It means a sacred sound, word, phonemes, or group of words to have psychological and spiritual power. A mantra may or may not have structure or literal meaning; the spiritual value of a mantra comes when it is audible, visible, or present in though. The use, structure, function, importance and types of mantras vary according to the school and philosophy of Hinduism and of Buddhism. Mantras are considered equivalent to deities, a sacred formula and deeply personal ritual, and considered to be effective only after initiation.

These are sounds with different levels of vibrations. The Sanskrit word Mantra is derived from man - "to think" and the suffix - tra, means tools or instruments, thus mantra is "instrument of thought".

To get best results out of mantras, first you should empty your mind from all negative thoughts. Set the intention for why you are chanting that mantra & be clear to yourself. Over a period, once you get connected with that mantra mentally, spiritually & emotionally then you become part of it & it becomes part of you. Always keep your focus on your heart or between eyebrows & close your eyes while chanting your mantras. Alternatively you can focus on specific chakra (its colour), or a body part or a specific deity for which you are chanting the mantra. You can chant mantras anytime, anywhere, while travelling by a car or train, or may be at workplace, when you are with friends; if you say your mantra silently or internally it will always be with you.

Gayatri Mantra:

According to the Hindu scriptures Devi Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas. It is said that even Trinities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) worship her as their Mother.
This mantra is chanted to fulfil different purpose and regarded as the remover of all sins and gets you desired things. Brahmarshi Vishwamitra first bestowed & discovered us with Gayatri mantra. The Sun is supposed to be the Savitur or creator & Gayatri is the driving force behind it.

To be chanted 3 times daily –

Morning – dedicated to Lord Brahma (Gayatri)

Afternoon – dedicated to Vishnu (Savitri)

Evening – dedicated to Lord Shiva (Saraswati)

II Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha Tat Saviturvarenyam Bhargodevasya Dheemahi Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat II

The meaning:
We meditate the glory of Light illuminating the three worlds: gross, subtle, and causal. I am that ultimate power, love, radiant illumination, and divine grace of universal intelligence. We pray for the divine light to illumine our minds.

Om: The primeval sound, its Pranav- sound of prana
Bhur: the physical world
Bhuvah: the mental world, remove the sufferings
Swah: the celestial, spiritual world, embodied happiness
Tat: That; absolute reality
Savitur: the Sun, Creator, supreme light of wisdom
Varenyam: most adorable, most virtuous, enchanting
Bhargo: cleanser of all our impurities
Devasya: supreme Lord, divine grace
Dheemahi: we meditate upon, contemplation
Dhiyo: the intellect, understanding
Yo: May this light
Nah: our
Prachodayat: enlighten, guide, inspire

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rudraksha

Benefits –

For attainment of universal consciousness, awakening of personal intuitive power, good health, mental strength, energized Prana Shakti (Life force), intelligence, wisdom, enlightenment, to get rid of obstacles & protection from dangers.

The other form of Gayatri Mantra is as follows:

|| Om Bhu, Om Bhuvah, Om Swaha, Om Maha, Om Janah, Om Tapah, Om Satyam, Om Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
Om Aapojyoti Rasomritam Brahma Bhur Bhuvah Swarom ||

There are fourteen worlds namely Bhu, Bhuvah, Svaha, Maha, Janah, Tapah, Satyam are the seven Higher worlds and Atata, Kutala, Vitala, Mahatala, Rasatala, Bhutala and Patala are the seven Lower worlds. The above Gayatri mantra is recited by those seeking the Higher worlds.

Vedic Gayatri Mantras of other Deities:

Lord Ganesh: II Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat II (to overcome obstacles)

Lord Vishnu: II Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat II (for intelligence)

Lord Shiva: II Om Mahadevaay Vidmahe Rudra Murtaye Dhimahi Tanno Shivah Prachodayat II (for Longevity)

Lord Narasimha: II Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Narashimha Prachodayat II (to get rid of evil forces)

Goddess Lakshmi: II Om Mahadevyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu-patnyai Cha Dhimahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayat II (for success & prosperity)

Lord Narayana: II Om Narayanaay Vidmahe Vasudevaay Dhimahi Tanno Narayanah Prachodayat II (To accomplish your tasks)

Lord Krishna: II Om Devakinandanay Vidmahe Vasudevaay Dhimahi Tanno Krishnah Prachodayat II (For attraction)

Lord Kartikeya: II Om Tatpurushay Vidmahe Mahasenanay Dhimahi Tanno Shanmukha Prachodayat II

For Lakshmi prapti (attaining wealth)–

II Shreem Bhurbhuvah Swah Shreem Tatsavitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Shreem Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat Shreem II

For Ichhapurti (to fulfil desire)-

II Hreem Bhurbhuvah Swah Hreem Tatsavitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Hreem Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat Hring II

For Shatrunasha (for destroying enemies)-

II Kreem Bhurbhuvah Swah Kreem Tatsavitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Kreem Dhiyoyonah Prachodayat Kreem II

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:

This mantra of Lord Shiva is revealed by Rishi Markandeya. It is the most effective and the most commonly recited.

|| Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bhandhanan Mrityor Muksheeya Mamritat ||

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rudraksha

Benefits –

To overcome severe health problems, chronic diseases, illness, to avoid any misfortunes & untimely death, to restore confidence & building determination, to open blocked energy points of the body, acts as a shield against all negative energies surrounding us, awakens our healing power.

Goddess Lakshmi mantra –

Alternatively known as money or wealth mantra but its actual purpose is not just to acquire money but to provide us an intelligence to enlighten our minds.

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Kamalgatta & or Sphatik

Benefits –

To gain health, wealth, prosperity, fortune & abundance in life, to increase business profits, for peace of mind. Chant any of these mantras at least 108 times daily for best results.

