OM (AUM)

Om is the original and most powerful mantra. It is the primal sound of the Divine in its essential manifestation.

LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU

May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

OM SAHA NAVAVATU
SAHA NAU BHUNAKTU
SAHA VIRYAM KARAVAVAHAI
TEJASVI NAVADHITAM ASTU
MA VIDVISHAVAHAI
OM SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIH

Accept us both together. Protect us both together. May our knowledge and strength increase. May we not resent one another.

OM
SARVE BHAVANTU SUKINAH
SARVE SANTU NIRAMAYAH
SARVE BHADRANI PASYANTU
MA KASCID DUHKHABHAG BHAVET

May all beings be happy. May all be free from sickness. May all see and experience what is good and beautiful in life. May no one be unhappy.

OM
TRYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHE
SUGANDHIM PUSHTI-VARDHANAM
URVARUKAM IVA BANDHANAN
MRTYOR MUKSHIYA MAMRTAT (SWAHA)
OM SHANTIH OM SHANTIH OM SHANTIH OM (repeat)

We worship the supreme light, the Absolute Shiva, who has three eyes, who is fragrant and nourishes all beings. This light is the expression and communication of our life, and it is our physical, mental and spiritual radiation and prosperity. Kindly release us from all calamities, bondage and suffering, just as the cucumber is released from its stalk, without injury. May our minds be absorbed into Shiva, amrtam (nectar), the ocean of tranquility.

– From Shukla-Yajur Veda. Translation by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati

OM GURUR BRAHMA
GURUR VISHNUR
GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARA
GURUH SAKSHAT PARAM BRAHMA
TASMAI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH

Our creation is that Guru, the duration of our lives is that Guru, our trials, illnesses, calamities and the death of the body is that Guru. There is a Guru that is nearby, and a Guru that is beyond the beyond. I offer all my efforts to the Guru, the remover of darkness.

– From Guru-Stotram

OM ASATO MA SAD-GAMAYA
TAMASO MA JYOTIR GAMAYA
MRTYOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA
OM SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIH

Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Om peace.

– From Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

VANDE GURUNAM CHARANARAVINDE
SANDARSHITA-SVATMA-SUKHAVA BODHE
NIHSHREYASE JANGALIKAYAMANE
SAMSARA-HALA-HALA-MOHASHANTYAI
ABAHU-PURUSHAKARAM
SHANKHA-CHAKRASI-DHARINAM
SAHASRA-SHIRSAM SHVETAM
PRANAMAMI PATANJALIM

I bow to the lotus feet of the Guru who awakens insight into the happiness of pure being. Who is the refuge and the jungle physician who eliminates the delusion caused by the poisonous snake of samsara. I prostrate before the sage Patanjali who has thousands of radiant white heads and who has, as far as his arms, assumed the form of a man holding a conch shell, a wheel and a sword.

– Ashtanga Yoga Invocation-Opening Prayer. Translation by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois

SHRI KRISHNA GOVINDA HARE MURARE
HEY NATHA NARAYANA VASUDEVA
HEY NATHA NARAYANA VASUDEVA
HEY NATHA NARAYANA VASUDEVA

Beautiful Govinda, the friend of the cows, the one who is Lord of the senses and who destroys the demon Muri. Hey, you are the Lord Narayana, the first and the last, the one who abides in all things as the sacred heart.

SACHARA CHARA PARA PURNA
SHIVOHAM SHIVOHAM
NITYANANDA SVAROOPA SHIVAHAM SHIVOHAM
ANANDOHAM ANANDOHAM
ANANDOHAM ANANDOHAM

I am that which prevails everywhere, complete in itself. I am eternal, pure and infinite. I am bliss itself, I am bliss itself. I am Shiva.

OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAH

Om Salutations and Prostrations to Lord Ganesha

GAYATRI MANTRA
OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT

Earth Space Heavens. We meditate on the Divine Light of the radiant source. May that inspire our hearts and thoughts.

– Interpretation by Manorama D’Alvia

SHIVA SHIVA SHIVA SHAMBHO MAHADEVA SHAMBHO

This is a mantra of praise: Shiva; Shiva Shambho; one who is calm, all pervasive Maha; Great Deva; God