Original text
शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यम् धनसंपदा । शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योति नमोऽस्तुते ॥ दीपो ज्योति परं ब्रह्म दीपो ज्योतिर्जनार्दनः । दीपो हरतु मे पापं संध्यादीप नमोऽस्तुते ॥
Transliteration
Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhanasampada | Shatrubuddhivinashaya dipajyoti namostute || Dipo jyoti param brahma dipo jyotirjanardanah | Dipo haratu me papam sandhyadipa namostute ||
The lamp at dusk
In many Hindu homes, the day turns at sandhya, dusk: a lamp is lit before the household shrine or the tulsi, and the family says these two verses together. In Maharashtra the practice is called shubhankaroti after its first word, and children learn it as one of their first prayers. Lighting the lamp at dusk is meant to welcome Lakshmi and drive out darkness, both outer and inner.
Meaning
- Verse 1: Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhanasampada, shatrubuddhi-vinashaya, dipajyotir namostute. "Salutations to the light of the lamp, which brings what is auspicious, wellbeing, health and wealth, and destroys hostile intent." Note it is shatru-buddhi, the enemy's mind or hostile thinking, that is destroyed, not the person.
- Verse 2: Dipo jyotih param brahma, dipo jyotir janardanah, dipo haratu me papam, sandhyadipa namostute. "The lamp's light is the supreme Brahman; the lamp's light is Janardana (Vishnu); may the lamp take away my sins; salutations to the evening lamp."
How to use it
- Light a ghee or sesame-oil lamp at dusk before the deities or the tulsi plant, ideally facing east or north.
- Fold the hands and recite both verses; many families follow with "Ram raksha" or a short aarti.
- It can also be said at the start of any puja, function or inauguration when a lamp is lit.
Frequently asked questions
When should Shubham Karoti be recited?
At dusk, when the evening lamp is lit. It is also used whenever a lamp is lit to begin a puja or a ceremony.
What does "shatrubuddhi vinashaya" mean?
"For the destruction of the enemy's intent" or hostile thinking. The prayer is to remove enmity, including our own ill-will.
Which oil is best for the evening lamp?
Ghee is considered best; sesame oil is also traditional, especially for Shani and Hanuman.
Why is the lamp called Brahman?
Light is the oldest symbol of consciousness and knowledge. The verse sees the flame itself as the supreme reality and as Vishnu.
Can children recite it?
Yes, it is one of the first prayers taught to children in many families.
Spotted a mistake?
If you find any grammatical, Hindi, English, mantra-text or other mistake on this page, tell us — we will correct it within 24 hours.