Prayers

Hindu prayers can be broadly classified into mental (Mânasika), verbal (Vâcika) and physical (Kayika). Staying in the very thought of the Divine and completely forgetting oneself is a mental or Mânasika Prârthana, though, at lower level, a thought about the Divine, an appeal or desire about God can also be construed as Mânasika Prarthana. Chanting of mantras, repeating the verses about God, or verbal appeals and requests, constitute the Vâcika Prarthana. In a verbal Prarthana several mystical syllables are used since these syllables have the power of conveying the Grace of God quicker and also cleansing the aspirant both physically and mentally. Offering of oblation to fire, making mystical gestures, circumambulation of a temple, prostrating in front of God, lighting and waving lamps, offering food to God or going on a pilgrimage constitute physical or Kâyika Prârthana.

A unique feature of Hindu prayers is that the prayers are not only made to God or a lesser deity and the images representing them, but also to many things that are considered Holy and Sacred as they are manifestations of the Ultimate. So, a Hindu prays to a variety of Sages, Saints and Preceptors, the mountains, the rivers and even the trees.

There are set of prayers that a Hindu repeats every day spiritualising and energising every day existence. There are prayers that are repeated on certain occasions and there are prayers that are meant only for special occasions.