Daily Prayers

Wake Up PrayerKaraagre Vasathe Lakshmi

Karamdye SaraswathiKaramule bhavedgowri

Prabhathe karadarshanam

Samudra-sanedeviParvatha sthana-mandale

Vishnu-patni samastubhyamPaada-sparsham kshmasyame

Bathing PrayerGangeva yamunechaivaGodhavari saraswathi

Narmade sindu kaaveriJalesmin sannidim kuru

Praying to Sun GodSapthashya radha marudam

Prachandam kashya-pathmajamShewtha padma-dharam devamTam surayam prana-mamyaham

Prayer Before Lunch or DinnerBramha-rapanam bramhahavi

Bramha-gnow bramha-naahutamBramhaiva tena gamtavyam

Bramha-karma samaa-dhinaa 

Prayer After Lunch or Dinner Agstyam kumbha-karnamcha shamamcha badabaa-nalam

Aahara parinaa-martham smaraamicha vrukoo-daram

Leaving the House PrayerYasshivo nama-rupaabhyam yadeve-sarwa-mangala

Tayoh-samsma-ranaate pumsaam sarwato jaya mangalamLaabha-sthesham jaya-sthesham kuta-sthesham paraa-bhavah

Yesha-mimdee-varashyave hrudayasthu janaardhanh.

Prayer Before StudyingGurave sarwa-lokaanaamBhishaje bhava-roginaamNidhaye sarwa-vidyanaamDakshina-murthiye namah

Gyna-namdamayam devamNirmala-spatikaa-krutim,

Aadharam sarwa-vidyanaamHaya-grivamu-paasmahe

 Prayer Before Going To Bed

Kara charana krutam vaa karma vaakka-yajam vaaShravana sayasajam vaa manasam va aparaadham

Vihita mavihitam vaa sarwametat kshamasvaShiva shiva karunabdhe he maha-deva shamdo

Prayer to Drive Away Bad DreamsRaamam skandham hanumamtam

Vainateyam nrukoo-daramShayane yah smare-nnityamDuswapnam tasya nashyati

Prayer for Long Life ( Mrutyumjaya Mantram ) Tryambakam yaja-mahe

Sugamdhim pushti-vardanamUrva-ruka mena bamdha-natMrutyor mukshiya mamrutaat

 

These prayers are from Everyday Prayers of Indian God.  Translations are done by Mrs. and Mr. Babu.

Mantras and Shlokas

Om MantraOm, Om, Om Om is the original sound, the sound of

Brahman, the supreme universal reality

 Prayer for Education, Enlightenment and SuccessOm Saha Naavavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu

Saha veeryam karavaavahai.

Tejasvi-navadhee-tamastu

Maa vidvishaavahai

Om, may the Lord protect us both (guru and disciple), may he cause us to enjoy (the supreme), May we exert together. May our studies be through and faithfull (to become brilliant). May we never quarrel/hate each other.

Ganesh Shloka Vakratunda Mahakaya

Surya Koti Samaprabha

Neervigna Kurume Deva

Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada

O Lord Ganesha possessing a large body

curved trunk, with the brilliance

of a million suns, please make all

my work free of obstacles—always.

Gayatri Mantra The Gayatri Mantra is the most sacred of the RigVeda Mantras. Gayatri means, “the savior of the singer.” Reciting this prayer protects one from harm, dispels the darkness of ignorance and illuminates the world.

Om Bhur Bhuva Swaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat

Mother who subsists as all three Kalas, in all three Lokas, and all three Gunas, I pray to you to illuminate my intellect and dispel my ignorance, just as the splendorous sunlight dispels all darkness. I pray to you to make my intellect serene and bright.

