Āditya Hṛdayam is a powerful hymn dedicated to Lord Sūrya (the Sun God), recited by Sage Agastya to Sri Rama Chandra in the Yuddha Kāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa when Lord Rāma is preparing to fight Rāvaṇa. During the final battle, Rāma is exhausted after a long fight with Rāvaṇa. Sage Agastya appears and advises Rāma to chant Āditya Hṛdayam, a secret and eternal hymn that invokes the blessings of deity within Sūrya Deva. Upon chanting this stotra, Rāma regains strength, confidence, and divine energy. The hymn highlights Sūrya's divine nature, his role as a manifestation of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and all deities, and his power to remove darkness, fear, and suffering. Chanting of Aditya Hridayam is known to have many benefits: Attracts victory, strength, courage, and good health Irradicates sins, fears, sorrows, and negative energies. Expands life span, prosperity, and divine wisdom. Helps overcome difficulties and enemies. I have created transliterations for your reference: K...
Here is the text from Skanda Purana on the significance of Shiva ratri. Skanda Purana >>> Book 6 - Nāgara-khaṇḍa >> Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya >> Chapter 266 - Greatness of Śivarātri sūta uvāca | śivarātriṃ samāsādya yastasya puruṣo dvijāḥ | kuryājjāgaraṇaṃ rātrau nirāhāraḥ sthitaḥ śuciḥ || 6 || sarvaliṃgodbhavaṃ caiva phalaṃ darśanasaṃbhavam | jāyate nātra saṃdeha ityuvāca haraḥ svayam || 7 || ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | śivarātrirmahābhāga kasminkāle tu sā bhavet | vidhyānaṃ caiva māhātmyaṃ sarvaṃ no vistarādvada || 8 || sūta uvāca || māghasya kṛṣṇapakṣe yā tithiścaiva caturdaśī | tasyā rātriḥ samākhyātā śivarātrisamudbhavā || 9 || tasyāṃ sarveṣu liṃgeṣu sadā saṃkramate haraḥ | viśeṣātsarvapuṇyeṣu khyāteyaṃ maṃkaṇeśvare || 10 || 6-7. O Brāhmaṇas, at the advent of Śiyarātri a man should observe fast and remain pure. He should also keep awake during the night. Hara himself says that there is no doubt that he will have the benefit resulting from a visit to all th...