Ishwar Stuti Prarthana Upasana

Worship of God based on the Vedic scriptures is called Ishwar Stuti Prarthana Upasana (ईश्वर स्तुति प्रार्थना उपासना). The word Ishwar means Supreme Master of all the spiritual and physical wealth of the universe, Stuti means appreciating and understanding the attributes of God, Prarthana is a prayer to God to be our guide and adopting virtuous practices of life, and Upasana literally means getting close to God through the practical and spiritual yoga (meditation).

At the beginning of all rituals, a scholar or an intelligent person should praise, pray and revere God meditatively and with unwavering mind by reciting the following mantras and their meaning, while all present should listen attentively.

ॐ विश्वानी देव सवितर्दुरितानि परासुव ।
यद भद्रं तन्न आ सुव ॥१॥

Om. vishvani deva savitar-durtani parasuva|
Yad bhadram tanna asuva |

Meaning – Om. O God, the creator of the universe and the Giver of all happiness. Keep us far from bad habits, bad deeds, and calamities. May we attain everything that is auspicious.

हिरण्यगर्भ: समवर्त्तताग्रे भूतस्य जात: पतिरेक आसीत् ।
स दाघार पृथिवीं द्यामुतेमां कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥२॥

Om. hiranya garbhah sama-varta-tagray bhoo-tasya jatah patirakya aseet |
Sa dadhara prthiveem dyamutaymam kasmai deva ya havisha vidhem |

Meaning – Om. Om is the all-pervading God, the Creator of the Sun, the Moon, and the other things in the world; and the Controller of the Earth and the Sky. We should meditate with faith and devotion upon that God – the personification of happiness.

य आत्मदा बलदा यस्य विश्व उपासते प्रशिषं यस्य देवा: ।
यस्य छायाऽमृतं यस्य मृत्यु: कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥३॥

Om ya atmada balada yasya vishwa upasate prashisham yasya devaah |
Yasya chachhaya-amritam yasya mriituh kasmaye devay havisha vidhem |

Meaning – Om. Om is the giver of spiritual knowledge and strength. The whole world worships Om. Happiness and immortality are achieved under God’s protection and blessings. Without God’s protection, there is death and ignorance. We should meditate with faith and devotion upon that God.

य: प्राणतो निमिषतो महित्वैक इन्द्राजा जगतो बभूव।
य ईशे अस्य द्विपदश्चतुष्पद: कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥४॥

Om. yah pranato nimishato mahitva ayka idraja jagato babhoova |
Ya eeshay asya dvipadah chatush-padah kasmai devaya haisha vidhem |

Meaning – Om. Om has created the Sky and the Earth. Om is the personification of happiness and Moksha. Om pervades the sky and space. We should meditate with faith and devotion upon that God.

येन द्यौरुग्रा पृथिवी च द्रढा येन स्व: स्तभितं येन नाक: ।
यो अन्तरिक्षे रजसो विमान: कस्मै देवाय हविषा विधेम ॥५॥

Om. yena dyauh ugra prithivee cha dridha yena svah stabhitam yena nakah |
Yo antarikshe rajaso vimanah kasmayee devaya havisha vidhema |

Meaning – Om has created the Sky and the Earth. Om is the personification of happiness and Moksha. Om pervades Sky and Space. We should meditate with faith and devotion upon that God – the personification of happiness.

प्रजापते न त्वदेतान्यन्यो विश्वा जातानि परिता बभूव ।
यत्कामास्ते जुहुमस्तनो अस्तु वयं स्याम पतयो रयीणाम् ॥६॥

Om. prajapate na tva-deta-nya-nyo vishwa jatani parita babhuva |
Yat kamate juhumastanno astu vayam syaam patayo rayinam |

Meaning – Om. O Ishwar, the Creator of the universe, you are the supreme. No one has ever been your equal, no one is and no one will be. May you grant us whatever we wish so that we become a master of riches.

स नो बन्धुर्जनिता स विधाता धामानि वेद भुवनानि विश्वा।
यत्र देवा अमृतमानशाना स्तृतीये घामन्नध्यैरयन्त ॥७॥

Om. sa no banhur janita sa vidhata dhamani veda bhuvnani vishwa |
Yatra deva amritmanshanah triteeye dhamanna dhyairayanta |

Meaning – Om. Om is our real friend. Om is the Creator of the universe and is the Bestower of riches. O God, you know all the known and unknown worlds and you pervade these worlds. All learned people, having given up their worldly desires, meditate upon Om for the attainment of knowledge and liberation. May we all call upon that God.

अग्ने नय सुपथा राय अस्मान् विश्वानि देव वयुनानि विद्वान।
युयोध्यस्मज्जुहुराणमेनो भूयिष्ठां ते नम उक्तिं विधेँम ॥८॥

Om. Agney naya supatha raye asman vishwani deva vayunani vidvan |
Yuyodhyasmat juhuranmeno bhuishtam te nam uktim vidhem |

Meaning – Om. You are deva the self-illuminating, and you are Agni, the personification of knowledge. Show us the right path which leads to true knowledge and dharma so that we may attain riches and knowledge in our lives through righteous deeds. Castaway all our ill feelings and sins. May we be ever engrossed in singing your name and meditating upon you.

Dear God, for all your blessings and loving-kindness to us, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts in every way possible. We praise you, we bow before you, and we give you our homage so that we may always remain your humble servants.

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