Sai Darshan News letter - Prayers for daily practice

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Om Sri Sai Ram

MORNING PRAYER

Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi

Kara Madhye Saraswathi

Kara Moole Sthita Gauri

Prabahate Kara Darshanam

Meaning: [This is to be recited in the morning as soon as we get up from the bed

and has to be chanted looking at the palm of our hands]. On the tip of my

fingers resides Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. In the middle of

my hands is Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge and learning. In the palm of my

hands sits Mother Gauri, the Goddess of protection. Visualizing in this manner,

I take Darshan of my hands every morning.

PRAYER BEFORE TAKING FOOD

Brahmaarpanam Brahma Havir

Brahmaagnau Brahmanaa Hutam

Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam

Brahma Karma Samaadhinaha

Meaning: [This is 24th verse from the 4th chapter of Bhagavad Geetha] The act of

offering is Brahman. The offering itself is Brahman. The offering is done by

Brahman in the sacred fire which is Brahman. He alone attains Brahman who, in

all actions, is fully absorbed in Brahman. (As we chant this prayer we are

offering the different types of food to Brahman).

Aham Vaishvaanaro Bhutva

Praaninaam Dehamaashritha

Praanaapaana Samaa Yuktaha

Pachaamyannam Chatur Vidam

Meaning: [This is 14th verse from the 15th chapter of Bhagavad Geetha] This

slokha is a sort of acknowledgement and assurance to us from Brahman. "I am

Vaishnavara, existing as fire God in the bodies of living beings. Being

associated with ingoing (prana) and outgoing (apaana) life breaths, I will

digest all the four different types of food (that which we bite and chew; that

which we masticate with the tongue; those which we gulp; that which we swallow)

and purify them."

Harir Daatha Harir Bhoktha

Harir Annam Prajaapatih

Harir Vipra Shareerastu

Bhoonkte Bhojayathe Harih.

Meaning: Oh Lord Hari, You are the food, You are the enjoyer of the food, You

are the giver of food. Therefore, I offer all that I consume at Thy Lotus Feet.

 

According to the Bhagavad Geetha, the body and life in it are based on food and

sustained by food. However great and learned a person may be, however much he

pays attention to the teachings of the Vedanta and takes care to spread them,

if he neglects the strict code laid down for the food, he cannot succeed

spiritually. The food we eat is an important constituent of the physical and

mental stuff we have to struggle with, in the spiritual field. Purity of food

leads to purity of mind. We should partake food with a Sathwic mind. Our

ancestors recommended the offering of food to God before partaking. However

impure the food maybe, when it is offered to God, it gets purified and

nourishes us both physically and mentally as Divine Prasad and Grace. Food so

partaken becomes Prasad (consecrated offering). Three types of purities are

said to be necessary with regard to food. These are 1. Pathra Shuddhi (purity

of vessels): The vessels for cooking must be clean and pure. 2. Paka Shuddhi

(purity of the process of cooking): The process of cooking should not bring

impurities. The person who prepares the food and serves must not only be clean

in dress, but also clean in habits, character, and conduct. He should not allow

his mind to dwell on wicked or vicious ideas. 3. Pachaka Shuddhi (Purity of food

materials): The provisions used for cooking has to be pure and of good quality.

They should have been procured by fair means. The absence of any of the above

three qualities makes the food impure. Impure food results in an impure mind.

Hence it is necessary to purify the food before we eat. Now it is not possible

to ensure the purity of the cooking process, since we do not know what thoughts

rage in the mind of the person who prepares the food. Similarly we cannot ensure

cleanliness of the food ingredients, as we do not know whether the seller who

had sold it to us acquired the food grains in a righteous way. Hence it is

essential on our part to offer food to God in the form of a prayer, so that

these three impurities do not afflict our mind. When we make the offering to

God, all the three types of pollution are destroyed and the food is turned into

Prasad, which will nourish us physically, mentally and spiritually. Bhagawan

Baba says that we should not forget this important discipline of offering food

to God with a prayer. This should be done even when we eat outside our homes

(it may be done mentally if required).

PRAYER BEFORE GOING TO BED

Kara Charana Kritham Vaak Kaayajam Karmajam Vaa

Sravana Nayanajam Vaa Maanasam Vaa Aparadham

Vihitham Avihitham Vaa Sarvametat Kshamasva

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe Sri Maha Deva Shambho

Meaning: [This is to be recited in the night before going to bed]. Oh Lord,

please forgive me for all the wrong actions that I have committed with my

hands, feet, speech, body, ears, eyes and mind. Please pardon me for all the

wrong actions that I have done knowingly or unknowingly. Victory to You, oh

Lord of compassion and mercy.

*****

Sources: Geetha Vahini, Divine Guidelines, Summer Showers in Brindavan 1993

Attachment: (image/jpeg) Baba taking food.jpg [not stored]