Gayatri Mantra
oṁ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṁ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt
OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT
Translation: “We meditate upon the divine light of the sun of spiritual consciousness. May it illuminate our intellect, just as radiant sunlight dispels darkness.”
The Gayatri Mantra is found in the Rigveda (3.62.10) and is traditionally associated with the rishi Vishvamitra. It is addressed to Savitar, the divine solar principle that awakens the intellect. It is one of the most revered Vedic prayers.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
oṁ tryambakaṁ yajāmahe
sugandhiṁ puṣṭivardhanam
urvārukam iva bandhanān
mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt
OM TRAYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHE
SUGANDHIM PUSHTIVARDHANAM
URVARUKAMIVA BANDHANAN
MRITYOR MUKSHIYA MAAMRITAT
Translation: “We worship the Three-Eyed One, fragrant and increasing well-being. As a ripe fruit is released from its stem, may he free us from the bonds of death, but not from immortality.”
The mantra is addressed to Rudra-Shiva and is found in the Rigveda (7.59.12). It is recited as a prayer for freedom from the fear of death, for health, and for spiritual fortitude.
Asatoma Mantra
asato mā sad gamaya
tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya
oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
ASATOMA SAT GAMAYA
TAMASOMA JYOTIR GAMAYA
MRITYORMA AMRITAM GAMAYA
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIHI
Translation: “Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Om. Peace, peace, peace.”
This passage from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) expresses the direction of the spiritual path: from ignorance to knowledge of one’s true nature. The mantra is often recited at the beginning or end of classes and satsangs.
Gayatri Mantra of Bhagavan Dattatreya
oṁ dattātreyāya vidmahe
atriputrāya dhīmahi
tanno dattaḥ pracodayāt
DATTATREYAYA VIDMAHE
ATRIPUTRAYA DHIMAHI
TANNO DATTA PRACHODAYAT
Translation: “May we know Dattatreya; may we contemplate the son of Atri. May Datta guide us.”
The mantra combines the worship of Dattatreya with the Gayatri form. It directs the mind toward Dattatreya as the primordial Guru and the embodiment of wisdom that unites knowledge, yoga, and renunciation.
Mantra of Dattatreya
oṁ drāṁ dattātreyāya namaḥ
OM DRAM DATTATREYAYA NAMAHA
Translation: “Om. Salutations to Dattatreya.”
This short formula is addressed to Bhagavan Dattatreya. The syllable drāṁ belongs to the bija mantras, so advanced practice should be undertaken under the guidance of a teacher.
Mantra of Bhagavan Vasudeva
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA
Translation: “Om. Salutations to Bhagavan Vasudeva.”
This twelve-syllable mantra venerates Vishnu-Krishna as Vasudeva—the Divine dwelling in all beings. It is associated with the path of devotion, remembrance of God, and purification of consciousness.
Narayana Mantra
oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya
OM NAMO NARAYANA
Translation: “Om. Salutations to Narayana.”
The eight-syllable Narayana mantra holds an important place in Vaishnava traditions. The name Narayana refers to God as the refuge of all beings and the foundation of the universe.
Ganesha Mantra
vakratuṇḍa mahākāya
sūryakoṭisamaprabha
nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva
sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā
VAKRATUNDA MAHAKAYA
SURYAKOTI SAMAPRABHA
NIRVIGHNAM KURU ME DEVA
SARVA KAARYESHU SARVADA
Translation: “O Lord with a curved trunk and mighty body, shining like millions of suns! Remove the obstacles from all my undertakings, always.”
Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of study, a journey, a ritual, or any significant undertaking. This prayer asks not for instant success, but for clarity, wisdom, and the removal of obstacles along the chosen path.
Mantras for Every Day
Short prayers help incorporate ordinary activities into sadhana. Variations in wording and recitation order are found in different regions and lineages; common forms are given here.
