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Hindu Prayers A wise man once taught me that prayer is putting yourself in a position where you can speak to God with your entire being and listen to God's response with your undivided attention.
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Here are ten popular prayers in Hinduism, with their full text translated into English:
Gayatri Mantra
"Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat"
Translation: "Om, Earth, Atmosphere, Heaven. We meditate on the glorious splendor of the Creator. May He enlighten our intellect."
This ancient Vedic mantra is considered one of the most sacred in Hinduism, dedicated to the sun deity Savitr.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat"
Translation: "We worship the Three-eyed Lord who is fragrant and who nourishes and nurtures all beings. As is the ripened cucumber freed from its bondage, may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality."
This powerful mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to conquer death.
Shanti Mantra
"Om Sarveshaam Swastir Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Shantir Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Poornam Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu"
Translation: "May there be well-being in all, May there be peace in all, May there be fulfillment in all, May there be auspiciousness in all."
This prayer is often recited for universal peace and well-being.
Saraswati Mantra
"Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Saraswati"
This mantra invokes Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and arts.
Lakshmi Mantra
"Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Mahalakshmi"
This mantra is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Ganesh Mantra
"Om Gam Ganapataye Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Lord Ganesha"
This mantra invokes Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings.
Krishna Mantra
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare"
This mantra, also known as the Maha Mantra, chants the names of Krishna and Rama.
Vishnu Mantra
"Om Namo Narayanaya"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Narayana"
This mantra is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity.
Shiva Panchakshara Mantra
"Om Namah Shivaya"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Shiva"
This five-syllable mantra is one of the most popular, invoking Lord Shiva.
Durga Mantra
"Om Dum Durgayai Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Goddess Durga"
This mantra invokes Durga, the goddess of power and protection.
Gayatri Mantra
"Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat"
Translation: "Om, Earth, Atmosphere, Heaven. We meditate on the glorious splendor of the Creator. May He enlighten our intellect."
This ancient Vedic mantra is considered one of the most sacred in Hinduism, dedicated to the sun deity Savitr.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat"
Translation: "We worship the Three-eyed Lord who is fragrant and who nourishes and nurtures all beings. As is the ripened cucumber freed from its bondage, may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality."
This powerful mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to conquer death.
Shanti Mantra
"Om Sarveshaam Swastir Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Shantir Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Poornam Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu"
Translation: "May there be well-being in all, May there be peace in all, May there be fulfillment in all, May there be auspiciousness in all."
This prayer is often recited for universal peace and well-being.
Saraswati Mantra
"Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Saraswati"
This mantra invokes Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and arts.
Lakshmi Mantra
"Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Mahalakshmi"
This mantra is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Ganesh Mantra
"Om Gam Ganapataye Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Lord Ganesha"
This mantra invokes Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and lord of beginnings.
Krishna Mantra
"Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare"
This mantra, also known as the Maha Mantra, chants the names of Krishna and Rama.
Vishnu Mantra
"Om Namo Narayanaya"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Narayana"
This mantra is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity.
Shiva Panchakshara Mantra
"Om Namah Shivaya"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Shiva"
This five-syllable mantra is one of the most popular, invoking Lord Shiva.
Durga Mantra
"Om Dum Durgayai Namah"
Translation: "Om, salutations to Goddess Durga"
This mantra invokes Durga, the goddess of power and protection.