Kalas = Lapses of time: past, present and future

Lokas = Worlds or realms of experience

Gunas = Universal Attributes: harmony, agitation and inertia

Prayer to Saraswati Yaa Kundendu Tushara Haara Dhawalaa

Yaa Shubhra Vastraavritra

Yaa Weena Wara Danda Mandita Karaa

Yaa Shweta Padmaasanaa

Yaa Brahmaachyuta Shankarah Prabhritibhih

Dewaih Sadaa Wanditaa

Saa Maarn Paatu Saraswatee Bhagawatee

Nisheshaa Jaadyaa Pahaa

May Goddess Saraswati,

who is bedecked with white kunda flowers, who has worn pure white clothes resembling snow and moon,

who is holding a veena as her danda or instrument to draw the attention of her devotees/students,

who is sitting on a white lotus and one who is worshipped at all times by Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

May she remove my laziness and ignorance.

My salutations to such a Goddess of knowledge.

Prayer to the TeacherGuru Brahma, Guru Vishnu,

Guru Devo Maheshwara;

Guru Sakshat Parabrahma

Tsmai Shri Guruve Namaha

The teacher is like

Lord Brahma as he fosters knowledge within us,

Lord Vishnu as he turns the knowledge in our mind to the right path,

Lord Shiva as he destroys the wrong concepts that come with knowledge, while  helping us to the path of enlightenment.

Thus the teacher is like our ultimate God and we should pray and give respect to our teacher.

Universal Prayer for Enlightenment and Immortality   In this mantra the devotee prays to the Lord for freedom from ignorance and attainment of immortality.

 

Asato Maa Sad Gamaya

Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya

Mrityor Maa Amritam Gamaya

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Oh Lord,

lead me from untruth to truth,

from darkness to light,

from death to immortality.

Peace, Peace Peace.

Complete Surrender to God   This mantra is usually recited at the conclusion of a prayer session, meditation, or religious function. Here the devotee surrenders his or her individuality to the Lord for his Grace.

 

Twameva Mata, Chapita Twameva

Twameva Bandhu, Cha Sakha Twameva

Twameva Vidya, Dravinum Twameva

Twameva sarvam mama deva-deva

Oh Lord!

You alone are my mother, father, brother, friend, the knowledge and wealth.

You are everything to me and the God of all Gods.

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Sarve Santu Niramayah

Sarve Bhadrani Pushyantu

Maa Kaschid Dukhabhaag Bhavet

Om Shaanti Shaanti Shaanti

 

Shubhamastu…Kalyaanamastu…

Aishwaryamastu… Udayostu… Udayostu

May everybody be happy.

May everybody be free from disease.

May everybody have good luck.

May none fall on evil days.

Peace, peace, peace.

Miscellaneous Mantras and Shlokas  

Shanti Mantra Om Shanti Antarikshagunda

Shanti Prithvi

Shanti Raapa

Shanti Roshadaya

Shanti Vanaspataya

Shanti Vishvayedeva

Shanti Brahma

Shanti Sarva Gunda

Shanti Shanti Reva

Shanti Saama

Shanti Redhi

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om

May there be peace in the universe and the world.

May peace be on our earth.

May peace reside in nature and everything that is created.

Shree Ganesha Slokham

Pranamya sirasa devam gauri putram vinayakamBhaktavasam smarennityam-ayuh kamartha-siddhaye  (1)

Prathamam vakra-tundam ca ekadantam dvitiyakamTrtiyam krsna-pingaksam gaja-vaktram catuthakam  (2)

Lambodaram pancamam ca sastham vikatam-eva chSaptamam vighna-rajam ca dhumra-varnam tathastamam  (3)

Navamam bhala-candram ca dasamam tu vinayakamEkadasam ganapatim dvadasam tu gajananam  (4)

Dvadasaitani namani tri-sandhyam yah pathen-narahNa ca vighna-bhayam tasya sarva-siddhi-karam prabho (5)

I respectfully offer my daily prayers

to Lord Ganesa for a meaningful life and right guidance. 

I invoke Sri Ganesa with the following description:

curved mouth, single tusk, black eyes, elephant face, big stomach, giant structure, savior of all, grey colored, moon like forehead, protector, ganapati, and Gajanana.  

Morning Prayer This mantra is recited as soon as one wakes up and is spoken while observing the right hand

Karagre vasate laxmi, kara-madhye saraswati,

Kara-mule tu govindam; prabhate kara darshnam.

Prayer to the Supreme

This prayer is the universal oneness of the Brahma through the many manifestations.

