Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this when you wake up in the morning

Karagre vasate lakshmi kara madhye saraswati kara mule tu govindah prabhaate kara darshanam
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning Karagre-on the tip of your fingers; vasate- dwells; Lakshmi- the Goddess of Prosperity; karamadhye-palm; Saraswati- the Goddess of Knowledge Saraswati; karamule- in the wrist; tu-whereas; Govindah-the Lord Govindah; prabhate-in the morning; karadarshanam-look at your palm. Translation On the tip of your fingers is Goddess Lakshmi; on the palm is Goddess Saraswati; in the wrist is Lord Govinda. In this manner, look at your palm. Some times the words karamule sthite Gowri are seen instead of kara mule tu Govinda. With this substitution, we are praying Laxmi, Saraswati and Durga for giving us wealth, the appropriate knowledge to use that wealth, and the strength to sustain us. Brief Explanation: This is a morning prayer called karadarshana. One begins the day with this prayer. Kara means the palm of the hand and it stands for the five karmendriyas, or the organs of action. While looking at the palm, one invokes the Lord in the form of various deities, thus sanctifying all the actions that will be done during the day. By acknowledging the Lord as the giver of the capacity to perform actions and as the giver of the fruits of those actions, one sanctifies the actions. Thus, one prays in the morning to reinforce the attitude that all actions are performed as a service to the Lord.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this when you first step out of bed in the morning

Samudravasane devi parvatsthanmandale Vishnupatni namastubhyam padsparsham kshamaswa me

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Samudra-vasane devi! - O ocean-robed goddess! ; Parvatha-sthana-mandale! - The mountain ranges are your bosoms (adorned prettily by the mountains). mandithe is also correct Vishnu-patni namastubhyam - Salutations, O wife of ViShnu, Paadasparsham Kshamasva mE - Forgive my treading (upon) you Translation: (Oh Mother Earth) The Devi Who is having Ocean as Her Garments and Mountains as Her Bosom, Who is the Consort of Sri Vishnu, I Bow to You; Please Forgive Us for Touching You with Our Feet.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this when taking a bath

Gange cha yamune chaiva godavari saraswathi narmade sindhu kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Ganga, Yamana, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu, Kaveri-names of holy Indian rivers; Ca- of; Jalesmin- In this water; Sannidhim- presence; Kuru- Invoke Translation: In this water, I invoke the presence of holy waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamana, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu (Indus) and Kaveri. Brief Explanation: An important part of ritual purification in Hinduism is the bathing of the entire body. It is considered auspicious to perform this form of purification before any festival, before visiting a temple or performing a pooja. One not only purifies ones body but also the mind during taking a bath. Such a purificatory bath is ultimate if it is done in the sacred waters of some great rivers of India like the river Ganga. Hence one chants this shloka invoking the presence of holy waters while taking a bath.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this when lighting the lamp to the deity of your choice

Shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhana sampadaa shatru buddhir vinaashaaya dipa jyotir namostute
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Subham- auspiciousness; karoti which brings; kalyaanam- prosperity; arogyamgood health; dhanasampadah- abundance of wealth; shatrubuddhih- of the intellects enemy (ignorance); vinashaaya- for the destruction; dipajyotir- that lamplight; namosthuthe- I salute thee. Translation: I salute the One who is the lamplight that brings auspiciousness, prosperity, good health, abundance of wealth, and the destruction of the intellects enemy (ignorance).

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this when circumambulating

Yaani kaani cha paapaani janmaantara krtani cha taani taani vinashyanti pradakshina pade pade
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: yani kani ca- whatever; papani- sins; janmantara- all my lives; krtani cacommitted; tani tani- those; vinashyanti- destroy; pradakshina- circumambulation; pade pade- with every step Translation: O Bhagawan! Whatever sins I have committed all my lives (including previous lives), please destroy them at every step I take around you. Brief Explanation: Pradakshina, meaning circumambulation, consists of walking around in a clockwise circle around the deity, as a form of worship in Hindu ceremonies. We see people doing this at our temples where they go around in circles either chanting some shlokas or just walking with pure devotion. In that context, this shloka can be sung where in, one asks the lord for forgiveness from the sins that he/she has committed with every step taken during the Pradakshina.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this when taking food

