oṃ bhadraṃ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ | bhadraṃ paśyemākṣabhir yajatrāḥ | sthirair aṅgais tuṣṭuvāṃsas tanūbhiḥ | vyaśema devahitaṃ yad āyuḥ | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||
“Om. May we hear with our ears what is auspicious, O Gods. May we see with our eyes what is auspicious, O worshipful ones. With steady limbs, with bodies strong in praise, may we enjoy the life allotted by the Gods. Om, peace, peace, peace.”
What This Means:
A prayer for the senses to perceive only the good (bhadra). May we hear auspicious things, see auspicious things, and with healthy bodies enjoy the full span of life that the divine has granted us.
Going Deeper:
This prayer sanctifies the senses. Rather than treating body and senses as obstacles, it asks that they serve higher purpose — perceiving bhadra (auspicious, beneficial). "Devahita āyuḥ" (god-given lifespan) suggests accepting our mortal span with grace.
How To Apply This:
Consciously direct your senses toward the good. What you choose to hear and see shapes your mind. Maintain physical health as support for spiritual life. Accept your lifespan as sacred gift.
Key Sanskrit Terms: