Approaching the Lord – Gamanam
The first step is approaching (gamanam) the Lord. Here, the we talk to the Lord and continue to communicate with him. It can be about anything like asking boons, wishing for welfare, or having any normal conversation. This regular communication develops into a personal relationship with the Lord in course of time. As a result, we get hope that we will be heard, and acquire faith in him.

Offering unto Him – Arpanam
The second step is offering. Each one of us definitely have something to offer the Lord. Some offer fruits, some donate money, and some do voluntary service. In this stage, we evolve from mere talking with the Lord, to offering him whatever we could. When the devotee offers to please the Lord, there is a desire in the Lord also to fulfil the needs of the devotee.

Praying to Him – Yacanam
We pray the Lord to bless us. The Lord may respond to our desires in different ways. Sometimes, he may grant the wish immediately. At other times, he may save the best for later. His methods are never understood by us because we are filled with our own desires. So, it is ideal to pray the Lord for his blessing, and request him to do whatever is best for us. The Lord is never a passive listener. He understands the devotee and shall uproot all his sorrows.

He Accepts – Svikaram
The final step is the acceptance of the Lord. The Lord bonds with the devotee’s heart in love and empathy (sahanubhuti).

Did you observe the slow transition from a layman’s communication with the Lord to witnessing the grace of the Lord. This is the knowledge and path proven by several devotees and well documented in the sacred texts.

During Shivaratri, we do japa in the name of Lord Shiva. Click here for an article on how to do Japam during this auspicious night. In essence, chant “Om Namah Shivaya” for 108 times with devotion and focus on Lord Shiva.

Here is a prayer for Shivaratri…

Meaning:
O! the divine couple Shiva Parvati! Thee, the protectors of this universe along with Lords Brahma and Vishnu. We pray to you for our well-being, prosperity and the enlightenment of our souls.

Some Links of interest:

1. Slokas on Lord Shiva
2. Download Shiva Bhajan Lingashtakam MP3 for Free
3. Sri Sri Ravishankar on Shivratri
4. Myths of Shivaratri
5. What to do on Shivaratri day?

शुक्लाम्बराधाराम विष्णुम
शाशिवार्नाम चतुर्भुजम
प्रसंनावादानाम ध्यायेथ
सर्वविघ्नोपशान्ताये

Meaning:
He who is attired in a white garment
Who is all-pervading and has the complexion of the moon
Who has four arms and a bright and gracious countenance
On him we meditate for the removal of obstacles

This prayer is offered to lord Ganesh and is usually the first one among the daily morning prayers. Also, this prayer is recited at the beginning of any hindu ceremony. It is to request the lord for an auspicious start and remove any obstacles on the way.

Meaning: Let God bless every one. Best wishes for the New Year

Tat Savithur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayat

ॐ भूर्भुव: स्वः ।
तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Meaning:
Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life,
Remover of pain and sorrow,
The Bestower of happiness,
Oh! Creator of the Universe,
May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light,
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.

This is a Rig Vedic mantra in the gayatri meter invoking the solar powers of evolution and enlightenment.

The Vedic concept of Saraswati was three-fold: First, she is like the sacred river which gave birth to the Aryan civilisation. Second, she was vak or speech personified, as expressed in the Rig Veda’s Vak Sukta . ‘Speech’ basically refers to the sacred-word or the Vedas themselves.

The third and most important aspect is Saraswati’s identification with Gayatri, although the Gayatri mantra is worship of the Sun-god, Suryanarayana. The Sun-god symbolises three female deities: Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati, to be invoked in the morning, noon and evening respectively.

Ref: Experience Festival

(Source: Sukla Yajurveda Samhita III. 60)

Meaning:
Om. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who increasingly nourishes the devotees. Worshiping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk.

Explanation:
The mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva who is addressed as Sankara and Trayambaka. Sankara is sana (blessings) and Kara (the Giver). Trayambaka is the three eyed one (where the third eye signifies the giver of knowledge, which destroys ignorance and releases us from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Chanting of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (also known as the Moksha Mantra of Lord Shiva) creates divine vibrations that heals, and pulsates through every cell, every molecule of human body and tears away the veil of ignorance.

It is said that chanting of this Mantra generates divine vibrations that ward off all the negative and evil forces and creates a powerful protective shield. Besides, it is said to protect the one who chants against accidents and misfortunes of every kind.

Ref: Mahashivratri.org

According to Shankara, this mantra has two different interpretations. They are based on
1. Jiva (the individual soul)
2. Jagat (creation)

(1) That (the Universal soul), Brahman is Absolute-perfect. This, the individual soul (apparently finite) is Absolute-perfect. This Perfect (Individual soul) has come out of that Perfect (Supreme soul). Taking pefection (infinitude) of the Supreme soul into account, it ever remains perfect even when it becomes an individual soul. Aum, Peace, Peace, Peace.

(2) That, the invisible substratum is absolute. This, visible manifested creation is infinite. This infinite creation has sprung up (through maya) from that Absolute (Brahman). Comprehending the absoluteness of the Absolute, the Absolute verily remains the Absolute even when (if) the creation disappears. Aum, Peace, Peace, Peace.

According to me, both the above interpretations convey the fact “God (Brahman) is omni-potent & omni-present”

Ref: The Vedanta Kesari

Meaning: Peace instantly follows renunciation.
(Source: Bhagavad-Gita 12.12)

Here, renunciation refers to 'Tyaga'. The meaning of 'Tyaga' (sacrifice in its true sense) is giving up of the tendency to possess the fruits of action, and not the action itself. It implies that we should perform our actions with utmost sincerity, and leave the results to be taken care by the god. Our actions (karma) should be done as an offering to the god, and the results be treated as the prasadha (karma phala) that we receive from him.

This reminds me of the following well-established laws of life.

"tena tyaktena bhunjitha"
Meaning: Enjoy the world through giving up the fruits of actions.

It simply means that a non-egoistic person is freed from possessiveness, and a similar attitude towards action can make life more enjoyable. By getting rid of our ego, we realize that in essence we are devine (atma-bhava). When actions are performed in the spirit of detachment, we learn the lesson of sharing with others.

"sarvam khalvidam brahma"
Meaning: Everything in this universe is Brahman (the ultimate truth)

It means that all earthly possessions are a result of god's grace on us, and not truely ours. So, we should make a significant effort to give back atleast a fraction of what we receive. We give back by offering services to others. Offering includes sharing of money, possessions, knowledge, time, and various skills.

Ref: The Vedanta Kesari (Nov’06)