The practice of Mantra Meditation, or Japa, has been practiced by countless devotees of the spiritual path in ages past.  There is a wealth of information surrounding the practice of Mantra, and here I'd like to share that knowledge I've come to learn and be familiar with through sitting at the feet of teachers, through books, and my own personal practice.

To read more about the actual practice of the beads, see Using your Mala.  Below are a list of Mantras that are wonderful introductions to the path of Japa Meditation for those just finding this wonderful tool, and a reference for those who have undertaken the discipline previously. 

As certain Woods, Seeds and Gemstones are linked to different energies and deities, you'll also find that information included here. 

There are 2 styles of Mantras presented here, one is called Saguna (with form), the other Nirguna (without form).  Saguna Mantras invoke a specific deity (such as Krishna, or Ganesh), while Nirguna Mantras are either seed syllables, energetic sounds that do not have a direct translation, or Mantras that encompass Being rather than a deity with form, such as the Gayatri Mantra.

I am by no means an expert on Mantra.  It is my love, my practice, and my offering to you as I make sacred Malas.  I offer this information as I know it and have experienced it!

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Ganesh Mantra

~OM Gum Ganapataye Namaha

This mantra is a great favorite, and symbolizes the removal of obstacles in your life, in your practice, and in difficult situations.  Ganesh is the elephant headed god in the yoga tradition, who represents new beginnings, and is known as the keeper of the door.  The syllable Gum represents the Root Chakra, and this mantras awakens the ability to stay firmly grounded in our physical selves, and in our truths.

Materials ~ Rosewood

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Goddess Mantras

~OM Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha

The Lakshmi Mantra is one that is chanted to bring the energies of abundance, wealth, and a harmonious family life.  Abundance showers down on us in so many forms, an abundant spiritual life, good organic food, a peaceful household.  I encourage you to see abundance as more than the gathering of wealth by monetary means!  Shrim is the seed syllable that represents Lakshmi, Maha means Great, and Swaha means to offer.   This mantra then represents offering up the fruits of our yoga to Mother Lakshmi, and in return being open and receiving to receive her abundance.

Materials ~ Lotus Seed, Clear Quartz Crystal, Pearl

~OM Aim Saraswatiyei Swaha

Saraswati is one of my beloved deities to do mantra to.  She represents a fullness and beauty in creativity, the arts, music and study of scripture.  I see her as representing the divine beauty in life, that which gives us the daily joys in our lives.  Practicing Japa to Saraswati will help awaken these energies within ourselves.  Aim is the seed syllable of Saraswati.

Materials ~ Clear Quartz Crystal, Pearl

~OM Dum Durgayei Swaha

The goddess Durga is depicted in the yoga tradition as a powerful woman riding on the back of a tiger.  She represents protection, fearlessness and courage.  Chanting japa to Durga helps awaken these energies of the powerful feminine.  Dum is the seed syllable of Durga.

Materials ~

~OM Klim Kaliyei Hum

The fierce goddess Kali is another aspect of Durga, and represents the destruction of the negative qualities within us...negative ego, negative karmas, and life patterns.  She is depicted in imagery that may create resistance in some, with her necklace of heads and wild flowing hair, and yet these are symbolic of that darkness which her energy can remove.  Japa to Kali is a powerful experience, and is not to be undertaken lightly!  The deep roots within us that hold us in bondage to our karmas are not always pretty or easy to remove.  Yet with compassion and love, Mother Kali does bring these dark aspects to light!  Klim is the seed syllable of Kali.

Materials ~ Rudraksha, Black Onyx, Garnet

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Krishna Mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare

The Hare Krishna Mantra is known as the Great Liberation Mantra, and opens us to the energies of joy, lightness, and devotion.  Anyone who has been in a kirtan joyously singing Hare Krishna knows how this feels!  There is an incredible lightness to it, as if a burden is lifting with every syllable.  Both Krishna and Ram were avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu, who is the preserver within the trilogy of gods in the hindu tradition.  That preserving energy is what brings our dharmas (truths) to our attention, so that we may fully embrace and lovingly practice our truths every day with faith and steadfastness.

Materials ~ Tulsi

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Rama Mantra

OM Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama

Rama, as an incarnation of Vishnu in the epic "The Ramayana" again represents this steadfast devotion to dharma, or truth.  The word Jaya means "Hail" or "Victory", and therefore this mantra is a celebration of the energy of living your true dharma with joy. 

