Hindu Temple Prayers

 

Hindu Temple Prayers

Many Hindus visit temples, if not every day or regularly, certainly once in a while. According to Gita there are four types of persons who visit temple.

Gita 7.16

catur-vidha bhajante mam  janah sukrtino ‘rjuna

arto jijnasur artharthi  jnani ca bharatarsabha

Bhaktas or devotees of God are of four types. Arta, Jijnasu, Artharthi and Jnani. Arta is the distressed devotee who is suffering very much and who craves for the grace of God, in order to get himself relieved from pain and sorrow, Jijnasu is the seeker after knowledge, who feels that he is ignorant, and who wants the grace of God in order to have Wisdom. Artharthi is the seeker of wealth, who longs for earthly possessions, money, land, etc., in order to enjoy a happy life, and who propitiates God to get His grace to amass wealth. Jnani is the wise, the sage who is satisfied with the Self, who is contented in the Self, who has no desires, who is freed from desires, who has fulfilled all desires, whose only desire is the Self; who considers his own Self as the All-inclusive God.

So whenever you go to temple, what you do there? Just offer Pranams to the Lord and return or offer a list of problems for which you need solutions? Whatever you give to the Lord, he gives you ten times in return. If you offer Bhakthi and love, you get it back 10 times from Him. If you offer problems, same thing, ten times more problems in return.

So, the best thing to do when you visit temple is to offer your love and Bhakthi. Given below are few simple slokas that you can recite in each temple depending on the deity residing there.

Ganapati

Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Surya-Kotti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa

Meaning – O Lord Ganesha, of Curved Trunk, Large Body, and with the Brilliance of a Million Suns, Please Make All my Works Free of Obstacles, Always.

or

 

Gajananam Bhutagaanadi Sevitam

Kapittha Jambu Phala Saara Bhakshitam

Uma Sutam Shokavinaasha Kaaranam

Namaami Vigneshvara Paada Pankajam

 

Meaning – I prostrate myself before the lotus feet of Vigneshvara (Ganesha), the son of Uma, who destroys sorrow, who is served by the host of angels, who has the face of an elephant, who partakes of the essence of kapittha and jambu fruits.

 

Gayatri Mantra

Om Bhuur-Bhuvah Svah Tat-Savitur-Varennyam |

Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat ||

Meaning – Om, that (Divine Illumination) which pervades the Bhu Loka (Physical Plane), Bhuvar Loka (Antariksha Loka or the Astral Plane) and Suvar Loka (Swarga Loka or the Celestial Plane), That Savitr (Divine Illumination) which is the Most Adorable, on that Divine Radiance we Meditate, May that Enlighten Our Intellect and awaken our Spiritual Wisdom.

 

Lord Vishnu

Shaantha kaaram Bhujagashayanam. Padmanaabham suresham,

Vishwaadhaaram gaganasadrusham meghavarnam shubhangam

Lakshmi kaantham kamalanayanam yogibhidhyarnagamyam

Vandhe vishnum bhavabhayahram sarvalokayeeka Naatham.

Meaning – Salutations to Sri Vishnu Who has a Serene Appearance, Who Rests on a Serpent (Adisesha), Who has a Lotus on His Navel and Who is the Lord of the Devas, Who Sustains the Universe, Who is Boundless and Infinite like the Sky, Whose colour is like the Cloud (Bluish) and Who has a Beautiful and Auspicious Body, Who is the Husband of Devi Lakshmi, Whose Eyes are like Lotus and Who is Attainable to the Yogis by Meditation, Salutations to That Vishnu Who Removes the Fear of Worldly Existence and Who is the Lord of All the Lokas.

Sri Krishna

Vasu deva sutham devam Kamsa Chanura mardhanam,

Devaki pramanandam Krishnam vande jagat gurum,

Meaning – My salutations to Lord Krishna, Who is the teacher of the entire world, Who is the son of Vasu deva, Who killed Kamsa and Chanura, And who is the darling of Devaki

Or/and

Krishnaaya Vaasudevaaya  Devakee Nandanaayacha,

Nandagopa Kumaaraya,  Govindaaya Namonamahaa.

