Tradition

Question 1

शतायुर्वज्रदेहाय सर्वसम्पत्कराय च। सर्वारिष्टविनाशाय निम्बकन्दलभक्षणम।।

Answer 1

Tender shoot of neem is to be eaten for a strong body with a hundred year’s life, to obtain all kinds of wealth and to ward off all evil

Question 2

शमी शमयते पापं शमी शत्रुविनाशनी। अर्जनयस्य धनुर्धारिरामस्य प्रियदर्शिनी।।

Answer 2

The Sami tree was very dear to Arjuna and Rama who wields a bow. It destroys one’s sins and enemies. There is the practice of distributing Sami on the day of Vijayadasami and the above sloka is recited on that occasion

Question 3

यत् त्वजस्थिगतं पापं देहे तिष्ठति मामके। प्राशनं पञ्चगव्यस्य दहत्यग्निरिवेन्धनम्।।

Answer 3

Taking पञ्चगव्यम् is going to burn the sin accumulated in the skin and bones in my body, just like burning fuel

Question 4

येन बद्धो बली राजा दानवेन्द्रो महाबल:। तेन त्वामनुबध्नामि रक्षे मामव मामव।।

Answer 4

The above sloka is to be recited when an amulet is tied. In the past the mighty ruler Bali was captured by it. I am tying the same to you, “O Raksha! Protect me, protect me”

Question 5

यन्मूले सर्वतीर्थानि यन्मध्ये सर्वदेवता:। यदग्रे सर्ववेदाश्च तुलसि त्वां नमाम्यहम्।।

Answer 5

I bow to you Tulasi! You have all the holy waters at the root, all the gods in the middle and all the Vedas at the tip.

Question 6

मूलतो ब्रह्मरूपाय मध्यतो विष्णुरूपिणे। अग्रतो रुद्ररूपाय वृक्षराजाय ते नम:।।

Answer 6

I bow to you the king of trees (Asvatta). There is Brahma at the root, Vishnu in the middle, Rudra at the tip

Question 7

गावो ममाग्रत: सन्तु गावो मे सन्तु पृष्ठत:। गावो मे हृदये नित्यं गवां मध्ये वसाम्यहम्।।

Answer 7

Let there be cows in front of me, behind me, and in my heart always. I live amidst cows

Question 8

त्वं राजा सर्वतीर्थानां त्वमेव जगत: पिता। याचितं देहि मे तीर्थ सर्वपापनुत्तये।।

Answer 8

You are the king of holy waters. You are the father of the world. Grant me the desired object, O holy water, for removal of all my sins

Question 9

सुरभिवैष्णवीमात: सुरमोके महीयसे। ग्रासमुष्टिर्मया दत्ता सुरभे प्रतिगृह्यताम्।।

Answer 9

Oh Mother! Surabhi! Kamadhenu, you are worshipped in heaven also for you are related to Vishnu. Here I give a handful of grass, please accept it

Question 10

नम: सूर्याय सोमाय मङ्गलाय बुधाय च। गुरुशुक्रशनिभ्यश्च राहवे केतवे नम:

Answer 10

Salutation to Surya, Soma, Mangala, Budha, Guru, Sukra, Sani, Rahu, Ketu