10 Powerful Mantras for Meditation – Dhyan Mantras

Mantras for Meditation

Yogis have different methods to revive their bodies, but ultimately to draw themselves inward. Among many, chanting ‘Mantras’ are a powerful tool for accomplishing this. Thus chanting mantras makes it easier for any Yogi to reach that transcendent state. A mantra is a sound, word, or group of words considered capable of “creating transformation.”

Powerful Meditation mantras

 Mantras for Meditation

There are more than ten million mantras in existence. Some mantras are as short as one syllable. Others are several syllables long. The vibration om is one of the most well-known universal mantras. According to the ancient Vedic tradition, the vibration ‘Om’ contains every vibration that has ever existed – and every vibration that ever will. Likewise, there are many mantras with different yet specific purposes.

Hence, amongst many here are some Powerful Dhyan Mantras or Mantra for Meditation.

1. ॐ – Om/Aum

Om/Aum

‘Om’ is the all-pervading, omnipotent and omnipresent sound of the Cosmos. For this reason, it is also referred to as ‘Pranava’; the energy that runs in our Prana. ‘Om’ is not just regarded as a word, it is an intonation produced by coalescing the three Sanskrit syllables (Au-Oh-Mm); which on concentrated repetition gives a threefold experience on the physical, mental, and astral plane.

‘Om’ represents the incomprehensible and unmanifested / Nirguna aspect of the supreme; at the same time, the symbol of Om signifies a comprehensible and manifested aspect of it so as to provide the human mind with a conceivable channel to lead them towards the realization of its actual Nirguna state. Thus, chanting ‘Om’ or ‘Aum’ is one of the best ways to start any meditation.

2. Guru Stotram

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुर्गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
साक्षात परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥

Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Visnu Gururdevo Maheshvarah |
Guru Sakshat Parahma Brahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah: ||

The strotra says, The Guru (dispeller of darkness) is Brahma (the creator); the Guru is Vishnu (the sustainer); the Gurudeva is Maheswara (the destroyer); the Guru is Verily the Para-Brahman (ultimate consciousness); Salutations to that Guru.

Guru is the source of all knowledge. In Hindu dharma, Guru or the supreme teacher is given the greatest importance since he is the one who shows the path to the divine. The mother shows the child who is its father, the father shows the child who is its Guru, and the Guru shows the child who is God. The Sanatana Dharma gives paramount importance to Guru. Thus, this is a powerful mantra to chant for deep meditation.

3. Gayatri Mantra

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात॥

Aum
Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayat

The Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer enriched in the Vedas, which is also known as Savitri Mantra. It is considered a very powerful and popular mantra for meditation. In brief, the mantra means, “O thou existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.” In simpler terms, “O Divine mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us.”

Eventually, the mantra is an expression of gratitude, to both the life-giving Sun and the Divine. It boosted devotees taking a heart-centered approach to the mantra. The sensibility it awakes is more significant than the literal meaning. It’s an offering, a way to open to grace, to inspire oneself.

4. Panchakshari Shiva Mantra

ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya

The literal meaning of this Shiva mantra is “I bow to Shiva”. Shiva, here is the supreme reality, or in other words, the inner Self. Thus, while you are chanting this mantra, you are calling for the inner self. Panchakshari shiva mantra boosts the inner potential and strength, and also fills life with positive energy.

Om Namah Shivaya is at the heart of the Vedas and Tantras (ancient Scriptures) and finds its mention in the Yajurveda in the Shri Rudram hymn. Perceived to be most effective if, in the practice of Japa Yoga, where the mantra is repeated verbally or mentally 108 times a day while keeping count on a strand of Rudraksha beads and at the same time submitting oneself to Lord Shiva’s infinite, all-pervasive presence, however, while chanting of the manta, you need no special rituals or ceremonies. It is a great mantra before any meditation.

5. Durga Dhyan Mantra

ॐ जटा जूट समायुक्तमर्धेंन्दु कृत लक्षणाम |
लोचनत्रय संयुक्तां पद्मेन्दुसद्यशाननाम ||

Om jataa jut samaayuktamardhendu krit lakshnam
Lochanyatra sanyuktam padmendu sadya shan naam ||

This mantra is done before chanting other Durga Mantras. It helps one to achieve a better concentration in his work and in anything he does. This mantra for meditation helps us to focus and it is an important mantra for everyone.

