Each day of a week dedicated to a particular Hindu God

Monday 

Monday dedicated to Lord Siva


This is the famous sloka given in the Shiva Purana describing the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva. There are thousands of lingams all over India but some of them have a special importance. The most important of these are called jyotirlingas and they are twelve in number. As given in the sloka, their names are Somnatha, Mallikarjuna, Mahakala, Omkara, Kedara, Bhimshankara. Vishvanatha, Tryambaka, Vaidynatha, Nagesha, Rameswara and Ghushnesha
“Saurashtre Somanatham cha,
Sri Saile Mallikarjuna.
Ujjanyinyam Mahakalam,
Omkare Malamleshwara.
Himalaye to Kedaram,
Dakinyam Bhimashankara.
Varanasyam cha Vishweshwam,
Tryambakam Gautameethate.
Paralyam Vaidyanatham cha,
Nagesham Darukavane.
Sethu bande Ramesham,
Grishnesam cha Shivalaya”

Tues day


Hanuman prayer

Manojavam maruta tulya vegam, 

jitendriyam buddhi mataam varishtham
vaataatmajam vaanara yooth mukhyam,

shree raama dootam sharnam prapadye.


Let me pray to the one who is swift as thought (manojavam-), the one who is more powerful than the wind (marut.tulya.vegam-), the one who has conquered his senses (jitendriyam-), the one who is supreme among all intelligent beings, the son of the wind-god (vaataatmajam-), the commander of the army of forest creatures (vaanar.yooth.mukhyam-), Let me find refuge in Lord Rama's Messenger, the incomparable Lord Hanuman. Please accept me and my prayers at your feet.

Wednes day 


Wednes day dedicated to Lord Ganesha


As the name indicates, the SANKATA HARA GANESHA STOTRAM  is a very powerful slokam. This sloka is chanted daily for three times (at least once) to get rid of all the SANKATAs ( problems ). Hara means - killing. All the problems get destroyed by chanting this stotra of Lord Ganesha. Number is 3 very dear to Lord Ganesha. Hence, it is desirable to chant this thrice if possible.

SANKATA HARA GANESHA STOTRAM

Pranamya Sirasa devam  Gauri Puthram Vinayakam
Bhaktavasam Smarennithyam  Ayuh Kamartha Siddaye !

Prathamam Vakrathundam cha Ekadantham Dvithiyakam
Thrithiyam Krishna Pingaaksham Gajavakthram Chathurthakam
Lambodaram Panchamam cha Shashtam Vikatameva cha
Saptamam Vighna Rajam cha Dhoomravarnam thathashtakam
Navamam Phala Chandram cha Dasamam thu Vinayakam
Ekadasam Ganapathim Dwadasam thu Gajananam !!

Dwadasaithani Namaani Thri Sandhyam Yah Pathennarah
Na cha Vighna Bhayam thasya Sarva Siddhi karim Prabho!

Vidyarthi Labhate Vidyam
Dhanarthi Labhate Dhanam
Puthrarthi Labhate Putraam
Mokshaarthi Labhate Gatim

Japeth Ganapthi Stotram Shadbhirmaasai Phalam Labheth,
Samvatsarena Siddhim cha Labhate Naathra Samsayaha !
Ashtabhyo Brahmanebhyash cha Likhitwa yah Samarpayeth
Thasya Vidya bhavetsarva Ganeshasya Prasadathaha !!

I bow to that Lord known as Vinaayak, who is the beloved son of Gowri Maa. O Lord, bless us with success and fulfillment in life.
O Ganesh ji, I worship you calling your twelve names:
Firstly, You are Vakratunda – that Lord with the broken tusk. Secondly, You are Ekadanta – the single-tusked Lord.
Thirdly, You are Krishnapingaaksham – the one with reddish-black eyes. Fourthly, You are Gajavaktra – that elephant-faced Lord.
O Lord, Your fifth name is Lambodara – the large-bellied Lord. Your sixth name is Vikat – that invincible Lord. O Ganesh ji,
Your seventh name is Vighnaraaja – the remover of obstacles. Your eighth name is Dhoomravarna – that smokey-complexioned Lord.
Lord, I remember You as Bhaalachandra (ninth name) – the Lord with the crescent in his forehead, and as Vinaayak (tenth name) – the remover of difficulties.
Dear Lord, as Ganapati (eleventh name), You are the leader of the army of Lord Shiva, and as
Gajaanana (twelfth name), You are that elephant-headed Lord.

