Morning verses · प्रातः स्मरण

Pratah Smarana

Two short verses traditionally said on waking and before the first step onto the ground.

Verse 1

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये सरस्वती। करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम्॥

karāgre vasate lakṣmīḥ kara-madhye sarasvatī | kara-mūle tu govindaḥ prabhāte kara-darśanam ||

Plain meaningAt the fingertips is abundance, in the middle of the palm is learning, at its base is the sustaining one. So in the morning, look at your hands.
Verse 2

समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डले। विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्व मे॥

samudra-vasane devi parvata-stana-maṇḍale | viṣṇu-patni namas tubhyaṃ pāda-sparśaṃ kṣamasva me ||

Plain meaningEarth, robed in oceans and ringed by mountains, reverence to you; forgive the touch of my feet.

About this stotram

These are among the simplest daily verses in Indian household practice. The first is said while looking at your own open palms on waking. The second is said before placing the feet on the earth. Together they take under a minute and mark the start of the day with attention rather than a screen.

How to recite

  1. On waking, before reaching for a phone, open both palms and look at them.
  2. Say the first verse once, quietly.
  3. Before your feet touch the floor, say the second verse.
  4. Then get up. That is the whole practice.

Notes

  • This is the smallest possible daily sadhana and a good place to start a habit.
  • Reading the meaning in English is a complete practice on its own.

Practise gently

Shoonyaka offers educational and devotional material, not medical, psychological or religious authority. Recite at a volume and pace that stays comfortable, and stop if the breath shortens or the throat hurts.

Use this in a daily sadhana