Om Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ
Tat Savitur Vareṇyaṃ Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yo Naḥ Pracodayāt
Meaning
Om, the three realms (earth, atmosphere, heaven). We meditate on that most excellent light of the divine Sun. May He stimulate our intellects/understanding.
Significance
The most sacred mantra in Hinduism, chanted daily by millions. The Gayatri is considered the mother of all mantras and invokes the divine light of consciousness.
Benefits
Purifies mind, grants wisdom, spiritual illumination, protection from negativity
The Guru is Brahma (creator), the Guru is Vishnu (preserver), the Guru is Maheswara (Shiva, destroyer). The Guru is verily the Supreme Brahman itself. Salutations to that Guru.
Significance
Establishes the supreme importance of the spiritual teacher who is seen as embodying all divine aspects and leading to the ultimate truth.
Benefits
Cultivates devotion to guru, opens path to spiritual knowledge, removes ego
Context
Beginning of spiritual study, guru puja, teacher worship, Guru Purnima
I bow to that Sadguru who is the bliss of Brahman, giver of supreme happiness, who is absolute knowledge personified, beyond duality, like space, the goal indicated by great sayings like 'Tat Tvam Asi' (That Thou Art), one, eternal, pure, unmoving, witness of all intellects, beyond thought, devoid of three gunas.
Significance
Shankaracharya's profound description of the true nature of the Guru as non-different from Brahman.
Benefits
Deep guru bhakti, recognition of guru's true nature, spiritual insight
Context
Guru meditation, Guru Purnima, philosophical contemplation
🕉️ Upanishadic Wisdom
Asato Ma
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28 Universal
Sanskrit
असतो मा सद्गमय।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।
मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Transliteration
Asato Mā Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Mā Jyotir Gamaya
Mṛtyor Mā Amṛtaṃ Gamaya
Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
Meaning
Lead me from untruth to truth. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality. Om, peace, peace, peace.
Significance
One of the most profound Vedantic prayers expressing the soul's journey from ignorance to enlightenment, from mortality to immortality.
Benefits
Guides spiritual journey, removes ignorance, grants peace and immortality consciousness
ॐ सह नाववतु। सह नौ भुनक्तु।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Transliteration
Om Saha Nāv Avatu | Saha Nau Bhunaktu
Saha Vīryaṃ Karavāvahai
Tejasvi Nāv Adhītam Astu Mā Vidviṣāvahai
Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
Meaning
Om, may He protect us both (teacher and student). May He nourish us both. May we work together with vigor. May our study be brilliant. May we not dispute with each other. Om, peace, peace, peace.
Significance
Traditional invocation before Vedic study, establishing harmony between teacher and student, creating sacred learning space.
Benefits
Harmonious learning, protection during studies, brilliance in understanding
Context
Beginning of classes, teacher-student sessions, study of scriptures
Om Pūrṇamadaḥ Pūrṇamidam Pūrṇāt Pūrṇam Udacyate
Pūrṇasya Pūrṇamādāya Pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate
Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ
Meaning
That (Brahman) is whole, this (universe) is whole. From the whole emerges the whole. Taking the whole from the whole, the whole alone remains. Om, peace, peace, peace.
Significance
Expresses the non-dual nature of reality where Brahman is infinite and complete, and creation doesn't diminish its wholeness.
Benefits
Understanding of Advaita (non-duality), perception of cosmic wholeness
Context
Vedantic study, meditation on infinity, philosophical contemplation
🛐 Surrender Prayers
Tvameva Mata
Traditional Prayer Universal Divine
Sanskrit
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव।
त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव॥
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव।
त्वमेव सर्वं मम देव देव॥
Transliteration
Tvameva Mātā Ca Pitā Tvameva
Tvameva Bandhuśca Sakhā Tvameva
Tvameva Vidyā Draviṇaṃ Tvameva
Tvameva Sarvaṃ Mama Deva Deva
Meaning
You alone are my mother and father. You alone are my relative and friend. You alone are my knowledge and wealth. You alone are everything to me, O God of gods.
Significance
Complete surrender prayer recognizing the Divine as fulfilling all relationships and needs. Expresses total dependence on the Divine.
Kara-agre Vasate Lakṣmīḥ Kara-madhye Sarasvatī
Kara-mūle Tu Govindaḥ Prabhāte Kara-darśanam
Meaning
At the tips of the fingers dwells Lakshmi (prosperity), in the middle of the palm dwells Saraswati (knowledge), at the base of the palm dwells Govinda (Krishna). Therefore, looking at one's palms in the morning (is auspicious).
Significance
Morning ritual recognizing the divine in one's own hands, the instruments of action. Sanctifies daily work.
Benefits
Auspicious beginning of day, sanctifies daily work, invokes divine presence
Context
First thing upon waking, before touching the ground, morning prayers
⚔️ Bhagavad Gita
Dhyanam Sarvam (Gita 6.29)
Bhagavad Gita 6.29 Universal
Sanskrit
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि।
ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