Questions tagged [prayer]

For questions about prayer (i.e. [puja]).

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What are the "Ira" flowers?

Verses 693-704 of the Nilamata Purana: A nymph named Ira, employed by Visvavasu, was formerly cursed by Sakra (and) was exiled from the assembly of the gods. She attained the state of being a plant ...
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1 vote
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Is it true we cannot change the minds of the Gods?

Is it true that we cannot change the minds of the Gods, and that we cannot change their plans? I assume it is true that we cannot change them, but I'm asking to see if there are any scriptures or ...
2 votes
3 answers
186 views

Is there any way to fulfill a wish?

I want to know if there is any way to fulfill a wish per Hindu scripture. I've seen people saying on the Internet saying that chanting a certain mantra for a specific number of times (10 times, 108 ...
3 votes
0 answers
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Is flag salutation of temple is equal to Statue (Idol) salutation?

We used to do salutations (Pranama) to god's idol and do prayer front of it in temple. But what if someone unable to go into temple due any reason and do salutation(Pranama) to flag(Dhawja) hoisted ...
2 votes
1 answer
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'White lotus' referred to in sikshastakam

In the sikshastakam, the word karaiva is translated into English as "white lotus". I am curious to know the specific, scientific name of the actual karaiva. It's significant for this: ...
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Is worshipping of devas solely for our own benefit?

It is obvious that devas do not rely on humans, and that worship of devas is solely for human benefit, and not to devas' benefit. We know this, because the devas have enough power to create this world....
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When we worship a deva, what are we worshipping?

When we perform a ritual invoking the name of a deva, are we worshipping the person holding the office of the deva, or the office itself? For example, when we invoke Chandra in a ritual, are we ...
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1 vote
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When is it okay to prostrate?

Which times is it okay to prostrate (lie down on the floor to bow)? Is prostration reserved alone for prayer, or are there other circumstances when it is done?
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3 votes
0 answers
53 views

Worshipping other Gods other than IsthaDeva

Is it okay to pray other Gods other than Istha Deva? My Grandmother used to say that we should pray only one God. What does that purans and scriptures say? Wouldn't the IsthaDeva get angry on ...
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Why was Krishna saving Draupadi removed from Critical Edition?

In KMG version, there is a lengthy prayer by Draupadi calling on Krishna to help her. However it is not in the Critical Edition. Why is that the case ? Do you think Krishna saved Draupadi or somebody ...
5 votes
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What is the procedure for removing "powerful/energetic" materials from home?

If someone brought powerful materials like sri chakra, yantras, and salagramas and kept them in their home. Then they should pray to them with special procedures. If they don't offer special worship ...
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2 votes
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Are the titled prayers/mantras in the Samhita parts of the Vedas self contained?

Are the prayers/mantras in the Samhita parts of the Vedas self-contained or do they flow into each other? I'm mostly asking because the Vedas occasionally say "they said" and since Sanskrit ...
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Can prayers manifest a wish? Is there any significance to prayer according to hinduism

Do prayers hold any real benefit and significance with respect to the karmic functioning of the universe. Can communal prayers i.e. numerous people praying or asking for something manifest a wish?
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What is the unique call to prayer in Sanaatana Dharma?

Sanaatana Dharma says God (Ishwara) is only one. So what is the unique call to prayer in Sanaatana Dharma to praise Ishwara? Just Like Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer Barechu, the Jewish call to ...
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Do the scriptures mention any prayer as a sure shot way to fulfill one's desires in a specified period of time?

If yes, which prayer/ritual is this and how is it performed?
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3 answers
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Does God help only if Punya deposit is available?

There are several incidents in scriptures where God/nature helps immediately in case of any danger or panic situation if one prays for help. I can provide three such examples from Mahabharata: #1: ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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Prayer with Sree Lakshmi Ganapathi instead of Sree Ganapathi and Sree Lakshmi

At home, I am praying with Sree Lakshmi Ganapathi god in idol form instead of praying Sree Ganapathi and Sree Lakshmi goddess in idol form. Is it correct? or is it recommended to keep the idol of Sree ...
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Vedanta and prayer

Is praying, and asking a God for things, useful/beneficial in advaita védanta? Since Isvara is considered to be only conceptually true, and ultimately non-existent, can he really be helpful?
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What does 'Kokanastha' mean here and meaning of shloka?

॥ शनीची प्रार्थना |। कोकणस्थ: पिंगलो ब्रभु: कृष्णो रौद्रौडन्तको यम: । सौरि: शनैश्वरो मन्द: पिप्पलादेन संस्तुतः ॥ १ ॥ नमस्ते कोकणस्थाय पिंगलाय नमोस्तुते। नमस्ते बश्लुरुपाय कृष्णाय च नमोःस्तु ते ॥२॥ I ...
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Is there any scriptural precedent for praying in the second person (using "you")? Is this from outside Hinduism?

In modern times, when people pray, they do it overwhelmingly in the second person. In scriptures, however, the third person (or no person) is overwhelmingly the person the prayers are in, and I have ...
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Are there any deity names that end in -us/ur or -is/ir

See this for reference: https://ubcsanskrit.ca/lesson9/nouns-as-is-us.html I've never com across any and I find it weird.
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While Datta Guru name abusive words in rhythm of word Dutta appears in mind. How should I overcome that? [closed]

I recently started chanting Jai Guru Datta however during chanting words in rhythm of Dutta and which are abusive starts appearing in brain, hence I stopped chanting. What will be effect of such ...
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3 answers
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Mantras, Prayer for Health?

Are there any Mantra, prayer for Good Health of Eyes, Ear, Body_Parts, overall good-health, good nutrition of Body.. I tried to search, but all I could find was Mantras for Long life.. What is the ...
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How different is a mantra from a prayer?

Whenever we try to think of God, mantra, prayer etc are the things which come to our mind. I was trying to understand how is a mantra different than a normal prayer ? If we consider a mantra it is ...
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Prayer for Kala(time) or God of Time? [duplicate]

Who is God of Time, and any Mantra or Prayer related to Time aspect.. or for God of Time
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5 votes
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Prayer for Trideva along with Tridevi?

Prayer for Trideva along with Tridevi: गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः । गुरुःसाक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नम: ॥ This Prayer, Mantra has Trideva only, any verse which has both ...
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2 votes
1 answer
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Prayer on Kala(time) and Savitar(speed)?

Who is God of Time, and any Mantra or Prayer, stotra anything related to Time aspect.. or for God of Time or Kala and Savitar (god of speed) Kala Bhairava is manifestation of Shiva in the form of ...
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3 votes
1 answer
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Is yoga the only way to experience the divine? [closed]

We see there are many different paths of worship, people worship kuldevi, kuldevta, brahma , vishnu, mahesh, durga etc. and there are different vrat and prayers, mantras associated with each of them, ...
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3 answers
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What is the best shloka for worship of Surya Deva?

I look for a shloka that I can chant throughout the day, for worship of Surya Deva (Aditya Hridayam is too long). Can someone recommend any?
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1 answer
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Direction of our devotional prayers

Are indicated specific directions for our devotional prayers? For example N,S,W,E? what about Vishnu or Shiva or Devi practice? Thank you.
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1 answer
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Maa Tara Tarapith prayers and chants in Sanskrit

i would like to ask if someone knows some chants or prayers to worship Tarapith Maa Tara , if possible transliterated into english (not translated). Thank you in advance
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3 votes
1 answer
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Proper response when we pray, but outcomes are negative?

What is the proper response/behavior of someone who prays with fervor, but for whom outcomes are negative? For example: Praying for someone else’s good health. Praying success in life events. Let’s ...
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On the existence of the gods and the relevance of prayer [duplicate]

I am a European philosophically convinced by Hindu metaphysics (more particularly by advaita vedanta in the tradition of Adi Shankara that I discovered via René Guénon). I say this to explain that I ...
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How to pray to Brahman?

