head who protects.

Agasthya tells Rama about the Sun God. Sun shines all by his own brightness. He is self
luminous. He is the one who gives energy to the entire world. Because of His energy only, the
entire world is able to sustain. He is the one who gives nourishment to all the people. He is the
one who gives energy to the entire universe. Whether it is Devas or the Asuras, without his
energy, everything will wither away. 
 
Eshhah brahmaa cha vishhnushcha shivah skandah prajaapati .
Mahendro dhanadah kaalo yamah somo hyapaam patim .. 8 

Esa = He; Brahmaca = The creator; Visnusca = God of permeater; Sivah = The destroyer;
Skandah = God of secretion (Kumara Svami); Prajapatih = The lord of creation; Mahendrah =
Devendra, god of Devas; Dhanadah = Kubera (the lord of wealth); Kalah = In charge of time
(Kala purusa) Yamah = Yama (God of death); Somah = Candra (Moon); Apampatih = Varuna
(Rain God) 

Who is this Sun God? What is He like? Agasthya tells more. Sun God is like Brahma in that he is
the creator of the entire universe. Without his energy, there is nothing that could be created. He is
like Prajapati who is the creator. Sun God is like Vishnu since he saves the entire world. Only
because of his light, we all get guided and we live. He is also the destroyer. If he burns too hot,
he destroys. If he does not rise, then again he destroys. So, with action as well as inaction He can
destroy if He chooses to. In this, He is like Shiva. He is the leader of all Devas. In this, He is like
Skandah - the Kumaraswami.  He is also the other Gods, all embodied into one. 

Pitaro vasavah saadhyaa hyashvinau maruto manuh .

Vaayurvanhih prajaapraana ritukartaa prabhaakarah .. 9

Pitarah =Lord of Reproduction (pitru Devas) Vasavah = The eight Vasus; Sadhyah = The twelve
Sadhyas (In charge of manifestation)l Asvinou = Two Asvini Kumars; Marutah = Groups of
Martas (who vibrates); Manuh = Vaiva svata manu; Vayuh = Air; Vahnih = Fire; Praja pranah =
The bestower of life to people; Rutu karta = The ordainer of the seasons like vasanta, saradrutu
etc.; Prabhakarah = bestows fame and name i.e. Aditya. 

Only because Sun is there, are there the seasons. Only because of Sun, there is life and hence He
is Ashwinikumaras, who give back one's life. Sun God is the one who vibrates. He is the one
who gives life and hence is also the air. He is the one who gives energy and hence He is also the
fire. He gives life to people and hence he is the one who is the orginator of life - Prajapati. He is
the one who gives the fame and fortune to people. 
Aadityah savitaa suuryah khagah puushhaa gabhastimaan .
Suvarnasadrsho bhaanur vishvaretaa divaakarah .. 10

Aditah = Son of Aditi, Savita = Surya; Suryah = Inspirer of senses; Khagah = Identified his way
in Logos; Pusa = The nourisher; Gabhastiman = possessor of rays, suvarna Sadrusah = Having
golden hue; Hemaretah = Having the fertility as golden light; Divakarah = The bestower of day
light. 

Surya, the Sun God, is the son of Aditi. He is the creator of the universe. Without his light,
without his heat, without his shine, there is no life in this universe. He is the one who creates
action in the whole of the universe. He travels across the seven heavens. He is the one who
sustains all life. The plants depend on him. The animals depend on the plants. The men and
women depend on plants and animals for their sustenance. He illuminates all the directions.
Without his illumination, life will not even begin in the world. Unless he comes in his charrot 
with the golden brilliance all around and marks the day's beginning, life cannot begin. 
Haridashvah sahasraarchih saptasaptirmariichimaan..
Timironmathanah shambhustvashhtaa maartandam anshumaan... 11

Haridasvah = Having green horses; Sahasracih = Having thousand rays; Sapa Saptih =
possessing seven horses drawn with chariot; Mariciman = Vibrating with his rays; Timiron
mathah = Dispeller of darkness (ignorance); Sambhuh = Giver of happiness; Tvasta = makes all
forms dwindle; Martandah = Born from the shape of lifeless egg (perishable nature); Amsuman
= Having radiating rays. 

He is present everywhere. His shine and light pervades all the universe. He comes on a seven
horse drawn chariot, where the horses are green. His thousand rays illuminate all the directions.
He dispels darkness, he bestows brightness. He also bestows happiness. He also bestows
prosperity and well being. In essence, He is the one who gives life.

