Common mantras for spiritual practice
Gayatri Mantra
Aum Bhūr Bhuva Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yo Nahah Prachodayāt, (Aum)
Gayatri mantra is one of the most common mantra in Hindu tradition. Invoking the universal Brahman as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun.
GooRoo Mantra
Asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Mrtyormā amrtam gamaya
Aum śānti śānti śāntiḥ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28)
Lead me from darkness to the light
Lead me from the unknown to the truth;
Lead me from death to immortality
Aum peace, peace, peace
Shanti mantra
Aum. Aum. Aum.
Sahana vavatu sahanou bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam karavavahai
Tejasvinavadhitamastu
Mavid visha vahai hi
Aum Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthihi.
Together we may be protected
Together we may be nourished
Together we may work with great energy
May our journey together be brilliant and effective
Universal Prayer
Sarveśām Svastir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Sāntir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Poornam Bhavatu
Sarveśām Mangalam Bhavatu
May good befall all,
May there be peace for all
May all be fit for perfection
May all experience that which is auspicious.
Om Namo Narayana
In Sanskrit, another name for water is ‘Naara’. The Supreme Lord Vishnu whose resting place ('Ayana') is ‘Naara’ is therefore called Naarayana. "Naara" also means the living entities (Jivas). Therefore, another meaning of Naarayana is 'resting place for all living entities'. The close association of Narayana with water explains the frequent depiction of Narayana in Hindu art as standing or sitting on an ocean. Another important translation of Narayana is "The Supreme Being who is the foundation of all men".
Another interpretation of the word Narayana sees Nara meaning "human" and Ayana as "direction/goal". Some view Narayana as meaning "son of man." Hence Narayana refers to the "direction of a human" (or the one that helps a human to his/her goal, i.e. towards moksha). Nara is related to moksha as both are rooted to the Water element (Ap), one of the Great Elements (Mahābhūta)
Nara means humans and Ayana means shelter so Narayana means the shelter of all human beings. The Sama Veda reads: "'Om Namo Narayanayeti mantra upasaka Vaikuntha bhuvanam gamishyati', or "Whosoever chants the 'Om Namo Narayana' mantra reaches the ultimate goal Vaikuntha planet where one attains eternal blissful life." Vaikuntha is the supreme spiritual abode; there is nothing that exists beyond Vaikuntha, Vaikuntha means 'no desires'
Hari Om Shiva Om, Shiva Om Hari Om
Hara hara mahadev, jaya hara hara mahadev
Brahma Vishnu Sadha Shiva (2X)
Hara hara mahadev, jaya hara hara mahadev
Jaya Shiva Omkara, jaya Shiva Omkara
Brahma Vishnu Sadha Shiva (2X)
Hara hara mahadev, jaya hara hara mahadev
Om Mani Padme Hum
Gate Gate Paragate para sam gate
Gone, gone, gone beyond, completely gone beyond, enlightenment, hail
Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung
Ra=sun energy
Ma=moon energy
Da=earth energy
Sa=infinity, universal energy
Sa=repeat in second half of mantra
Say=the personal embodiment of Sa
So=the personal sense of merger with Sa
Hung=the Infinite, vibrating and real.
The mantra literally means: “I am Thou. It is also used to mean, The service of God is within me.”