 Any one who reads these twelve names at dawn, noon and dusk will never have fear of defeat, and will be successful in all worthwhile endeavors.
The devotee that pursues education will get knowledge. Through your grace O Lord, one can be blessed with wealth, progeny and salvation.

The sincere devotee who chants this special prayer as prescribed will reap great rewards within six months.

he devotee who writes this prayer and offers it to eight Brahmanas will develop wisdom and be blessed with divine qualities.
Thus ends this sorrow-destroying prayer to Ganesh ji from the Narada Purana.


Thurs day

Thursday, or Brihaspativar, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu

"Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa
Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah
Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai
Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami"

Meaning: The literal meaning of the mantra is: "I offer everything to Lord Vishnu (Narayana); whatever I do with my body, words, mind, limbs, intellect or my inner self whether intentionally or unintentionally. I bow to the great lord, Vishnu".

"Shaantaakaaram Bhujanga Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham
Vishvaadhaaram Gagana Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhaangam
Lakshmiikaantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhidhyaarnagamyam
Vande Vishhnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanaatham"

Meaning: Lord Vishnu is the personification of peace, who rests on the Shesha Naag. The Narayana, from whose navel the Lotus springs and whose complexion is swarthy like the clouds. The God, who is the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi, whose body shines with divine splendor and whose eyes are like Lotus. I bow to the lord, Vishnu Narayana, who is meditated upon by the yogis and who is the remover of the fear of the world-cycle

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Friday prayers

Friday dedicated to Goddess Lashmi and Devi also

1) Lashmi 

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं त्रिभुवन महालक्ष्म्यै अस्माकम् दारिद्र्य नाशय प्रचुर धन देहि देहि क्लीं ह्रीं श्रीं ॐ oṃ śrīṃ hrīṃ klīṃ tribhuvana mahālakṣmyai asmākam dāridrya nāśaya pracura dhana dehi dehi klīṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ oṃ 

2) Devi sthti

"Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Maatrirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaktirupena Sansthitah
Yaa Devii Sarvabhuuteshhu Shaantirupena Sansthitah
Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namastasyaih Namo Namah"

Meaning: Goddess Durga is omnipresent. She is the personification of Universal Mother. She is a Mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of power and energy. Great mother, who is present everywhere and who is embodiment of Peace. I bow to that mother, I bow to Durga, I bow to Shakti.

 3) Ashta Lashmi Stotram

AdilakShmi

sumanasavandita sundari mAdhavi

candra sahodari hemamaye |
munigaNamaNDita mokShapradAyini

ma~njuLabhAShiNi vedanute ||

paN^kajavAsini devasupUjita

sadguNavarShiNi shAntiyute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

AdilakShmi sadA pAlaya mAm || 1 ||

dhAnyalakShmi

ayi kalikalmaShanAshini kAmini
vaidikarUpiNi vedamaye |

kShIrasamudbhava maN^galarUpiNi

mantranivAsini mantranute ||

maN^galadAyini ambujavAsini

devagaNAshrita pAdayute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

dhAnyalakShmi sadA pAlaya mAm || 2 ||

dhairyalakShmi

jayavaravarNini vaiShNavi bhArgavi

mantrasvarUpiNi mantramaye |

suragaNapUjita shIghraphalaprada

j~nAnavikAsini shAstranute ||

bhavabhayahAriNi pApavimocani

sAdhujanAshrita pAdayute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

dhairyalakShmi sadA pAlaya mAm || 3 ||

gajalakShmi

jayajaya durgatinAshini kAmini

sarvaphalaprada shAstramaye |

rathagaja turagapadAdi samAv.rta

parijanamaNDita lokanute ||

harihara brahma supUjita sevita

tApanivAriNi pAdayute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

gajalakShmi rUpeNa pAlaya mAm || 4 ||

santAnalakShmi

ayi khagavAhini mohini cakriNi

rAgavivardhini j~nAnamaye |

guNagaNavAridhi lokahitaiShiNi

svarasapta bhUShita gAnanute ||

sakala surAsura devamunIshvara

mAnavavandita pAdayute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

santAnalakShmi sadA pAlaya mAm || 5 ||

vijayalakShmi

jaya kamalAsani sadgatidAyini

j~nAnavikAsini gAnamaye |

anudinamarcita kuN^kumadhUsara\-

bhUShita vAsita vAdyanute ||

kanakadharAstuti vaibhava vandita

shaN^kara deshika mAnya pade |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

