Gems of Prayers
by Swami Sivananda
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Book Code: ES26
Paperback: 143 pages
ISBN: 81-7052-124-6
Book Dimensions: 7.0 x 4.7 x 0.30 inches
Shipping Weight: 150 grams
Table of Contents
| About This Book (Back Cover) | |
| Dedication | 5 |
| Letter | 6 |
| Introduction | 7 |
|
Section I |
|
| 1. Prayer of a Saint | 17 |
| 2. Prayer to Gayatri | 18 |
| 3. Prayer for Success | 19 |
| 4. Prayer for Prosperity | 20 |
| 5. Prayer for an Offspring | 21 |
| 6. Prayer for Averting Accidental Deaths | 22 |
| 7. Prayer for Relief in Scorpion Sting | 23 |
| 8. Prayer for Good Intellect (A & B) | 24 |
| 9. Prayer for All (A & B) | 26 |
| 10. Hindi Prayer | 28 |
|
Section II |
|
| 1. Common Prayer-I, II | 29 |
| 2. Prayer for World Peace | 32 |
| 3. Universal Prayer | 34 |
| 4. Prayer to Mother | 36 |
| 5. Prayer to the Sun | 39 |
| 6. Prayer to Panduranga | 41 |
| 7. Prayer to Lord Krishna-I, II, III | 42 |
| 8. Prayer to Rama-I, II | 46 |
| 9. Prayer to Kundalini | 49 |
| 10. Prayer of a Bhakta-I, II, III, IV, V, VI | 51 |
| 11. Prayer of a Sadhaka-I, II, III, IV | 59 |
| 12. Prayer to the Guru | 62 |
| 13. Prayer of a Karma Yogin | 64 |
| 14. Prayer from an Afflicted Soul | 66 |
| 15. Prayer of a Vedantin | 68 |
| 16. Prayer to the Lord of Kailas-I, II | 70 |
| 17. Prayer for Health | 73 |
|
Section III |
|
| 1. Vedic Prayer | 75 |
| 2. Santi Prayer | 79 |
| 3. Upanishadic Prayer | 81 |
| 4. Arjuna’s Prayer | 85 |
| 5. Prayer to the Supreme | 89 |
| 6. Prayer from Anandalahari | 91 |
| 7. Prayer to Lord Siva | 95 |
| 8. Prayer from the Puranas | 97 |
| 9. Prayer from Bhagavata | 100 |
| 10. Prayer from Ramayana | 102 |
| 11. Prayer from Mahabharata | 104 |
| 12. Prayer of the Gods | 107 |
| 13. Prahlada’s Prayer | 110 |
| 14. Draupadi’s Prayer–I, II | 113 |
| 15. Devaki’s Prayer | 115 |
| 16. Kausalya’s Prayer | 117 |
| 17. Kunti’s Prayer | 119 |
| 18. Prayer of Tulasidas | 121 |
| 19. Prayer of Ramalingaswami | 122 |
| 20. Gauranga’s Prayer | 123 |
| 21. Prayer of a Boy | 124 |
|
Section IV |
|
| 1. Prayer of the Hindus | 126 |
| 2. Prayer of the Zoroastrians | 128 |
| 3. Prayer of the Jains | 129 |
| 4. Prayer of the Hebrews | 131 |
| 5. Prayer of the Buddhists | 132 |
| 6. Prayer of the Christians | 134 |
| 7. Prayer of the Mohammedans | 136 |
| 8. Prayer of the Sikhs | 137 |
| 9. Prayer as per St. Matthews | 138 |
| 10. Gleanings | 139 |
About This Book
Prayer is the effort of man to commune with the Lord. Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. Prayer elevates the mind. It fills the mind with purity. It is associated with the praise of God.
When we pray, we are in tune with the Infinite, we link ourselves with the inexhaustible cosmic powerhouse of energy and thus draw power, energy, light and strength from him.
Even when the medical board has pronounced a case to be hopeless, Prayer comes to the rescue and the patient is miraculously cured.
He who prays regularly has already started the spiritual journey towards the domain of everlasting peace and perennial joy.
Do not pray for the attainment of any selfish ends or mundane gifts. Pray for His mercy. Pray for divine light, purity and spiritual guidance, and thus prayer will generate good spiritual currents and will produce tranquility of the mind.
Dedication
Om
Dedicated
as a humble offering
to
the struggling Aspirants
in the spiritual path
and
the striving pilgrims on the
way to God-realisation
Om
Letter
“ANANDA KUTIR”
RISHIKESH
ॐ
17th July 1943
Beloved aspirants,
There is a mysterious power in prayer. Prayer can work wonders. It can move mountains. It should come from the bottom of your heart with feeling.
Hold on to prayer, no matter how numerous the temptations and difficulties that assail thee may be. Thou shalt build an impregnable fortress by prayer.
Prayer is thy refuge and sheet anchor.
Sivananda
INTRODUCTION
POWER OF PRAYER
Prayer is the effort of man to commune with the Lord. Prayer is a mighty spiritual force. It is as real as the force of gravity or attraction.
Prayer elevates the mind. It fills the mind with purity. It is associated with the praise of God. It keeps the mind in tune with God. Prayer can reach a realm where reason dares not enter–it can take you to the spiritual Realm or Kingdom of God. It frees the devotee from the fear of death. It brings him nearer to God and makes him feel his essential, immortal and blissful nature.
The power of Prayer is indescribable. Its glory is ineffable. Sincere devotees only realise its usefulness and splendour. It should be done with reverence, faith, Nishkamya Bhava (without expectation of fruits) and with a heart wet with devotion. Do not argue about the efficacy of Prayer. You will be deluded. There is no arguing in spiritual matters. Intellect is a finite and frail instrument. Do not trust this intellect. Remove now the darkness of your ignorance through the light of Prayer.
Draupadi prayed fervently; Lord Krishna ran from Dwaraka to relieve her distress. Gajendra prayed ardently; Lord Hari marched with His disc to protect him. It was the Prayer of Prahlada that rendered cool the boiling oil when it was poured over his head. It was the power of Prayer of Mira that converted the bed of nails into a bed of roses; cobra into a flower garland.
When you pray, you are in tune with the Infinite, you link yourself with the inexhaustible cosmic powerhouse of energy (Hiranyagarbha) and thus draw power, energy, light and strength from Him.
Prayer does not demand high intelligence or eloquence. God wants your heart when you pray. Even a few words from a humble, pure soul–though illiterate–will appeal to the Lord more than the eloquent, flowing words of an orator or a Pundit.
Even when the medical board has pronounced a case to be hopeless, Prayer comes to the rescue and the patient is miraculously cured. There have been many instances of this description. You might know this. Healing by Prayer is really miraculous and mysterious.
He who prays regularly has already started the spiritual journey towards the domain of everlasting peace and perennial joy. That man who does not pray lives in vain.
Prayer has tremendous influence. I have many experiences. If the Prayer is sincere and if it proceeds from the bottom of your heart (Antarika), it will at once melt the heart of the Lord.
Do not pray for the attainment of any selfish ends or mundane gifts. Pray for His mercy. Pray for divine light, purity and spiritual guidance. Pray constantly, “O Lord, let me remember Thee at all times. Let my mind be fixed at Thy lotus feet. Remove my evil habits.”
Prayer generates good spiritual currents and produces tranquillity of the mind. If you pray regularly, your life will be gradually changed and moulded. Prayer must become habitual. If Prayer becomes a habit with you, you will feel as if you cannot live without It.
Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can work miracles. Pray even once from the bottom of your heart: “O Lord, I am Thine. Thy will be done. Have mercy on me. I am Thy servant. Forgive. Guide. Protect. Enlighten. Thrahi mam. Prachodayat.” Have a meek, receptive attitude of mind. Cultivate Bhava in your heart. The prayer is at once heard and responded. Do this in the daily battle of life and realise yourself the high efficacy of Prayer. You must have strong Astikya Buddhi (strong conviction in the existence of God).
Do not pray to the Lord with selfish motives. Never pray: “O Lord, let me become rich. Let me have many children, cattle and property. Let my enemies perish. Let me enjoy in heaven for a long time.” Never, never pray like this. Never bargain with the Lord. Lord Himself knows all your needs before you think of asking them. He is the Indweller, Antaryamin. He feeds and clothes the entire universe. Will He ever forget thee?
Christians have different prayers for getting various gifts and bounties from God. Muslims and all other religionists have daily prayers at sunrise, noon, sunset, just before retiring to bed, and just before taking food. Prayer is the beginning of Yoga. Prayer is the first important Anga or limb of Yoga. Preliminary, spiritual Sadhana (spiritual practice) is Prayer.
A Yogi can actually visualise, through his inner eye, the dynamic and beneficial effects produced on the mind and body by Prayer. Pray to God unselfishly and sincerely. You will get devotion, purity, light and divine knowledge.
Get up in the early morning and repeat some Prayer. Pray in any manner you like. Become as simple as a child. Open freely the chambers of your heart. Discard cunningness or crookedness. You will get everything. Sincere Bhaktas know pretty well about the high efficacy of Prayer. Narada Muni is still praying. Nama Dev prayed and Vittal came out of the image to eat his food. Ekanath prayed and Lord Hari showed His form with four hands. Mira prayed and Lord Krishna served her like a servant. Damaji prayed and Lord Krishna played the part of a menial in paying his dues to the Badshah. What more do you want? Pray fervently, right now from this very second.
May you all attain immortality through unselfish and sincere Prayers offered to the Lord in the early morning hours! May Prayer become part and parcel of your very existence! May the inner eye of intuition be opened in you through Prayer!!
Om Santi! Santi!! Santi!!!
Vyasa Pooja, 1943.
Ashadha Poornima
17.7.1943.
Sivananda
SECTION I
Please take note that the print edition does not have the transliteration.
सर्व भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्व सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्व भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥
sarva bhavantu sukhinaḥ sarva santu nirāmayāḥ |
sarva bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścit duḥkha bhāgbhavet ||
May all become happy. Let no one be afflicted by
diseases. May everyone come across auspicious things.
Let no one be subject to pain, miseries and afflictions.
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः॥
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि॥
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
om bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ ||
tatsaviturvareṇyaṁ bhargo devasya dhīmahi ||
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
Let us meditate on Isvara and His glory, who has
created this universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is
the remover of all sins and ignorance. May He enlighten
our intellect!
कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिन् भक्तानामभयंकर।
गोविन्द परमानन्द सर्वं मे वशमानय॥
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāyogin bhaktānāmabhayaṁkara |
govinda paramānanda sarvaṁ me vaśamānaya ||
O Krishna! O Krishna! Thou art the Yogi of Yogis.
Thou bestoweth fearlessness on Thy devotees. O
Govinda! Thou art the giver of Supreme Bliss. Bring
everything in my favour.