Sa Ta Na Ma
Existence, life, death and re-birth
Protection Mantra
Aad Guray Nameh
Jugaad Guray Nameh
Saad Guray Nameh
Siri Guru Dev de Nameh
I bow to the Primal Wisdom,
I bow to the Wisdom through Ages,
I bow to the True Wisdom,
I bow to the Great, unseen Wisdom
Ajai Alai
Ajai Alai – - – Invincible. Indestructible
Abhai Abai – - – Fearless. Unchanging
Abhoo Ajoo – - – Unformed. Unborn
Anaas Akaas – - – Imperishable. Etheric
Aganj Abhanj – - – Unbreakable. Impenetrable
Alakkh Abhakkh – - – Unseen. Unaffected
Akaal Dy-aal – - – Undying. Merciful
Alaykh Abhaykh – - – Indescribable. Uncostumed
Anaam Akaam – - – Nameless. Desireless
Agaah Adhaah – - – Unfathomable. Incorruptible
Anaa-thay Pramaa-thay – - – Unmastered. Destroyer
Ajonee Amonee – - – Beyond birth. Beyond silence
Na Raagay Na Rangay – - – Beyond love. Beyond color
Na Roopay Na Raykhay – - – Beyond form. Beyond shape
Akarmang Abharmang – - – Beyond karma. Beyond doubt
Aganjay Alaykhay – - – Unconquerable. Indescribable
May the long time sun, shine upon you
All love around you
And the pure light within you,
Guide your way on
Sat Nam
Jai Shiva Shankara (2x) Jai Shiva Shankar Hari Om
Jai Shiva Shankara Paramesvara Jai Shiva Shankara Hari Om
Om Namo Shivaya
Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha (Ganesh)
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya(liberation)
Vasudevaya' is a mantra of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. It means literally: "Prostration to Bhagavan Vasudeva." 'Surrender to Sri Vasudeva' is implied therein. Now, the prostration, salutation, is an external symbol of the internal union.
"Bhagavan Vasudeva, I am one with you" is a spirit of surrender, and here begins meditation on Bhagavan Vasudeva. When this mantra is chanted you have also created the requisite atmosphere in the mind for contemplation on Bhagavan Vasudeva, to begin meditation and to feel His presence. This rule applies to all other mantras, also.
Om Shree Dhanvantre Namaha (Healing)
Moola mantra
Om Sat Cit Ananda Parabrahma
Purushotama paramatma
Sri Bhagavati Sametha
Sri Bhagavate Namaha
Hari Om Tat Sat
This mantra evokes the living God, asking protection and freedom from all sorrow and suffering. It has given great peace and joy to people all over the world, who have chanted or even listened to it.
Gayatri Mantra
Aum Bhūr Bhuva Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yo Nahah Prachodayāt, (Aum)
Gayatri mantra is one of the most common mantra in Hindu tradition. Invoking the universal Brahman as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun.
GooRoo Mantra
Asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Mrtyormā amrtam gamaya
Aum śānti śānti śāntiḥ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28)
Lead me from darkness to the light
Lead me from the unknown to the truth;
Lead me from death to immortality
Aum peace, peace, peace
Shanti mantra
Aum. Aum. Aum.
Sahana vavatu sahanou bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam karavavahai
Tejasvinavadhitamastu
Mavid visha vahai hi
Aum Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthihi.
Together we may be protected
Together we may be nourished
Together we may work with great energy
May our journey together be brilliant and effective
Universal Prayer
Sarveśām Svastir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Sāntir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Poornam Bhavatu
Sarveśām Mangalam Bhavatu
May good befall all,
May there be peace for all
May all be fit for perfection
May all experience that which is auspicious.
Om Namo Narayana
In Sanskrit, another name for water is ‘Naara’. The Supreme Lord Vishnu whose resting place ('Ayana') is ‘Naara’ is therefore called Naarayana. "Naara" also means the living entities (Jivas). Therefore, another meaning of Naarayana is 'resting place for all living entities'. The close association of Narayana with water explains the frequent depiction of Narayana in Hindu art as standing or sitting on an ocean. Another important translation of Narayana is "The Supreme Being who is the foundation of all men".
Another interpretation of the word Narayana sees Nara meaning "human" and Ayana as "direction/goal". Some view Narayana as meaning "son of man." Hence Narayana refers to the "direction of a human" (or the one that helps a human to his/her goal, i.e. towards moksha). Nara is related to moksha as both are rooted to the Water element (Ap), one of the Great Elements (Mahābhūta)
Nara means humans and Ayana means shelter so Narayana means the shelter of all human beings. The Sama Veda reads: "'Om Namo Narayanayeti mantra upasaka Vaikuntha bhuvanam gamishyati', or "Whosoever chants the 'Om Namo Narayana' mantra reaches the ultimate goal Vaikuntha planet where one attains eternal blissful life." Vaikuntha is the supreme spiritual abode; there is nothing that exists beyond Vaikuntha, Vaikuntha means 'no desires'
Hari Om Shiva Om, Shiva Om Hari Om
Hara hara mahadev, jaya hara hara mahadev
Brahma Vishnu Sadha Shiva (2X)
Hara hara mahadev, jaya hara hara mahadev
Jaya Shiva Omkara, jaya Shiva Omkara
Brahma Vishnu Sadha Shiva (2X)
Hara hara mahadev, jaya hara hara mahadev
Om Mani Padme Hum
Gate Gate Paragate para sam gate
Gone, gone, gone beyond, completely gone beyond, enlightenment, hail
Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung
Ra=sun energy
Ma=moon energy
Da=earth energy
Sa=infinity, universal energy
Sa=repeat in second half of mantra
Say=the personal embodiment of Sa
So=the personal sense of merger with Sa
Hung=the Infinite, vibrating and real.
The mantra literally means: “I am Thou. It is also used to mean, The service of God is within me.”
Sa Ta Na Ma
Existence, life, death and re-birth
Protection Mantra
Aad Guray Nameh
Jugaad Guray Nameh
Saad Guray Nameh
Siri Guru Dev de Nameh
I bow to the Primal Wisdom,
I bow to the Wisdom through Ages,
I bow to the True Wisdom,
I bow to the Great, unseen Wisdom
Ajai Alai
Ajai Alai – - – Invincible. Indestructible
Abhai Abai – - – Fearless. Unchanging
Abhoo Ajoo – - – Unformed. Unborn
Anaas Akaas – - – Imperishable. Etheric
Aganj Abhanj – - – Unbreakable. Impenetrable
Alakkh Abhakkh – - – Unseen. Unaffected
Akaal Dy-aal – - – Undying. Merciful
Alaykh Abhaykh – - – Indescribable. Uncostumed
Anaam Akaam – - – Nameless. Desireless
Agaah Adhaah – - – Unfathomable. Incorruptible
Anaa-thay Pramaa-thay – - – Unmastered. Destroyer
Ajonee Amonee – - – Beyond birth. Beyond silence
Na Raagay Na Rangay – - – Beyond love. Beyond color
Na Roopay Na Raykhay – - – Beyond form. Beyond shape
Akarmang Abharmang – - – Beyond karma. Beyond doubt
Aganjay Alaykhay – - – Unconquerable. Indescribable
May the long time sun, shine upon you
All love around you
And the pure light within you,
Guide your way on
Sat Nam
Jai Shiva Shankara (2x) Jai Shiva Shankar Hari Om
Jai Shiva Shankara Paramesvara Jai Shiva Shankara Hari Om
Om Namo Shivaya
Om Gum Ganapataye Namaha (Ganesh)
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya(liberation)
Vasudevaya' is a mantra of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. It means literally: "Prostration to Bhagavan Vasudeva." 'Surrender to Sri Vasudeva' is implied therein. Now, the prostration, salutation, is an external symbol of the internal union.
"Bhagavan Vasudeva, I am one with you" is a spirit of surrender, and here begins meditation on Bhagavan Vasudeva. When this mantra is chanted you have also created the requisite atmosphere in the mind for contemplation on Bhagavan Vasudeva, to begin meditation and to feel His presence. This rule applies to all other mantras, also.
Om Shree Dhanvantre Namaha (Healing)
Moola mantra
Om Sat Cit Ananda Parabrahma
Purushotama paramatma
Sri Bhagavati Sametha
Sri Bhagavate Namaha
Hari Om Tat Sat
This mantra evokes the living God, asking protection and freedom from all sorrow and suffering. It has given great peace and joy to people all over the world, who have chanted or even listened to it.
