Karadarshana or Morning Prayer

Mantra

Karagre Vasate Lakshmi
Kara Mule Saraswathi
Kara Madhye Tu Govindah
Prabate Kara Darshanam

Translation

On the tip of my fingers is Goddess Lakshmi; on the base of my fingers is Goddess Sarasvati; in the middle of my fingers is Lord Govinda. In this manner, I look at my palms.

Comments

"Kara" means "the palm of the hand" and it symbolizes the five karmendriyas or organs of action. Our hands are our primary way of connecting with our external environment and doing actions or "karmani". In this practice we meditate on our palms and fingers before beginning each day. While this practice is simple it is nonetheless valuable. Notably "sama" or "internal self-control" is one of the requisite qualities for the study of Vedanta.

om tat sat