Hastam.

 Anjali refers to folding one’s hands before God as an expression of devotion and surrender. Acharya Sri Alavandar highlights the profundity of this gesture in the 28th verse of his ‘Stotra Rathnam’. Swamy Vedanta Desika further glorifies its spiritual significance in his treatise, Anjali Vaibhavam.

Anjali should be offered only to the Supreme Lord and His Divine Consort. The sacred gesture may be performed at any time. Anyone, regardless of caste, creed, religion, or gender, can perform.

Dr. Venkatesh mentioned in a discourse that Anjali may be performed by raising the hands above the head or by holding them together at the chest. If, due to misfortune, a person is unable to perform Anjali physically, it is sufficient to offer it mentally, through sincere contemplation. One may perform Anjali either with a complete understanding of its significance or even without it — the gesture, whether physical or mental, is accepted by the Lord when offered with devotion.

Shri Parasara Bhattar beautifully states in the ‘Gunaratna Kosa’ that Goddess Mahalaksmi feels a tender regret. She cannot bestow anything greater than Moksha — the highest and final blessing — in response to our simple act of Anjali. Such is her boundless compassion. It is enough if a person performs even a single Anjali with sincerity. There is no stipulation that one must do it repeatedly or with elaborate effort. Even one heartfelt gesture is sufficient to draw Her infinite grace.

Anjali has the divine power to melt God’s heart and draw His abundant grace upon us. Its benefits are instantaneous. It dispels all negative influences and wipes away our sins, even without our awareness. It removes the lingering effects of our past misdeeds, leaving no trace behind. Through Anjali, one receives every blessing, benefit, and comfort needed for a righteous and fulfilling life.