Kayena Vacha Manasendriyair Va (Narayana Surrender Verse) — Word-by-Word Meaning
कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
कायेन
kāyena
with the body
वाचा
vācā
with speech
मनसा
manasā
with the mind
इन्द्रियैः
indriyaiḥ
with the senses
वा
vā
or
बुद्ध्या
buddhyā
with the intellect
आत्मना
ātmanā
with the self / soul
प्रकृतेः स्वभावात्
prakṛteḥ svabhāvāt
by the natural tendencies of material nature
करोमि
karomi
I do / I perform
यद्यत्
yad yat
whatever, all that
सकलम्
sakalam
everything, in its entirety
परस्मै
parasmai
unto the Supreme
नारायणाय
nārāyaṇāya
unto Lord Narayana
इति
iti
thus (saying)
समर्पयामि
samarpayāmi
I offer / I dedicate
Complete Translation
Whatever I do with my body, speech, mind or senses, with my intellect or soul, or simply by the natural impulses of material nature — all of it, in its entirety, I offer unto the Supreme Lord Narayana.
Origin & History
Source: Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Canto 11, Chapter 2, Verse 36
Author: Veda Vyasa (spoken by the Yogendra Karabhajana / the sages to King Nimi)
Period: Puranic
In the eleventh canto of the Srimad Bhagavata, King Nimi questions the nine great sages known as the Nava-Yogendras, sons of Rishabhadeva, about the path of devotion. Among their teachings on bhagavata-dharma comes this verse, prescribing total dedication of all one's faculties and deeds to Narayana. Over the centuries it became the standard verse of self-surrender across Vaishnava sampradayas and is among the most widely chanted closing prayers in Hindu worship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Kayena vacha come from?▼
It appears in the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Canto 11, Chapter 2, Verse 36, spoken in the discourse of the nine Yogendras (sons of Rishabhadeva) to King Nimi about pure devotional service and surrender to Narayana.
When is this verse chanted?▼
It is most often recited at the conclusion of worship, work, japa, study, or a meal, as a way of dedicating everything one has done to Lord Narayana. It is also a common closing verse for daily prayers.
What is the spiritual meaning of offering everything to Narayana?▼
By offering all actions to the Lord, the devotee renounces the sense of being the independent doer. This dissolves ego and attachment to results, turning all of life into a continuous act of devotion (karma-yoga and atma-nivedana).
Can it be chanted by anyone?▼
Yes. It is a universal verse of surrender requiring no special initiation. Anyone of any background may recite it with sincerity to dedicate their deeds to God.
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