Akashat patitam toyam, yada gachchati sagram,

Sarva devo namaskaraha, keshavam pratigachchati.

Meal Time Prayer

This prayer is chanted before a meal and expresses a feeling of gratefulness for the food that one is about to benefit from.

Danaa detaa, paka karta, tahta bhogata, sukhi bhava.

Prayer for good fortune

This prayer is said in front of the deity when a diya (burning lamp) is lit.

Shubham karoti, kalyanam, arogyam, dhana sampada,

Shatru-buddhi vinashaya, deepat-jyoti namo-stute.

Peace Invocation

The following Upanishadic mantra affirms that this manifestation of Brahman

Om poornam-adah, poornam-idam,

poor-nath Poornam-udachyate;

Poor-nasya poornam-adaya,

Poornam-eva-vashishyate.

Prathnas 

Ganesh

vakratunda mahaakaaya suuryakoti samaprabhanirvighnam kuru me deva sarvakaaryeshhu sarvadaa O elephant headed and large bodied Lord, radiant as a thousand Suns, I ask for your grace so that this task that I am starting may complete without any hindrances.

Saraswati Prarthana

yaa kundendu tushhaar haara dhavalaa yaa shubhrava straavritaayaa vii naa varadanda manditakaraa yaa shveta padma asanaayaa brahmaa chyutashaankara prabhrutibhirdevai sadaa vanditaasaa maam paatu sarasvatii bhagavatii nihsheshha jaadyaa pahaa Fair as a jasmine flower, the moon or a flake of snow,Dressed in white, her hands adorned by the graceful veena staff,Adorned by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the other deities,Protect me, Oh Goddess Saraswati, remover of ignorance inert.

Before Starting Your Studies (Sarasvati Namastubhyam)

sarasvatii namastubhyam varade kaamaruupini vidyaarambham karishhyaami siddhirbhavatu me sadaa O Goddess Saraswati, salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfills all desires.  I begin my studies.  May there always be accomplishments for me.

 

Guru Mantra (Guru Brahma)

gurur brahmaa gurur vishnugurur devo maheshvarahguruh saakshaat parabrahma tasmai shrii guravenamah I prostrate to that Shree Guru, who is himself Brahma, Vishnu, and God Maheshwara, and who is verily the Supreme Absolute itself.

Guru Mantra (Tvameva Maataa)

tvameva maataa cha pitaa tvamevatvameva bandhush chasakhaa tvamevatvameva vidyaa dravinam tvamevatvameva sarvam mama deva deva O Lord! Thou art my mother and Thou art my father also;Thou art my relative and my friend Thou art;Thou art knowledge and wealth unto me;Thou art my all-in-all, O Lord of Lords.

Valedictory Address (diksha)

Satyam vad.  Dharmam char. Swadhyayanmaa Pramadh.Satyaan Pramaditavyam.  Dharmaan Pramaditavyam.Kushalaan Pramidtavyam.  Bhutyae na Pramaditavayam.Swadhyayapravachanaabhyam na Pramaditavyam. Speak what is true.  Do your duties.  Continue without neglect the study of the Veda.  Do not swerve from Truth and Dharma.Do something useful in the social economy.  Achieve greatness.Do not fail to refresh your memory in respect of what you have learnt.

 

Early Morning Prayers (Karaagre Vasate)

karaagre vasate lakshmiihkaramadhye sarasvatii karamuule tu govindah prabhaate karadarshanam samudravasane devi parvatastanamandale vishnupatni namastubhyam paadasparsham kshamasva me The front part of the hands (the  finger tips) are ascribed to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, the middle part (the palm proper) to Goddess Saraswati - the Goddess of Learning and the root (the part of hand near the wrist) to Govinda (God).  Therefore, every morning, one should have a respectful look at one's hand, which symbolizes honest labor. O! Mother Earth, who has the ocean as clothes and mountains and forests on her body, who is the wife of Lord Vishnu, I bow to you.  Please forgive me for touching you with my feet.

While Taking a bath (Gange cha Yamune)

Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati,Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru In this water, I invoke the presence of holy waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri.

