Textual Tuesday

Hari OM

Having looked at some Shanti mantras used to start prayer sessions, gatherings, projects, study groups and such, it might be useful to look at a few prayers that can be utilised in daily practice.

One prayer, perhaps taught to children in some households but recited by all with spiritual saadhana in mind, is to be chanted immediately upon waking. 

Sitting up in bed, but before moving from it:

Hold your hands side to side as depicted. As you see, each of the first three lines of the shloka refers to, first, Lakshmi, then Saraswati and third, Krishna. As you recite the final line, bring the hands up to cover the eyes, bringing the essence of the prayer into you. Here are the transliteration and the translation.

Karagre vasate Lakshmi

Karamadhye Saraswati

Karamuule tu Govinda

Prabhaate karadarshanam.

At the tip of our hands lies Lakshmi - (we worship for prosperity)

At the centre of the hands lies Saraswati - (we worship for knowledge)

At the base of the hands lies Govinda - (we worship for health and protection)

(therefore) every day look to the hands for their presence (and that they guide our work).