Daily Prayers

Wake Up Prayer
Karaagre Vasathe Lakshmi Karamdye Saraswathi Karamule bhavedgowri Prabhathe karadarshanam Samudra-sanedevi Parvatha sthana-mandale Vishnu-patni samastubhyam Paada-sparsham kshmasyame

Bathing Prayer
Gangeva yamunechaiva Godhavari saraswathi Narmade sindu kaaveri Jalesmin sannidim kuru

Praying to Sun God

Sapthashya radha marudam Prachandam kashya-pathmajam Shewtha padma-dharam devam Tam surayam prana-mamyaham

Prayer Before Lunch or Dinner

Bramha-rapanam bramhahavi Bramha-gnow bramha-naahutam Bramhaiva 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 Prayer

Yasshivo nama-rupaabhyam yadeve-sarwa-mangala Tayoh-samsma-ranaate pumsaam sarwato jaya mangalam Laabha-sthesham jaya-sthesham kuta-sthesham paraa-bhavah Yesha-mimdee-varashyave hrudayasthu janaardhanh.

Prayer Before Studying

Gurave sarwa-lokaanaam Bhishaje bhava-roginaam Nidhaye sarwa-vidyanaam Dakshina-murthiye namah Gyna-namdamayam devam Nirmala-spatikaa-krutim, Aadharam sarwa-vidyanaam Haya-grivamu-paasmahe

Prayer Before Going To Bed

Kara charana krutam vaa karma vaakka-yajam vaa Shravana sayasajam vaa manasam va aparaadham Vihita mavihitam vaa sarwametat kshamasva Shiva shiva karunabdhe he maha-deva shamdo

Prayer to Drive Away Bad Dreams

Raamam skandham hanumamtam Vainateyam nrukoo-daram Shayane yah smare-nnityam Duswapnam tasya nashyati Prayer for Long Life (Mrutyumjaya Mantram) Tryambakam yaja-mahe Sugamdhim pushti-vardanam Urva-ruka mena bamdha-nat Mrutyor mukshiya mamrutaat

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

Mantras and Shlokas

Om Mantra
Om, Om, Om Om is the original sound, the sound of Brahman, the supreme universal reality

Prayer for Education, Enlightenment and Success

Om 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 obstaclesalways.

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 Teacher

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara; Guru Sakshat Parabrahma Tsmai Shri Guruve Namaha 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. The teacher is like Lord Brahma as he fosters knowledge within us,

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

May everybody be happy. May everybody be free from disease. May everybody have good luck. May none fall on evil days. Peace, peace, peace.

ShubhamastuKalyaanamastu Aishwaryamastu Udayostu Udayostu

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 peace reside in nature and everything that is created. May there be peace in the universe and the world. May peace be on our earth.

Shree Ganesha Slokham

I respectfully offer my daily prayers Pranamya sirasa devam gauri putram vinayakam Bhaktavasam smarennityam-ayuh kamartha-siddhaye (1) Prathamam vakra-tundam ca ekadantam dvitiyakam Trtiyam krsna-pingaksam gaja-vaktram catuthakam (2) Lambodaram pancamam ca sastham vikatam-eva ch Saptamam vighna-rajam ca dhumravarnam tathastamam (3) Navamam bhala-candram ca dasamam tu vinayakam Ekadasam ganapatim dvadasam tu gajananam (4) Dvadasaitani namani tri-sandhyam yah pathen-narah Na ca vighna-bhayam tasya sarva-siddhikaram prabho (5) 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 samaprabha nirvighnam 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 straavritaa yaa vii naa varadanda manditakaraa yaa shveta padma asanaa yaa brahmaa chyuta shaankara prabhrutibhir devai sadaa vanditaa saa 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 siddhir bhavatu 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 vishnu gurur devo maheshvarah guruh 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 tvameva tvameva bandhush chasakhaa tvameva tvameva vidyaa dravinam tvameva tvameva 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 lakshmiih karamadhye 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 dhanasampadaa shatrubudhdivinaashaaya diipajyoti namostute I 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 vaa shravana nayanajam vaa maan asam vaaparaadham.

vihita mavihitam vaa sarvame tatkshamasva jaya jaya karunaabdhe shriimahaadeva shambho Oh Lord Kindly 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 sthitah yaa devii sarva bhuute shhu shakti rupe na san sthitah. yaa devii sarva bhuute shhu shaanti rupe na san sthitah namas 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 Vibhuhairvedaparagaih SaMe Vasatu Jihvagre Brahmarupa Saraswati Saraswati, 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 saadhike sharanye 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 chaturbhujamh prasannavadanam dhyaayeth sarvavighnopashaantaye Lord 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 saagaramh sarva deva namaskaaraanh keshavam pratigachchhati Just 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 vataaram sansaara saaram bhujagendra haaram sadaa vasantam hridayaaravinde bhavam bhavaanii sahitam namaami Prayer to Lord Vishnu (kaayena vaachaa) kaayena vaachaa manasendriyairvaa buddhyaatmanaa vaa prakriteh svabhaavaath karomi yadhyadh sakalam parasmai naaraaya 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 shayanam padmanaa bham suresham vishvaa dhaaram gagana sadrisham meghavar nam shubhaamgam lakshmii kaantam kamala nayanam yogibhidhyaar nagamyam vande 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 manorame sahasranaama tattulyam raamanaama varaanane Peace (AUM Sarveshaam) AUM Sarveshaam Swastir Bhavatu Sarveshaam 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) AUM Dhyaoh Shaantih, Antariksha Shaantih, Prithavi Shaantih, Aapah Shaantih, Oshadhyah Shaantih, Vanaspatyah Shaantih, Vishvedevah Shaantih, Brahma Shaantih, Sarvam Shaantih, Shaantih Eva Shaantih, Saa Maa Shaantir-edhi AUM 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 vavatu sahanau bhunaktu sahaviiryan karavaa vahai tejas vinaa vadhii tamastu maa vid vishhaa vahai Ohm 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 sadgamaya Tamaso maa jyotirgamaya Mrityomaar amritam gamaya Ohm 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 udachyate Puurna 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 niraamayaah sarve 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 arihantaanam AUM Namo siddhaanam AUM Namo aayariyaanam AUM Namo uvajjhaayaanam AUM Namo loe savvasaahunam eso pancha namokaaro savva paavapa naasano mangalaanam cha savvesim padhamam havaii mangala m Bharat (Himalayam Samaarabhya) Himalayam Samaarabhya Yaavadindusarovaram Tam 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 Dakshenam Varsham tada Bharatam Naam Bharati Yatra Santatih North of the ocean and south of the Himalayas is the land of Bharat