Hiranyagarbhah shishirastapano bhaaskaro ravih .

Agnigarbhoaditeh putrah shankha shishiranaashanah 12

Hiranya garbhah = With golden womb; Sisirah = cooled one; Tapanah = Making one tremble;
Bhaskarah = The illuminator; Ravih = The creator (Ravi); Agni garbhah = Having the Conch;
Sisiranasanah = Destroyer of snow fall and fog. 

He is not just the Sun God. He is the trinity. He is from the golden womb of Adhithi. He destroys
the snow and the fog. Not only the fog as in foggy day but also the fog of lack of knowledge and
lack of wisdom. He is the one who bestows wisdom to people.

Vyomanaatha stamobhedii rig yajuh saama paaragah .

Ghana vrishhti rapaam mitro vindhya viithii plavangamah .. 13

Vyomanatha = The lord of the cosmos; Tamobhedi = Drives away darkness and institutes light;
Rugyajussama paragah = One who has visualised the three vedas Rig, Yaju and Sama; Ghana
Vrustih = One showers abundant rains; Apammitrah = Friend of waters; Vindhya Vithi
plavangamah = one who travels in the direction South of Vindhyas. 

Sun God is the lord of the Cosmos. He is the one who runs the universe. With his brightness, he
not only removes darkness but when you meditate upon him, he also removes the darkness of the
'tamasic' nature of your thinking. He removes all confusion from you. He makes your thinking
sharper. He is the one from whom the first three vedas , Rig, Yajur and Sama vedas came.
Without him, there is no rain. Without him sucking out the water from the oceans, there is no
water anywhere in the world. hence, he is the friend of the water. He travels across the vindyas. 

Aatapii mandalii mrityuh pingalah sarvataapanah .

Kavirvishvo mahaatejaa raktah sarva bhavod hbhavah .. 14

Atapi = Blazer of heat with his rays; Mandali = having the shape of a cycle (round shape);
Mrutyuh = The cause of death; pingalah = Having yellow colour; Sarva tapanah = making every
body burn; Kavih = Pundit (Learned one poet); Visvah = The universal form; Mahatejah = The
most brilliant; Raktah = Having reddish colour; Sarva bhavodbhavah = origin for the course of
every work. 

He has yello color. He has a cycle in which he goes about. He also has a rcircular shape. He
blazes away and can cause death. He makes everything burn. While He can give life, He can also
take it awayt. He has the most billiant form. He has the color of blood and Reddish form. 

Here, the description of Sun is very similar to what comes in Vishnu sahasranamam. There, the
Sahasranamam says " bayagridh, baya nachanaha" - talking about Vishnu, it says, He is the one
who creates fear. He is the one who destroys fear also. Similarly, here, though all this while the
sloka was talking about how the Sun God goes about giving life to the universe, it also talks
about his ability to destroy.

Nakshatra grahataaraanaam adhipo vishva bhaavanah .

Tejasaamapi tejasvii dvaadashaatman namostute .. 15

Nakshatra graha taranam = Asvin, Candra and for planets of the constellation; Adhipah = Lord;
Visvabhavanah = The thought of origin of creation; Tejasamapi = Even for the great brilliant
one; tejasvi = more brillinat; Dvadasatman = The twelve parts of Bhagavan Surya; Te = for you;
Namah = Salutations; Astu = Be it like that. 
Sun is the lord of all things shining. He is the lord of the stars. He is the lord of the planets. He is
the lord of all the constellations because the stars occupy those constellations. Hence, he is the
lord of everybody's horoscope also. So, He decides the fate of every single individual. He is
more brilliant than even the most brilliant of people. I salute you, as the one who is manifest in
all the twelve forms of Sun. 
 
Namah puurvaaya giraye pashchimaayaadraye namah .
Jyotirganaanaam pataye dinadhipataye namah .. 16

Purvaya = Present on the east rising; Giraye = For the mountain; Namah = Salutation; Pascime =
Setting on the west side; Giraye = the mountain; Namah = Salutation; Jyotirgananam = The
groups brilliant rays; pataye = To the lord; Namah = Salutations; Dinadhipataye = Lord of the
day Surya; Namah = Salutations.

He is the one who raises in the Eastern mountains. He is the one who sets on the western
mountains. I salute thee. He is the one who has the most brilliant set of rays. He is the one who is
the lord of the day. Salutations to thee. 
 
Jayaaya jayabhadraaya haryashvaaya namo namah .
Namo namah sahasraa.nsha aadityaaya namo namah .. 17

Jayaya = For Success; Jayabhadraya = For the bestower of victory ensuring it; Namah =
Salutations; Haryasvaya = For the possessor of yellow horses; Namonamah = Salutations again
and again; Sahasramso = Oh! Lord of thousand rays; Adityaya = The son of Aditi; Namonamah
= Salutations again and again.

He is the one who brings success and victory. He is the one who has the set of seven yellow
horses which carry him around. He is the lord of a thousand rays. he is the son of Aditi. I salute
thee. 

Namah ugraaya viiraaya saarangaaya namo namah .

Namah padma prabodhaaya maartandaaya namo namah .. 18

Ugraya = For the aggressive Violent one; Namah = Salutations; Viraya = For the mighty; Namah
= Salutation; Padma prabhodaya = the one who blossoms the lotus flowers; Namah = Salutation;
Martandaya = For the son of Mrukanda Maharsi; Te = for you; Namah = Salutation; Asti = Let
this be.

He is very aggressive. He is also very violent at times. He is the mighty one. He is the one who
makes the lotus flower bloom. I salute thee. He is the one who travels everywhere and travels
fast. He is also the son of Mrukanda Maharshi.
Brahmeshaana achyuteshaaya suuryaayaadityavarchase .
Bhaasvate sarvabhakshaaya raudraaya vapushhe namah .. 19

Brahma = Fo Brahma; Eesana = For Eswara; Abhyatah = For Visnu; Eesaya = Lord; Aditya
Varcase = With the glow of Aditya; Bhasvate = Illumines; Sarva bhakshaya = Every thing is
being eaten; Roudraya = makes one afraid of him; Vapuse = having a body; suryaya = For Surya;
Namah = Salutation.

He is Brahma since he is the one who creates. He is Vishnu since he gives water to all the people
and helps sustain the life. He is Shiva since he can also destroy life. I salute thee. I salute the
powerful and brilliant glow of Aditya. He can eat everything if he becomes angry. He can devour
everything like Rudra. I salute thee. 
 

Tamoghnaaya himagnaaya shatrughnaaya amitaatmane .

Kritaghnahanaaya devaaya jyotishhaam pataye namah .. 20

Tamoghnaya = Dispeller of darkness; Himaghnaya = Destroyer of Snow and dew; Satrughnaya =

Conqueror of enemies; Amitatmane = The all pervading; Krutaghnaya = Kills the person who
has forgotten the help rendered; Devaya = Self effulgent; Jyotisam = For the lights; Pataye =
Lord; Namah = Salutations. 

I salute the one who removes the 'tamo' gunas - the darkness. I salute the one who destroy the
snow and the dew and the fog. I salute the one who dispels darkness and shows the ever glowing
atman inside. I salute the one who is all pervading. I salute the one who drives away all fear. I
salute the one who  destroys those who are ungrateful. I salute the one who is the head of all the
celestial bodies. 

Tapta chaamiika raabhaaya haraye vishvakarmane .

Namastamo.abhinighnaaya ruchaye lokasaakshine .. 21

Tapta Camikarabhaya = Having the colour of the burning gold; Haraye = This world;
Visvakarmane = In charge of the world and the conceptual Creator, Rucaye = having all
brilliance, Tamobhinighnaya = Destroyer of darkness, Loka Sakshine = Spectator of the universe
Aditya; Namah = Salutation.

I salue the one who has the color of the burning molten gold. I salute the one who is in charge of
the world and who has indeed Created the world. I Isalute the One who destroys all darkness in
men and matter. I salute the one who spreads the fire of supreme knolwedge. I salure the one
who is the Witness to the entire Universe. 
Naashayatyeshha vai bhuutam tadeva srijati prabhuuH .
Paayatyeshha tapatyeshha varshhatyeshha gabhastibhih .. 22

Esah = This Aditya, prabhuh = Lord; Bhutam = Jeevals (living (beeings), Nasayati = Destroys;
Tadeva = That Jeevas only; Srujati = Again Created; Esah = He; Gabhastabhih = By his brilliant
rays; payati = protects; Esah = He; Tapati = Causes heat; Esah = he; Varsati = Gives rain.

