Mantras have a great importance in Hinduism and there are thousands of Hindu mantras around which are mostly in Sanskrit.

According to one branch of Hinduism, this whole world is Maya (illusion) and the mantras are the commands to run this illusion.

It is believed that each mantra has a different effect on the brain and a particular area of it.

Please remember that chanting the mantras in the right way with the correct stress on the particular word is very important. So, before practicing any mantra, it is advisable to learn it from an authorised person. Here are some of the most popular mantras around.

1. Gayatri Mantra:
ओम भूर्भुव: स्वः तत्स्वीतुर्वारेन्यम भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात ||
Om Bhurbhuvaha Swaha| Tatsaviturvarenyam| Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi| Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat

Meaning: I meditate on That Sun who is illuminates the three worlds – the earth, the heavens and the interspace, who is most adorable, effulgence of the divine powers. May that Sun illuminate our Intellect.

2. Mahamritunjaya Mantra:
ओम त्र्यम्बकम यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टीवर्धनम उर्वारुकमिव बंधनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मा मृतात् ||
||Om|| Tryambankam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam| Urvarukamiv Bandhanat Mriturmikshayamamrutat

Meaning: We meditate on the Three-eyed reality which permeates and nourishes all like a fragrance. May we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality, even as the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper.

3. Om:
ओम
Aum or Om.

It is the one-word mantra in Hinduism. This is the most important mantra. In fact, most of the Hindu mantras start with "Om." It is called as Bij Mantra.

4. Lord Shiva Mantra:
ओम नमः शिवाय ||
||Om|| Namah Shivay

Meaning: I bow to Lord Shiva.

5. Lord Vishnu Mantra:
A. ओम नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नमः ||
||Om|| Namo Bhagvate Vasudevay Namah

Meaning: I bow to Lord Vasudev.

B. ओम नमो नारायणः|
Om Namo Narayanaya Meaning: I bow to Lord Narayan.

6. Lord Ganesha Mantra:
A. ओम गं गणपतये नमः ||
||Om|| Gam Ganpataye Namah

Meaning: I bow to Lord Ganapati.

B. वक्रतुंड महाकाय सुर्यकोटि समप्रभ: | निर्विघ���नं कुरु में देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा: ||
Vakratund Mahakay, Suryakoti Samaprabhah |
Nirvighnam Kurumedevah, Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada || (This mantra is chanted before the start of every ceremony, Puja, or Arati)

Meaning: I meditate on Lord Ganesha Who has a Curved Trunk, Large Body, and Who has the Brilliance of a Million Suns, O Lord, Please make all my Works, free of Obstacles, always.

C. श्री गणेशाय नमः ||
Shree Ganeshay Namah

Meaning: I bow to Lord Ganesha.

7. Shri Hanuman Mantra
A. ओम हनुमते नमः||
Om Hanumate Namah

Meaning: I bow to Lord Hanuman.

B. मनोजवं मारुततुल्यवेगं, जितेन्द्रियं बुद्धिमतां वरिष्ठम् | वातात्मजं वानरयूथमुख्यं, श्रीरामदूतं शरणं प्रपद्ये ||
Manojavam Maruttulyavegam| Jitendriyam Buddhimatam Varishtham| Vaatatmajam Vanarayothmukhyam| Sriramdutam Saranam Prapadhye

Meaning: I surrender to Hanuman, the messenger of Lord Rama, whose speed is as swift as the mind and as swift as the wind. Who has controlled his sense organs and is the most intelligent among the intelligent ones; who is the son of Vayu and the chief of the monkey tribe.

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Source: Hinduism Facts
Photo Credit: ISKCON Desire Tree