Sukbino bhavantu.

In our tradition, elders rarely say “I bless you” in isolation. They invoke Bhagavan, Dharma, and auspicious forces. 

1. The Universal Auspicious Blessing

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः

सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु

मा कश्चिद् दुःखभाग्भवेत् ॥

Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ

Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ

Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu

Mā kaścid duḥkhabhāg bhavet

Meaning:

May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see auspiciousness, may none suffer.

This is ideal when blessing children, students, or gatherings.

2. Vedic Longevity Blessing

From the Vedic tradition:

शतमानं भवति शतायु: पुरुषः

शतेन्द्रिय आयुषेवेन्द्रिये प्रतितिष्ठति

Śatamānam bhavati śatāyuḥ puruṣaḥ

Śatendriya āyuṣyevendriye pratitiṣṭhati

Meaning:

May you live a hundred years with full strength of your senses and vitality.

Often said during birthdays, weddings, or after prostrations.

3. Blessing for Prosperity and Righteous Living

धर्मे ते धृतिरस्तु

कर्मसु ते सिद्धिरस्तु

आयुष्मान् भव

श्रीमान् भव

Dharme te dhṛtirastu

Karmasu te siddhirastu

Āyuṣmān bhava

Śrīmān bhava

Meaning:

May you stand firm in dharma.

May your actions be successful.

May you live long.

May you prosper.

Very suitable when youngsters seek blessings.

4. Blessing from the Spirit of the Mahabharata

A traditional elder’s blessing:

यशस्वी भव – May you be renowned.

विजयी भव – May you be victorious.

धर्मात्मा भव – May you be righteous.

Short, powerful, and easy to say with intention.

5. Blessing invoking Rama

If you wish to invoke Sri Rama:

रामकृपाकटाक्ष सिद्धिरस्तु

Rāmakṛpā kaṭākṣa siddhirastu

May the gracious glance of Rama bring fulfillment to your life.

Or simply:

श्रीरामरक्षास्ते सदा भवतु

May Sri Rama’s protection always be with you.

6. Blessing invoking Krishna

कृष्णानुग्रहः सदा भवतु

May Krishna’s grace always be upon you.

Or

गोविन्दनामस्मरणे स्थिरो भव

May you remain steady in the remembrance of Govinda.

7. Traditional Householder Blessing

Often elders say simply:

दीर्घायुर्भव – Live long.

सौभाग्यवती भव (to women) – May you be ever auspicious.

चिरंजीवी भव (to children) – May you live long.

विद्यावान् भव – May you gain knowledge.

More important than the verse:

Mentally offer the blessing at the feet of your Ishta Devata.

Because in truth, we do not bless — we become instruments.

As our elders knew:

The blessing flows from Bhagavan; we are only the channel.