Original text
ब्रह्मा मुरारिस्त्रिपुरान्तकारी भानुः शशी भूमिसुतो बुधश्च । गुरुश्च शुक्रः शनिराहुकेतवः कुर्वन्तु सर्वे मम सुप्रभातम् ॥
Transliteration
Brahma murarih tripurantakari bhanuh shashi bhumisuto budhashcha. Gurushcha shukrah shanirahuketavah kurvantu sarve mama suprabhatam.
Twelve names in four lines
This verse belongs to the pratah smarana tradition, the short prayers said on waking. In four lines it names twelve powers, the three gods of creation, preservation and dissolution and the nine grahas, and asks every one of them for the same thing: kurvantu sarve mama suprabhatam, "may they all make my morning auspicious."
Who is named
- Brahma: the creator.
- Murari: "enemy of Mura," Vishnu, who killed the demon Mura.
- Tripurantakari: "destroyer of Tripura," Shiva, who burned the three flying cities of the asuras with one arrow.
- Bhanu: the Sun (Surya).
- Shashi: the Moon (Chandra), "the one marked with a hare."
- Bhumisuta: "son of the Earth," Mars (Mangal).
- Budha: Mercury.
- Guru: Jupiter (Brihaspati).
- Shukra: Venus.
- Shani, Rahu, Ketu: Saturn and the two lunar nodes.
The grahas come in the order of the weekdays, Sunday through Saturday, followed by Rahu and Ketu, which is the standard Navagraha order.
How it differs from the Navagraha Stotra
The Navagraha Stotra attributed to Vyasa gives each graha its own verse describing his form, and is recited as a full graha shanti prayer. This verse does the opposite: it asks all of them at once, in one breath, for a good day. It is the one to memorise if you want something you can say every morning in ten seconds; the Stotra is for when you sit down for longer worship, or when a specific graha is troubling.
How to use it
- On waking: before getting out of bed, many people look at their palms and say Karagre Vasate Lakshmi, then this verse.
- With the sun: after offering water to the rising sun, as a closing prayer.
- Before travel or an important day: once with folded hands.
- Count: once, or three times. It is a prayer, not a japa mantra.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of "Kurvantu Sarve Mama Suprabhatam"?
"May they all make my morning auspicious." Suprabhatam means a good, auspicious dawn.
Who are Murari and Tripurantakari?
Murari is Vishnu, the slayer of the demon Mura. Tripurantakari is Shiva, the destroyer of the three cities of Tripura. With Brahma, they make up the Trimurti.
Is this the same as the Navagraha Stotra?
No. The Navagraha Stotra has a separate verse for each of the nine grahas. This is a single morning verse naming all of them together with the Trimurti.
When should it be recited?
In the morning, ideally on waking or after the sun arghya. It can be said any morning of the week.
Does it help with graha dosha?
It is a general prayer for the goodwill of all the grahas. For a specific graha, people usually add that graha's beej mantra or its verse from the Navagraha Stotra.
Can children learn it?
Yes. It is a good way to teach children the names of the nine grahas and the Trimurti in their proper order.
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