Bhadram Karne

Bhadram Karne

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः ।
भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः ।
स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवागँसस्तनूभिः ।
व्यशेम देवहितं यदायूः ।

स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः ।
स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः ।
स्वस्ति नस्ताक्षर्यो अरिष्टनेमिः ।
स्वस्ति नो वृहस्पतिर्दधातु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

oṃ bhadraṃ karṇebhiḥ śṛṇuyāma devāḥ .
bhadraṃ paśyemākṣabhiryajatrāḥ .
sthirair aṅgais tuṣṭuvāgam̐sas tanūbhiḥ .
vyaśema devahitaṃ yadāyūḥ .

svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ .
svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ .
svasti nastākṣaryo ariṣṭanemiḥ .
svasti no vṛhaspatirdadhātu ..
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ..

O devas, may we (always/only) hear what is auspicious with our ears,
O gods/worthy of sacrifice, may we (always/only) see what is auspicious with our eyes;
O gods/who are praised, may we reach/attain with steady limbs and bodies the life(span) that has been established by the gods.

May Indra (of) exalted fame give us well being;
May the omniscient Pūṣā give us well being;
May Tārkṣya of indestructible wheel rims give us well being;
May Bṛhaspati give us well being.
Om, peace, peace, peace.

ॐ OM : Supreme Parabrahman, manifested and unmanifested
भद्रं Bhadram : Good, auspicious
कर्णेभिः Karnebhih : With ears
शृणुयाम Shrunuyaama : May we hear
देव Devaa : Shining ones or elevated beings on the Higher Emotional, Lower Mental and Higher Mental planes
भद्रं Bhadram : Good, auspicious
पश्येमाक्षभि Pashyemaakshabhih : “Pashyemaa” means see or visualise and “Akshabhih” is with eyes
र्यजत्राः Yajathraah : Those deserving worship, the Devas
स्थिरैःअङ्गैः Sthirairangai (Sthirai-Angai) : Stable (and healthy) limbs
तुष्टुवांसः Tushtuvaam-Sahah: Praying to God
तनूभिः Tanoobhi : By using the body (or bodies)
व्यशेम Vyashema : May we attain or gain
देवहितं Deva-Hitam : Allotted by Presiding Deva
यदायुः Yadaayuh : With in the given lifespan
स्वस्ति नः Swasti nah : Bless us
इन्द्रो Indro : Lord Indra
वृद्धश्रवाः Vruddhashravaah : Long known and heard of or Ancient, and famous
स्वस्ति नः Swasti nah : Grant or endow us
पूषा Pooshaah : Lord Sun
विश्ववेदाः Vishwa-Vedaah : Knower of the Universe or everything
स्वस्ति नः Swasti nah : Bless us
तार्क्ष्य Taaksharya : Lord Vayu
अरिष्टनेमिः Aristanemih : Protector from evil or from all harm
स्वस्ति नः Swasti nah : Bless us
बृहस्पति Bruhaspatih : Guru of Devas
र्दधातु Dadhaatu : May give (intellectual wealth for Spiritual upliftment)
शान्तिः Shanti, Shanti, Shanti hi : May there be peace

Description

The first part of the verse starting with Bhadram Karnebih … is a prayer to the gods for well-being, asking for the ability to hear and see auspicious things, to live a healthy life, and to engage in activities that are beneficial to the divine order. The prayer seeks the strength to fulfill one’s duties with stable and healthy limbs, living a life dedicated to good deeds.

The second part starting with svasti na indro offers specific invocations to the gods for blessings. It asks for Indra, the god of strength and power, to grant prosperity and renown. Pūṣā, the all-knowing sun god, is called upon to bless with wisdom and guidance. Tārkṣya (Garuda) is invoked to protect from harm and negative forces, while Bṛhaspati, the guru of the gods, is asked to bestow wisdom and good fortune.

In summary, the complete verse is a holistic prayer for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, invoking various gods to bless the reciter with protection, knowledge, strength, and longevity.

This peace invocation is from the Atharva Veda. This is a shanti mantra from the Mandukya Upanishad. It is also found in other Upanishads, like, Prashna and Mundaka Upanishad. It is an invocation for well-being, protection and obtaining knowledge for all and for fostering the ability in all to perceive, pickup and engage in only that which is good and utilize their time and capabilities optimally in contributing to humanity.

The idea is that one offers up prayers to the gods, so that they may look favorably upon this study and grant that both student and teacher should remain healthy and alert for the duration.

