Prayers for healing

 Hari Aum.

There are many prayers for healing in the yoga tradition. One of them is the 'roga nivarana' sthothra addressed to Narayana. It declares the greatness of the recitation of His names. (I was introduced to this recently by an acquaintance after I developed a health issue which will take a few months to recover from-- I have been reciting this as I feel it gives me mental peace and the strength to cope). 

This prayer is as follows; it requests the grace and protection of God to help deal with illness. I am sharing this in the hope that it will be of help to readers.

Roga Nivarana sthothra (prayer for healing):

1. अच्युतानन्त गोविन्द नामोच्चारण भेषजात् |
नश्यन्ति सकल रोगः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम् ||

2. अच्युतानन्तगोविन्द विष्णो नारायणामृत |
रोगान्मे नाशयाशेषान आशु-धन्वन्तरे हरे ||

3. अच्युतानन्त गोविन्द विष्णो धन्वन्तरे हरे |
वासुदेवाखिलानस्य रोगान् नाशाय नाशाय ||

4. सोमनाथं वैद्यनाथं धन्वन्तरिमथाश्विनौ |
एतान् संस्मरतः प्रातः व्याधिः स्पर्श न विद्यते ||

1. achyutAnanta govinda nAmocchAraNa bheShajAt
nashyanti sakala rogaha satyam satyam vadAmyaham

2. achyutAnanta govinda viShNo nArAyanAmruta
rogAnme nAshayAsheShAna Ashu-dhanvantare hare
 
3. achyutAnanta govinda viShNo dhanvantare hare
vAsudevAkhilAnasya rogAn nAshAya nAshAya

4. somanAtham vaidyanAtham dhanvantarimthAshvinau
etAn samsmaratah prAtaha vyAdhihi sparsha na vidyate

The meaning of the Sanskrit words:

1. By the medicine of the recitation of the names Achyuta, Ananta and Govida, all diseases are destroyed; I speak the truth, the truth (repeated twice for emphasis).

2. O Achyuta, O Ananta, O Govinda, O Vishnu, O Narayana, O Immortality (ambrosia),

may all my diseases be quickly destroyed, O Dhanvantari, O Hari.

3. O Achyuta, O Ananta, O Govinda, O Vishnu, O Dhanvantari, O Hari,

O Vasudeva, please destroy destroy all these diseases.

4. If one remembers in the morning, the (divinities) Somanatha, Vaidyanatha, Dhanvantari and the Ashwin twins, then diseases will not touch one.

Note:

Achyuta, Ananta, Govinda, Vishnu, Narayana, Hari, Dhanvantari, Vasudeva are all various names of the one Supreme Being (Narayana).

-Dhanvantari is a form of Narayana, He is the God who is said to have given humanity the knowledge of Ayurveda (the ancient wisdom of healing and medicine).

-Achyuta means one who never falls

-Ananta means the one without an end (infinite)

-Govinda means the protector of the senses (go), also refers to protector of cows (cowherd, Krishna)

-Vaasudeva is a name of Krishna, meaning the son of Vasudeva

-Hari means the destroyer of sorrow

-Narayana means the resting place of beings, the Supreme Being.

-Somanatha and Vaidyanatha are names of Shiva (Shiva and Narayana are different names of the one Supreme Being)

-The Ashwin twins are said to be demi-gods (devas) who are healers

Om Shri Dhanvantre Namah.

Om Namo Narayanaya.

Hari Aum Tat Sat

P.S. With regard to the ongoing Covid pandemic, I would like to share some thoughts. From a yogic perspective, this is a manifestation of the collective karma of humanity. We are all in this together. And so we need to help each other to get though this. Helping each other includes having regard for the society we live in. It involves being responsible and taking steps to protect ourselves, our loved ones and society as a whole from the impact of the pandemic as much as possible.

In practical terms, this involves making the effort to follow the guidelines that have been laid out by our governments, scientists and doctors to reduce the transmission of Covid. Depending on where one lives, this may include wearing facemasks when indoors, following social distancing, ventilating rooms, trying to meet outdoors where possible (as the risk of transmission is significantly reduced outdoors compared with indoors). It also includes self-isolating and testing for Covid if one develops any symptoms. It is important to remember that the common symptoms of the newer strains of Covid may be different from the original stain. If in doubt, self-isolate and test. Do not needlessly expose other people to the illness. Extra care should be taken when coming into contact with the very young and the elderly, with people who have chronic diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes) and suppressed immune systems (from cancer, HIV etc) as these are all more vulnerable to serious illness.

And very importantly, if one has access to the Covid vaccination, it is absolutely vital to have this. When we get vaccinated, we protect ourselves, our loved ones, other people in the area we live and the world at large. 

In any decision in life, especially in medicine, we need to weigh the risks and benefits. The risks of the Covid illness are far greater than any potential risk of the vaccination according to the data that scientists and doctors have so far. 

It is important to remember that 10-15 % of people (including children) who get Covid will develop some long-term symptoms (Long Covid)-- these can be serious (chest pains/breathlessness/fatigue etc) and have negative impact on one's quality of life. Long Covid may or may not be reversible as we are still learning about this. In my work as a doctor, I have encountered a number of patients with long Covid who are struggling to deal with this debilitating condition.

The news today mentions the emergence of yet another Covid variant (Omicron) which may be even more transmissible and harmful that previous ones. We must come together to deal with this. We must have the discipline to follow the Covid measures in place in the areas where we live. This is a spiritual duty and a civic duty that we all have towards each other. United we stand, and divided we fall. We must look out for each other.

I want to conclude by saying something about mental health. Covid has been proven to cause mental health issues (anxiety, depression etc). The Covid restrictions (lockdowns, social restrictions etc) are also linked with mental health issues. It is a difficult situation.

It is important to stay in touch with our loved ones in a safe way (this may involve mostly remote or outdoor contact). It is useful to remember that adequate sleep, exercise, good quality food and relaxation are necessary for both physical and mental health. We need to be kind towards ourselves and others during this challenging time. Let us remember the ancient saying by the Buddha "This too shall pass". Scientists are working hard to come up with new antiviral medications, vaccinations and other methods to control and defeat this virus. Let us be patient and do our part to help each other and the world at large.

Finally, and just as importantly as all the practical measures above, let us pray. Let us pray to God to give us and everybody else the mental strength that we all need during this difficult time.

May God bless and protect us all.

Om Namo Narayanaya.