Waking the Lord
Suprabhatam (Sanskrit: su = auspicious, prabhāta = dawn) is the morning hymn recited to ritually wake the Lord from his divine sleep (śayanam). The idea of "waking" an omniscient Lord who never truly sleeps may seem paradoxical — but it expresses the devotee's desire to bring the Lord into the day's engagement, to announce one's presence, and to begin the intimate daily relationship afresh.
The Famous Suprabhatams
Three suprabhatams are particularly celebrated in Sri Vaishnavism:
- Tirumala Śrī Venkateśvara Suprabhatam — composed by the great Sanskrit poet Prativādi Bhayaṅkara Annan (15th century); the most famous suprabhatam, recited at Tirumala at 3 AM daily and heard by millions on radio and recordings
- Tirupaḷḷiyezhucci of Toṇḍaraḍippoḍi Āzhvār — the Tamil suprabhatam for Raṅganātha of Śrīraṅgam; part of the Divya Prabandham
- Śrīraṅga Suprabhatam — additional Sanskrit suprabhatam for the Lord of Śrīraṅgam
Structure and Content
A suprabhatam typically includes:
- Invocations to Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī to please wake
- Descriptions of the dawning day — birds, lotus flowers opening, devotees gathering
- A request for the Lord's darśana (vision) to begin the day
- Benedictions (maṅgaḷa) for the Lord's auspicious awakening
The Venkateśvara Suprabhatam's famous opening: kausalyā supraja rāma pūrvā sandhyā pravartate — "Kauśalyā's beautiful son Rāma, the dawn is breaking..."