Hindu mantras

On waking, many look at their open palms before anything else, remembering Lakshmi, Saraswati and Govinda in the work of their own hands.

Before the feet touch the floor, a short prayer of respect to Mother Earth, who carries every living being, asking her pardon for the touch of our feet.

Recited while bathing, inviting the presence of India's sacred rivers into the water, for a clean body and a clear mind.

One of the oldest and most revered hymns of the Rigveda, addressed to Savitr, the divine sun that illumines consciousness. Traditionally chanted at dawn, midday and dusk, it is a prayer for clarity of mind and right understanding. Let the breath stay steady and unhurried.

Found in the Rigveda, this mantra honours Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed lord who nourishes and liberates. Devotees recite it in times of illness, change or anxiety, as a prayer for health and freedom from fear, in steady cycles with a calm mind.

From the Vaishnava bhakti tradition, the maha mantra weaves together three names: Hare, Krishna and Rama. Saints taught that repeating them sincerely softens the heart. It is chanted quietly on a tulsi mala and sung together in kirtan.

Ganesha is remembered at the start of anything new, for an auspicious beginning and the clearing of obstacles. Many devotees recite his mantra before work, study or worship.

A simple salutation to Shiva, the great yogi and the auspicious one. Recited in daily worship or meditation, it turns the mind towards stillness and devotion.

Rama's name is cherished as a reminder of dharma, courage and devotion. Its simple rhythm makes it easy to remember in prayer and in devotional singing.

Krishna is remembered as a beloved child, friend and teacher. Devotees repeat his name for closeness and comfort, quietly at home or in a temple.

Hanuman is celebrated for his strength and unwavering devotion to Rama. Devotees remember his example when they need courage and perseverance.

Spoken by Sita to Hanuman in the Sundara Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, this verse is chanted when beginning an important undertaking or facing a long-standing obstacle, asking Hanuman to see the work through and end the sorrow.

Vishnu is revered as the preserver of the universe, whose avatars, including Rama and Krishna, restore dharma. Devotees recite his name for protection and peace.

Narasimha, Vishnu's man-lion form, is remembered in the story of Prahlada, whose devotion held firm despite danger. Devotees recite this mantra for courage and protection.

Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu, is a warrior-sage whose stories join discipline with courage. Devotees recite this salutation in worship and remembrance.

Kartikeya, commander of the divine armies, is invoked to overcome doubt and inner sluggishness. His six-syllable mantra is recited for focus and fearlessness.

Brahma is the creator in the cosmic triad with Vishnu and Shiva, associated with the Vedas and knowledge. Devotees recite this in remembrance of creative order and wisdom.

Surya is worshipped as the visible source of life, energy and clarity. Many devotees offer water at sunrise while reciting his salutation.

Lakshmi is associated with prosperity, auspiciousness and well-being, and is especially worshipped at Diwali. Her mantra is a prayer for well-being and abundance.

Durga's stories tell of her protecting the world and overcoming Mahishasura. During Navratri and in daily worship, devotees recite her mantra for courage and protection.

Saraswati is the goddess of learning, music, speech and the arts. Students and artists remember her before study or creative work.

Kali represents fierce compassion, the power of time and the ending of ego and illusion. Devotees approach her as a protective mother, with deep reverence.

Parvati is the gentle, nurturing form of the Divine Mother, whose penance won the heart of Shiva. Devotees recite her mantra for harmony in the family and inner strength.

Annapurna, a form of Parvati, is the goddess of nourishment. In the story from Kashi, even Shiva receives alms from her hand. Her mantra is often recited before meals.

Chamunda is a fierce, protective form of the Divine Mother. Devotees recite this mantra, widely known as the Navarna mantra, for protection and strength in hard times.

Kubera is the guardian of wealth. His mantra is recited in prosperity-focused worship. It is an act of devotion, not a promise of financial results.

Venkateshwara, the form of Vishnu at Tirumala, is a compassionate refuge for millions. His short salutation is repeated on beads, in morning worship or while walking.

Ayyappa embodies dharma, self-discipline and equanimity. Devotees repeat this call, especially during the vratam before Sabarimala, to cultivate humility and restraint.

Dattatreya unites Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and is revered as the primordial teacher who learned from twenty-four teachers in nature. Devotees recite his mantra for guidance and the grace of the guru.

Batuk Bhairav is a gentle, child form of Bhairava, the protective manifestation of Shiva and guardian of sacred spaces. Devotees recite this mantra to overcome fear and obstacles.

Dhanvantari rose from the churning of the ocean carrying the pot of nectar and is honoured as the divine physician and source of Ayurveda. Devotees recite this before wellness practice or during recovery.

Nataraja is Shiva's cosmic dance of creation, preservation and renewal within a ring of flames. Artists and seekers remember this form for balance and grace.

Dakshinamurthy is Shiva as the supreme teacher, who teaches through silence while facing south. Students and seekers recite this for understanding and inner stillness.

Radha and Krishna are remembered together as the inseparable union of divine love. Their names are chanted on beads or sung aloud by millions every day.

