Shubham Karoti Kalyanam — Lamp Mantra with Meaning
This well-known mantra is said while lighting the lamp at home at dusk. It salutes the flame, which tradition sees as a sign of auspiciousness, well-being and good thoughts. The second verse honours the lamp's light as a form of the Supreme and of Janardan (Vishnu).
Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana-sampada | shatru-buddhi-vinashaya deepa-jyotir namo'stu te ||
Deepa-jyotih parabrahma deepa-jyotir janardanah | deepo haratu me papam deepa-jyotir namo'stu te ||
Meaning
Verse 1
Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana-sampada | shatru-buddhi-vinashaya deepa-jyotir namo'stu te ||
You bring auspiciousness and well-being, you stand for health and prosperity, and you remove feelings of hostility from the mind — O light of the lamp, I bow to you.
Verse 2
Deepa-jyotih parabrahma deepa-jyotir janardanah | deepo haratu me papam deepa-jyotir namo'stu te ||
The lamp's light is the Supreme; the lamp's light is Lord Janardan. May this lamp take away my wrongs — O light of the lamp, I bow to you.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
When should Shubham Karoti be recited?
In the evening at dusk, while lighting a lamp at the home shrine or near the tulsi plant. Many also say it during morning puja.
How many times should it be recited?
Reciting both verses once while lighting the lamp is the custom. Children often learn to say it every evening.
What does 'shatru buddhi vinashaya' mean?
It means 'to destroy the mind of enmity' — that is, to remove hostility and bad thoughts from our own mind.