Complete · ~5 min chant
Bhagavan Manasa Puja
भगवन्मानसपूजा
Bhagavanmānasapūjā
Eleven verses of mental worship to Krishna, from invitation to the heart-lotus through offerings and prostration.
11 verses · About 5 min · Shri Vishnu
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Bhagavan Manasa Puja is a hymn attributed to Sri Adi Shankaracharya for worshipping Lord Krishna entirely in the mind. Without external materials, the devotee invites Krishna to the heart-lotus and offers padya, snana, garments, food, flowers, lamps, and prostration in imagination.
More about this stotra
The stotra has eleven authentic verses. It is said to have arisen from the wish of Manikarnika and grants Krishna's grace to the wise who perform it at dawn.
At a glance
- Deity
- Shri Vishnu
- Verses
- 11 verses
- Chant time
- About 5 minutes
- Attribution
- Traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
- Sanskrit source
- sanskritdocuments.org · All sources
Verse overview
- 1
Mental worship begins by envisioning Krishna in the heart-lotus, the inner seat of consciousness. The form meditated upon in the mind is the Lord made present…
- 2
The Lord is invited from the milk-ocean to the golden seat in the heart. Washing his feet and offering arghya in the mind transforms the inner chamber into a…
- 3
Cool celestial water and panchamrita offered in the mind purify the devotee's intention. Outer ritual performed inwardly becomes the cleansing of the heart…
- 4
Garments, sacred thread, sandal, and garland are offered to adorn the Lord within. Dressing the deity in the mind is the devotee's act of making the inner…
- 5
Incense and lamp offered at the Lord's feet illumine the face of the inner deity. Purifying the hands and offering water for sipping sanctifies the…
- 6
Six-flavoured food in a golden bowl is offered as to Yashoda's son with his friends. Feeding the Lord in the mind is offering every experience back to the…
- 7
Betel, fruit, jewelled gifts, and lamps complete the offerings of worship. Lakshmi's embrace with the lamps signifies that prosperity and light attend the mind…
- 8
Fragrant flowers with bilva and tulasi crown the Lord's head; circumambulation is performed four times. Honouring the deity in the mind is the soul's turning…
- 9
Prostration, dance, song, and praise are offered; the devotee asks forgiveness for any lapse. Becoming servant of the Lord's servant is the humility in which…
- 10
The vision closes with Krishna ever to be served, holding curd-rice and flute, sporting as a child. The playful Lord in the heart is the joy of the Self known…
- 11
Born from the wish of Manikarnika, this mental worship pleases Krishna when performed at dawn by the wise. The highest puja needs no outer materials: a…
All verses
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Common questions
- When do people recite Bhagavan Manasa Puja?
- Many households recite Vishnu stotras in the morning or on ekadashi and other Vaishnava observances. This edition presents 11 verses and takes about 5 minutes to chant.
- What is the opening focus of Bhagavan Manasa Puja?
- Mental worship begins by envisioning Krishna in the heart-lotus, the inner seat of consciousness. The form meditated upon in the mind is the Lord made present where the devotee truly lives. Read verse 1 in Study mode for the full editorial note beside the Sanskrit.
- Which hymns pair well with Bhagavan Manasa Puja?
- On this site, related reading includes Govindashtakam, and Krishnashtakam. Open those hubs for their own Sanskrit, English meaning, and study notes.