Mantra 1

II Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah II

Mantra 2

II Om Hreem Shreem Lakshmibhyo Namah II

Mantra 3

II Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Vyakti Rupen Sansthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah II

For business stability –

II Om Hreem kleem Namo Bhagawati Maheshwari Annapurna Swaha II

Goddess Durga mantra:

1. II Om Shri Durgayai Namah II

2. II Om Hreem Dum Durgayai Namah II

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rudraksha & or Sphatik

Benefits -

Assists in fulfilling ambitions & desires, develops courage & confidence, helps in meditation & spirituality, for business success, victory over enemies, develops intuitive powers, mental clarity & to get rid of evil forces.

Goddess Saraswati Mantra –

Goddess Saraswati is known to remove all hurdles in your academic progress & higher studies.

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rudraksha & or Sphatik

Benefits –

For academic progress & success, attaining spiritual knowledge, improves effective communication skills, develops speech & removes its defects (Vani dosha), improves concentration & removes confusion, sharpens memory, good for individuals willing to undertake higher studies, highly recommended for all writers, poets, public speakers & artists.

Beej mantra –

II Aim II

Saraswati mantras –

II Om Aim Namah II

II Om Aim kleem Sauh II

II Om Aim Mahasaraswatyai Namah II

II Om Aim Hreem Shreem Vagdevyai Saraswatyai Namah II (for intelligence)

II Vad Vad Vagvadinee Swaha II (to gain lot of knowledge)

Puranokta mantra -

II Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Vidyarupen Sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah II

Saraswati Gayatri mantra -

II Om Aim Vagdevyai Vidmahe Kamarajay Dhimahi Tanno Devi Prachodayat II

Goddess Chamunda mantra -

II Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chamundayai Vichche II

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Sphatic Or Rudraksha

Benefits – improves concentration, assist in fulfilling ambitions, develops courage, helps in meditation & spirituality, for business success, victory over enemies, develops intuitive powers & mental clarity, to get rid of evil forces.

Bagalamukhi mantra -

II Om Hleem Bagalamukhi Sarva Dushtanam Vacham Mukham Padam Stambhaya Jiwham Keelay Buddhim Vinashay Hleem Om Swaha II

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Haldi (Turmeric)

Benefits –

To get rid of all types of legal problems, court cases, false accusations, debt problems & business losses, all round protection from an evil eye & evil powers, stability, prosperity, victory over hidden enemies, protection from chronic illness & accidents.

Hanuman mantras for power and siddhis:

Total chanting – 11,000 or 21,000 or 31,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rakta Chandan or Coral

Benefits –

These are very effective for all Saturn related problems, for health, to avoid and overcome troubles caused from enemies, debts and to avoid imprisonment, removing obstacles from wish fulfilment, dispel ghosts & spirits, to enhance physical strength, stamina & power, to get rid of depression & agony, strengthens immune system & protection from accidents.

1. II Om Hanumate Namah II

2. II Om Namo Bhagavate Anjaneyaya Mahabalaya Swaha II

3. II Om Hanumate Rudratmakaya Hum Phat II

4. II Purvakapimukhay Panchamukha Haumate tam tam tam tam tam Sakala Shatru Sanharanaya Swaha II

5. II Om Pashchimamukhaya Garudananaya Panchamukha Hanumate mam mam mam mam Sakala Vishahara Swaha II

6. II Om Namo Bhagavate Anjaneyaya Amukasyashrinkhala Trotaya Trotaya Bandha Moksham kuru kuru Svaha II

Santana Gopala mantra: For those having difficulty in conceiving children, worshiping Lord Krishna in a child form is an excellent remedy.

II Devakisutam Govindam Vasudevam Jagatpatim
Dehime Tanayam Krishna Twam-Aham Sharanagatah II

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Tulsi (Basil plant)

Benefits –

Useful or childless couples, for expecting mothers to prevent miscarriage, removes all difficulties related to child birth, ensures safe delivery & blesses the child with good health & intelligence.

Lord Shiva Mantras:

1. II Om Namah Shivaya II

2. II Om Haraye Namah II

3. II Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanat Mrityormukshiyamamritat II

4. II Om Namah Nilakanthaya II

5. II Om Namo Bhagawate Rudray II (to fulfil desires)

6. II Om Tatpurushay Vidmahe mahadevay Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat II

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rudraksh

Benefits –

To get rid of any evil powers, fear, diseases, sorrows, rejection, failure & depression, for success, to boost inner potential & strength.

Lord Krishna Mantras:

1. II Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya II

2. II Om Shri Krishnaya Namah II

3. II Om Kleem Krishnay Namaha II

Total chanting – 1,25,000 times

Best Japa (chanting) Mala (bead) – Rudraksh

Benefits –

For success, prosperity, abundance, health & wealth, victory over enemies, develops diplomacy & highly suitable to all politicians, judges, lawyers & policemen, to get rid of evil negative powers

Navgraha mantra -

Sun Mantra
|| Om Hraam Hreem Hroum Sah Suryaay Namah ||

Moon Mantra
|| Om Shraam Shreem Shroum Sah Chandramase Namah ||

Mars Mantra
|| Om Kraam Kreem Kroum Sah Bhoumay Namah ||

Mercury Mantra
|| Om Braam Breem Broum Sah Budhaay Namah ||

Jupiter Mantra
|| Om Graam Greem Groum Sah Gurave Namah ||

Venus Mantra
|| Om Praam Preem Proum Sah Shukraay Namah ||

Saturn Mantra
|| Om Praam Preem Proum Sah ShanaishcharaayNamah. ||

Rahu Mantra
|| Om Praam Preem Proum Sah Rahave Namah ||

Ketu Mantra
|| Om Shraam Shreem Shroum Sah Ketave Namah ||