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How To Pray For Children? In Hindu Religion

 In Hinduism, children are considered a precious gift and blessing from the divine, and there are numerous ways to pray for their well-being, protection, and prosperity. Hindus perform various rituals, prayers, and pujas to seek the blessings of gods and goddesses for their children. Here’s an in-depth exploration of how to pray for children, including simple prayers, ideal gods or goddesses to worship, puja steps, and mantras.


Ideal Gods and Goddesses to Worship for Children

  • Lord Ganesha: The remover of obstacles, the god of wisdom, intellect, and protection. He is worshiped at the start of any venture.
  • Maa Durga: The fierce form of the Mother Goddess, who is the protector from all negative energies and evil.
  • Lord Krishna: The divine child and the preserver of dharma, Krishna is a symbol of love, compassion, and joy.
  • Goddess Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi is invoked to ensure the well-being and future success of children.
  • Lord Vishnu: The protector of the universe, he is often worshiped for the long life and good health of children.
  • Goddess Saraswati: The goddess of learning and wisdom, Saraswati is invoked for children's education, intellect, and creativity.
  • Lord Dhanvantari: The god of medicine, Dhanvantari is worshiped for good health and protection from diseases.
  • Pashupati Shiva: An aspect of Lord Shiva, worshiped especially for protection from evil forces and negative influences.
  • Nag Devata (Serpent Gods): Nagas or serpent deities are believed to offer protection and health blessings.

Mantras and Prayers for Children

  1. Prayer to Lord Ganesha (For Protection and Intelligence)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah”
      Meaning: I offer my prayers to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
  2. Prayer to Maa Durga (For Protection from Evil Forces)

    • Mantra:
      “Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Shive Sarvartha Sadhike,
      Sharanye Tryambake Gauri, Narayani Namostute”

      Meaning: Salutations to Goddess Durga, the most auspicious one who grants all welfare and prosperity.
  3. Prayer to Lord Krishna (For Joy and Happiness)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Kleem Krishnaya Namah”
      Meaning: I offer my salutations to Lord Krishna, who is the embodiment of divine love and joy.
  4. Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi (For Prosperity and Success)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah”
      Meaning: I offer my salutations to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
  5. Prayer to Lord Vishnu (For Long Life and Good Health)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
      Meaning: I bow down to Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of the universe.
  6. Prayer to Goddess Saraswati (For Wisdom and Learning)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah”
      Meaning: I offer my salutations to Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
  7. Prayer to Lord Dhanvantari (For Health and Protection from Diseases)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Namo Bhagavate Dhanvantaraye
      Amrita Kalasha Hastaya Sarva Maya Vinasanaya
      Trailokya Nathaya Shri Mahavishnave Namah”

      Meaning: I bow to Lord Dhanvantari, who holds the nectar of immortality and cures all ailments.
  8. Prayer to Lord Shiva (Pashupati) (For Protection and Removal of Negative Forces)

    • Mantra:
      “Om Namah Shivaya”
      Meaning: I bow to Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil and the protector.
  9. Prayer to Naga Devata (Serpent Deities) (For Protection from Curses and Bad Health)

    • Mantra:
      “Anantaya Namah, Vasukaye Namah,
      Sheshaya Namah, Padmanabhaye Namah”

      Meaning: Salutations to the eternal serpent deities who offer protection and blessings.

Puja Steps for Praying for Children

  1. Purification (Achamanam)

    • Cleanse yourself and the puja area. Sprinkle holy water around the puja space.
  2. Invoking Lord Ganesha

    • Start by invoking Lord Ganesha with the mantra “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” to remove all obstacles.
    • Offer flowers, turmeric, sandalwood, and sweets like modak.
  3. Lighting of Diya and Incense

    • Light a lamp (diya) with ghee or oil and light incense sticks. This symbolizes the presence of divine energy.
  4. Offering to the Deities

    • Offer fresh flowers, fruits, sweets, and water (naivedya) to the deity you are praying to (e.g., Krishna, Durga, Vishnu).
    • Recite the relevant mantras and prayers with devotion and sincerity.
  5. Chanting of Mantras

    • Chant the specific mantras (e.g., Saraswati for education, Dhanvantari for health) for your child’s well-being.
    • Chant each mantra at least 11 or 108 times using a japa mala (prayer beads).
  6. Aarti (Offering of Light)

    • Perform aarti by moving a lit lamp in front of the deities in a circular motion, offering the light of your prayers.
  7. Conclusion

    • End the puja by praying for the well-being of your child and seeking the deity’s blessings. Distribute the prasad (offering) to the family members, especially the child.

Rare and Relevant Facts about Praying for Children

  1. Kumara Puja (Worship of Children): In certain Hindu traditions, young girls (between 1-10 years) are worshiped as forms of Goddess Durga during Navaratri. This ritual is called "Kumari Puja" and is performed for the well-being and protection of children.

  2. Naga Worship: Nagas are considered protectors and are associated with fertility and good health. On Nag Panchami, offerings are made to snake idols or anthills, and prayers are said to ward off snake bites and protect children.

  3. Santan Gopal Mantra: This is a special mantra for childless couples to conceive a child and for the welfare of children.

    • Mantra:
      “Om Kleem Gopalaya Namah”
  4. Dhanvantari Trayodashi: This is the auspicious day to worship Lord Dhanvantari (the divine physician) for the health of children. Special pujas are performed to keep children safe from diseases.

  5. Tulsi (Holy Basil) Prayers: Tulsi is considered very sacred in Hindu households, and prayers offered to the Tulsi plant are believed to provide protection for the children and family members.

  6. Bala Krishna Worship: Devotees worship Lord Krishna in his child form (Bala Krishna) for the health, happiness, and longevity of their children. Dressing up a small idol of Bala Krishna and offering sweets is a common practice.


Daily Simple Prayers for Children

  1. Morning Prayer for Children “Karagre Vasate Lakshmi, Karamadhye Saraswati,
    Karamule Tu Govindah, Prabhate Karadarshanam”

    Meaning: In the tip of my fingers resides Goddess Lakshmi, in the middle resides Goddess Saraswati, and at the base resides Lord Govinda (Vishnu). I see my hands in the morning and offer prayers.

  2. Night Prayer for Protection of Children “Shubham Karoti Kalyanam Arogyam Dhanasampadam,
    Shatrubuddhi Vinashaya, Deepajyotir Namostute”

    Meaning: I salute the light of the lamp, which brings auspiciousness, health, and wealth and destroys negative energy.


By following these steps and chanting these mantras, parents can seek the divine blessings for their children's overall well-being, health, prosperity, wisdom, and protection from negative forces.