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Library · Mantras

Sacred sounds and phrases from Vedic, Buddhist, Sikh, and universal traditions — with their literal translations, lineage, pronunciation, and honest cultural framing. Treated as the living practices they are.

50 mantras · last updated April 2026

Omkar, Tarot Reader & Spiritual Practitioner
ByOmkarpracticing 14 years · 10,000+ clients

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What a mantra is

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or phrase used in spiritual practice as a focusing tool, devotional offering, or invocation of a particular consciousness. The Sanskrit word combines mánas (mind) and trá (instrument) — "instrument of the mind." In every tradition that uses mantras, the practice is to hold the mind to a single thread of sound until something settles.

What's in this library is mantras with their actual meaning, their actual lineage, and their actual practice. Sanskrit mantras with literal translation. Tibetan Buddhist mantras with their deity context. Sikh foundational phrases. Universal mantras like Om Shanti. The cultural-stakes content (deity invocations, lineage-specific practices) is given the respectful framing it deserves; this is not generic affirmation packaged as Sanskrit.

The mantras range from beginner-accessible (Om Shanti, So-Hum) to lineage-restricted (specific Vajrayana mantras that traditionally require initiation). Each entry says clearly what kind of practice it is and who can appropriately engage it.

How to chant a mantra

Sit upright. Eyes closed or soft. Take a few breaths to settle. Bring the mantra to mind — silently, whispered, or aloud, depending on the practice. Let it repeat. When attention drifts, bring it back. That is the whole technique.

Traditional practice often uses a mala — a string of 108 beads — to count repetitions. One round of the mala is one japa. Five minutes is enough to begin; ten to twenty minutes daily, sustained over months, deepens the practice substantially. The mantra is the foreground; the rest of the day is the background. Over years, the relationship reverses.

For Sanskrit and Tibetan mantras especially, pronunciation matters but isn't the heart of it. Approximate the sounds as best you can; the mantra's effect comes from sustained attentive repetition more than from phonetic perfection. Each entry includes pronunciation guidance for practitioners who want to refine.

Lineage and respect

Mantras live inside specific traditions. Om Namah Shivaya is a Shaiva mantra — devotional invocation of Shiva. Om Mani Padme Hum is Tibetan Vajrayana — Avalokiteshvara's compassion mantra. The Gayatri Mantra is Vedic — Savitr's solar invocation, traditionally chanted at dawn after initiation. These are not interchangeable, and they are not generic.

The respectful approach: learn what mantra you're working with, what tradition it comes from, what its actual meaning is. Don't strip a Vajrayana mantra of its deity context and use it as generic background sound. Don't treat the Gayatri Mantra as a wellness slogan. The mantras have done their work for centuries within their traditions; engage them on their actual terms.

Some mantras are widely shared without restriction (Om Shanti, So-Hum, the universal lokah samastah peace prayer). Some traditionally require initiation in their lineage (specific Vajrayana mantras, Sri Vidya mantras, formal puja sequences). Each entry says which is which.

Where to start

If you're new to mantra practice, three accessible starting points: So-Hum (the natural mantra of breath itself, no tradition-specific framing), Om Shanti (universal peace mantra), and Lokah Samastah ("may all beings be happy"). All three are widely shared, simple to pronounce, and immediately usable.

From there, follow your interest. The Sanskrit cards in this library are mostly Vedic and Hindu devotional mantras with deity-specific lineage. The Tibetan cards are Vajrayana practice. The cross-tradition cards include Sikh foundational phrases, Pali Buddhist verses, and modern devotional adaptations. Each tradition rewards depth; pick one that resonates and go deep there.

Sustained mantra practice produces effects that single sessions don't reach. Decades of practitioners across these traditions have reported particular states of attention, settling, devotional opening, and integration that emerge through years of repetition. Honor the long arc; the daily five minutes is the practice.

