Nitya Prarthana - Everyday Sloka

Everyday prayers are an integral part of our Hindu culture and tradition. There are different prayers for different times and occasions - woven into the regular routine of every individual. The renditions of these prayers help in calming the mind and having a soothing effect, and is a way of acknowledging significant actions in our daily lives.

• Early Morning Sloka

  Early morning is a great time to pray, it is the time of the "Brahma Muhurth". It is good to say this sloka with folded hands as we alight from the bed.
  Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi Karamadhye Sarasvati,
  Karamuule Tu Govinda Prabhaate Karadarshanam,
  Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale,
  Vishhnupatni Namastubhyam Paadasparsham Kshamasva Me
  Translation: Goddess Lakshmi resides in my finger tips, goddess Saraswathi in the middle and Govinda at the root of my hand. I bow to you Mother Earth, who has mountains and jungles on her body and whose clothing is made by the ocean. The wife of Lord Vishnu, please pardon me for touching you with my feet.

• Sloka, while taking bath

  Bathing is an activity that sheds the physical impurities from our body. No matter where we are and what waters we bathe in, if we recite this sloka, we get the feeling of bathing in the holy waters.
  Ganga Cha Yamuna Chaiva Godavari Saraswati,
  Narmada Sindhu Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru
  Translation: In this water, I invoke the presence of divine waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri. Please confer your blessings on me.

• Sloka, While Eating Food

  This is the 24th verse from the 4th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Eating is important for the sustence of life and it is also an act of pleasure. We should be grateful to God for providing this for us.
  Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmaagnau Brahmana Hutam,
  Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahmakarmasamaadhina
  Translation: The act of offering is God, by God it is offered into the Fire of God, God is that which is to be attained by Him, who sees God in all.

• Sloka, On lighting the lamp

  Subham Karoti Kalyanam
  Arogyam Dhana Sampadah
  Shatru Buddhi Vinashaya
  Dipa Jyotir Namostute
  Translation: I fold my hands before this light that brings prosperity, auspiciousness, good health, abundance of wealth and destruction of the enemy's intellect.
  Here, Darkness symbolizes enemy's intellect and with the arrival of light, darkness disappears. Similarly, light(God's grace) destroys darkness(enemy's intellect).

• Sloka, On lighting the lamp

  Deepajyothi Parabrahma
  Deepajyothi Janardhana
  Deepo Me Hara Tu Paapam
  Deepaa Jyothir Namostute
  Translation: I fold my hands before the lord, the one who maintains this creation, in the form of this light. I adore this light, which destroys all the pains resulting from my omissions and commissions".

• Bedtime Sloka

  Before going to sleep, one ends the day with this prayer. The devotee asks the Lord to forgive him for any wrong acts that were committed.
  Karacharana Krn Itam Vaakkaayajam Karmajam Vaa,
  Shravananayanajam Vaa Maanasam Vaaparaadham,
  Vihitamavihitam Vaa Sarvametatkshamasva,
  Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe Shriimahaadeva Shambho
  Translation: Oh Lord, kindly forgive me for all the wrong acts and omissions I have committed, intentionally or not, with my hands, feet, words, ears, eyes or mind. Glory to you, Mahadeva, who is the ocean of kindness and compassion, and the cause of happiness.