Brahmaarpanam brahma havih Brahmaagnau brahmanaahutam Brahmaiva tena gantavyam Brahma karma samaadhina
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Brahma- The Supreme Lord; arpanam- offering; Brahma- The Supreme Lord; havih- clarified butter (offered in in the fire); agni- fire; brahmanahutam- by Brahman in to the fire; brahmaiva- Brahman will only be; tena- by the one; gantavyam- realized/attained; Brahma karma samadhina- considering everything as an act (karma) of Brahman Translation: Brahman is the oblation (fire sacrifice). Brahman is the ghee (clarified butter, used in a fire sacrifice) The oblation is poured by Brahman into the fire of Brahman. Brahman shall be realized by the one who considers everything as (a manifestation or) an act of Brahman. Brief Explanation: It is customary to offer food before eating to God and chant this shloka. The shloka draws a parallel between the sacrificial fire (yagna) and the fire of hunger. In essence, the meaning conveyed by the act of chanting the shloka and by partaking food is as follows: Dear Lord You provide this food, you are the taster of this food and youre food. I take this food as a gift from you and I offer this food at your divine lotus feet.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant these when starting any work

Shuklaambaradharam vishnum shashivarnam chaturbhujam prasanna vadanam dhyaayet sarva vighnopa shaantaye
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Shuklambara- white cloth; dharam- worn; vishnum- all pervading ; Shashivarnambright complexion(like a full moon); Chaturbhujam- 4 shoulders; Prasanna Vadanam- Pleasant face; Dhyayet- I meditate; Sarva- all; Vighna- obstacles; upashantaye- pacify or remove Translation: For the removal of all the obstacles in my effort, I meditate upon Bhagwan Vishnu, who wears a white garment, who is all pervading, who has a bright complexion (like a full moon), who has four shoulders, who has an ever-smiling face. Note that the above chanting is also used sometimes for Ganesha Vakratunda mahaakaaya koti soorya samaprabha, nirvighnam kurumedeva sarva kaaryeshu sarvadaa. Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Vakratunda (currved trunk); mahaakaaya (huge form); koti soorya (a billion suns); samaprabha (equivalent illumination); nirvighnam (no obstacles); kurume (give me); deva (God); sarva kaaryeshu (all endeavors); srvadaa (always)

Translation:
O lord with the curved trunk, with large body, with the effulgence of a billion suns, always remove the obstacles in all my undertakings. Brief Explanation: Lord Ganesha is considered the deity for removal of all obstacles in our life. Hence it is customary to pray to Him first before starting any new activity whether it be pooja, new business or a new journey. Thinking about the Lord who has a pleasant face (prasanna vadanam) will help us overcome all the obstacles that might arise in our task. Some times, shubha kaaaryeshu is substituted for sarva kaaryeshu.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant this before studying either secular or religious texts

Saraswati namastubhyam varade kaamaroopini vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhirbhavatu me sadaa

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: saraswati- o saraswatI ; namastubhyam- bow(namah) to you (tubhyam); varadegiver of boons (vara); kaamaroopiNi = giver of form/shape to desire (kama); vidhyaarambham = start of (Aarambham) studies (vidyaa); karishyaami = I will do; siddhirbhavatu = accomplishments (siddhih) may happen (bhavatu); me sadaa = always (sadaa) mine (me) Translation: My salutations to Goddess Saraswathi, the bestower of boons and the fulfiller of my wishes. I begin my studies seeking your blessings so that I shall always be successful. Brief Explanation: Goddess Saraswati is considered as the supreme goddess for learning & knowledge. Hence its customary to start ones studies by chanting this shloka.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Chant these before going to bed at night

Sarve bhavantu sukhinaha sarve santu niraamayah sarve bhadrani pashyantu ma kaschit duhkha bhag bhavet
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: sarve- all; bhavantu- may be; sukhinah- happy; niramayah- free from disease; badrani- prosperity; pashyantu- may enjoy; ma- not; kaschit- anybody; duhkhabhag- one who suffers; bhavet- may be Translation: May all be happy. May all enjoy health and freedom from disease. May all enjoy prosperity. May none suffer. Brief explanation: This prayer is for the prosperity and welfare of humanity. To achieve anything in life, one has to make an effort and await the results. In addition, many unknown factors and laws influence the outcome of that effort. By praying to the Lord, one acknowledges these laws as the natural order inseparable from the Lord, and one acknowledges the Lord as the giver of all results of action.

