In Hindu tradition, the day is naturally divided into three sacred moments for divine remembrance: morning, midday (before meals), and night (before sleep). These are known as the practice of Tri-Kal Sandhya (त्रिकाल संध्या) — a way of aligning your life with divine rhythm.
According to scriptures, these three times are not just ideal for prayer, but are moments of inner offering. These are referred to as:
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Smriti Daan (स्मृति दान) – Donation of remembrance
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Shakti Daan (शक्ति दान) – Donation of strength
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Shanti Daan (शांति दान) – Donation of peace
Let’s understand the significance of each, along with the original shlokas and their sources.
1. Smriti Daan (स्मृति दान) – Morning Prayer
When: At dawn, just after waking up
Starting the day with divine remembrance is considered highly auspicious. The moment you open your eyes, acknowledge the divine energies that reside in your hands and the Earth that supports your life.
🕉 Kar Darshan Shloka:
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मीः करमूले सरस्वती।
करमध्ये तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम्॥
📚 Source: Smriti Granthas (like Manusmriti)
🙏 Meaning: At the tip of the hands resides Goddess Lakshmi (wealth), at the root is Saraswati (knowledge), and in the center is Lord Govind (Krishna). Hence, look at your hands every morning with reverence.
🌏 Prithvi Vandan (Earth Prayer):
समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमंडले।
विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्श क्षमस्व मे॥
📚 Source: Vishnu Purana
🙏 Meaning: O Mother Earth, who is adorned by oceans and mountains, consort of Lord Vishnu – I bow to you. Please forgive me for stepping on you.
🙏 Krishna Vandana:
वसुदेवसुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम्।
देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
📚 Source: Bhagavata Purana 1.1.1
🙏 Meaning: I bow to Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, the joy of Devaki, the destroyer of Kansa and Chanur, the Supreme Teacher of the world.
2. Shakti Daan (शक्ति दान) – Before Meals
🕛 When: Before eating food (lunch or dinner)
Food is divine energy. Before consuming it, offer a moment of gratitude and remember that the true source of nourishment is the divine presence within.
🔥 Yajna-Shesh Shloka:
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्॥
📚 Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 13
🙏 Meaning: The wise, who partake of the sacred remnants of yajna (offering), are freed from all sin. But those who prepare food only for themselves eat sin.
🙌 Total Surrender Shloka:
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जहोषि ददासि यत्।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम्॥
📚 Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9, Verse 27
🙏 Meaning: Whatever you do, eat, offer, or give—do it as an offering to Me.
🔥 Digestive Fire Shloka:
अहं वैश्वानरो भूत्वा प्राणिनां देहमाश्रितः।
प्राणापानसमायुक्तः पचाम्यन्नं चतुर्विधम्॥
📚 Source: Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15, Verse 14
🙏 Meaning: I, as the digestive fire in the bodies of all living beings, digest the four types of food.
🕊 Pre-Meal Peace Chant:
ॐ सह नाववतु। सह नौ भुनक्तु।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै।
तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
📚 Source: Taittiriya Upanishad (Shikshavalli 2.2)
🙏 Meaning: May we be protected and nourished together. May our study be vigorous and full of light. May there be no hatred between us. Peace, Peace, Peace.
3. Shanti Daan (शांति दान) – Before Sleep
When: At bedtime
Before sleeping, surrender all actions of the day, ask for forgiveness, and rest in divine peace. This brings deep calm and cleanses the mind of burdens.
🙏 Night Prayer to Krishna:
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने।
प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः॥
📚 Source: Vishnu Sahasranama / Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva)
🙏 Meaning: I bow to Govinda (Krishna), the Supreme Being, who removes the distress of those who surrender to Him.
🧎♂️ Forgiveness Prayer:
करचरणकृतं वाक् कायजं कर्मजं वा।
**श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम्॥
विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत् क्षमस्व।
जय जय करुणाब्धे श्री महादेव शम्भो॥
📚 Source: Shiva Purana
🙏 Meaning: Forgive me for all the sins committed through hands, feet, speech, body, mind, ears, or eyes—knowingly or unknowingly.
💓 Self-Surrender Prayer:
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव।
त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव।
त्वमेव सर्वं मम देवदेव॥
📚 Source: Vishwanath Ashtakam / Upanishadic traditions
🙏 Meaning: You alone are my mother, father, friend, wealth, and knowledge. You are everything to me, O Lord.
Final Thoughts: Why Tri-Kal Sandhya Matters
Tri-Kal Sandhya isn’t just a ritual. It is a spiritual alignment that:
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Starts your day with purpose and grounding
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Reminds you of gratitude and humility before eating
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Ends your day with reflection and inner peace
These practices, though simple, are powerful enough to transform your mindset and connection with the divine.
Summary
| Time of Day | Practice Name | Purpose | Key Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Smriti Daan | Start with divine remembrance | Look at hands, recite morning prayers |
| Mealtime | Shakti Daan | Acknowledge the divine source of food | Chant shlokas before eating |
| Night | Shanti Daan | Surrender and forgive | Night prayers and reflection |