Materials ~ Tulsi

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Shiva Mantras

OM Namaha Shivaya

Shiva, as a partner to Shakti, represents Divine Unmanifest Consciousness.  This is that still, quiet space that meditation brings us to.  When I think of Shakti energy, I think of the power of growing plants, of running water, and of the forces of Nature.  The Shiva energy that underlies this is the basis from which this Shakti energy can dance.  This Mantra, OM Namah Shivaya, awakens this stillness within us. 

I've seen it translated as "All Hail this Joyous Consciousness"

Materials ~ Rudraksha

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Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Death Conquering Mantra

OM Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urva Rukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat

Translation:

We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva,

who is full of sweet fragrance and nourishment.

May he liberate me from bondage,

even as a cucumber is severed from the vine.

This is a longer, quite powerful Mantra to Shiva, that is taken on in Japa during illness, disease, for protection, or after a loved one has died. 

Materials: Rudraksha

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Nirguna Mantras ~ Mantras without form

OM or AUM

The simplest, yet most profound of all Mantras, OM encompasses all Mantra.  Commonly spelled as "OM" yet pronounced "AUM", the word itself is symbolic of the trinity in the yoga tradition.

A ~ Brahma, Creation

U ~ Vishnu, Preservation

M ~ Shiva, Dissolution

When pronouncing OM as a mantra, notice how the 3 syllables activate sound within the mouth.  "A" comes from the back of the throat, the naturally occurring sound with the mouth is open and we vocalize.  "U" comes as you begin to purse the lips, and the vibration comes more towards the center of the mouth.  "M" is vocalized with the lips closed, and creates a vibration in the lips and mouth that hums throughout the head.  By chanting OM with this subtle attention to the sound vibration, it works through the whole energy system of the body and through it's vibration, clears out old and stagnant energy.  OM brings us in tune with the eternal now.  Notice the pauses and silence between each repetition. 

"The mantra AUM stands for the supreme state

of Turiya (super conscious state), without parts, beyond birth

And death, symbol of everlasting joy.

Those who know AUM as the Self become the Self,

Truly they become the Self"

~ Mandukya Upanishad

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Gayatri Mantra

OM Bhur Bhuvah Swaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Dhiyo Yo'Nah Prachodayata

Translation:

“Oh Self-effulgent Light that has given birth to all the lokas (realms),

who is worthy of worship and appears through the orbit of the Sun, illumine our intellect.”

The Gayatri Mantra is a widely chanted Mantra to bring light, peace and illumination into our lives and energy.  Many of you who write to me share that this is the Mantra you use for your daily practice.  It is a powerful doorway to peace and balance.
Materials: Sandalwood, any Gemstone

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Asato Ma Sad Gamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya

Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya

Translation:

"Lead us from unreality to reality,

From darkness to light,

From death to immortality"

Materials: Sandalwood, Rosewood

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Planetary Mantras

The Mantras for the planets are a tool used in Vedic Astrology to help ease any negative effects from the placement of a planet in our birth charts.  They may also be used to increase the energy of that planet into our own energy field, such as the Moon chant being used to honor the Full or New Moon.  Each Planet also has a corresponding gemstone.  I recommend consulting a Vedic Astrologer to see if there is a Planetary Mantra that is right for you.  My dear friend Radhe in Albuquerque, NM is a wonderful guide on this path if you need a place to start! 

For assistance in pronunciation of these Mantras, my CD,

Narayana's Creation is a helpful tool.

• Sun ~ Surya ~ OM Hrim Hrim Suryaya Namah
• Moon ~ Chandra ~ OM Aim Klim Somaya Namah
• Mars ~ Mangala ~ OM Hum Shrim Mangalaya Namah
• Mercury ~ Budha ~ Om Aim Strim Shrim Budhaya Namah
• Jupiter ~ Guru ~ Om Hrim Klim Hum Brihaspataye Namah
• Venus ~ Sukra ~ OM Hrim Shrim Shukraya Namah Saturn ~ Sani ~ OM Aim Hrim Shrim Shanishcharaya Namah
• Rahu ~ OM Aim Hrim Rahave Namah
• Ketu ~ OM Hrim Aim Ketave Namah

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Buddhist Mantra

~ OM Mani Padme Hum

"All Hail the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus"

A wonderful Mantra for opening the heart chakra, fostering compassion, and settling the mind, this mantra is widely used in the Buddhist Tradition.

Materials ~ Bodhi Seed