Meaning – Salutations to Sri Krishna Who is the Son and the Joy of Father Vasudeva and Mother Devaki, Salutations to Him Who is the Boy of Cowherd Nanda and Who is Himself the Lord Govinda; Salutations, Salutations to Him again and again.

 

Sri Rama

Raamaaya Raamabhadraaya,  Raamachandraaya vedasey

Raghunaathaya naathaya  Seethaaya Pathayenamahaa

Meaning – Salutations unto Lord Rama who is auspiciousness, who is in the form of the shining light (consciousness present in all beings) who is the creator, who is the Lord of the Raghu clan, the Lord of all beings and the husband of Sita

 

Lord Siva

Shivam shivakaram, shantham shivathmanam, Shivothamam,

Shivamarga pranetharam,  pranamai sada shivam.

 

Meaning – Salutations to the ever peaceful Lord Sada Shiva, Who is the abode of peace, Who makes peace, Who is peaceful, Who is the soul of peace, Who is the acme of peace, And who shows the path of Shiva.

Or/and

Karpuura Gauram Karunaa Vataaram,

Sansaara Saaram Bhujagendra Haaram.

Sadaa Vasantam Hridayaa Ravinde,

Bhavam Bhavaanii Sahitam Namaami.

 

Meaning – I salute to that Ishwara (Shankar), Along with Bhavani (Parvati), Who is as white as camphor, Who is an incarnation of compassion, Who is the essence of this world, Who wears a serpent around his neck, And who is ever present in the lotus abode of our hearts.

 

Saraswati

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha

Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa,

Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha (poojitaa)

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa.

Meaning – May that Goddess – Bhagavati – the blessed Saraswathi presiding deity of learning and remover of our lethargy, laziness and ignorance protect us. She is pure and white like the jasmine, the full moon and the garland like formation of dewdrops. She is dressed in a spotless robe. She has in her hand the auspicious instrument veena. She is seated on a white lotus. She is the one who is always respected by Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, Shankara the annihilator and other Gods. 

Or/and

Saraswathi Namasthubyam,  Varadey Kaamarupinee!

Vidhyarambham Karishyami, Sidhir bhavathu mey sada !!

Meaning – Oh ! Goddess, Saraswathi, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiller of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that thou will bestow Thy blessings on me.

Sri Mahalakshmi

Namastestu Mahaa-Maaye Shrii-Piitthe Sura-Puujite

Shangkha-Cakra-Gadaa-Haste Mahaalakssmi Namostute

Meaning: Salutations to Devi Mahalakshmi Salutations to the Mahamaya (the Great Enchantress), Who is Worshipped by the Devas in Sri Pitha (Her Abode) Who has the Conch, Disc and Mace in Her Hands; Salutations to that Mahalakshmi.

 

Sri Devi

Sarva Mangala Maangallyey, Shivey Sarvaartha Saadhikey,

Sharanyey Thriyambakey gauri, Narayanee Namosthuthey.

Meaning – I salute the three-eyed Divine Mother Narayani, who brings auspiciousness and who fulfills all the desires of the devotee (both spiritual and material).

Sri Mookambika

Naana kanchi Vichithra vasthra sahitham, Naana  vidhair bhooshitham,

Naana pushpa sukandha malya sahitham, Naana janaa sevitham,

Naana veda purana sasthra vinutham, Naana kalir pradham,

Naana roopa dharmam, mahesa mahishim, Dyayami mookambikam.

Meaning – I meditate on that Mookambika, Who dresses herself in various dresses and silks, Who is adorned in multifarious ways. Who wears garlands made of various flowers, Who is worshipped by different type of people, Who is recognized by different puranas, Vedas and science, Who bestows various blessings, Who takes up various roles , And who is the consort of Mahesha.

