Shloka · Universal · Sanskrit

Daily Prayers: Morning, Bath, Lamp, Meal & Bedtime Shlokas

नित्य प्रार्थना — प्रातः, स्नान, दीप, भोजन और शयन श्लोक

Karagre Vasate Lakshmi, Samudra Vasane Devi, Gange Cha Yamune, Shubham Karoti Kalyanam, Brahmarpanam and Karacharana Kritam: the little shlokas for every part of the day that grandparents teach, with meaning.

Universal

Daily Prayers: Morning, Bath, Lamp, Meal & Bedtime Shlokas · नित्य प्रार्थना — प्रातः, स्नान, दीप, भोजन और शयन श्लोक

Language Sanskrit7 verses

जागते ही · On waking

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये सरस्वती। करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम्॥

Karagre vasate Lakshmih, karamadhye Saraswati, Karamoole tu Govindah, prabhate karadarshanam.

Lakshmi lives at the fingertips, Saraswati in the middle of the palm, and Govinda at its base; so look at your palms at dawn.

धरती पर पैर रखते समय · Before stepping on the earth

समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डिते। विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्व मे॥

Samudra-vasane devi parvata-stana-mandite, Vishnu-patni namastubhyam pada-sparsham kshamasva me.

O Mother Earth, clothed in the oceans and adorned with mountains, consort of Vishnu: I bow to you; forgive me for touching you with my feet.

स्नान के समय · While bathing

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु॥

Gange cha Yamune chaiva Godavari Saraswati, Narmade Sindhu Kaveri jale-asmin sannidhim kuru.

O Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri: be present in this water.

दीप जलाते समय · Lighting the lamp

शुभं करोति कल्याणमारोग्यं धनसम्पदा। शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥ दीपज्योतिः परब्रह्म दीपज्योतिर्जनार्दनः। दीपो हरतु मे पापं दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana-sampada, Shatru-buddhi-vinashaya deepa-jyotir namostu te. Deepa-jyotih Parabrahma deepa-jyotir Janardanah, Deepo haratu me papam deepa-jyotir namostu te.

I bow to the light of the lamp, which brings auspiciousness, well-being, health and prosperity, and destroys hostile thoughts. The lamp's light is the Supreme Brahman, the lamp's light is Janardana; may the lamp take away my sins. Salutations to the light of the lamp.

भोजन से पहले · Before meals (Gita 4.24)

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्। ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना॥

Brahmarpanam Brahma havir Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam, Brahmaiva tena gantavyam Brahma-karma-samadhina.

The offering is Brahman, the food offered is Brahman, offered by Brahman into the fire that is Brahman. One who sees Brahman in every action reaches Brahman.

भोजन से पहले · Before meals (Gita 15.14)

अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः। प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्॥

Aham vaishvanaro bhutva praninam deham ashritah, Pranapana-samayuktah pachamy annam chaturvidham.

Krishna says: Becoming the fire of digestion in the bodies of all living beings, and joined with the incoming and outgoing breath, I digest the four kinds of food.

सोने से पहले · Before sleep

करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम्। विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो॥

Kara-charana-kritam vak-kayajam karmajam va, Shravana-nayanajam va manasam va-aparadham, Vihitam avihitam va sarvam etat kshamasva, Jaya jaya karunabdhe Shri Mahadeva Shambho.

Whatever wrong I have done with my hands or feet, by speech or body, through my actions, my ears or eyes, or in my mind, whether by doing what I should not or by not doing what I should: forgive it all. Glory to You, O ocean of compassion, great god Shambhu.

About the Daily Prayers

Hindu tradition fills the ordinary day with remembrance. On waking we look at our palms, before stepping down we ask the Earth's pardon, at the bath we call the holy rivers, at the lamp we greet the light, before food we offer it to Brahman, and before sleep we ask forgiveness for the day's mistakes. These are the first shlokas children learn.

Questions

What is the prayer said on waking up?

Karagre Vasate Lakshmih: you look at your open palms and remember Lakshmi, Saraswati and Govinda before starting the day.

What is the bhojan mantra?

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih (Bhagavad Gita 4.24), often followed by Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva (15.14) and Om Saha Navavatu.