Shubham Karoti Kalyanam — Evening Lamp Prayer — Word-by-Word Meaning
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् — दीप प्रार्थना
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
शुभं करोति कल्याणम्
Shubham karoti kalyanam
(The lamp) brings auspiciousness and well-being
आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा
Arogyam dhanasampada
health, and wealth & prosperity
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय
Shatrubuddhivinashaya
for the destruction of hostile (negative) intellect
दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते
Deepajyotir namostu te
O light of the lamp, salutations to you
Complete Translation
You bring auspiciousness, well-being, health and prosperity, and destroy hostile thoughts; O light of the lamp, salutations to you.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional deepa-darshana (evening lamp) shloka
Author: Traditional
Period: Classical
This is the verse with which Hindu households traditionally light the evening lamp. As dusk falls, the lamp is lit before the shrine or the tulsi and saluted as Deepa Jyoti — the light that brings auspiciousness, health and wealth and drives away negativity. Together with the morning kara-darshan, it frames the day in devotion: light welcomed at dawn in the palms, and at dusk in the flame.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Shubham Karoti recited?▼
It is recited at dusk while lighting the evening lamp (sandhya deepa) before the household shrine — the traditional evening counterpart to the morning prayer. It welcomes light, auspiciousness and prosperity into the home as night falls.
What does Shubham Karoti Kalyanam mean?▼
It means: 'You bring auspiciousness, well-being, health and prosperity, and destroy hostile intellect; O light of the lamp, salutations to you.' The lamp's flame is revered as a form of the divine that drives away darkness and negativity.
Why is the lamp worshipped?▼
Light (jyoti) is honoured in Sanatana Dharma as a symbol of knowledge, purity and the divine presence (Deepa Lakshmi). Lighting and saluting the lamp at dusk invites prosperity and dispels both outer darkness and inner ignorance.
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