I salute the One who destroys everything. I salute the One who creates everything once more. I
salute the one who destroys and again creates the Jeevas. He destroys the  salute the one who, by
the sheer brilliance and the heat of His rays, consumes water, heats them up and sends them
down as rain and gives water to the entire universe.

Eshha supteshhu jaagarti bhuuteshhu parinishhthitah .

Eshha evaagnihotramcha phalam chaivaagnihotrinaamh .. 23

Esah = he; Bhutesu – Jeevas (Pranis); Suptesu = while sleeping; jagarti = awakens; Agnihotranca
= personification of fire; Esah = He alone; Agni hotrinam = For the persons performing fire
ritual; Phalanca = Beneficiary; Esa Eva = he himself.

I salute the Lord who is there in the heart of all those living beings. Even though those living
being are asleep, there is still the fire of life in them because of the Sun God. I salute the Lord
who is the sacrificial fire. I salute the God is also the fruit of such sacrifical fire.

Vedaashcha kratavashchaiva kratuunaam phalameva cha .

Yaani krityaani lokeshhu sarva eshha ravih prabhuh .. 24

Vedasca = Vedas; Kratavascaiva = Rituals; Kratunam = Belonging to the ritual functions;

Phalamevaca = Benefits also; Sah = he alone; Lokesu = The fourteen worlds; Yanikrutyani =
Whatever works; Sarvah = All those; Esah = These; Prabhuh = Ruler; Ravih = Surya only.

The Sun God is the lord of all action in this world. He is the Vedas. He is the sacrifices and the
rituals which are performed with the help of the fires. He is also the fruit of all those sacrifices
and rituals.  
Phala stuti
 
Enamaapatsu krichchhreshhu kaantaareshhu bhayeshhu cha.
kiirttayanh purushhah kashchin naavasiidati raaghava .. 25
He! Raghava = Oh! Rama! Kascinnavasidati Raghava Any Man; Enam = This Surya;
Krucchresu = All types; Apatsu = Dangers; Kantaresu = From the Jungles; Bhayesuca = From
frightful conditions; Kritiyam = When prayed; Navasidati = will not leave you (will protect you)

Having recited the sloka, Aghastya tells Rama what is the point of all this and what this slika will
do for him: "Raghava, the one who recites this sloka in any time of danger, will get out of it. If a
person recites it during the time of affliction, like when he is lost in wilderness and having fear,
his heart will immediately lose that fear the moment the recitation happens. The person becomes
brave immediately. All the "tamo" gunas leave the person who recites this. All the cnfusion goes
away. The person becomes sharper. Wiser. 

Puujayasvainamekaagro devadevam jagathpatimh.

Etat.h trigunitam japtvaa yuddheshhu vijayishhyasi .. 26

Deva Devam = The Lord of Gods; Jagat patitam = The ruler of the universe; Enam = This
Aditya; Ekagrah = with single attention; Pujayasva = worship, Etat = This Aditya hrudayam;
Trigunitam = Three times; japtva = If meditated; yuddhesu = In this battle (at all crisis);
Vijayisyasi = Gets victory.

Hey Ram! Please do worhip the Sun God with single minded devotion and attention. The one
who recites the sloka three times, wins the battle that he enters into. Hence, please to recite this
sloka that I have taught you three time so that you can win this battle.

Nasminkshane mahaabaaho raavanam tvam vadhishhyasi.

Evamuktavaa tadaa.agastyo jagaamh cha yathaagatamh .. 27

He! Maha baho = Oh! Elegant shouldered Rama; Tvam = You; Ravanam = Ravana; Asmin
Ravanam = Ravana; Asmin kshane = At this moment only; Vadhisyasi = Can be killed; Evam =
In this way; uktva = Declared; Tatha Agasthyah = Then Sage Agastya; Yatha gatam Jagamaca =
Left in the Same way of his arrival. 

Agasthya continued : O my dear mighty and brave Rama! O, the armed one! You will win over
Ravana this very moment. You don't need to have any doubt about that. You don't have to have
any more worries from now onwards". 

Having said this, Agasthya returned back to his original place. Ram also became free of worries.
O mighty armed one, you shall truimph over Ravana this very moment. Having spoken this,
Agastya returned his original place. Ram also became free from worries. 
 

Etachchhritvaa mahaatejaa nashhtashoko abhavattadaa.