Vedic

Om Namah Shivaya

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Five-syllable surrender to Shiva — the most widely chanted mantra in Shaivite tradition, used for transformation, dissolution of ego, and devotional grounding.

Tibetan Buddhist

Om Mani Padme Hum

ॐ मणि पद्मे हूँ

The six-syllable mantra of compassion — Tibet's most widely chanted mantra, written on prayer wheels, carved into mani stones, and held in millions of practitioners' hearts daily.

Vedic

So Hum

सो ऽहम्

The natural breath mantra — every inhale carries the sound "So," every exhale "Hum," and the recognition that "I am That" arises in the rhythm of the breath itself.

Vedic

Gayatri Mantra

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

The most celebrated Vedic mantra — twenty-four syllables from the Rig Veda invoking solar illumination of the intellect, traditionally chanted at the three sandhyas (dawn, noon, dusk).

Vedic

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् । उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥

The death-conquering mantra of the Rig Veda — chanted for healing, recovery from illness, and protection from untimely death; one of the longest and most potent of the Vedic prayers.

Vedic

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra

हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे । हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे ॥

The thirty-two-syllable Maha Mantra of the Vaishnava tradition — a devotional chant calling out the names of Krishna and Rama, central to ISKCON practice and to Gaudiya Vaishnavism more broadly.

Vedic

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु

The classical Hindu universal welfare prayer — chanted at the close of yoga classes worldwide, asking that all beings everywhere be happy and free.

Vedic

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

The three-fold peace invocation that closes Vedic prayers — among the most-chanted Sanskrit phrases globally, present at the end of nearly every Hindu ritual and most yoga classes.

Vedic

Aham Brahmasmi

अहं ब्रह्मास्मि

One of the four Mahavakyas of Advaita Vedanta — "I am Brahman" — a contemplative pointer to non-dual realization, drawn from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Vedic

Tat Tvam Asi

तत्त्वमसि

The second of the four Mahavakyas — "That thou art" — drawn from the Chandogya Upanishad's nine-fold teaching of Uddalaka Aruni to his son Shvetaketu.

Vedic

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

The seed mantra of Ganesha — chanted at the start of any new venture, journey, or practice to honor the lord of beginnings and clear obstacles from the path.

Vedic

Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha

ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः

The bija mantra of Saraswati — invoked by students, writers, musicians, teachers, and any practitioner whose work depends on clarity of thought and grace of expression.

Vedic

Om Shrim Mahalakshmiyei Namaha

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः

The bija mantra of Mahalakshmi — invoked for dharmic abundance, dignified prosperity, and right-relationship with material life. Not a get-rich-quick chant; a practice of inviting ease without grasping.

Vedic

Om Dum Durgayai Namaha

ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः

The bija mantra of Durga — invoked for protection, courage, and strength when facing what cannot be avoided. The fiercest of the daily Devi mantras.

Vedic

Om Hraum Mitraya Namaha

ॐ ह्रौं मित्राय नमः

The sixth of the twelve Surya mantras chanted during the traditional Surya Namaskar — a daily honoring of the sun as visible deity, sustainer of all life, and steady friend of the practitioner.

Tibetan Buddhist

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha

ॐ तारे तुत्तारे तुरे स्वाहा

The mantra of Green Tara — the bodhisattva of swift compassionate action. Chanted by millions of Tibetan Buddhists daily for protection, removal of obstacles, and the liberation of beings from fear.

Tibetan Buddhist

Medicine Buddha Mantra (Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha)

तद्यथा ॐ भैषज्ये भैषज्ये महाभैषज्ये राजसमुद्गते स्वाहा

The healing mantra of the Medicine Buddha — chanted for physical, emotional, and karmic healing, both for oneself and on behalf of others. One of the most widely-chanted healing mantras in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Sikh

Sat Nam

ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ

The two-word foundational mantra of Sikhism — Truth is the Name. Used as greeting, as seed mantra in meditation, and as the central seed of Naam Simran (remembrance of the divine name).

