Stotras

The Vedic hymn invoking Goddess Lakshmi — golden-hued, adorned with silver and gold, radiant as the moon. O Agni, bring me that Lakshmi who never departs, through whom I may attain gold, cattle, horses, and kin. I invoke the Goddess of fortune; may she never leave me. (Opening verses; the full Sukta has sixteen mantras.)

Rigveda (Khila Sukta)

Shankaracharya's hymn that is said to have rained golden amalaka fruit upon a poor woman's home. He praises Lakshmi, whose sidelong glance rests on Vishnu like a bee upon a blossom — may that auspicious Goddess, born of the ocean, bestow her grace and prosperity on me. (Opening verses.)

Adi Shankaracharya

Salutations to you, O Saraswati, granter of boons, fulfiller of wishes. As I begin my studies, may I always meet with success. Recited by students before learning.

Traditional Sanskrit prayer

She who is white as the jasmine, the moon, and a garland of snow; robed in spotless white; whose hand is graced by the veena; who is seated on a white lotus; ever worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and the gods — may that Goddess Saraswati, remover of all dullness, protect me.

Traditional (Saraswati Vandana)

I bow to Vishnu — serene of form, reclining on the serpent Shesha, lotus-naveled, lord of the gods; support of the universe, vast as the sky, dark as a cloud, beautiful of limb; beloved of Lakshmi, lotus-eyed, reached by yogis in meditation — remover of the fear of existence, the one lord of all worlds.

Traditional (Vishnu Dhyana)

Auspicious is Lord Vishnu, auspicious he whose banner bears Garuda; auspicious the lotus-eyed one, Hari, the very abode of all that is auspicious. A benedictory verse closing many recitations.

Traditional (Mangala shloka)

I bow to the lotus feet of Vighneshvara — the elephant-faced one, served by the hosts of spirits, who relishes wood-apple and rose-apple fruits; the son of Uma, the cause that destroys all sorrow. A classic opening invocation of Ganesha.

Traditional (Ganesha Dhyana)

The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is the great lord Maheshvara; the Guru is verily the Supreme Brahman itself — to that revered Guru I bow. The central verse honouring the teacher.

Guru Gita (Skanda Purana)

Sage Agastya teaches Lord Rama, weary on the battlefield against Ravana, the secret hymn of the Sun — Aditya Hridayam. Daily recitation is said to remove sorrow, destroy enemies, grant longevity, and bring ultimate victory. Traditionally chanted at sunrise.

Sage Agastya (Valmiki Ramayana)

A short tantric hymn from the Rudra Yamala, in which Shiva tells Parvati that recitation of this 'key' (kunjika) alone yields the fruit of reciting the entire Durga Saptashati. Traditionally chanted during Navratri for the empowerment of the Chandi Path.

Rudra Yamala Tantra (Shiva to Parvati)

Indra's eight-verse hymn to Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, wisdom, and well-being. Daily recitation is said to grant prosperity (one reading), abundance (two readings), and victory over enemies (three readings).

Indra (from Padma Purana)

Salutations to Goddess Saraswati — white as the jasmine, the moon, and snow; clad in pure white; bearing the veena, holding mala and scripture; seated on a white lotus; worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. May she remove the darkness of ignorance and bless me with knowledge.

Traditional Sanskrit prayer

Tulsidas's healing hymn to Hanumanji, traditionally chanted for relief from physical and mental affliction. Composed in his old age at Varanasi when he suffered intense bodily pain.

Goswami Tulsidas

Traditional

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