| Hindu Prayers |
| I am OM
I am the taste of living waters and the light of the sun and the moon. I am OM, the sacred word of the Vedas, sound in silence, heroism in men... I am the pure fragrance that comes from the earth and the brightness of fire I am. I am the life of all living beings... (7:8-9) ... I am the sacrifice and the offering, the sacred gift and the sacred plant. I am the holy words, the holy food, the holy fire, and the offering that is made in the fire. I am the father of this Universe, and even the source of the father. I am the mother of this Universe, and the creator of all... I am the Way and the master who watches in silence; thy friend and thy shelter and thy abode of peace. I am the beginning and the middle and the end of all things... The heat of the sun comes from me, and I send and withhold the rain. I am life immortal and death; I am what is and I am what is not. (9:16-19) [Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita] Om or Aum is a sacred symbol and sound of Hinduism. It means oneness with the Almighty, merging the physical and spiritual. Om is the sound from which all others eminate. It is the beginning and end of every mantra. Om is the beginning and end of all things. |
| Peace, Peace, Peace Be Unto All!
(Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi) You are omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. You are in everything and nothing is beyond you. You are our Mother and Father and we are all your children. Whatever you do is for our good. You are the ocean of mercy and you forgive our errors. You are our teacher and you guide us unto righteousness. Today, in this great hall, are assembled the elected representatives of the people of this Nation. They are ready to perform their duties. God, please guide them in their thoughts and actions so they can achieve the greatest good for all. We end this invocation with a prayer from the ancient scriptures of India: May all be happy May all be free from disease May all realize what is good May none be subject to misery Peace, Peace, Peace Be Unto All! -Venkatachalapathi Samuldrala First Hindu priest ever to give the opening prayer in the US Congress,Sept 14, 2000 |
| Prayer for Forgiveness From Yajur Veda
Whatever sins have been committed by me, in thought, word or deed, may the Supreme Lord, the source of all strength, wisdom and purity, forgive me and purify me of them all. May my body become pure. May I be free from impurity and sin. May I realize myself as the light divine. May my mind become ever pure. May my self become pure. May I realize my self as the light divine. |
| Prayer for the Unity of All Life
May the winds, the oceans, the herbs, and night and days, the mother earth, the father heaven, all vegetation, the sun, be all sweet to us. Let us follow the path of goodness for all times, like the sun and the moon moving eternally in the sky. Let us be charitable to one another. Let us not kill or be violent with one another. Let us know and appreciate the points of view of others. And let us unite. May the God who is friendly, benevolent, all-encompassing, measurer of everything, the sovereign, the lord of speech, may He shower His blessings on us.... Oh Lord, remove my indiscretion and arrogance, control my mind. Put an end to the snare of endless desires. Broaden the sphere of compassion and help me to cross the ocean of existence. |