Sri Ayyappa

Bhootha naatha sada nanda,, Sarva bhoota dayaabara.

Raksha raksha maha baho,  Shastrey thubhyam namo namaha.

Swamiye sharanam ayyappa !

Meaning – Salutations and salutations to that Sastha, Who is the lord of all beings, Who is perennially ever happy, Who shows mercy towards all beings, And I pray, Protect me great hero.

Hanuman

Manojavam Maarya tulya vekam  Jithendriyem Poorthimatham Varishtam

Vaadaatmajam Vaanarayutha mukham,  Shri Rama Dhootham Shirasaatnamaami

Meaning – I take Refuge in Sri Hanuman Who is Swift as Mind and Fast as Wind, Who is the Master of the Senses and Honoured for His Excellent Intelligence, Learning and Wisdom, Who is Son of the Wind God and Chief among the Monkeys, To that Messenger of Sri Rama, I take Refuge

Subramanya

Shadananam kumkuma raktha varnam, Mahaamadhim divya mayura vaahanam.

Rudrasya soonam, sura sainya natham,  Guham satha, sharanam aham prabadhyey.

Meaning – I always take refuge in Guha of six faces (Subramanya), who is of deep red color like kumkuma, who possesses great knowledge, who has the divine peacock to ride on, who is the son of Rudra (Siva), and who is the leader of the army of the devas (gods and angels).

 

MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA (repeat 3 times)

Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe  Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvaarukamiva Bhandhanan  Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat

 

Meaning – Om. We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Siva) who is fragrant and who nourishes well all beings; may He liberate us from death for the sake of Immortality even as a cucumber is severed from its bondage to the creeper.

PEACE MANTRAS

Om Sarvesham Svasti Bhavatu  Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu  Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu

Meaning – Om. May auspiciousness be unto all. May peace be unto all. May fullness be unto all. May prosperity be unto all.

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah  Sarve Santu Niramayaah

Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu  Maa Kaschid-Dukha-Bhag-Bhavet

Meaning – Om. May all be happy. May all be free from disabilities.  May all look to the good of others. May none suffer from sorrow.

Asato Maa Sat Gamaya  Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya  Mrityor Maa Amritam Gamaya

Meaning – Om. Lead me from the unreal to the Real, from darkness to Light, from mortality to Immortality.

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam  Purnaat Purnamudachyate

Purnasya Purnamaadaaya  Purnamevaa Vashishyate

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Meaning – Om. That is whole. This is whole. From the whole the whole becomes manifest. From the whole, when the whole–if negated–what remains is again the whole. Om. Peace, peace, peace.

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Driver and Manager – Part 2

Manager and Driver – A comparison.

Can you judge a person’s managerial potential, competence and capability by observing his driving style?

First let us analyze who is a good driver before comparing a driver with a manager.

What is expected of a good driver?

  1. Drive you and others safely from place to place.
  2. The passengers should feel comfortable and stress free while travelling.
  3. Reach the destination as fast as possible without making accidents.
  4. Take good care of the car.

What is expected of a good Manager?

  1. To lead a team successfully and achieve the organizational objectives.
  2. All employees should feel motivated and excited to work under the leader in spite of challenging external market or economic conditions.
  3. Meet all legal and statutory obligations, achieve business objectives and provide growth and learning opportunities to all employees.
  4. Keep the organization ready for any challenges today and for tomorrow.