Vitthala, the form of Vishnu standing on a brick at Pandharpur, is at the heart of the Varkari tradition of saints like Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar. Devotees repeat this chant while walking, working or in quiet worship.

Guided King Manu through the great flood, preserving sacred wisdom.

Supported the mountain during the churning of the ocean.

Lifted the earth from the cosmic waters to restore balance.

Protected the devotee Prahlada and upheld divine order.

Taught humility to King Mahabali with three cosmic strides.

United martial discipline with spiritual courage.

Embodied dharma, courage and righteousness.

Shared the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.

Honoured in many traditions as the ninth avatar, embodying strength and the bounty of the land.

Honoured in other traditions as the ninth avatar, the teacher of compassion and non-violence.

Foretold to appear at the close of the age to restore truth.

Across Hindu traditions, the guru is honoured as the one who dispels darkness. Many begin their daily jap with this salutation to their teachers.

Shirdi Sai Baba, remembered for his teaching of faith (shraddha) and patience (saburi), is revered by devotees of many backgrounds. His mantra is counted daily for peace and reassurance.

Raghavendra Tirtha, a 17th-century saint of the Madhva tradition, is remembered for his scholarship, devotion to Rama and compassion. Devotees recite this shloka for strength and clarity.

A timeless prayer for the happiness, health and peace of all beings everywhere, often recited at the end of daily prayer or meditation.

From the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: lead me from untruth to truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Recited in meditation or morning worship.

The joyful call of the Warkaris on the road to Pandharpur, remembering Pundalik, for whose devotion Vitthala came to stand on the brick, and the saints Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram who carried the path forward.

A simple naam of Vitthala sung in every Warkari bhajan, from village temples to the Ashadhi wari. Repeat it softly with the mala, or sing it with others.

Sung step by step by the pilgrims who walk with the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram to Pandharpur. Mauli, mother, is how Warkaris lovingly call Dnyaneshwar.

The naam jap of Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, revered as a form of Dattatreya. Devotees chant it for steadiness and courage, often at the Swami Samarth kendras across Maharashtra.

A Marathi prayer that tells the mind to be free of doubt and fear, because the strength of the Swami stands behind the devotee. It closes with the Swami's assurance: do not fear, I am with you.

The beloved naam dhun of Shri Dattatreya and of Shripad Shrivallabha, his first avatar in the Datta tradition. It is sung in Datta temples on Thursdays and on Datta Jayanti.

Composed by Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati (Tembe Swami) and recited in many Datta temples, it asks Shri Datta, the Lord of lords, to lift the devotee out of grave hardship.

The mantra always on the lips of Sant Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon. His devotees repeat it as his own blessing and count it especially on Thursdays and on his Prakat Din.

Samarth Ramdas's verses of counsel to the mind open by bowing to Ganesha and Sharada before setting out on the endless path of Shri Rama. Many families recite them each evening.

The great call of Ganeshotsav, remembering the saint Morya Gosavi of Chinchwad, whose devotion joined his name to Ganesha's. It is chanted at aarti, in processions and on Sankashti Chaturthi.

The call that rises from pilgrims climbing the seven hills to Tirumala, to the Lord of the seven hills. It is sung on the steps, in the queue and at home.

The opening of the Govinda Namalu, the long litany of Govinda's names sung in Telugu homes on Saturdays, the day of Venkateshwara, and especially in the month of Peratasi (Purattasi).

Sung at dawn in Tirumala and in countless homes to wake the Lord. It begins with the verse sage Vishvamitra spoke to young Rama in the Ramayana.

Rama Koti is the vow to write or chant Rama's name one crore times, a practice much loved in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Completed books are offered at Bhadrachalam and other Rama temples.

A simple naam of Lord Narasimha, worshipped at Yadadri, Ahobilam and Simhachalam. Devotees chant it for courage and protection.

Saravanabhava, born in the reed-pond, is the six-syllable name of Lord Murugan. It is chanted through Skanda Sashti and on Krittigai days in homes and at the six abodes of Murugan.

The rousing call of Murugan's devotees, sung while carrying kavadi on Thaipusam and Panguni Uthiram. Vetrivel is Murugan's victorious spear.

The protective hymn to Murugan by Devaraya Swamigal. Its opening verse says that whoever recites it is freed from hardship and gains prosperity and steady practice. Many recite it daily, and especially through the six days of Skanda Sashti.

The first hymn of Manikkavasagar's Thiruvasagam, sung in Shaiva homes and temples across the Tamil world. It opens by praising the five syllables and the feet of the Lord who never leaves the heart.

Sung by Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) when he was tied to a stone and cast into the sea. He sang that the true companion in every danger is the five-syllable name, and the stone floated. Devotees recite it before journeys.

Thirugnanasambandar sang this pathigam to show that for the Lord's devotees the nine planets are only good. It is recited when people worry about the grahas or begin something new.

Andal's Tiruppavai is sung at dawn through the month of Margazhi, one pasuram a day. The first calls the young women of Ayarpadi to the river, for Narayana himself will grant what they seek.