Every year, Princeton University’s Hindu Life Program host an incredible celebration of Diwali at the University’s historic chapel.
This opening piece was a special collaboration with the Princeton Chapel Choir, with choral arrangement composed by Michael Eipper.
The beautiful prayer for the blessing of all of humanity is taken from the prayers of Prahlad Maharaj as found in the Bhagavata Purana - .
svasty astu viśvasya khalaḥ prasīdatāṁ
dhyāyantu bhūtāni śivaṁ mitho dhiyā
manaś ca bhadraṁ bhajatād adhokṣaje
āveśyatāṁ no matir apy ahaitukī
“May the entire universe be blessed with peace and good hope. May everyone driven by envy and enmity become pacified and reconciled. May all living beings develop abiding concern for the welfare of others. May our own hearts and minds be filled with purity and serenity. May all these blessings flow naturally from this supreme benediction: May our attention become spontaneously absorbed in the rapture of pure love unto the transcendent Lord.“
-- translation by Ravindra-svarupa Das
The ARTISTS
Michael Eipper/ Madhava Puri Das: saxophone
Princeton Chapel Choir, led by Penna Rose
Filmed by Brajaraj Das and edited by Filmwork Studio
This song was originally released as part of ’Mantra Lounge Vol. 2’ - available on all digital channels including iTunes:
For more info on Princeton University’s Hindu Life Program: