LL Cool J -- TAKES DOWN Intruder in His House

1:30 PM PT -- Police say LL Cool J will NOT be charged with assault after the incident.

8:53 AM PT -- LL beat the living CRAP out of the intruder ... who's being described as a transient ... reportedly breaking the man's nose and jaw.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... the suspect is currently hospitalized and being treated for his injuries. Officials believe the man may suffer from mental issues.

7:30AM PT -- A rep confirms LL Cool J is safe and unharmed. As for the personal beating LL put on the intruder -- the rep would only say, "He is committed to keeping his family safe and is cooperating with authorities."

LL Cool J came face-to-face with a burglary suspect in his home, and took the guy down with his own hands early this morning ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement sources ... the suspect entered LL's Los Angeles area house around 2AM, but unfortunately for him the actor/rapper/badass was home.

We're told LL heard some commotion downstairs, went to check it out ... and found the intruder.

Sources say the intruder had tripped LL's alarm system, but the "NCIS Los Angeles" star -- who is a physical beast -- decided to go hand-to-hand combat on the dude ... and managed to detain him until LAPD arrived a few minutes later to make the arrest.

We're told LL is okay, but the suspect -- who will be booked for burglary -- suffered a few bruises.