Give Thanks

Hari OM

'Text-days' are for delving into the words and theory of Advaita Vedanta

To begin the year, a prayer.

As a part of saadhana, it is quite important to have some basic prayers and invocations.  It is not so  much for the words themselves, though in Sanskrit there is certainly power and upliftment attained from correct chanting. Equally, though, there is the matter of ritual. Ritual is only about habit and if we must have a habit, then let it be a positive and purposeful one! Ritual not only gives a sense of physical devotion, but also enhances discipline. One of the purposes of saadhana is to supplant negative vaasana-s with traits of higher vibration and this is one way to do that.

This prayer is one of thanksgiving before meals. "Grace", you may say. If you are in a group which may not subscribe to such thanksgiving, then by all means say it quietly to yourself. The discipline of not eating before acknowledging the food is a good one to develop. It is relatively easy and it can lend to the feeling that you are taking control of your physical being.

Why is this on Text-day and not Workings-day; well technically this is text. Also, this is the first of a new year and it is an interlude prior to moving onto the next longer text. Thirdly, there are other basic prayers which all sadhaks are advised to incorporate and this is one which can be appreciated by all; even if totally new to the concept of spiritual practice. The Devanagiri script is being given because to see the original text decorates the page, even if you cannot read it. The transcriptive text is given as phonetically as possible. [NB there is a standard diacritical methodology for transcription of Sanskrit, however, for purposes of this blog, there is some modification to this standard - see the 'notation' page.]

Please do your best to emulate the sounds per the recording and train your eye to read the transcription. Practice this from today and commit it to memory so that at every snack and meal, you will be able to offer thanks.  The verse is the 24th shloka of fourth अध्याय/adhyaaya (chapter) of श्रीमद भगवद् गीत/Shrimad Bhagavad Giita. Next week, the meaning will be given.

ओम्।

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्।

ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना॥

हरि ओम् श्रि गुरुभ्यो नमः हरि ओम्॥

om.

brahmaarpaNaM brahma havirbrahmaagnau brahmaNaa hutam.

brahmaiva tena gantavyaM brahmakarmasamaadhinaa..

hari om shri gurubhyo namaH hari om..