Vlog: Prarthana shlokas

A shloka is a rhythmic verse recited as a prayer or as part of a meditative process.  A mantra is a phrase like a formula that is repeated to invoke spiritual fervour.  A stuti or stotra is a collection of shlokas recited as a eulogy of ishta devta (chosen deity). 
My daughter and I are students of Sanskrit through shlokabhyasa (shloka classes).  With the blessings of our Guruji, we humbly present to you mantras/shlokas/stotras that we have learnt. 
In this video prarthana (prayer) shlokas are presented that are recited at the beginning and end of shlokabhyasa:

https://youtu.be/DdtYz01xjOc




The meaning of each of the shloka presented in the video is given below:


Gurure vagatihi Gurume vabhaje Gurunaiva sahasmi namo Gurave Na Guror paramam shishurasmi Guroho Mati rasti Gurau mama pahi Gurau
Guru is my refuge, I pray to GuruI prostrate in front of my Guru, I chant Guru’s nameI am an immature child without my GuruI beseech Guru to save me from my ignorance


Agajanana padmarkam Gajananam aharnisham Anekadamtam bhatkanam Ekadantam upasmahe
Just as lotus blooms in sunlightGoddess Parvathi’s face lit up looking at GaneshaThe giver of boons to devoteesI meditate upon the Lord with single tusk


Vakratunda mahakaya Kotisurya samaprabha Avighnam Kurume deva Sarva karyeshu sarvada
O Lord of the curved trunk and great bodyOne with the effulgence of a crore sunsAlways remove all the obstaclesFrom all the tasks I undertake


Saraswathi namastubhyam varade kamarupini Vidyarambham karishyami siddhir bhavatu me sada
Salutations to Goddess Saraswathi, who bestows boonsAs I commence my studies, bless me with accomplishments


Namaste sharade devi kashmira puravasini Tvamaham prarthaye nityam vidyam-buddhimcha dehi me
I bow to you Goddess Sharada (Saraswathi) whose abode is KashmiraI pray to you ever that you may bestow upon me knowledge and wisdom


Hayagriva Hayagriva hayagriveti yo vadet Tasya nihsarate vani jahnu kanyapravahavat
Upon repeated chanting of the name of Hayagriva (avatar of Lord Vishnu)One’s speech flows mellifluously as the sacred Ganga


Asadhya sadhaka swamin asadhyam tava kim vada Ramadhuta dayasindho matkaryam sadhayaprabho
O accomplisher of impossible tasks, truly what is impossible to you?O benevolent emissary of Lord Rama, make my task possible to accomplish


Asatoma sadgamaya Tamasoma jyotirgamaya Mrityorma amrutangamaya Om shantih shantih shantihi
O Lord, take me from lies to truthTake me from darkness to lightTake me from death to immortalityLet there be peace, peace, peace


Kalevarshatu parjanyaha Prithavi sasyshalinim Deshoyam kshobharahitam Sajjana santu nirbhayaha
May there be timely monsoonsMay the Earth be green and productiveMay the land be free of all problemsMay the good citizens and sages be fearless


Sarve janah sukhino bhavantu Samasta sanmangalani bhavantu Om shantih shantih shantihi
May all be happyMay everything be auspiciousMay there be peace, peace, peace


As can be gleaned from the meaning of shlokas presented, Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) recognizes the importance of satya (truth), dharma (righteousness), personal development, wisdom, oneness of all humanity, and the welfare of all living beings.  
We hope that this presentation will help you in your own learning of mantras, shlokas, stotras and Sanatana Dharma.   































Resources & references:
Background music: The Inner Sound, Jesse Gallagher
Pictures:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
Meanings:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaiak...