During my childhood we use to wake up quite early in the morning every day and read the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads followed by worshiping, offering prayers, and reciting certain mantras.This following mantra was also one of them.
Shubham Karoti Kalyaannam-Aarogyam Dhana-Sampadaam
Shatru-Buddhi-Vinaashaaya Diipa-Jyotir-Namostute
In general, some people interpret this mantra that by reciting this mantra and bowing down to the Lamp (Jyoti) of Gyana every day –
Good things will happen in life - one will remain disease free and attain a lot of wealth. By the power of this mantra and the Jyoti the enemies will be weakened and destroyed.
Nonetheless the thing to contemplate is that spiritual scriptures are not concerned about the body and material things but rather their messages is for the mind and soul. Therefore, the meaning of such mantras should be perceived from the spiritual aspect and not from worldly aspect.
There are innumerable mantras in the ancient Hindu Scriptures which explain that after attaining Gyana -the knowledge - what changes occur in the life of an enlightened person. Even in this mantra, ancient Rishis have explained the same -
Shubham Karoti Kalyaannam
In whose heart the light of Gyana shines, his actions are guided by righteousness – he neither thinks ill of others nor does he do anything to harm others.
Aarogyam - -
This light of Gyana keeps one free of disease - meaning free from the diseases of mind such as lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego and jealousy etc.
If the mind is free of ill thoughts, then the body will also mostly stay free of illness and healthy.
Dhana-Sampadaa - -
By the grace of the lamp of Gyana, a lot of wealth will be attained.
Usually, whenever someone mentions wealth, our focus mostly goes towards worldly wealth - Money. However, the message of these Scriptures is not about the worldly or physical wealth but the Spiritual wealth. The light of Gyana provides wealth of the mind, such as humility, faith, patience, tolerance, satisfaction and peace etc.
Go-dhan, gaja-dhan, baaja-dhan aur ratan-dhan khaan
jab aavai santosh dhan - sab dhan dhuri samaan
The wise collects the wealth of patience, tolerance, contentment and humility in his heart. Even while working towards making his livelihood, he keeps the Gyana in his mind - he earns his livelihood by sincere and honest means - and thus lives a happy and peaceful life.
Shatru-Buddhi-Vinaashaaya Diipa-Jyotir-Namostute
When the lamp of Gyana illuminates, animosity and hatred gets destroyed - that is in our own mind, and the whole world becomes friendly.
(Na ko bairi, Nahi begana , Sagal sang ham ko ban aai)
A sense of – “a foe or an enemy is lost and everyone seems like a friend.." is born.
In the end, this mantra shows gratitude towards the light of Gyana which destroys animosity and resentment towards others and helps us achieve love and sympathy for all.
The significance of these mantras is not only in reading or reciting them, but by understanding the correct meaning and implementing their teachings in our lives.
'Rajan Sachdeva'