Good Driver vs. Good Manager

  1. Driving is an intelligent activity and only an intelligent person can become a good driver. Needless to say, a good Manager must be bright and intelligent and is able to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably.
  2. Know the road and traffic rules and sign. A good Manager must have a clear understanding about the market, technology and rules and regulations governing the proper management of an enterprise.
  3. Develop excellent skills in maneuvering the vehicle through bad roads and heavy traffic. A good manager must have the ability to see ahead clearly, anticipate consequences and implement decisions to ensure success under any adverse circumstances.
  4. Basic knowledge about the vehicle and essential maintenance is a must. A Manager must have good knowledge about his company, its products, markets and customer expectations to lead the team successfully.
  5. Self-discipline is very important to be a good driver. Ignoring speed limits, one way traffic rules, parking regulations, road signs etc. indicate lack of integrity and ethics. A manager must be a trustworthy person who adheres to certain values and principles to manage the organization in good as well as bad times.
  6. A driver must know his way around. If not, enquire and learn about the best and shortest route to the destination in advance. It is never good to stop vehicle multiple times on the way to enquire about the route or get delayed to reach the destination because a wrong route was taken. Keen understanding about the markets, customer expectations and company products are essential to drive business and ensure success of the team.
  7. Check weather and traffic conditions before leaving home for a long distance travel. A Manager must validate every plan with ground realities and arrive at realistic estimates before setting the objectives. Too optimistic or overly pessimistic plans can lead to failure.
  8. Understand and anticipate other driver’s behavior. Accidents can happen not only because you did not drive properly but also due to the mistake of others. Driver behavior also differs from place to place and city to city. A Manager must be able to understand individual as well as group behavior, why they do what they do, their intentions and needs to lead the team successfully without major dissentions and disillusionment.
  9. Be careful about large vehicles, particularly trucks and transport buses. It doesn’t matter that you are driving on the right lane or following the rules, in an accident you won’t be there to explain the truth. Learning to respect authority is critical in any job.
  10. Be calm and composed while driving, even when the situation is disturbing and difficult. A good Manager must be calm and composed under pressure and should not become defensive or tense when situations are tough.
  11. Check and ensure clear vision before starting the vehicle. Clean the front glass if required.
  12. Check your co-passengers. They should not be distracting you while driving. Building effective teams who supports and compliments each other is mandatory for any organization to succeed and this is one of the critical success factors for any Manager.
  13. Be smooth. Let the passengers be not unduly discomforted while travelling. Best drivers are smooth drivers. Managers must plan all their activities and inform the team members in advance so that they can also plan their professional and personal lives accordingly. Do not bring rapid organizational or process changes unless it is mandated by sharply declining performance or adverse external circumstances.
  14. Be confident, particularly when you are planning to overtake another vehicle. Make your judgment whether it is safe to overtake and go ahead once the decision is taken. Do not change your decision half way through the process. Making decisions in a timely manner with incomplete information under tight deadlines are everyday affair for many managers. Not taking decision is as good as bad decisions.  
  15. In case you are going for a long distance drive that lasts more than 5 hours, ensure that the driver has had enough rest before to ensure he is fit and alert for the highway travel.
  16. Never take alcoholic drinks, drugs or other mood elevating substances before a long drive which increases your risk taking attitude without proper judgment.
  17. Safety is always a priority. Ensure the driver and all the passengers are wearing their seat belts, particularly in the highways. Risk taking ability is important for progress but not so much that it destroys the very fiber of the organization.
  18. Attitude – if you do not have the right attitude it won’t matter how much knowledge or skill you have, you won’t be a good driver. Neither a good Manager. Attitude determines your altitude!

I have gone around with Drivers who are extremely careful and drive slowly to avoid any potential accidents. So also with drivers who drives extremely fast to an extend that you are sitting very uncomfortably in the car. But I always prefer those drivers who drive fast very carefully and reach the destination earlier.

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Manager and Driver – A comparison

Manager and Driver – A comparison.

Can you judge a person’s managerial potential, competence and capability by observing his driving style?

First let us analyze who is a good driver before comparing a driver with a manager.

What is expected of a good driver?

  1. Drive you and others safely from place to place.
  2. The passengers should feel comfortable and stress free while travelling.
  3. Reach the destination as fast as possible without making accidents.
  4. Take good care of the car.

