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Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer

Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 1× repetitions·🕐 On waking, at dawn (Brahma Muhurat), before getting out of bed·📜 Traditional prati-smarana (morning remembrance) shloka
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Origin & Story

Traditional prati-smarana (morning remembrance) shloka · Traditional · Classical

This is the classic 'kara-darshana' verse with which Hindus traditionally begin the day — gazing upon their own palms on waking and invoking Lakshmi, Saraswati and Govinda as dwelling within them. It expresses a beautiful idea: that fortune, knowledge and the divine are not far away but present in one's own hands and the work they will do, and so the whole day is begun in gratitude and reverence.

As told in scripture

It is said that one who begins each day beholding the palms with this verse never wants for fortune or wisdom — for they have placed the very first act of the day in the hands of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Govinda.

The Mantra

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Karagre vasate lakshmih karamadhye saraswati Karamoole tu govindah prabhate karadarshanam

Meaning:At the tip of the hands dwells Lakshmi (fortune); in the middle resides Saraswati (learning); at the base is Govinda (Vishnu). Therefore, at dawn one should look upon one's palms.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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Karagre vasate lakshmih🔊At the tip of the hand dwells Lakshmi (goddess of fortune)
Karamadhye saraswati🔊In the middle of the hand resides Saraswati (goddess of learning)
Karamoole tu govindah🔊At the base of the hand is Govinda (Vishnu)
Prabhate karadarshanam🔊Therefore at dawn one should behold one's own palms

Benefits of Chanting Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer

The traditional first prayer on waking — recited while still in bed, looking at one's palms, before the feet touch the ground.

Invokes Lakshmi (fortune), Saraswati (knowledge) and Govinda/Vishnu (protection) as present in one's own hands, sanctifying the day's work from its very first moment.

Cultivates gratitude and the awareness that the divine is present in one's own effort and action.

Followed by Samudra-vasane Devi (a prayer to Mother Earth) before stepping down — together they begin the day with reverence.

Short, simple and among the first prayers taught to Hindu children.

How to Chant Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer

Repetitions1times
Best TimeOn waking, at dawn (Brahma Muhurat), before getting out of bed
FaceAny

On waking, before rising, gently fold and then open both palms, gaze at them and recite the verse — remembering that Lakshmi, Saraswati and Govinda reside in the hand whose work will shape the day. It is traditionally followed by 'Samudra-vasane Devi…', a prayer asking Mother Earth's pardon before the feet touch the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.
Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.
It means: 'At the tip of the hands dwells Lakshmi, in the middle Saraswati, and at the base Govinda (Vishnu); therefore at dawn one should look at one's palms.' Recited on waking, it teaches that fortune, knowledge and divine grace reside in one's own hands and effort.
It is the very first prayer of the day, recited while still in bed before rising — you look at your open palms as you chant. It is traditionally followed by the prayer to Mother Earth (Samudra-vasane Devi…) before stepping onto the ground.
The palms represent the instrument of all action through the day. Beholding them at dawn with this verse consecrates one's work and reminds the devotee that Lakshmi, Saraswati and Vishnu — fortune, wisdom and grace — act through one's own hands.

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Read the full Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer with verse-by-verse meaning, or explore more sacred texts