Shloka/ Shlok/ Shlokam in sanskrit means a verse, hymn in praise of or a proverb. They are usually two lined verses or a collection of such individual verses are then called as stotrams. Shlokam form a part of Hindu prayers. Following Shlokams were taught to me by my grandmother as a kid. They are the most common verses sung in every Indian homes. While teaching I realized that children were excited to act out the shlokams they chanted every day. It was in the dance class that they learnt what these verses meant , because I had to explain them every gesture that we put together. Now their prayer time was much more meaningful, as they surprised their parents with the meaning.
Watch the video for the demonstrations.
The above video demonstrates the following shlokas:-
Saraswati:
Saraswati Namas thubyam
varade kama roopini
Vidya-rambham karishyami
Shiddhir bhavatumay sada
Meaning
Hey Goddess Saraswati, my humble prostrations to you,
Who is an embodiment of all wishes
Remembering you I begin my studies
so that your grace and blessings shall bring success always.
Ganesha:
Shuklam Bharadharam Vishnum,
Shashi varnam chatur bhujam,
prasanna vadanam dhyayet
sarva vighnopa shantayet,
Meaning :
one who wears a white garment; One who is everywhere
one who has the complexion like the moon; who has four arms
Who has a pleasant smiling countenane; one should meditate upon
in order to remove all obstacles
Vishnu:
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam
Padmanabham suresham
vishvadharam gaganasadrasham
meghavarnam shubhangam
lakshmi kantam kamala nayanam
yogi bhir gnyana gamyam
vande vishnum bhavabhaya haram
sarva lokaykanatham
Meaning:
I bow to Lord Vishnu the One Master of the Universe, who is ever peaceful, who reclines on the great serpent bed, from whose navel springs the Lotus of the Creative Power, who is the Supreme Being, who supports the entire universe, who is all-pervading as the sky, who is dark like the clouds and has a beautiful form; the Lord of Lakshmi, the lotus-eyed One, whom the yogis are able to perceive through meditation, He, who is the destroyer of the fear of Samsar
Guru:
Gurur Brahma gurur vishnum
gurur devo maheshwaraha
guru sakshat parabrhma
tasmai shree gurave namaha
Meaning:
Oh teacher , I see you as Brahma, Teacher I see you as Vishnu, Hey Guru I see you as Mahesh(Shiva). You are the lord of Lords, I bow unto thee.
hello, madam.thanks for the above shlokam,they are very helpful.
Hi, Anjali
the explanation of the shlokams are very clear and beautiful. It would be rearly helpful for those who practice bharathanatyam.
Anjali Ji,
They say whatever you lean, from whom your learn—even in his/her presence—still that one should be given full respect and devotion. Like Eklavya gave to his guru Dronacharya ji. I am learning from you—through your website.
I offer the flowers of my devotion to thy (my Guru’s) lotus feet.
Aparajita
presence or absence—-this is what I meant in my previous email.
Pranaam
hi,mam. thanks for every shlokam. these are very helpful. can you attach with this nanthikeswar sthuthi also.
@vijitha, if possible send a link of the audio. Will try to work on it.
it’s really very helpful for us to learn and rather to improve….
and the videos of adavus and shlokas are very nice…
it is nice and use to known meanings for slogams
Mam can you teach my children shlokas through Skype