How to be a good driver

  1. Driving is an intelligent activity and only an intelligent person can become a good driver.
  2. Know the road and traffic rules and sign.
  3. Develop excellent skills in maneuvering the vehicle through bad roads and heavy traffic.
  4. Basic knowledge about the vehicle and essential maintenance is a must.
  5. Self-discipline is very important to be a good driver. Ignoring speed limits, one way traffic rules, parking regulations, road signs etc. indicate lack of integrity and ethics.
  6. A driver must know his way around. If not, enquire and learn about the best and shortest route to the destination in advance. It is never good to stop vehicle multiple times on the way to enquire about the route or get delayed to reach the destination because a wrong route was taken.
  7. Check weather and traffic conditions before leaving home for a long distance travel.
  8. Understand and anticipate other driver’s behavior. Accidents can happen not only because you did not drive properly but also due to the mistake of others. Driver behavior also differs from place to place and city to city.
  9. Be careful about large vehicles, particularly trucks and transport buses. It doesn’t matter that you are driving on the right lane or following the rules, in an accident you won’t be there to explain the truth.
  10. Be calm and composed while driving, even when the situation is disturbing and difficult.
  11. Check and ensure clear vision before starting the vehicle. Clean the front glass if required.
  12. Check your co-passengers. They should not be distracting you while driving.
  13. Be smooth. Let the passengers be not unduly discomforted while travelling. Best drivers are smooth drivers.
  14. Be confident, particularly when you are planning to overtake another vehicle. Make your judgment whether it is safe to overtake and go ahead once the decision is taken. Do not change your decision half way through the process.
  15. In case you are going for a long distance drive that lasts more than 5 hours, ensure that the driver has had enough rest before to ensure he is fit and alert for the highway travel.
  16. Never take alcoholic drinks, drugs or other mood elevating substances before a long drive which increases your risk taking attitude without proper judgment.
  17. Safety is always a priority. Ensure the driver and all the passengers are wearing their seat belts, particularly in the highways.
  18. Attitude – if you do not have the right attitude it won’t matter how much knowledge or skill you have, you won’t be a good driver.

Let me also say a few words about drivers. Generally we treat them as one of the lowest category of workers in the society. Whether it is a taxi or auto driver or the much hated truck and bus drivers, we usually don’t say good things about them, except may be on very few occasions. If you are hiring one for the office or home, the only selection criteria is his cleanliness and reasonable driving skills and you try to pay him the lowest salary possible! It doesn’t matter that he is driving your expensive car and carrying yours and other family members precious lives a driver is not considered as a critical member of your team or organization.

 

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Managerial behavior – Thoughtfulness

Have you ever experienced the following behavior?

You finally reach the toll booth after being in the queue for more than 15 minutes. Your colleague who is driving the car rolls down the window and ask the operator as to how much is the toll…. Then slowly searches for the money purse which is finally traced to his back-pocket and hands over Rs. 500 for a toll of 31! The toll booth operator is trying to be patient but not the drivers in the vehicles behind who started honking due to the unusual delay! You too are exasperated by the casual and thoughtless behavior of your colleague but keep a smiling and indifferent face. The worst part is that you again stand in the queue to pay the same thirty one rupees on return which could have been avoided if a return ticket was taken.

Or have you seen business executives, who looks like frequent traveler, stumbling at the security check point searching for his boarding pass or taking out coins and key chains one by one when you are fuming behind him in the queue when your flight is already announced! There are also persons who search for their passport after reaching the immigration counter!

What is your opinion about such persons?  How do you define their behavior? If you are his boss, would you give him additional responsibilities or promote such people?

 I see a lot deficiency in these type of individuals. Clearly they are not action oriented and does not show any sense of urgency and may miss many opportunities in their lives. They also seriously lack in certain managerial skill sets such as planning, organizing, timely decision making and priority setting. Lack of maturity, responsibility and thoughtfulness stand outs in these people and they can also be called undisciplined.

One might think that I am too critical, harsh and paranoiac in judging people and that too very soon. But my experience shows that these are not one time behavior but habits formed over a period of time and difficult to change unless conscious about it and make serious efforts to change.

 

 

 

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