Morning Contemplation of the Palms
Karāgre vasate Lakṣmīḥ
Karamadhye Sarasvatī
Karamūle tu sthito Brahmā
Prabhāte karadarśanam
KARAGRE VASATE LAKSHMIYIM
KARAMADHYE SARASVATI
KARAMUTE TU STHITO BRAHMA
PRABHATE KARA DARSHANAM
In the morning, one contemplates the palms while remembering Lakshmi, Sarasvati, and Brahma. The prayer attunes one to purity in actions, knowledge, and means of livelihood.
Mantra for the Morning Salutation to the Deities and Planets, for Harmonizing the Planets and Sanctifying the Day
Brahmā Murāris Tripurāntakārī
Bhānuḥ Śaśī Bhūmisuto Budhaśca
Guruśca Śukraḥ Śanirāhuketavaḥ
Kurvantu sarve mama suprabhātam
BRAHMA MURARI STRIPURANTAKARI
BHANUH SHASHI
BHUMISUTO BUDHASHCHA
GURUSHCHA SHUKRAH SHANIRAHUKETAVA
KURVANTU SARVE MAMA SUPRABHATAM
Translation: “May Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu—may all the celestial beings make the morning auspicious for me.”
This mantra blesses the beginning of the day. It should be recited immediately upon waking and neutralizes unfavorable astrological influences of the planets.
Prayer to Mother Earth
Oṃ priyadattāyai bhuve namaḥ
OM PRIYADATTAYE BHUVE NAMAH
Translation: “O Earth, who gives everything beneficial to me, I bow before you.”
Another mantra to the Earth Goddess:
samudravasane devi
parvatastanamaṇḍale
viṣṇupatni namastubhyaṁ
pādasparśaṁ kṣamasva me
SAMUDRA VASANE DEVI
PARVATA STANA MANDALE
VISHNUPATNI NAMASTUBHYAM
PAADA SPARSHAM KSHAMASVA ME
Translation: “O Goddess, whose garments are the oceans and whose breasts are the mountains, consort of Vishnu, salutations to You. Forgive the touch of my feet.”
Mantras to Mother Earth are recited in the morning before setting foot upon the ground.
Mantra of the Seven Sacred Rivers
gaṅge ca yamune caiva
godāvari sarasvati
narmade sindhu kāveri
jale'smin sannidhiṁ kuru
OM GANGE CHA YAMUNE CHAIVA
GODAVARI SARASVATI
NARMADE SINDHU KAVERI
JALE ’SMIN SANNIDHIM KURU
Translation: “O Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri, be present in this water.”
This prayer is used before bathing or consecrating water.
Prayer Before Eating
brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir
brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam
brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ
brahmakarmasamādhinā
This verse from the Bhagavad Gita (4.24) reminds us that the offering, the fire, the one making the offering, and its purpose are rooted in Brahman. It is recited before eating as a prayer of gratitude and to consecrate the food.
Mantra for Consecrating Food
Annaṃ Brahma, raso Viṣṇuḥ
Bhoktā Devo Maheśvaraḥ
Oṃ prāṇāya svāhā
Oṃ apānāya svāhā
Oṃ vyānāya svāhā
Oṃ udānāya svāhā
Oṃ samānāya svāhā
ANNAM BRAHMA RASO VISHNUH
BHOKTA DEVO MAHESHWARAH
OM PRANAYA SVAHA
OM APANAYA SVAHA
OM VYANAYA SVAHA
OM UDANAYA SVAHA
OM SAMANAYA SVAHA
Translation: “Food is Brahma, taste is Vishnu, and the one who enjoys the food is Maheshvara. Om, reverence to prana. Om, reverence to apana. Om, reverence to vyana. Om, reverence to udana. Om, reverence to samana.”
Mantra for Bathing (Snana Mantra)
Oṃ apavitraḥ pavitro vā
Sarvāvasthāṃ gato ’pi vā
Yaḥ smaret Puṇḍarīkākṣaṃ
Sa bāhyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ
Śrī Viṣṇuḥ, Śrī Viṣṇuḥ, Śrī Viṣṇuḥ
OM APAVITRAH PAVITRO VA
SARVAVASTHAM GATO ’PI VA
YAH SMARET PUNDARIKAKSHAM
SA BAHYA ABHYANTARAH SHUCHIHI
SHRI VISHNU SHRI VISHNU SHRI VISHNU
Translation: “Whether pure or impure, having passed through all kinds of circumstances of conditioned life, a person is instantly purified by remembering the lotus eyes of Lord Vishnu.”