6. Shiv Dhyan Mantra

करचरणकृतं वाक् कायजं कर्मजं वा श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसंवापराधं ।
विहितं विहितं वा सर्व मेतत् क्षमस्व जय जय करुणाब्धे श्री महादेव शम्भो ॥

Karcharankritam Vaa Kaayjam Karmjam Vaa Shravannayanjam Vaa Maansam Vaa Paradham |
Vihitam Vihitam Vaa Sarv Metat Kshamasva Jay Jay Karunaabdhe Shree Mahadev Shambho ||

Divine vibrations that are generated during the chanting of this mantra ward off all the negative and evil forces and create a powerful protective shield against diseases, sorrows, fears, etc. The mantra means, “Hey! Supreme One to cleanse the body, mind, and soul of all the stress, rejection, failure, depression, and other negative forces that one faces.” It is a beautiful mantra for a sadhak before meditation.

If you are looking to meditate upon Shiva, then Shiva Dhyaan Mantra is for you. The mantra seeks to find forgiveness from the Lord for all the sins that we may have done in this life or the past, and thus, this mantra is also effective if you want to purify your soul and negativity in your life.

7. Sri Vishnu Mantra for Meditation

शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्ण शुभाङ्गम् ।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्
वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥

Shaanta-Aakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padma-Naabham Sura-Iisham
Vishva-Aadhaaram Gagana-Sadrsham Megha-Varnna Shubha-Anggam|
Lakssmii-Kaantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-Dhyaana-Gamyam
Vande Vissnnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Loka-Eka-Naatham ||

It states, I salute, pray and meditate on Lord Vishnu who has a peaceful body posture, a serene Appearance; who sleeps on the Sheshanaga (the mighty mythological serpent); who has a lotus in his navel, who is the king of all the devatas, who is the base of this world, who is like the sky; who has a color like that of a cloud, who has an all-auspicious body. I worship Lord Vishnu; the one who is the lord of Lakshmi; who has the eyes like a lotus; who is seen by yogis in their meditation; is the remover of fear of life and death and is the only Lord of all the worlds.

8. Saraswati Stotram

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ।
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा पूजिता
सा मां पातु सरस्वति भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा ॥

Yaa Kunde[a-I]ndu-Tussaara-Haara-Dhavalaa Yaa Shubhra-Vastra-[A]avrtaa
Yaa Viinnaa-Vara-Danndda-Mannddita-Karaa Yaa Shveta-Padma-[A]asanaa |
Yaa Brahma-Acyuta-Shankara-Prabhrtibhir-Devaih Sadaa Puujitaa
Saa Maam Paatu Sarasvati Bhagavatii Nihshessa-Jaaddya-Apahaa |

Devi Saraswati whose body is white like the Kund flower, Devi who is fair like the moon, the snow, and the garland of pearls, Devi who is draped in white clothes, Devi who is holding Veena in her hands, Devi who sits on the white lotus flower, the Devi who is always adored by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva, Devi who removes the darkness of ignorance, may she protect me and nourish me.

9. Pavamana Mantra

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

Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

This particular mantra for meditation reads, “O supreme lord, free me from unreal and lead me to reality, keep me away from darkness and lead me to light, lead me away from fear death to immortality (enlightenment), om may there be peace, peace, peace”. Thus, this mantra helps us realize things that are real, and transcends our state of mind fit for a deeper and relaxing meditation.

10. Shanti Mantra

ॐ सह नाववतु |
सह नौ भुनक्तु |
सह वीर्यं करवावहै |
तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Oṃ saha nāv avatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai
tejasvi nāv adhītam astu
mā vidviṣāvahai |
Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||

Meaning of Shanti Mantra 

Om! May God protect us both together. May God nourish us both together.
May we work conjointly with great energy.
May our study be vigorous and effective.
May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).

Om! Let there be Peace in me!
Let there be Peace in my environment!
Let there be peace in the forces that act on me.


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