Category: shlokas

  • Hymns for Agni from the Vedas

    This series of articles on the Vedas began with the Gayatri Mantra and a hymn to the Lord of the Heavens, Indra. This article presents two short hymns to Agni, also known as Fire, or the primordial energy. The presence of Agni is essential for the completion of all pujas or prayer sessions in Hinduism.…

  • Hymn for Lord Indra – The Rig Veda

    The word Veda is derived from the Sanskrit root word ‘Vid’, which means, ‘to know’. The word ‘Rig’ in Sanskrit means ‘praise’ and the hymns of the Rig Veda (one of the oldest available scripture of Vedic thought) are expressions of adoration to various Vedic deities. The hymn below is an invocation to Lord Indra,…

  • Invoking the Goddess

    Pandit Jasraj is one of my favorite classical singers. he has the ability to make you close your eyes and transport you to the land of peace and meditation. I share with you one of my favorite compositions – a simple, slow, moving, yearning call to the Goddess Durga. He has taken these few simple…

  • Krishna Mahamantra – Om Namo Bhagavate

    Lord Sri Krishna, is considered a complete incarnation or purna-avataar of Lord Vishnu. ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ is perhaps the most often used mantra used in the invocation and meditation of Lord Sri Krishna. This mantra first appeared as a part of the Srimad Bhagavatam, which describes the many glories of Krishna. One literal translation…

  • Powerful Vishnu Prayer for Healing and Protection

    We begin the New Year with a prayer to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and purveyor of all that is good for our body, mind and spirit. This four line shloka is also sometimes referred to as stuti – something which is said in the highest praise of the Lord. Sashankha Chakram, Sakiriita Kundalam…

  • Prayer for Lord Vishnu – Protector in the Hindu Trinity

    The mere mention of Lord Vishnu can get rid of all our ailments. There is great power and healing conveyed to those who remember the Lord’s name with faith and devotion. Such is the strength conveyed in the following shloka which is found in the concluding verse of the Vishnu Sahastranaam (thousand names of Vishnu):