Mantra for Consecrating the Asana (Asanopaveshana)
Oṃ pṛthvi! Tvayā dhṛtā lokā, devi! Tvaṃ Viṣṇunā dhṛtā
Tvaṃ ca dhāraya māṃ nityaṃ, pavitraṃ kuru cāsanam
OM PRITHVI! TVAYA DHRITA LOKA DEVI! TVAM VISHNUNA DHRITA
TVAM CHA DHARAYA MAM NITYAM PAVITRAM KURU CHASANAM
Translation: “O Mother Earth, you support the worlds, and, O Goddess, you are supported by Lord Vishnu. Therefore, please support me every day and purify this asana.”
The mantra for consecrating the asana is important because a good, clean asana bestows purification and siddhis. In this context, the asana is the place where you sit, meditate, practice pranayama, or recite a mantra—that is, where you perform spiritual practice.
Mantra Before Sleep
oṁ śrī svapneśvarī namaḥ
OM SHRI SVAPNESHWARI NAMAHA
Translation: “Om. Reverence to Svapneshvari, the Lady of Dreams.”
This short prayer is recited before sleep, bringing the day to a close in a calm and mindful state.
Mantras for Peace and Protection
Shanti Mantra for the Well-Being of All Beings
Oṃ! Sarveṣāṃ svastir bhavatu
Sarveṣāṃ śāntir bhavatu
Sarveṣāṃ pūrṇaṃ bhavatu
Sarveṣāṃ maṅgalaṃ bhavatu
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
Mā kaścid duḥkhabhāg bhavet
Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
OM! SARVESHAM SVASTIR BHAVATU
SARVESHAM SHANTIR BHAVATU
SARVESHAM PURNAM BHAVATU
SARVESHAM MANGALAM BHAVATU
SARVE BHAVANTU SUKHINAHA
SARVE SANTU NIRAMAYAHA
SARVE BHADRANI PASHYANTU
MA KASHCHID DUKHA BHAG BHAVET
Translation: “May everyone be happy, may everyone be free from disease, may everyone behold what is auspicious, may no one suffer. Om. Peace, peace, peace.”
Shanti Mantra
Lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu
Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
LOKA SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU
AUM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTIHI
Translation: “O Lord! May the whole world be happy!”
Mangalam
sarva maṅgalam
bhūmi maṅgalam
udaka maṅgalam
agni maṅgalam
vāyu maṅgalam
gagana maṅgalam
sūrya maṅgalam
candra maṅgalam
jagat maṅgalam
jīva maṅgalam
deha maṅgalam
mano maṅgalam
ātma maṅgalam
sarva maṅgalam
bhavatu bhavatu bhavatu
oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
SARVA MANGALAM
BHUMI MANGALAM
UDAKA MANGALAM
AGNI MANGALAM
VAYU MANGALAM
GAGANA MANGALAM
SURYA MANGALAM
CHANDRA MANGALAM
JAGAT MANGALAM
JIVA MANGALAM
DEHA MANGALAM
MANO MANGALAM
ATMA MANGALAM
SARVA MANGALAMBHAVATU BHAVATU BHAVATU
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI
Translation: “May there be peace on earth, in water, fire, and air, in the Sun, the Moon, and the planet, in all living beings, in the body, mind, and heart. May this peace be everywhere and within everyone. So be it, may it be so.”
The prayer invokes well-being and peace for the earth, water, fire, air, the celestial bodies, the world, living beings, the body, mind, and soul.
