Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer — Sanskrit Text, Transliteration & Meaning

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Karagre Vasate Lakshmi — Morning Prayer

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः

Mantras, Slokas & Daily PrayersLakshmiTraditionalSanskrit

The verse recited upon waking, while looking at one's own palms — honouring Lakshmi, Saraswati and Govinda who dwell in the hands before beginning the day's work.

📜 Read this text in your script — same words, your letters

Shloka

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमध्ये सरस्वती । करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥

karagre vasate lakshmih karamadhye sarasvati karamule tu govindah prabhate kara-darshanam

karāgre vasate lakṣmīḥ karamadhye sarasvatī karamūle tu govindaḥ prabhāte kara-darśanam

At the tips of the hands dwells Lakshmi, in the middle Saraswati, at the base Govinda — therefore, at dawn, one looks upon one's hands.

When it is recited: First thing in the morning, before rising from bed. The palms are held open together and looked upon while reciting.

Traditional significance: The hands are where the day's karma begins. Seeing wealth (Lakshmi) at the fingertips, knowledge (Saraswati) in the middle, and the Divine (Govinda) at the base reminds us that all effort, learning and gain rest on the sacred — and sets an auspicious intention for the day.

Questions

Is there another version of this verse?

Yes — a widely used variant has “karamūle sthitā gaurī” (Gauri at the base of the hands) with Govinda in the closing line as “prabhāte kara-darśanam”. Both are traditional; follow your family practice.

Shubham Karoti — Evening Lamp Prayer Samudra Vasane Devi — Prayer to Mother Earth Om Jai Lakshmi Mata (Lakshmi Aarti)

Source: Traditional smriti verse — daily dinacharya. Regional versions may vary — this text follows the version most widely used in community worship.