An old ancient Vedic prayer is,

‘God of the wealth is in the beginning of my palm, residing in my palm. God of wisdom is residing in my palm. God’s valor is residing in my own palm. So let the good things happen through me’.

This is how we are supposed to wake up and look at our hands.

~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sung by Ramesh Bhai Ojha

I heard this first at Haridwar where a couple of teenaged Sanskrit scholars sang this joyously and very beautifully in a tiny Shiva temple on the banks of River Ganga. This was post sunset at Ram Dham, Niranjani Akhara Road. The ghat closes for the night after this evening prayer, and I was about the only one left to witness this beautiful rendition which the boys sang as an expression of joy. It was amazing to hear them sing this Sanskrit stotra written by King Ravana (of Ramayan fame).

Sanskrit chants of Rudra puja

श्री राधे शरणं मम:

Kasturee tilakm lalat patale, vaksha-sthale kaustubham,

Nasagre-var mauktikam kar-tale venu kare kankanam.

Sarvange Hari chandanam sulalitam, kanthe cha muktavali

Gop-stree pariveshthito vijayate Gopal churaamani…

A Sanskrit prayer from India for Haiti’s quick recovery

Sarve sukhinah santu

sarve santu niraamayah

sarve bhadraani pashyantu

ma kashchid dukh bhaagbhavet

May all be happy. May all be free of disease, trauma and infirmities. May the blessing of abundance and good luck be with all. May none be affected by sorrow, want, hurt, loneliness and loss.