Dhaarayaamaasa supriito raaghavah prayataatmavaanh .. 28
Maha Tejah = The great Warrior; Raghavah = Rama; Etat Srutva = having heard; Aditya hrdaya
Stotra; Supritah = Being satisfied; prayatatmavan = with pious heart; Dharayamasa = Meditated;
Nasta sokah = With sorrow disappeared; Abhavat = Taken place.

Rama took what Agastya told him to heart. He sat down. With pious heart and with single
minded concentration, he decided to meditate upon the Sun God and and to recite the sloka three
times. 

Aaadityam prekshya japtvaa tu param harshhamavaaptavaanh.

Triraachamya shuchirbhuutvaa dhanuraadaaya viiryavaanh .. 29

Triracamya = performing three times; Acamya = taking water with the hand and three times and
sipping; Sucorbnhutva = Having purified; Adityam prekshva = perceiving Lord Surya
incessently; Japtyatu = after meditating; Param = Supreme; Harsam Avaptavan = with great
pleasure; Viryavan = The chivalrous Rama; Dhanuradaya = lifting his bow.

Rama looked at the Sun God with devotion and concentration. He recited the sloka three times.
He saw the Sun God within his heart.He felt a bliss and energy flowing through him. 
 
Rraavanam prekshya hrushhtaatmaa yuddhaaya samupaagamath.
Sarva yatnena mahataa vadhe tasya dhritoabhavath .. 30

Hrustatma = Having satisfied Rama; Ravanam = Ravana; prekshya = particularly seen him;
yuddhaya = for waging war; Samupagamati = Approaching nearly; Mahata Sarva yatnena = with
all the efforts worth the name; Tasya = to that Ravana; Vadhe = To kill; Dhrutah = with great
determination; Abhavat = Prepared. 

After reciting the sloka three times and experiencing the bliss, Rama purified himself by sipping
water thrice. He took up his bow. He saw Ravana coming nearer to wage the war. He took the
bow and arrow with purpose  and was determined to destroy Ravana. 
Atha ravi ravadanam nirikshyam raama
Muditamanaah paramam prahrishhyamaanah.
Nishicharapatisa nkshayam viditvaa
Suragan amadhyagato vachastvareti .. 31

Atha = Afterwords; Suragana Madhya gatah = In the middle of the groups of Devas; Ravih =
Surya; Muditamanah = With a mind full of pleasures; Nisicara Samkshayam = to destroy the
king of Rakshasas; Viditva = Having known decidedly; Ramam = Rama; Nirikshya = Seeing;
paramamprahrusyamanah = Very much pleased; Tvara = Do quickly; Iti vacah = These words;
Avadat = said. 
The Devas were waiting expectantly. The Rishis, including Agastya, were also waiting for the
greatest spectacle of Ravana falling to happen. The Sun God was also there in the midst of Devas
to witness the great epic battle and the destruction of Ravana. Sun God came down and told
Rama to hurry up and finish Ravana off. 

Key points of the sloka : 

If you see the sloka, you will be able to see some similarities between this battle situation and the
battle situation in Mahabharata where Krishna taught Bhagwat Gita to Arjuna. In both the places,
the warriors needed some kind of strength. In Mahabharat, the battle had not even started and
Arjuna had become mentally tired. Here, however, Rama has been battling the demon Ravana
for quite some time but could not get the final breakthrough. 

The Mahabharatha war was at the starting stage. This Rama - Ravana battle was at almost the
closing stages. 

There, Krishna told Gita so that Arjuna's mental tiredness can go away. Here, Agastya taught
Aditya Hridayam to Rama so that Rama can concentrate once again and renew his energy levels. 

The entire sloka is, in a way, repetition of the glories of the Sun God. By repeating the various
glories of Sun God, one gets immersed into the great light that the God is. One gets immersed
into the great heat and the great life giver that He is. By meditating upon him as the Lord Shiva,
as Lord Vishnu, as the Lord Brahma, as the Lord Subramanya, one gets immersed into him. This
ensures that the mind goes away from its immediate problems and relaxes in the wonderful light
and the beauty that the Sun is. Once the mind becomes free, then it can refocus on the problem
on hand in a much easier manner. 

That is the secret of meditation. That is exactly what Agastya also taught Rama to do. 

The key point is to ensure that the mind and the body are renewed and re-energized through
meditation. By meditating upon the source of light, by meditating upon the source of life, one
also gets energized. 

The same thing is also done as "Surya Namaskaram" where an entire sequence of yoga are done
to relax the body as well as the mind.