How do I pray to Bhraman to help me achieve unification with Him? I want to know how to meditate on Him. I want to achieve liberation. I want to end my desires.
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2 votes
2 answers
219 views

How do mantras works?

I am practicing the mantra "om namo vagawate rudrays" this days, but although i feel the peace inside after chanting them for few minutes like 15-20 minutes with full devotion. My mind keeps asking ...
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2 answers
119 views

Does she/he should leave noble/Good works or stop praying God because there is no output in doing noble/good works and praying the God?

Sometimes when you prayed something to God, like please make my life successful, but its doesn't happen even after praying for long time. My question is that does she/he should leave noble/Good ...
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0 answers
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How is praying different from begging?

Beggars always ask for something without giving any goods or services in return. Thats why they are often despised. However, when we pray to God, we often make requests without giving anything in ...
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2 votes
0 answers
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How to have faith and devotion again?

I have become attached to all forbidden things rather than praying and worshiping. How do I free myself of all hindrances to my faith and devotion?
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Way of offering prayer to the Supreme [closed]

I heard sadhguru saying in a video that in our religion we pray for specific things through bhagwan like saraswati devi for vidya and gyan, durga devi for victory, courage, .... My question is: Do we ...
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4 votes
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What is the foundation behind the concept of prayer in Hinduism?

Prayer is an important concept in Hinduism. Most hindus do it. But we also believe that everything we do should have its foundations in the scriptures. So my question is, does the concept of prayer ...
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Which gods are Vaishnavas allowed to pray to or worship?

Vaishnavas believe that Lord Vishnu is supreme hence they are discouraged from worshipping other gods like Lord Shiva, Ganesha, etc. But what about the associates of Vishnu like Sudarshana chakra, ...
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Are there any references to simple prayers to Lord Vishnu in the scriptures? [closed]

I don't mean recitation of vedas, mantras, japas or even stotrams, or even any rituals. I mean simple prayers in your own words in any language such as english, such as "Please help me with xyz." or "...
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1 answer
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What is the difference between prayer and worship?

Since my sanskrit knowledge is very limited, I generally read the english translations. Here I often find words like 'prayer', and 'worship'. Is there any difference in their meaning?
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1 answer
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While praying to Lord Narayana, is it necessary to pray aloud, or can we pray silently through our thoughts? [duplicate]

I'm referring to simple prayers, for eg. 'I should do well in exams' or 'Please save me from difficulty'.
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8 votes
1 answer
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Why oil is offered to Lord Hanuman on Saturday?

If you visit Hanuman temple especially on Saturdays, we see a number of devotees offer oil (especially gingili oil). Why oil is offered to Lord Hanuman
2 votes
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Cloth, flower along with Kalash falling from the altar during Ganesha Puja - is this a good or bad omen? [closed]

When I was worshiping Lord Ganesha I offered him cloth that is dhoti and flowers ..after I finished my aarti the cloths and flower just fell off which eventually led the Kalash to fall ..is this a bad ...
8 votes
2 answers
6k views

Why do we use bananas and coconuts as offerings while praying?

As I saw from my childhood while doing prayer we use banana/coconut as one of the puja ingredients. Why do we use these particular fruits rather than others? Why do we give special importance to them?...
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8 votes
1 answer
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How did Ashwatthama pray to and invoke Lord Shiva on the last night of the war?

As I discuss in my answer here, Lord Mahadeva entered inside Ashwatthama and Ashwatthama did mass destruction after that: Having said these words unto the high-souled Ashvatthama, the divine ...
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Does listening to Hanuman Chalisa every day give the same benefits as chanting the Hanuman Chalisa? [duplicate]

Does listening to Hanuman Chalisa every day give the same benefits as chanting the Hanuman Chalisa?
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Does praying to God help attain that which is not present in our destiny

Can praying to god/deity help a person attain something if that is not present in their Destiny/Prarabdha? If it is not present in your destiny/prarabdha and you pray for it like you really want it, ...