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 th e mind and having a soothing effect, and is a way of acknowledging significant a ctions in our daily lives. Early Morning Sloka Early morning is a great time to pray, it is the time of the "Brahma Muhurth". I t 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 th e 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 w ife 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 matt er 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 rive rs Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri. Please confe r your blessings on me. Sloka, While Eating Food This is the 24th verse from the 4th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Eating is impo rtant for the sustence of life and it is also an act of pleasure. We should be g rateful 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 G od, 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, auspiciou sness, good health, abundance of wealth and destruction of the enemy's intellect . Here, Darkness symbolizes enemy's intellect and with the arrival of light, darkn ess disappears. Similarly, light(God's grace) destroys darkness(enemy's intellec t). 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 creatio n, in the form of this light. I adore this light, which destroys all the pains r esulting from my omissions and commissions". Bedtime Sloka Before going to sleep, one ends the day with this prayer. The devotee asks the L ord 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 h ave committed, intentionally or not, with my hands, feet, words, ears, eyes or m ind. Glory to you, Mahadeva, who is the ocean of kindness and compassion, and th e cause of happiness.