While Lighting a Lamp

shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaashatrubudhdivinaashaaya diipajyoti namostuteI salute the One who is the lamplight, that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellect's enemy.

Bedtime Prayer (Karacharana)

karacharana kritam vaa kaayajam karmajam vaashravana nayanajam vaa maan asam vaaparaadham.

vihita mavihitam vaa sarvame tatkshamasvajaya jaya karunaabdhe shriimahaadeva shambho Oh LordKindly forgive my wrong actions done knowingly or unknowingly, either through my organs of action (hand, feet, speech) or through my organs of perception (eyes, ears) or by my mind. Glory unto Thee O Lord, who is the ocean of kindness.

While Eating (Bhojan Mantra - brahamaarpanam.)

brahmaarpanam brahma havih brahmaagnau brahmanaa hutamh.brahmaiva tena gantavyam brahmakarmasamaadhinaa

A process of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, the instrument of offering is Brahman, the fire to which the offering is made is also Brahman.  For such a one who abides in Brahman, by him alone Brahman is reached.

New Year Greeting (Surya Samvednapushpayeh)

Surya Samvedna pushpayeh Deeptih Karunya gandhane, Labdhva Sham Navvarshesmin Kuryatsarvasya mangalam As the sun gives light, sensibility brings compassion, flowers give pleasant fragrance, may the new year be auspicious.

Prayer to Devi (yaa devii)

yaa devii sarva bhuute shhu maatri rupe na san sthitahyaa devii sarva bhuute shhu shakti rupe na san sthitah.yaa devii sarva bhuute shhu shaanti rupe na san sthitahnamas tasyaih namas tasyaih namas tasyaih namo namah O mother, who is present everywhere,

who is embodiment of Universal Mother,O mother, who is present everywhere, who is embodiment of Power and Energy,O mother, who is present everywhere, who is embodiment of Peace,I bow to thee, I bow to thee, I bow to thee.

Prayer to Saraswati (Ya Devi Stuyate)

Ya Devi Stuyate Nityam VibhuhairvedaparagaihSaMe Vasatu Jihvagre Brahmarupa SaraswatiSaraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, who is praised by the wise who have mastered the Shastra, who is the wife of the Creator, may she live on the tip of my tongue.

Prayer to Mother Gauri (Sarva mangala)

sarva mangala maangalye shive sarvaartha saadhikesharanye tryamba ke gaurii naaraayanii namostute Adorations to Goddess who is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who is the bestower of every desire of one's heart.  Adorations to You, O Devi, I have taken refuge in you.

Prayer to Lord Ganesha (shuklaambaradharam)

shuklaambaradharam devam shashivarnam chaturbhujamhprasannavadanam dhyaayeth sarvavighnopashaantayeLord Ganesha, who wears a white garment, who is all-pervading, who has a bright complexion, who has four arms, who has an ever smiling face, upon that God, I meditate for removal of all obstacles.

 

Prayer to Lord Krishna

vasudeva sutam devam kansa chaanuura mardanam.devakii paramaa nandam krishhnam vande jagadh gurum I bow to you O Krishna, the Supreme Guru, Son of Devaki and Vasudeva, the remover of Kamsa and Chanur.

Prayer to Lord Krishna (aakaashaat)

aakaashaath patitam toyam yathaa gachchhati saagaramhsarva deva namaskaaraanh keshavam pratigachchhatiJust as every rain drop that falls from the sky flows into the Ocean, in the same way every prayer offered to any Deity flows to Lord Krishna

Prayer to Lord Shiva (karpuuragauram)

karpuuragauram karunaa vataaramsansaara saaram bhujagendra haaramsadaa vasantam hridayaaravindebhavam bhavaanii sahitam namaami

Prayer to Lord Vishnu (kaayena vaachaa)

kaayena vaachaa manasendriyairvaabuddhyaatmanaa vaa prakriteh svabhaavaathkaromi yadhyadh sakalam parasmainaaraaya naayeti samar payaami I dedicate everything to that Lord Narayana: whatever I perform with my body, speech, mind, limbs, intellect or my inner self either intentionally or unintentionally.

