Pranaya

Mangalya sthavam is a great prayer addressed to several avatharas of Lord Vishnu occurring in the forty third chapter of the Vishnu Dharmotharam Ithihasam. It is a conversation between Sage Pulasthya and his disciple sage Dhaulabhya. On being asked about the most suitable prayer to drive away bad dreams and for being able to complete all jobs in a proper fashion by Dhaulabhya, Pulasthya tells him that only a prayer to Lord Vishnu would help him achieve that. We recite this prayer before starting any important work. I have given only a part here.

Karyarambeshu sarveshu....ya japthavyam thaduchatham?

(What is the most proper verse or chant to be chanted....at the beginning of any work)

Sarveshu Kaaleshu sarva deseshu,
Aasesha karyeshu thada eswareswara,
Sarvai swaroopai bhagwan anadhiman,
Mamasthu mangalya vivrudhaye hari.
-Maangalya Sthavam

(One who is the god of gods for every one,

At all times, in all regions of the world,
And in all types of actions and who is,
The God with all types of forms and shapes
And who is without end nor beginning,
Is Hari, who will help me in increasing auspiciousness. )

Source of English translation: http://www.celextel.org