Prayers Before Meals

भोजन प्रार्थना संग्रह • Bhojan Prarthana Sangrah

Prarthana Anna Devata / Vishnu / Various Deities

About

Prayers before meals (Bhojan Prarthana) are sacred verses recited to express gratitude for food and to sanctify the act of eating. In Hindu tradition, food is considered sacred and a blessing from the divine. These prayers acknowledge the presence of God in food, seek blessings for nourishment, and transform the act of eating into a spiritual offering. They remind us of the divine cycle of creation and our interconnectedness with nature.

Quick Reference

Language
Sanskrit, Hindi
Verse Count
6
Source
Bhagavad Gita, Vedic Literature, Traditional Hindu Scriptures
Type
Prayer Collection

Benefits

  • Sanctifies the act of eating
  • Cultivates gratitude and mindfulness
  • Transforms food into prasadam (blessed offering)
  • Aids in proper digestion through mindful eating
  • Reminds us of our connection to nature and the divine
  • Purifies the food of any negative energies
  • Creates a spiritual atmosphere during meals

When to Recite

Days Daily, All days
Times Before breakfast, Before lunch, Before dinner, Before any meal
Occasions Daily meals, Festival feasts, Special occasions, Annaprasana ceremony
Recommended Count Once before each meal

Verses

1

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम्। ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मकर्मसमाधिना॥

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havir Brahmagnau Brahmana Hutam | Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahma Karma Samadhina ||

2

अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः। प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्॥

Aham Vaishvanaro Bhutva Praninam Deham Ashritah | Prana Apana Samayuktah Pachamy Annam Chaturvidham ||

3

अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे। ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति॥

Annapurne Sadapurne Shankara Prana Vallabhe | Jnana Vairagya Siddhyartham Bhiksham Dehi Cha Parvati ||

4

अन्नदाता सुखी भव। पितृदेवो भव। मातृदेवो भव। आचार्यदेवो भव। अतिथिदेवो भव॥

Annadata Sukhi Bhava | Pitri Devo Bhava | Matri Devo Bhava | Acharya Devo Bhava | Atithi Devo Bhava ||

5

हरिर्दाता हरिर्भोक्ता हरिरन्नं प्रजापतिः। हरिः सर्वशरीरस्थो भुङ्क्ते भोजयते हरिः॥

Harir Data Harir Bhokta Harir Annam Prajapatih | Harih Sarva Sharira Stho Bhunkte Bhojayate Harih ||

6

त्वदीयं वस्तु गोविन्द तुभ्यमेव समर्पये। गृहाण सुमुखो भूत्वा प्रसीद परमेश्वर॥

Tvadiyam Vastu Govinda Tubhyam Eva Samarpaye | Grihana Sumukho Bhutva Prasida Parameshvara ||