Buddhist

Buddham Saranam Gacchami (Triple Refuge)

बुद्धं सरणं गच्छामि धम्मं सरणं गच्छामि सङ्घं सरणं गच्छामि

The threefold refuge formula at the heart of all Buddhist traditions — taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma (the teaching), and the Sangha (the community). The most universal Buddhist chant.

Jain

Namo Arihantanam (Navkar Mantra)

णमो अरिहंताणं णमो सिद्धाणं णमो आयरियाणं णमो उवज्झायाणं णमो लोए सव्वसाहूणं

The fivefold salutation at the heart of Jainism — the most foundational prayer of the tradition, honoring awakened beings and the path of liberation. Considered the most powerful and protective mantra in Jain practice.

Vedic

Hanuman Chalisa (Opening + Foundational Practice)

जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥ राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनी पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥

The opening verses of the Hanuman Chalisa — Tulsidas's 40-verse 16th-century devotional hymn to Hanuman, among the most-recited Hindu prayers globally, chanted daily by hundreds of millions of practitioners.

Vedic

Maha Lakshmi Gayatri Mantra

ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै च धीमहि। तन्नो लक्ष्मी प्रचोदयात्॥

The Lakshmi-specific Gayatri mantra — modeled on the original Gayatri's structure but invoking Lakshmi for dharmic abundance. One of the most-recited deity Gayatris in Hindu daily practice.

Vedic

Saraswati Vandana (Ya Kundendu Tushara)

या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता। या वीणा वर दण्ड मण्डितकरा या श्वेत पद्मासना॥

The opening verses of the most beloved Saraswati prayer — recited daily by students, musicians, and writers across India before opening books, instruments, or manuscripts.

Sikh

Mool Mantar (Sikh Foundational Mantra)

ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਕਰਤਾ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਿਰਵੈਰੁ ਅਕਾਲ ਮੂਰਤਿ ਅਜੂਨੀ ਸੈਭੰ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ॥

The Mool Mantar — the foundational invocation of Sikhism, the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib, the most concentrated theological statement in the Sikh tradition. Recited daily by hundreds of millions of Sikhs worldwide.

Tibetan Buddhist

Vajra Guru Mantra (Padmasambhava Mantra)

ॐ आः हूं वज्र गुरु पद्म सिद्धि हूं

The twelve-syllable mantra of Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) — the great 8th-century Indian tantric master who brought Buddhism to Tibet. One of the most-recited mantras in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly central to the Nyingma school.

Vedic

Asato Ma Sad Gamaya (Pavamana Mantra)

ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः॥

The Pavamana Mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad — a threefold prayer for movement from unreal to real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Among the most universally beloved Vedic mantras.

Buddhist

Karaniya Metta Sutta (Pali Buddhist Loving-Kindness Sutta)

करणीयमत्थकुसलेन यन्तं सन्तं पदं अभिसमेच्च। सक्को उजू च सूजू च सुवचो चस्स मुदु अनतिमानी॥

The opening of the central Buddhist sutta on metta (loving-kindness) — the Buddha's teaching on cultivating unconditional friendliness toward all beings, foundational to Theravada practice and widely shared across Buddhist traditions.

Vedic

Manojavam Maruta Tulya (Hanuman Invocation Verse)

मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम्। वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥

A single-verse Sanskrit invocation of Hanuman — capturing his essential qualities in one compressed prayer. Widely recited as a brief Hanuman invocation, especially before the longer Hanuman Chalisa.

Vedic

Sri Rudram (Opening Verses — Vedic Shiva Hymn)

ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय। नमस्ते रुद्र मन्यव उतो त इषवे नमः। नमस्ते अस्तु धन्वने बाहुभ्यामुत ते नमः॥

The opening verses of the Sri Rudram — the great Vedic hymn to Rudra (Shiva), one of the oldest and most powerful Shiva texts in continuous use for over 3,000 years. Central to Rudra Abhishek and serious Shiva practice.