vijayalakShmi sadA pAlaya mAm || 6 ||

vidyAlakShm

praNata sureshvari bhArati bhArgavi

shokavinAshini ratnamaye |

maNimayabhUShita karNavibhUShaNa

shAntisamAv.rta hAsyamukhe ||

navanidhidAyini kalimalahAriNi

kAmita phalaprada hastayute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

vidyAlakShmi sadA pAlaya mAm || 7 ||

dhanalakShmi

dhimidhimi dhindhimi dhindhimi dhindhimi

dundubhi nAda supUrNamaye |

ghumaghuma ghuMghuma ghuMghuma ghuMghuma

shaN^khaninAda suvAdyanute ||

vedapurANetihAsa supUjita

vaidikamArga pradarshayute |

jayajaya he madhusUdana kAmini

dhanalakShmirUpeNa pAlaya mAm|| 8 ||

Saturday dedicated to Lord Venkateswara

Narayanam parabrahma sarvakarana karanam

Prapadye venkatesakhyam thadeva kavacham mama.

sahasrasheersha purusho Venkatesaha ssirovathu

Praneshah prananilayam pranan rakshathu me harihi.

Aakasaraat suthanatha athmanam may sadavathu

Devadevoththamo paya dheham may Venkateswara.

Sarvathra sarvakaryeshu  mangambajani Easwaraha

Palyenmam sada karmasaphalyam saha pryachchathu.

ya ethadwajrakavacha mabhedyhyam Venkatesithuhu

sayam prathaha patennitham mruthyum tharathi nirbhayaha.

Sunday prayers

Sun day dedicated to Lord Surya


      Suryastakam

 AdidEva namastubhyam praseeda mama bhAskara

dhivAkara namastubhyam prabhAkara namOstutE || 1

saptASva rathamaaruDham pracamDham kaSyapAtmajam

SwEtapadmadharam dEvam tam sooryam praNamaamyaham || 2

lOhitam rathamAruDham sarvalOka pitAmaham

mahApApaharam dEvam tam sUryam praNamAmyaham || 3

treiguNyam ca mahASUram brahma vishNu mahESwaram

mahApApaharam dEvam tam sUryam praNamAmyaham || 4

bRMhitaM tEjasAMpuMjam vAyurAkASa mEvaca

prabhustvaM sarvalOkAnAM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 5

baMdhUkapushpa saMkASaM harakuMDala bhUshitaM

Ekacakra dharaM dEvaM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 6

viSwESaM viSwakartAraM mahAtEjaha pradIpanam

mahApApaharaM dEvaM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 7

SrI vishNuM jagatAMnAthaM jnAna(gnana) vijnAna(vignana) mOkshadaM

mahApApaharaM dEvaM taM sUryaM praNamAmyahaM || 8

sUryAshTakaM paThEnnityaM grahapIDA praNASanaM

aputrO labhatEputram daridrO dhanavAn bhavEt || 9

amishaM madhupAnaM ca yaha karOti ravErdinE
saptajanma bhavEdrOgI janma janma daridratA || 10

strI taila madhumAMsAni yE tyajanti ravErdinE

na vyAdhi SOka dAridryaM, sUryalOkaM sa gacchati || 11

iti srI siva prOktam srI sUryAshtakam sampUrnam

2) Adityahṛdayam (आदित्यहृदयम्, Sanskrit pronunciation: , is a hymn associated with Aditya or the Sun God and was recited by the sage Agastya to Rama on the battlefield before fighting with Ravana) 

2)Aditya Hrydayam is Prayer of Suryanarayana for good health

Tato yuddhaparishraantam samare chintayaa sthitam.raavanam chaagrato dr.ushtva yuddhaaya samupasthitam.1

Rama, exhausted and about to face Ravana ready for a fresh battle was lost deep in contemplation.