 Prayer to Lord Vishnu (shaantaa kaaram)

shaantaa kaaram bhujaga shayanampadmanaa bham sureshamvishvaa dhaaram gagana sadrishammeghavar nam shubhaamgam

lakshmii kaantam kamala nayanam yogibhidhyaar nagamyamvande vishnum bhava bhayaharam sarva lokai kanaatham I adore Lord Vishnu,who is the embodiment of peace, who lies on the Shesha serpent, whose navel is the source of the Lotus, whose complexion is swarthy like the clouds, whose body shines with heavenly beauty, who is the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi, whose eyes are like Lotus, who is meditated upon by the yogis, who is the remover of the fear of the world-process.

Prayer to Lord Rama (raama raama raameti )

raama raama raameti rame raame manoramesahasranaama tattulyam raamanaama varaanane

Peace (AUM Sarveshaam)

AUM Sarveshaam Swastir BhavatuSarveshaam Shantir Bhavatu;Sarveshaam Purnam Bhavatu;Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu.AUM Shantih, Shantih, Shantih May all be auspecious;May all attain peace;Let there be fullness and contentment all over;May all be blessed. AUM peace, peace, peace.

Peace (AUM Dhyaoh Shaantih)

AUMDhyaoh Shaantih, Antariksha Shaantih,Prithavi Shaantih, Aapah Shaantih, Oshadhyah Shaantih,Vanaspatyah Shaantih, Vishvedevah Shaantih, Brahma Shaantih,Sarvam Shaantih, Shaantih Eva Shaantih,Saa Maa Shaantir-edhiAUM Shaantih, Shaantih, Shaantih AUM May there be peace in the sky and in the space.May there be peace on land and in the waters.May herbs and food bring us peace.May God bring us peace.May there be peace throughout the world.May the peace be peaceful.May God give me such peace.AUM Peace, Peace, Peace

Peace Invocation (also Bhojan Mantra)

AUM sahanaa vavatusahanau bhunaktusahaviiryan karavaa vahaitejas vinaa vadhii tamastumaa vid vishhaa vahaiOhm Shanti Shanti Shanti. Om, May Lord protect us, May He bring us to joy,May we work together,May our studies be thorough and faithful,May we never quarrel with each other.Om Peace Peace Peace!

Peace Prayer (AUM asato maa)

AUM Asato maa sadgamayaTamaso maa jyotirgamayaMrityomaar amritam gamayaOhm Shanti Shanti Shanti. Lead me from the unreal to Real;Lead me from darkness (ignorance) to Light (knowledge)Lead me from death to Immortality.Om Peace! Peace!! Peace!!

Peace Prayer (AUM puurnamadah)

AUM puurnamadah puurnamidam Puurnaath puurnamam udachyatePuurna sya puurnamaa daaya puurnamevaa vashishhyate That is whole.  This is whole.  Out of whole only whole comes. Even after taking whole out of whole, that is whole which remains.

Peace Prayer (sarve api)

sarve api sukhinah santu sarve santu niraamayaahsarve bhadraani pashyantu maa kashchit duhkhabhaagh bhavet May everybody be happy.   May everybody be free from disease. May everybody have good luck.  May none fall on evil days.

Navakar Mantra

AUM Namo arihantaanamAUM Namo siddhaanamAUM Namo aayariyaanamAUM Namo uvajjhaayaanamAUM Namo loe savvasaahunameso pancha namokaarosavva paavapa naasanomangalaanam cha savvesimpadhamam havaii mangala m

Bharat (Himalayam Samaarabhya)

Himalayam Samaarabhya YaavadindusarovaramTam Devanirmitam Desam Hindusthaanam Prachakshatey From the Himalayas all the way to Indian ocean,the Devas created the sacred land called Hindustan

Bharat (Uttaram yat samudrasya)

Uttaram yat samudrasya Himaadreshchaiva DakshenamVarsham tada Bharatam Naam Bharati Yatra Santatih North of the ocean and south of the Himalayas is the land of Bharat