Pranama Mantra to Brahman
Oṃ namaste paramaṃ brahma
Namaste paramātmane
Nirguṇāya namastubhyaṃ
Sadrūpāya namo namaḥ
OM NAMASTE PARAMAM BRAHMA
NAMASTE PARAMATMANE
NIRGUNAYA NAMASTUBHYAM
SADRUPAYA NAMO NAMAH
Translation: “I bow to the Supreme Brahman, I bow to the Supreme Soul, I bow to the One who is beyond all qualities, I bow again and again to the One who exists eternally.”
When performing shashtanga pranam or panchanga pranam, bowing in a temple or before deities, one should greet Brahman as the supreme source of being with this prayer at the beginning and end of a ritual or sadhana.
Mantra to Narasimha
oṁ namo bhagavate narasiṁhāya
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE NARASIMHAYA
Translation: “Om. Salutations to Bhagavan Narasimha.”
Narasimha is revered as a powerful protective manifestation of the Divine.
Protective Mantra of Narasimha
HRĪṂ KṢRAUṂ HRĪṂ
HRIM KSHRAUM HRIM
Translation: “O Divine Shakti and Lord Narasimha, purify, protect, and awaken me.”
- HRIM is the bija of the Divine Mother, Mahashakti, the power of purification, manifestation, and spiritual awakening.
- KSHRAUM is the principal bija of Lord Narasimha, associated with protection and the destruction of fear and obstacles.
The Narasimha mantra creates a protective field and fills one with strength, health, vitality, and enlightenment.
Complex protective formulas and bija mantras are best not taken from random collections: their use requires precise context and guidance.
The Great Mantra of the Goddess Lakshmi
Oṃ hrīṃ śrīṃ Lakṣmībhyo namaḥ
OM HRIM SHRIM LAKSHMI BHYO NAMAHA
Translation: “I invoke (OM) the auspicious energy of the fiery Sun (HRIM) and the attractive power of the watery Moon (SHRIM) to draw to me the energy of the goddess Lakshmi (LAKSHMI), from whom (BHYO) all abundance, wealth, and the flow of happiness arise. I salute her (NAMAHA).”
Repeating this mantra brings the blessing of Mother Lakshmi in the form of peace, prosperity, and harmony.
Protective Mantra to the Nine Forms of Durga (Shri Nava Durga Raksha Mantra)
Oṃ Śailaputrī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Jagajananī Devī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Brahmacāriṇī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Bhavatāriṇī Devī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Candraghaṇṭā Caṇḍī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Bhayahāriṇī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Kūṣmāṇḍā tum hai rakṣā karo
Oṃ Śaktirūpā Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Skandamātā Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Jagadambā Jananī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Kātyāyanī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Pāpanāśinī Ambe rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Kālarātrī Kālī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Sukhadātrī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Mahāgaurī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Bhaktidātrī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
Oṃ Siddhidātrī Maiyā rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā Devī rakṣā karo
Oṃ Navadurgā namaḥ
Oṃ Jagajananī namaḥ
OM SHAILAPUTRI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM JAG JANANI DEVI RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM BRAHMACHARINI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM BHAVATARANI DEVI RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM CHANDRAGHANTA CHANDI RAKSHA KARO
OM BHAYAHARINI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM KUSHMANDA TUM HAI RAKSHA KARO
OM SHAKTIRUPA MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM SKANDA MATA MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM JAGADAMBA JANANI RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM KATYAYANI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM PAPANASINI AMBE RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM KALARATRI KALI RAKSHA KARO
OM SUKHADATI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM MAHAGAURI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM BHAKTIDATI RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHAOM SIDDHIDATRI MAIYA RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA DEVI RAKSHA KARO
OM NAV DURGA NAMAHA
OM JAG JANANI NAMAHA
Translation: "Om, Shailaputri, Daughter of the Mountains, please protect me! Om, Goddess who is the Mother of the entire universe, protect me!
Om, Brahmacharini, observer of strict austerities, please protect me! Om, Mother who helps us cross the ocean of suffering, protect me!
Om, Chandi, adorned with the crescent moon, please protect me! Om, Goddess who dispels all fears, protect me!