Tibetan Buddhist

Vajrayana Refuge + Bodhicitta (Extended Tibetan Buddhist Refuge)

नमो गुरु बुद्ध धर्म सङ्घेभ्यः। बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि। धर्मं शरणं गच्छामि। सङ्घं शरणं गच्छामि। सर्व सत्त्वार्थ हेतोः बोधिचित्तम् उत्पादयामि।

The extended Vajrayana refuge formula combining the threefold Buddhist refuge with refuge in the Guru and the generation of bodhicitta — the foundational daily orientation of Tibetan Buddhist practice.

Vedic

Om Tat Sat (The Three-Word Designation of Brahman)

ॐ तत् सत्

The three-word designation of Brahman from the Bhagavad Gita — Om Tat Sat — used as a closing seal for dharmic actions and recitations across the Hindu tradition. Among the most concentrated Vedic expressions of the absolute.

Tibetan Buddhist

Vajrasattva 100-Syllable Mantra (Tibetan Buddhist Purification)

ॐ वज्रसत्त्व समय मनुपालय वज्रसत्त्वत्वेनोपतिष्ठ दृढो मे भव। सुतोष्यो मे भव। सुपोष्यो मे भव। अनुरक्तो मे भव। सर्व सिद्धिं मे प्रयच्छ। सर्व कर्म सुच मे चित्तं श्रेयः कुरु हूं। ह ह ह ह होः भगवन् सर्व तथागत वज्र मा मे मुञ्च वज्री भव महा समय सत्त्व आः

The 100-syllable mantra of Vajrasattva — the central purification practice of Tibetan Buddhism, foundational to Ngöndro preliminary practices, held to purify negative karma and broken samayas.

Buddhist

Heart Sutra Mantra (Prajnaparamita)

गते गते पारगते पारसंगते बोधि स्वाहा

The mantra of the Heart Sutra — the most important Mahayana Buddhist sutra. Five Sanskrit words capturing the entire perfection-of-wisdom teaching, recited daily by millions of Mahayana Buddhists across all schools and traditions.

Vedic

Aigiri Nandini (Mahishasura Mardini Stotra Opening)

अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते। गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते॥

The opening verses of the Mahishasura Mardini Stotra — among the most beloved Devi hymns, particularly powerful during Navaratri and for Durga practice. Famous for its cascading Sanskrit and devotional intensity.

Vedic

Lalita Sahasranama Opening (Sri Vidya)

श्री माता श्री महाराज्ञी श्रीमत्सिंहासनेश्वरी। चिदग्नि कुण्डसम्भूता देवकार्यसमुद्यता॥

The opening names from the Lalita Sahasranama — the thousand names of Lalita Tripura Sundari, the supreme goddess of Sri Vidya. Among the most powerful and most-recited Devi texts in Hindu tradition.

Vedic

Annapurna Stotra Opening (Annapoorne Sadapoorne)

अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे। ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति॥

The opening verse of the Annapurna Stotra — the central hymn to the goddess of food and nourishment. Recited before meals and for blessings of sustenance in Hindu households globally.

Vedic

Krishna Govinda Govinda Gopala (Devotional Krishna Chant)

कृष्ण गोविन्द गोविन्द गोपाल। रसमय रसिक मधुसूदन॥

A devotional Krishna chant combining his beloved cowherd names — Krishna, Govinda, Gopala. Among the most popular kirtans across Vaishnava traditions and global Krishna devotional practice.

Vedic

Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Consciousness-Bliss)

सत् चित् आनन्द

The threefold designation of Brahman in Advaita Vedanta — Being-Consciousness-Bliss. Used as contemplative mantra and as philosophical pointer in Vedanta tradition.

