Each day brings a wave of hope and an opportunity to lead a purposeful life. The day presents an opportunity to press the reset button on all the undesirable things of the past. It is an opportunity to build upon our strengths for a peaceful present.
The wakeful life blooms in this physical body each morning.
The Upanishads call this wakeful state taijasa, a conscious life filled with light. We should wake up each morning with an attitude of gratitude, confidence, and faith.
How? First thing in the morning, while you are still in bed, look at your palms and chant the sloka below:
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये विज्ञान: ।
करमूले गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥
Kara-Agre Vasate Lakshmi, Kara-Madhye Vijnana |
Kara-Muule Govindah Prabhaate Kara-Darshanam ||
Meaning: At the top of my palm dwells auspiciousness (attributes represented in the form of a mother – Lakshmi). In the middle dwells intelligent knowledge (vijnana). Sustaining this entire universe is the supreme, Govinda also called Krishna or Narayana.
When all qualities and auspiciousness are within me (kara darshanam) why should I fear?
Let me wake up with faith and confidence.
Variations:
- You can chant the mantra Om kleem krishnaya govindaya gopi jana vallabhaya. (I offer oblations unto Krishna, the beloved of the devotees like me)
- You can also visualize the image of your choicest deity
- You can also visualize the picture or face of your parents
- Take a few minutes to stretch your body. Express gratitude to the body for supporting you to execute a purposeful life. Do it through a simple “thank you.”
Preferably Avoid:
- Physical pictures or images of deities in your bedroom.
The waking up discipline described above is a recommended practice and is in the category of abhigamana (mental cleansing)
(sanskrit phrases in italics)