Harivarasanam / Sri hariharatmajashtakam

Harivarasanam (also known as Hariharasuthāshtakam) is a devotional song recited at Sabarimala (the principal Ayyappan pilgrimage site), before closing the temple door every night. The song was written by Kambamgudi Kulathur Iyer and Swami Vimochanananda sang it for the first time at Sabarimala.

Harivarasanam song is sung when doors of the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is closed for the day at night. This divine song which drenches the eyes of Ayyappa devotees in tears was written Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer. Harivarasanam lyrics were composed in 1950. Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer used to sing it daily when the temple doors were closed after performing the Athazapuja – serving the last meal of the day to Ayyappa. Today it is known as the Urakku Pattu – or the song that sends Ayyappa to sleep.

In the beginning, the main priest used to play flute while closing the doors of the temple. Harivarasanam became the Urakku Pattu of Ayyappa after the fire incident in the 50s, which burn down the old temple. When the new temple was built and the pujas commenced, Harivarasanam was inducted as the Urakku Pattu – the song to send Ayyappa to sleep.

It is the wish of every Ayyappa devotee to present at the Sannidhanam when Harivarasanam is rendered.

Though there have been many versions of this song sung by many renowned vocalists, the Sabarimala temple plays the rendition by Dr.KJ Yesudas every evening after the final pooja. It's amazing that Lord Ayyappa never sleeps without hearing the voice of a guy who went to church in his childhood. Yesudas is really a Deivapadagar (Singing God).
Harivarasanam is written in highly Sanskritised Malayalam.

Sri Hariharatmajashtakam is popularly known as "Harivarasanam" and considered as the lullaby for Lord Ayyappa.Literally 'hariharatmaja" means the son of Hari (Lord Vishnu) and Hara(Lord Shiva). Ashtakam meant for a "Mantra" comprising eight "khandas" or stanzas.The Indian spiritual arena for it s pride has many Ashtakams. Examples are Lingashtakam (prising Lord Shiva starting with Brahmamurarisurarchithalingam) and Mahalakshmiashtakam (prising Mahalakshmi starting with Namastheshumahamaye)

Generally lullabies in India are composed in Madhyamavathy raga of Carnatic style. Hence, this song attired in as a lullaby but it is actually a keerthana praising Lord Ayyapa Mantras.
In classical music concerts and Bhajans the Mangalakeerthana or the last song is performed in the raga Madhyamavathy.It is believed that if any errors or defects occured in the concerts or Bhajans the same can be cured or rectified by singing the raga Madhyamavathy.Harivarasanam can also be composed in the ragas like Mohanam,Kallyani,Shyama and Neelambary.

Lyrics of HarivarAsanam or Hariharatmajashtakam :

Song : Harivarasanam Viswamohanam
Raaga : Madhyamavathi
Mela: Kharaharapriya, 22 nd
Arohana : S R 2 M 2 P N 1 S
Avarohana : S N 1 P M 2 R 2 S
Composer : Kambamgudi Kulathur Iyer


Harivarasanam Viswamohanam
Haridadheeswaram Aaradhyapadukam
Arivimarddanam Nithyanarthanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Repository of Hari’s boons, Enchanter of the universe,
Essence of Hari’s grace, He whose holy feet is worshipped,
He who kills enemies by good thought, He who daily dances the cosmic dance,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Sharanakirthanam Bhakthamanasam
Bharanalolupam Narthanalasam
Arunabhasuram Bhoothanayakam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He who likes song of refuge, He who is in the mind of devotees,
He who is the great ruler, He who loves to dance,
He who shines like the rising sun, He who is the king of all beings,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Pranayasathyakam Praananayakam
Pranathakalpakam Suprabhanchitham
Pranavamandiram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He whose soul is truth, He who is the darling of all souls,
He who created universe, He who shines with a glittering halo,
He who is the temple of “OM”, He who loves songs,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Thuragavahanam Sundarananam
Varagadayudham Vedavarnitham
Gurukrupakaram Keerthanapriyam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He who rides a horse, He who has a pretty face,
He who has the blessed mace as weapon, He who is glorified by Vedas
He who bestows grace like a teacher, He who loves songs,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Thribhuvanarchitham Devathathmakam
Thrinayanam Prabhum Divyadeshikam
Thridashapoojitham Chinthithapradam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He who is worshiped by the three worlds, He who is the soul of all gods,
He who is lord Shiva, He who is worshipped by devas,
He who is who is worshipped three times a day, He whose thought itself is fulfilling,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Bhavabhayapaham Bhavukavaham
Bhuvanamohanam Bhoothibhooshanam
Dhavalavahanam Divyavaranam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He who destroys fear, He who brings prosperity,
He who is enchanter of universe, He who wears holy ash as ornament,
He who rides a white elephant,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Kalamridusmitham Sundarananam
Kalabhakomalam Gathramohanam
Kalabhakesari Vaajivahanam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He who blesses with enchanting smile, He who has a pretty face,
He who is adorned by sandal paste, He who has a pretty mien,
He who is a like a lion to the elephants, He who rides on a tiger,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Shrithajanapriyam Chinthithapradam
Shruthivibhushanam Sadhujeevanam
Shruthimanoharam Geethalalasam
Hariharathmajam Devamashraye
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa
Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

He who is dear to his devotees, He who fulfills wishes,
He who is praised by Vedas, He who blesses life of ascetics,
He who is the essence of Vedas, He who enjoys divine music,
Son of Hari and Hara, I take refuge in thee, God
My refuge is in you Ayyappa,
My refuge is in you Ayyappa

Let's hear the Harivarasanam in the divine voice of K.J.Yesudas.






Download Harivarasanam mp3 :

Click here to download Harivarasanam . It is nearly 7 minutes and 12 seconds long.