— A Guide for Kids —
Shlokas that take minutes but can change lives. So Pray it Away.
At GURUKULAM I often tell my little ones to make “PRAYER TIME” a part of their daily schedule. I tell them to include a few shlokas that would help in their day to day functioning and that would in-turn contribute to their overall development.
There is a reason behind chanting a particular shloka/mantra and I have listed a few below —
Image Courtesy – Google
LORD GANESHA : (Removal of obstacles)
Mudaa-Karaatta-Modakam Sadaa Vimukti-Saadhakam
Kalaa-Dhara-Avatamsakam Vilaasi-Loka-Rakssakam
Anaayakai[a-E]ka-Naayakam Vinaashitebha-Daityakam
Nata-Ashubha-Ashu-Naashakam Namaami Vinaayakam
Meaning: Salutations to Sri Vinayaka Who Holds the Divine Joy in His Hand as Modaka (a sweetmeat) and Who Always strives to Accomplish the Liberation of His Devotees towards that Divine Joy, Who Holds the Digit of the Moon as His Ornament and with a Joyful Spirit Protects the World, Who is without any Master but is Himself the only Master for His Devotees, and Protects them by Destroying the (inner) Demons,To those who Surrender to Him, He Destroys the Inauspicious tendencies Quickly; I Salute Sri Vinayaka and surrender to Him.
LORD HAYAGREEVA : (Education/Wisdom/Knowledge)
Gnanananda Mayam Devam – Nirmala Spatika Kruthim
Aadharam Sarva Vidyanam – Hayagrivam Upasmahe
Meaning: I promise myself before Hayagriva, the God who is the personification of knowledge (Jnana) and Happiness (Ananda), who is very pure, and who is the basis of all learning.
GODDESS SARASWATHI : (Education/Wisdom/Knowledge)
Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala, Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara, Ya Shveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibihi, Devaih Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Pattu Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jadyapaha
Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Saraswati, who wears a garland of white pearls; the one who is dressed in white; the one who holds a Veena in her hand; the one who holds the blessing mudra; and the one who is seated on a white lotus.
Brahma, Vishnu and Shankara hail and worship you, O Goddess Saraswati, bless me and remove all my ignorance.
LORD NARASIMHA : (Ward off Fears/Anxieties/ Negative Emotions)
Mata Narasimha Pita Narasimha
Bratha Narasimha Sakha Narasimha
Vidyaa Narasimha Dravinam Narasimha
Swami Narasimha Sakalam Narasimha
Itho Narasimha Paratho Narasimha
Yatho Yatho Yahihi Tatho Narasimha
Narasimha Devaath Paro Na Kaschit
Tasmaan Narasimha Sharanam Prapadye
Meaning: Mother and father is Narasimha, Brother and friend is Narasimha
Knowledge and wealth is Narasimha, My Lord and My Everything is Narasimha.
Narasimha in this world, Narasimha in the other; Wherever I go, there is Narasimha Narasimha is the only Lord, there is none other So, I seek refuge in you, Narasimha
LORD DHANVANTRI : (Good Health – Both Physical and Mental)
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya
Dhanvantaraye Amrita-Kalasha Hastaaya
Sarva-amaya Vinaashanaaya
Trailokya Naathaaya
Shri Maha-vishnave Namaha
Meaning: I bow down to Lord Dhanvantri, the Lord with four hands carrying a conch, discuss, a leech and a pot of immortal nectar. In his heart shines a pleasing and brilliant blaze of light. The light is also seen shining around his head and beautiful lotus eyes. His divine play destroys all diseases like a blazing forest fire.
SUDARSHANA GAYATRI : (Ward off Fears/Anxieties/ Negative Emotions)
Om Sudarshanaya Vidmahe
Mahaajvaalaaya Dheemahi
Tanno Chakrah Prachodayaat
Meaning: I appeal to be allowed to meditate upon the holy discus of Sudarshana, that will hold profound brilliance, bless me with intellect and illuminate my mind.
LORD HANUMAN : (Ward off Fears/Anxieties/ Negative Emotions)
Manojavam maaruthathulya vegam
Jithendriyam buddhimathaam varishtam
Vaataatmajam vaanara yuthamukhyam
Shriraama dutham shirasa namaami
Meaning: I bow my head (salute) to Sri Hanuman who is as swift as the mind, whose speed matches that of the wind, who is the master of the senses, who is the best among the intelligent, who is son of Lord Vaayu and chief among the Vaanaras and also the messenger of Sri Rama
Article by – Divyaa Doraiswamy