On Hinduism

The words bhakti (devotion), bhagavan (god), bhakta (devotee) and bhajan (devotional song) all share the Sanskrit root “bhaj”, which means sharing and participation. The root connotes intense devotion by emphasizing personal experience, relationship, emotional engagement, and expression. A spiritual aspirant feels deep love, or “bhakti,” towards the Divine.

The goal of cultivating Bhakti in one’s heart is the ultimate experience of love that dissolves all boundaries between the individual and the external world, feeling a sense of divine oneness and harmony with all living beings. 

Bhakti comes in many flavors, and causes a devotee to completely forget oneself. According to some Hindu schools of thought, there are five kinds of underlying emotions that can arise when feeling devotion towards the Lord: Shanta (peaceful devotion), Dasya (servitude), Sakhya (friendship), Vatsalya (parental love) and Madhurya (romantic love).

Historically, the expression of the beautiful sentiment of Bhakti brought about a change in the way religion was accessed in India. It made religion available to all people regardless of gender, language, or social status. We have evidence of this as early as in the 5^th century in South India, with the devotional poetry of the Tamil Nayanars (Shiva worshippers) and Alvars (Vishnu worshippers). Common themes in these poems include love, service and grace. This marked the beginning of the Bhakti Movement, a time period which gave voice to countless devoted men and women throughout the Indian Subcontinent. The devotional songs of these poet-saints, such as Kabir, Mirabai, and Saint Thyagaraja live long after their physical passing, carrying on the spirit of their soulful love and longing for God.

In modern times, the path of devotion (bhakti marga or yoga) is followed by many Hindus worldwide. This is practiced in conjunction with the path of knowledge (jnana marga). While a devotee enjoys devotional songs that help reflect on their personal relationship with Lord Krishna when in bhakti marga, another day they might engage in philosophical discussions on life’s most meaningful questions in the spirit of jnana marga (Knowledge Yoga). 

Other reading material: Bhakti Yoga,

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is Devotion or Bhakti , Bhakti on a street of San Francisco

Contributor: Lakshmi Subramanian

Every Hindu prayer begins with Om, the sacred sound in Hinduism that holds a lot of spiritual significance. This is followed by an invocation to Lord Ganesha, the giver of auspicious beginnings and remover of obstacles: Om Śhrī Mahāgaṇapataye Namaha.

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These are selected Sanskrit prayers for the Welfare of the World:

• Om sarve bhavantu sukhinaha. Sarve santu niraamayaaha. Sarve bhadraani pashyantu. Maa kaschid dukha bhaag bhavet “May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May all beings experience prosperity. May none in the world suffer.”

• Lokaah samastaah sukhino bhavantu “May all beings be always happy”

• Om shanti, shanti, shantihi “Om, peace, peace, peace”

Many Hindus meditate on this Sanskrit word, “Shanti,” thereby invoking inner peace and radiating the same in external circumstances. 

A popular hymn chanted in times of fear, danger, and uncertainty is the Hanuman Chalisa, forty verses that glorify Lord Hanuman, the giver of strength, courage, and protection.

Advanced practitioners chant these Sanskrit mantras and stotras (devotional hymns) to seek the grace of various deities in the Hindu tradition. Chanting these prayers with utmost faith is the key to reap their full benefits. These are specifically for good health, expedited healing, and the elimination of disease:

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Prayers to Lord Vishnu:

Om Achyuta Ananta Govindāya Namaha 

Salutations to Achyuta Ananta Govinda! (These are all names of Lord Vishnu.)

Stotra: Śhrī Sudarśhana Ṣhatkam, śhloka 3

Srākārasahitam Mantram

Paṭhantam Śhatrunigraham

Sarvarogapraśhamanam

Prapadyeham Sudarśhanam

I salute Lord Sudarshana, who destroys all enemies,

and cures all diseases of those who chant his mantra “Sra”.

Stotra: Śhrīman Nārāyaṇeeyam, daśhakam 8, śhloka 13

Asmin Parātman Nanu Pādmakalpe

Tvamitthamutthāpita Padmayonihi

Anantabhūma Mama Rogarāśhim

Nirundhi Vātālayavāsa Viṣhno 

Oh Supreme Lord of incomprehensible powers, 

you made Lord Brahma emerge from the lotus.

Oh Lord Vishnu who has manifested in the temple of Guruvayoor,

Please cure all my diseases. 

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Prayer to Lord Shiva: 

Stotra: Śhrī Vaidyanātha Aṣṭakam, śhloka 4

Prabhūtavātādi Samastaroga

Pranāśha Kartre Munivanditāya 

Prabhākarendvagni Vilochanāya 

Śhrī Vaidyanāthāya Namah Śhivāya

I bow to that Lord Shiva, who is the king among physicians, who cures all great diseases like rheumatism and arthritis, who is worshipped by great sages, and to whom, the Sun, Moon and God of Fire are eyes.

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Prayer to Goddess Devi: 

Stotra: Śhrī Lalitā Sahasranāmāvali, 551 & 552

Om Sarvavyādhi Praśhamanyai Namaha (Salutations to the goddess who cures all diseases)

Om Sarvamrtyu Nivāriṇyai Namaha (Salutations to the goddess who removes all types of death)

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Prayer to Lord Kārtikeya, also known as Sharavana Bhava: 

Om Śharavaṇa Bhavāya Namaha (Salutations to Lord Sharavana Bhava)

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Prayer to Lord Rama: 

Āpaduddhāraka Śhrī Rāma Stotram, śhloka 1

Āpadām Apahartāram

Dātāram Sarvasampadām

Lokābhirāmam Śhrīrāmam

Bhūyo Bhūyo Namāmyaham 

I respectfully bow down again and again to Shri Rama, who removes all obstacles, blesses one with all types of wealth, and pleases all in the world.

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Prayer to Lord Hanuman:  

Āpaduddhāraṇa Hanumat Stotram, śhloka 5

Ādivyādhi Mahāmāri Grahapīḍāpahāriṇe

Prāṇāpahartre Daityānām Rāmaprāṇātmane Namaha

I prostrate before Lord Anjaneya, who is the destroyer of worries (ādhi), illnesses (vyādhi), chronic illnesses (mahāmāri), evil effects from the changes in the position of planets (grahapīḍā); he is the annihilator of demons, he is the protector of living beings. 

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Other reading material:Relevant videos: Health & Healing Mantras for Coronavirus Protection, Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: Does God Answer Our Prayers (this one is general on prayer, not covid)

Contributor: Lakshmi Subramanian

God always answers prayers of his devotees in a manner that is most beneficial for that individual in the long run. Like parents, God also likes to see his children happy. He feels very good when he sees his children and devotees happy. Many of our saints have said that He is also very compassionate.
Remember, whatever happens, happens for one’s benefit.
The answers may not exactly be what we want to see at the time of the request, but God can see ahead, in the future and the answer will in the long run be more for the person’s benefit and spiritual growth. This may be difficult to accept, but having faith in God in these situations is necessary. You have to then ask God, to give you strength to accept the decision. So do not hesitate to ask Him whatever you want.

Other reading material:

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhilnand Hinduism Q & A: Does God Answer Our Prayers

Contributor: Dr. Jyoti Lulla