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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Shlokas for Kids series: Shubham karoti

Wishing you and your families a very joyful and prosperous Deepawali! As the festival of lights draws to a close this year, I thought a shloka on light would be appropriate! Light has always been a metaphor for more positive aspects such as knowledge and hope and as a result anything that provides us with that life giving, affirming light is also to be revered and cultivated. (Conversely, darkness has been a metaphor for ignorance, for destructive and harmful intent.)
The following shloka is again a simple one and can be easily taught to kids. Traditionally, this shloka was recited in the evenings when lamps were lit against the encroaching darkness.

diwali-lights-3

                                                                    img source : http://dailyimagebuzz.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-diwali-light-up-your-life.html

Sanskrit:
शुभम् करोति कल्याणाम् आरोग्यम् धन सम्पदम्  ।
शत्रु बुद्धि विनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोस्तुते ॥

Kannada:
ಶುಭಂ ಕರೋತಿ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಂ ಆರೋಗ್ಯಂ ಧನ ಸಂಪದಂ ।
ಶತ್ರು ಬುದ್ಧಿ ವಿನಾಶಾಯ ದೀಪಜೋತಿರ್ನಮೊಸ್ತುತೆ ।।

English:
Shubham karoti kalyaaNam aarogyam dhana sampadam |
shatru buddhi vinaashaaya deepajyotirnamostute ||


Meaning:
(I pay obeisance to the light of the lamp) that brings auspiciousness, well being (or health) and wealth
and destroys harmful and damaging feelings.

Notes: The only phrase that might present a stumbling block for kids is the last one which can be broken down as - deepaha ( दीपः )  jyotihi ( ज्योतिः ) namostute ( नमोस्तुते ).

There is plenty in the world and all around us to instill fear, pessimism or despair in us. But conversely, there is even more to inspire hope, joy and eternal optimism, one of which is your family and loved ones. So gather them around you and celebrate all that is well in your life!
Happy Diwali!! 

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