Daivataishcha samaagamya drashhtumabhyaagato ranam upaagamyaa braviidraama magastyo bhagavaan rishhi. 2

The all knowing sage Agastya who had joined the Gods to witness the battle spoke to Rama thus

Raama Raama mahaabaahkhykjho shrnu guhyam sanaatanam yena sarvaanariinvatsa samare vijayishhyasi. 3

Oh Rama, mighty-armed Rama, listen to this eternal secret, which will help you destroy all your enemies in battle

Aaditya hrudayam punyam sarva shatru vinaashanam Jayaavaham japennityam akshayyam paramam shivam. 4

This holy hymn dedicated to the Sun deity will result in destroying all enemies and bring you victory and never ending supreme bliss.

Sarvamangalamaangalyam sarvapaapapranaashanam. Chintaashokaprashamanam aayurvardhanamuttama. 5

This hymn is supreme and is a guarantee of complete prosperity and is the destroyer of sin, anxiety, anguish and is the bestower of longevity.

Rashmimantam samudyantam devaasuranamaskritam. Puujayasva vivasvantam bhaaskaram bhuvaneshvar. 6

Worship the One, possessed of rays when he has completely risen, held in reverence by the devas and asuras, and who is the Lord of the universe by whose efflugence all else brighten.

Sarvadevaatmako hyeshha tejasvii rashmibhaavanah.Eshha devaasuraganaa.nllokaan paati gabhastibh. 7

He indeed represent the totality of all celestial beings. He is self-luminous and sustains all with his rays. He nourishes and energizes the inhabitants of all the worlds and the race of Devas and Asuras.

Eshhah brahmaa cha vishhnushcha shivah skandah prajaapati. Mahendro dhanadah kaalo yamah somo hyapaam pati. 8

He is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Prajapati. He is also Mahendra, kubera, kala, yama, soma and varuna.

Pitaro vasavah saadhyaa hyashvinau maruto manuh.Vaayurvahnih prajaapraana ritukartaa prabhaakarah. 9

He is the pitrs, vasus, sadhyas, aswini devas, maruts, manu, vayu, agni, prana and, being the source of all energy and light, is the maker of all the six seasons.

Aadityah savitaa suuryah khagah puushhaa gabhastimaan. Suvarnasadrsho bhaanu rvishvaretaa divaakarah. 10

He is the son of Aditi, creator of the universe, inspirer of action, transverser of the heavens. He is the sustainer, illumination of all directions, the golden hued brilliance and is the maker of the day.

Haridashvah sahasraarchih saptasaptirmariichimaan. Timironmathanah shambhustvashhtaa maartandam anshumaan. 11

He is the Omnipresent One who pervades all with countless rays. He is the power behind the seven sense organs, the dispeller of darkness, bestower of happiness and prosperity, the remover of misfortunes and is the infuser of life.

Hiranyagarbhah shishirastapano bhaaskaro rav... Agnigarbhoaditeh putrah shankha shishiranaashanah. 12

He is the primordial being manifesting as the Trinity. He ushers in the Day and is the teacher (of Hiranyagarbha), the fire-wombed, the son of Aditi, and has a vast and supreme felicity. He is the remover of intellectual dull-headedness.

Vyomanaatha stamobhedii rig yajuh saama paaragah. Ghana vrishhti rapaam mitro vindhya viithii plavangama... 13

He is the Lord of the firmament, dispeller of darkness. Master of all the vedas, he is a friend of the waters and causes rain. HE has crossed the vindya range and sports in the Brahma Nadi.

Aatapii mandalii mrityuh pingalah sarvataapanah. Kavirvishvo mahaatejaa raktah sarva bhavod hbhava. 14

He, whose form is circular and is colored yellow, is intensely absorbed and inflicts death. He is the destroyer of all and is the Omniscient one being exceedingly energetic sustains the universe and all action.

Nakshatra grahataaraanaam adhipo vishva bhaavanah. Tejasaamapi tejasvii dvaadashaatman namostut. 15

He is the lord of stars, planets and all constellations. He is the origin of everything in the universe and is the cause of the lustre of even the brilliant ones. Salutations to Thee who is the One being manifest in the twelve forms of the Sun.

Namah puurvaaya giraye pashchimaayaadraye namah. Jyotirganaanaam pataye dinadhipataye nama. 16

Salutations to the Eastern and western mountain, Salutations to the Lord of the stellar bodies and the Lord of the Day.

Jayaaya jayabhadraaya haryashvaaya namo namah. Namo namah sahasraa.nsha aadityaaya namo nama. 17

Salutations to the One who ordains victory and the prosperity that follows. Salutations to the one possessed of yellow steeds and to the thousand rayed Lord, and to Aditya.