OM – is spoken at the outset of all prayers and scriptures both as an effective ‘name’ for God and as a symbol for the aim of the study – freedom from ignorance, i.e. enlightenment or mokSha. When chanted before an Upanishad, of course, it is also the very subject of the study, representing all states of consciousness and reality itself.

bhadraM karNebhiH shRRiNuyAma devAH – Oh, Gods! May we hear auspicious (words – i.e. those words to come in what follows – shRRiNuyAma has the same root as shruti; shru means to hear from a teacher, study or learn).

bhadraM pashyemAkShabhiryajatrAH – grant that we may see that which is auspicious, oh (Gods who are) worthy of worship (yajatra)!

sthiraira~NgaistuShTuvA{m+}sastanUbhiH | vyashema devahitaM yadAyuH – grant us long lives (Ayus), with strong (sthira) limbs (a~nga) and bodies (tanU), (in order that we may) praise you!

svasti na indro vRRiddhashravAH – may the great God Indra (vRRiddhhashravas literally means ‘possessed of great swiftness’) grant us (naH) good fortune (svasti)!

svasti naH pUShA vishvavedAH – may the omniscient (vishvavedas) sun God grant us good fortune! (pUShA is another, less-common name for sUrya and should be understood as Ishvara)

svasti nastArkShyo ariShTanemiH – May the limitless tArkShya grant us good fortune! “svasti” – means “well-being” or “blessings.” “naḥ” – means “for us” or “to us.” “tārkṣyaḥ” – has a couple of interpretations. It can refer to Garuda, the divine eagle and vehicle (vahana) of Lord Vishnu, often invoked for protection and strength. It can also refer to a mythical bird, or Vayu the powerful wind God, but in any case, the word retains a connotation of strength, protection, and speed.
“ariṣṭa” – means “free from harm” or “safe.”
“nemiḥ” – refers to the wheel or rim (sometimes symbolic of protection or defense).

svasti no bRRihaspatirdadhAtu – May bRRihaspati afford (dadhAtu) us success.

Om shAntiH shAntiH shAntiH – All prayers tend to end with these three words, which ask for freedom from obstacles to receiving the teaching. (shAnti means ‘peace’.) Obstacles may arise in three ways:
1. From the gods, in the form of catastrophic and unavoidable events such as natural disasters. These are called Adhidaivika – related to or proceeding from supernatural or divine agents.
2. From other humans who create problems or prevent us in some way. These are called Adhibhautika – related to created beings.
3. From our own shortcomings, be it physical or mental. These are called AdhyAtmika – proceeding from bodily and mental causes within oneself.

Bhadram Karne – Meaning, Benefits & Spiritual Significance

Bhadram Karne is a sacred Vedic expression found in ancient Hindu prayers, especially within Shanti mantras. It is a powerful invocation that asks for auspiciousness, positivity, and protection through what we hear and absorb in life. This mantra reflects the importance of mindful listening and encourages us to welcome only good, truthful, and uplifting knowledge into our minds.

The meaning of Bhadram Karne is rooted in simplicity and depth. “Bhadram” means auspicious, beneficial, or good, and “Karne” relates to the ears or the act of hearing. Together, it expresses a prayer that says “May we hear only what is good and auspicious.” It is a request to the divine to guide our senses toward positivity and wisdom. This teaching highlights that what we listen to shapes our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

One of the key benefits of Bhadram Karne is mental purification. In today’s world, people are constantly exposed to noise, gossip, and negative information. This mantra helps in developing awareness about what we allow into our mind. By focusing on Bhadram Karne, a person gradually becomes more selective in listening and avoids unnecessary negativity. This leads to a calmer and more peaceful mental state.

Another important benefit is emotional stability. When the mind is filled with positive and meaningful input, emotional disturbances reduce naturally. Bhadram Karne encourages individuals to stay away from harmful speech and thoughts, which helps in reducing stress and anxiety. It also improves concentration and makes the mind more focused on productive and constructive activities.

From a spiritual perspective, this mantra represents conscious living. It teaches that true growth begins when we become mindful of our senses. Bhadram Karne reminds us that hearing is not just a physical act but also a spiritual one. What we hear influences our beliefs, actions, and overall life direction. Therefore, choosing positivity through mindful listening leads to spiritual upliftment and inner harmony.

This mantra also improves communication and understanding. When a person practices the essence of Bhadram Karne, they not only listen better but also respond more thoughtfully. It encourages patience, empathy, and deeper understanding in conversations. This naturally strengthens relationships and reduces misunderstandings in daily life.

Practicing this mantra is simple and does not require any rituals. It can be reflected upon during meditation, prayer, or moments of silence. Early morning or calm environments are best for focusing on its meaning. Bhadram Karne becomes more powerful when understood and practiced with awareness in everyday listening habits.

In conclusion, Bhadram Karne is a profound Vedic teaching that promotes positive listening, mental clarity, and emotional peace. It guides us to filter negativity and embrace only what is meaningful and uplifting. By practicing this principle regularly, a person can develop inner balance, better awareness, and a more peaceful way of living.