Essential Mantras for Daily Spiritual Practice
Complete lyrics with original text, transliteration, and meaning, 4 sections
Spiritual Practices
Guru Mantra (Invocation of the Teacher)
Original
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥
Transliteration
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwarah | Guruh Sakshat Parabrahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||
Meaning / Translation
The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is Maheshwara (Shiva). The Guru is the living Supreme Brahman; salutations to that glorious Guru.
Gayatri Mantra (Prayer for Enlightenment)
Original
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
Transliteration
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat ||
Meaning / Translation
We meditate on the glorious splendor of the Divine Sun (Savitar); may that Divine Light illuminate our intellect and guide us on the path of righteousness.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Prayer for Liberation and Protection)
Original
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Transliteration
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam | Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat ||
Meaning / Translation
We worship the Three-eyed Lord (Shiva), who is fragrant and nourishes all beings. As a ripe cucumber is freed from its stem, may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality.
Shanti Mantra (Prayer for Peace)
Original
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
Transliteration
Om Asato Ma Sadgamaya | Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya | Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya | Om Shantih Shantih Shantih ||
Meaning / Translation
Lead us from the unreal to the real. Lead us from darkness to light. Lead us from death to immortality. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.