Sacred Learning
Karāgre vasate lakṣmīḥ
Public dawn verse (anon. traditional household).
Public dawn verse (anon. traditional household).
Canonical source text
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये सरस्वती । करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥
IAST transliteration
Close translation
Lakṣmī dwells at the fingertips, Sarasvatī in the middle of the hand, Govinda at the root. In the morning, the seeing of the hands.
Reader-friendly meaning
A dawn custom: before work, see one’s own hands as the seat of Śrī, of Vāṇī, and of the Lord.
Meenananda editorial explanation
This is smārta house-speech, and it is dear. The house that wakes with this śloka remembers that labour, learning, and the Lord meet in the palm. At the Ashram the day begins with that seeing. For a deeper reading of this mantra, a personal rhythm of japa, or the path of diksha, please contact Meenananda Ashram.
Practice context
On waking, look at the palms, then rise. Ask the Ashram for a fuller morning sequence.
Word meanings
- कराग्रे — at the fingertip
- करदर्शनम् — looking at the hands
Anonymous public dawn verse; not claimed as śruti. Sanskrit: public domain. Foundation translations: CC BY-SA 4.0.