Karacharana kritham vaa kaayajam karmajam vaa Sravana nayanajam vaa maanasam vaa aparaadham Vihitham avihitham vaa sarvam etat kshamasva Jaya jaya karunaabbdhe Sri Maha Deva Shambho
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: Karacharanam (hands and legs) kritham (do) vaa (or) kaayajam (body) karmajam (actions) shravana (through the ears) nayanajam (through the eyes) vaa (or) maanasam (mind) aparaadhaam (faults) vihitham (sanctioned by the scriptures) avihihtam (prohibited by the scriptures) (or) sarvam etat (this all) kshmasva (forgive) jaya jaya (hail hail) karunaanidhe (abode of compassion) Mahadeva O Lord, kindly forgive my wrong actions done knowingly or unknowingly, either through my organs of action (hand, feet and speech) or through my organs of perception (eyes, ears) or by my mind. Glory to you, Mahadeva, who is the ocean of kindness and compassion, and the cause of happiness.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Brief explanation: Before going to sleep, one ends the day with this prayer. One asks the Lord for forgiveness for wrong acts that one may have knowingly or knowingly committed during the day. We commit so many improprieties in our thinking, speech, and bodily actions that we ask your forgiveness O Shambho, the abode of compassion. While we should take care not to do prohibited actions (such as lying, hurting, acting out of jealousy, etc), we do some times commit errors even while carrying on the prescribed actions. In all of these cases, we should seek forgiveness from the Lord and hopefully learn to be careful in what we think, say, and do.

Raamaskandham hanumantam vainateyam vrkodaram shayane yah smarennityam duh swapnam tasya nashyati
Sanskrit to English Word Meaning: raamaskandham- Ramas loyal follower; hanumantam- Hanuman; vainateyaGaruda; vrkodaram- Bhima; shayana- sleep time; yah- this; smaren- chant; nityamalways; duh- bad; swapnam- dream; tasya- then; nashyati- destroyed Translation: Meditating upon Hanuman, Garuda and Bhima before going to bed ensures a sleep without disturbing dreams. Brief Explanation: It is always good to have positive thoughts in ones head before going to sleep. Lord Hanuman, Garuda and Bhima are symbolic of great courage, valor and strength; hence it is advised to visualize and meditate upon them so that this drives away bad dreams. Note: Ramaskandam is ramasya skandam. Skanda means (Monier Williams dictionary) "one who jumps." So Ramaskanda means "Rama's one who jumps" an epithet for Hanuman. Ramaskandam, in other words, qualifies or describes Hanuman. (From Ananth Rambachan (1/4/2012) Anaayaasena maranam vinaa dainyena jeevanam Dehi me kripayaa Krishna tvayi bhaktim achanchalam. A death without suffering or pain and a life without misery. This is all I ask of you, Krishna, and unswerving devotion for you." Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Daily Prayers for a Happy Living

Compiled by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Note: Some attribute this prayer to Drona after he laid down his arms. I have not been able to verify this in the Mahabharata. Aayaasa trouble, stress, fatigue, suffering, pain Anaayaasa without trouble, suffering, or pain Maranam death Dainya - poverty, affliction, depression, misery Vinaadainyena without poverty, misery Jeevanam life Dehi me grant me Kripayaa out of compassion Krishna O Lord Krishna or your ishta devata Tvayi in you Bhaktim devotion Achanchalam unswerving or unwavering

For many, modern medical advances have made death seem more like an option rather than a natural phenomenon. We want our loved ones to live as long as possible, but modern culture has come to view death as a medical failure rather than lifes natural conclusion.

Hindu Society of Minnesota 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311