Namah ugraaya viiraaya saarangaaya namo namah. Namah padma prabodhaaya maartandaaya namo nama. 18

Salutations to the Terrible one, the hero, the one that travels fast. Salutations to the one whose emergence makes the lotus blossom and to the fierce and omnipotent one.

Brahmeshaana achyuteshaaya suuryaayaadityavarchase. Bhaasvate sarvabhakshaaya raudraaya vapushhe nama. 19

Salutations to the Lord of Brahma, shiva and Achyuta, salutations to the powerful and to the effulgence in the Sun that is both the illuminator and devourer of all and is of a form that is fierce like Rudra.

Tamoghnaaya himagnaaya shatrughnaaya amitaatmane. Kritaghnahanaaya devaaya jyotishhaam pataye nama. 20

Salutations to he transcendental atman that dispels darkness, drives away all fear, and destroys all foes. Salutations also to the annihilator of the ungrateful and to the Lord of all the stellar bodies.

Tapta chaamiika raabhaaya haraye vishvakarmane. Namastamo.abhinighnaaya ruchaye lokasaakshin. 21

Salutations to the Lord shining like molten gold, to the transcendental fire, the fire of supreme knowledge, the architect of the universe, destroyer of darkness and salutations again to the effulgence that is the Cosmic witness.

Naashayatyeshha vai bhuutam tadeva srijati prabhuuH. Paayatyeshha tapatyeshha varshhatyeshha gabhastibhi. 22

Salutations to the Lord who destroys everything and creates them again. Salutations to Him who by His rays consumes the waters, heats them up and sends them down as rain.

Eshha supteshhu jaagarti bhuuteshhu parinishhthitah. Eshha evaagnihotramcha phalam chaivaagnihotrinaam. 23

Salutations to the Lord who abides in the heart of all beings keeping awake when they are asleep. He is both the sacrificial fire and the fruit enjoyed by the worshippers.

Vedaashcha kratavashchaiva kratuunaam phalameva cha. Yaani krityaani lokeshhu sarva eshha ravih prabhu. 24

The Sun is verily the Lord of all action in this universe. He is verily the vedas, the sacrifices mentioned in them and the fruits obtained by performing the sacrifices.

Phala stuti

Enamaapatsu krichchhreshhu kaantaareshhu bhayeshhu cha.kiirttayanh purushhah kashchin naavasiidati raaghav. 25

Raghava, one who recites this hymn in times of danger, during an affliction or when lost in the wilderness and having fear, he will not lose heart (and become brave).

Puujayasvainamekaagro devadevam jagathpatimh. Etat.h trigunitam japtvaa yuddheshhu vijayishhyas. 26

Raghava, worship this Lord of all Gods and the Universe with one-pointed devotion. Recite this hymn thrice and you will win this battle.

Nasminkshane mahaabaaho raavanam tvam vadhishhyasi. Evamuktavaa tadaa.agastyo jagaamh cha yathaagatam. 27

O mighty armed one, you shall truimph over Ravana this very moment. Having spoken this, Agastya returned his original place. Raghava became free from worry after hearing this.

Etachchhritvaa mahaatejaa nashhtashoko abhavattadaa. Dhaarayaamaasa supriito raaghavah prayataatmavaan. 28

He was greatly pleased and became brave and energetic.

Aaadityam prekshya japtvaa tu param harshhamavaaptavaanh. Triraachamya shuchirbhuutvaa dhanuraadaaya viiryavaan. 29

Gazing at the sun with devotion, He recited this hymn thrice and experienced bliss.

Rraavanam prekshya hrushhtaatmaa yuddhaaya samupaagamath. Sarva yatnena mahataa vadhe tasya dhritoabhavat. 30

Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana.

Atha ravi ravadanam nirikshyam raama Muditamanaah paramam prahrishhyamaanah. Nishicharapatisa nkshayam viditvaa Suragan amadhyagato vachastvaret. 31

Then knowing that the destruction of the lord of prowlers at night (Ravana) was near, Aditya, who was at the center of the assembly of the Gods, looked at Rama and exclaimed 'Hurry up' with great delight. Purifying Himself by sipping water thrice, He took up His bow with His mighty arms. Seeing Ravana coming to fight, He put forth all his effort with a determination to destroy Ravana.