Vedic

Neti Neti (Not This, Not This — Upanishadic Inquiry)

नेति नेति

The Upanishadic via-negativa formula — "Not this, not this." Sage Yajnavalkya's teaching on inquiry into the nature of Brahman through systematic negation, found in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Vedic

Akhanda Mandalakaram (Universal Guru Salutation)

अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम्। तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥

A universal salutation verse to the Guru as the one who reveals the all-pervading reality — among the most widely-recited guru-pranam verses across Hindu traditions.

Tibetan Buddhist

Twenty-One Praises to Tara (Opening)

ॐ नमो आर्य तारायै। नमस्तारे तुरे वीरे क्षणैर्द्युतिनिभेक्षणे। त्रैलोक्यनाथ वक्त्राब्ज विकसत्केसरोद्भवे॥

The opening of the Twenty-One Praises to Tara — among the most beloved Vajrayana texts, praising Tara's twenty-one emanations through 21 verses. Daily practice for millions of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners.

Tibetan Buddhist

Manjushri Mantra (Om A Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih)

ॐ अ र प च न धीः

The seven-syllable mantra of Manjushri — the bodhisattva of wisdom. Cultivates the sharp clarity of insight that Manjushri embodies, particularly important for students, scholars, and serious dharma practitioners.

Vedic

Patanjali Yoga Sutras Opening (Atha Yoganushasanam)

अथ योगानुशासनम्। योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः। तदा द्रष्टुः स्वरूपेऽवस्थानम्॥

The opening three sutras of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras — the foundational text of classical yoga philosophy. Three Sanskrit sentences containing the entire framework that the rest of the text (196 sutras) elaborates.

Vedic

Shanti Mantra (Sahanavavatu — Upanishadic Peace Mantra)

ॐ सह नाववतु। सह नौ भुनक्तु। सह वीर्यं करवावहै। तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु। मा विद्विषावहै॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Among the most beloved Shanti Mantras — drawn from the Taittiriya Upanishad. Recited at the opening of teacher-student gatherings, study sessions, and group practice. Establishes mutual commitment to protection, nourishment, and freedom from hatred.

Vedic

Bhagavad Gita Opening (Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre)

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय॥

The opening verse of the Bhagavad Gita — establishing the dharmic context from which the Gita's entire teaching emerges. Among the most quoted verses in Hindu tradition.

Vedic

Om Sai Ram (Sai Baba Mantra)

ॐ साई राम। ॐ साईनाथाय नमः।

The mantra of Shirdi Sai Baba — the famous 19th-20th century Indian saint who taught the unity of all paths to the divine. Among the most-recited mantras in modern Indian devotion.

Vedic

Krishna Govinda Hare Murari (Krishna Kirtan Variant)

कृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारे। हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेवा॥

A widely-chanted Krishna kirtan combining six of his beloved names — Krishna, Govinda, Hare, Murari, Narayana, Vasudeva. Popular in Vaishnava devotional gatherings.

Buddhist

Nilakantha Dharani / Great Compassion Mantra (Opening)

नमो रत्नत्रयाय। नम आर्यावलोकितेश्वराय बोधिसत्त्वाय महासत्त्वाय महाकारुणिकाय।

The opening of the Nilakantha Dharani / Great Compassion Mantra — one of the most powerful Buddhist dharanis, recited daily by millions of Mahayana Buddhists particularly in East Asia.

Vedic

Bhavanopanishad Opening (Sri Vidya Contemplation)

श्रीगुरुः सर्वकारणभूता शक्तिः। तेन नवरन्ध्ररूपो देहः।

The opening of the Bhavanopanishad — a brief but profound Sri Vidya text teaching the contemplation by which the practitioner's body is recognized as identical with the Sri Yantra. Advanced Sri Vidya practice.

Vedic

Om Namo Narayanaya (Ashtakshara — Eight-Syllable Vishnu Mantra)

ॐ नमो नारायणाय

The Ashtakshara — the eight-syllable Vishnu mantra. Among the most foundational and most-recited mantras in Vaishnava tradition, considered uniquely powerful for liberation. Foundational across all major Vaishnava lineages.

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