Om, Kushmanda, creator of the universe, please protect me; Om, Mother who is the embodiment of Shakti (energy), protect me!
Om, Skandamata, mother of the skilled warrior Karttikeya, please protect me! Om, Divine Mother who is the source of life, protect me!
Om, Katyayani, daughter of the sage Katyayana, please protect me! Om, Mother who burns away all sins, protect me!
Om, Kalaratri-Kali, destroyer of the darkness of ignorance, please protect me! Om, Goddess who blesses us with happiness, protect me!
Om, Maha Gauri, radiating the purest light, please protect me! Om, Mother who grants steadfast devotion (bhakti), protect me!
Om, Siddhidatri, bestower of supernatural powers, please protect me! Om, Goddess who has nine forms, protect me!"
Durga Gayatri I
Oṃ Girijāyai vidmahe
Śivapriyāyai dhīmahi
Tanno Durgā pracodayāt
OM GIRIJAYAI VIDMAHE
SHIVA PRIYAYAI DHIMAHI
TANNO DURGA PRACHODAYAT
Translation: "Om. May we know Girijaya—the Daughter of the Mountain.
May we meditate upon Shiva’s Beloved.
May Durga illuminate and guide our minds."
This is a protective mantra for gaining strength and confidence and overcoming negative energies and obstacles.
Durga Gayatri II
Oṃ Kātyāyanyai vidmahe
Kanyākumāryai dhīmahi
Tanno Durgā pracodayāt
OM KATYAYANYAI VIDMAHE
KANYAKUMARYAI DHIMAHI
TANNO DURGA PRACHODAYAT
Translation: “Om. May we know Katyayani.
May we meditate upon the Maiden Kumari.
May Durga illuminate and guide our intellect.”
Protective Mantras of Durga
Oṃ Śrī Durgāyai namaḥ
OM SHRI DURGAYAI NAMAH
Translation: “Om, reverence to Shri Durga!
Oṃ Durgāṃ Devīṃ śaraṇam ahaṃ prapadye
OM DURGAM DEVIM SHARANAM AHAM PRAPADYE
Translation: “I take refuge at the lotus feet of Goddess Durga.”
This mantra dispels harmful influences, protects against dark forces, and removes obstacles.
Six Types of Mantras for Upasana
Six main types of mantras are used in the worship of deities:
- Dhyana mantras are meditation mantras used to evoke in the mind the transcendental form of the deity, their loka (abode), manifestations, and lilas (divine play).
- Bija mantras are seed mantras intended for special meditation and for purifying objects used in puja.
- Mula mantras are root mantras (from “mula,” meaning root); they embody the essence of the deity and are recited when addressing the deity and offering them an object of worship.
- Stutis, stavas, and stotras are prayers recited before, during, or after worship that glorify the name, form, qualities, and divine play of God or a deity.
- Pranama mantras are prayers recited while offering obeisance to God, one’s deity, the Refuge Tree, and the guru, at the beginning and end of worship.
Gayatri mantras are mantras from the Vedas used in the worship of God and one’s ishta-devata, awakening three principles: sambandha (the original foundational relationship), abhidheya (the path), and prayojana (the fruit).
How to Choose a Mantra
To begin with, one openly available mantra whose meaning you understand and feel an affinity with is enough. You should not accumulate numerous formulas at once: stability in practice comes through consistency.
- For contemplating light and clarity of mind, the Gayatri Mantra is suitable.
- For invoking Shiva and overcoming the fear of death, use the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
- For a prayer for peace, use the Asatoma Mantra or “Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ.”
- To worship one’s chosen deity, select the corresponding openly available nama mantra.
If you wish to make japa a regular part of your sadhana, determine the number of repetitions, or work with a bija mantra, you should receive personal instruction. Diksha includes the transmission of knowledge, the rules of practice, and a connection with the lineage.
A mantra reveals itself not through the number of texts collected, but through the depth of attention. A single formula that the practitioner understands and repeats regularly is more beneficial than casually reading a large collection.
