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5 Powerful Mantras and Their Sacred Meanings

Jillian Babcock (/contributors/jillian-babcock) | September 10, 2018

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your innate goodness and help clear your mind.

Mantras (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4950/mantra) are sacred

words that have spiritual qualities when uttered. They are used to connect
with the Divine (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4968/divine) and
protect the mind (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5040/mind) from
 sources of suffering.
Mantras have been used for thousands of years by many different religions
and cultures around the world including Hinduism
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5442/hinduism), Buddhism
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6630/buddhism) and Jainism
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5445/jainism).
In Hinduism, it is believed that Krishna (https://www.yogapedia.com
/definition/4981/krishna) created the world partly out of the vibration of
sounds. Vedic traditions believe that mantras are part of the heart chakra
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5524/heart-chakra), said aloud to
help energy flow outward and love to flourish.

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In yoga and meditation (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition

/4949/meditation) practices, mantras are repeated as individual words,
phrases, songs or sounds that are used to improve concentration
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6607/concentration), quiet the mind
and relax the nervous system.
 These mantras have many different meanings such as connecting with all
beings, calling upon the highest Self, worshiping the Divine, and showing
respect for one's teachers. Below are five of the most powerful mantras
and their sacred meanings.

Om
Om (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4957/om) (also spelled Aum) is
believed to be the origin of all sound. It is also the most well-known mantra
in the West.
In Hinduism, Om is the pure sound of the universe.

ॐ
Om is often called pranava (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition
/5588/pranava), the sacred syllable, because it symbolizes Brahman
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5274/brahman) and the essence of
spiritual reality.
Traditionally, it’s been taught that using Om illuminates the mind and
brings about an image of bright rays of light.

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self (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4998/self) in order to align with

the Divine.
Om is traditionally chanted in three parts, with equal time given to each
part.
It is chanted from the navel, then moves up to the sternum and then
 through the throat and out of the mouth. In the process, an internal
vibration is created. This vibration is said to be the trinity that connects the
physical body, mind and spiritual Self.
Spelled as Aum, with three letters, it represents the three states of
consciousness. “A” is the waking state, “U” is the dream state and “M” is
the state of deep sleep. (Learn more in The Meaning of Om
(https://www.yogapedia.com/2/6010/meditation/om/the-5-benefits-of-
chanting-om).)

Ram
Throughout history, different meanings have been associated with the
Sanskrit (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4959/sanskrit) word, Ram
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/9327/ram). Many believe that Ram
is symbolic of daily life as an act of worship, along with bringing oneself
closer to God (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5011/god).

राम
It has been described as a reorientation to one’s true, purest Self or,

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(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/10997/devotion)) and commitment

to acting justly, with wisdom and compassion for all.
A popular mantra that contains Ram is Sri Ram
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7569/sri-ram) Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram,
which was originally popularized in western India by the enlightened saint,
Samantha Ramdas.
 So'ham
According to Vedic tradition, So'ham (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition
/5173/soham) is considered the universal mantra, used to identify
someone with Ultimate Reality (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition
/9072/the-absolute) and the larger Universe.
It may be translated from Sanskrit to mean "I am That," and is an answer
to the mantra, Hamsa (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6396/hamsa),
which means "Who am I?"

सोऽहम्
As a mantra, So'ham has the primary purpose of connecting people to
one another because the sound it makes is like the sound of breathing
and every human must breathe.
It acknowledges that all of us have the same nature, life force
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4984/life-force), maker and
origin.
The first part of the mantra (pronounced as an extended “sooo”) is said on
an inhalation, while the second part (“hummm”) is said on an exhalation.
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(PNS) (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/8417/parasympathetic-
nervous-system-pns), which is responsible for reducing heart rate and
increasing restfulness. (Learn more in So'ham. I Am That
(https://www.yogapedia.com/2/7214/meditation/mantra/soham-i-am-that).)

Om Namah Shivaya
 The mantra of Om Namah Shivaya (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition
/4958/om-namah-shivaya) is intended to call upon the highest, purest
Self.
Some consider this mantra an act of respectfully bowing to Shiva
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4963/shiva). Shiva being the “true
Self,” or identifying that each person is eternal, even after the body is
destroyed. (Learn more in An Introduction to Lord Shiva: The Destroyer
(https://www.yogapedia.com/an-introduction-to-shiva/2/11369).)
Om Namah Shivaya is sometimes called the five or six-syllable mantra. It
contains at least five syllables (na-mah-shi-va-ya), which all have different
meanings. Om is the sixth syllable when added at the beginning of the
mantra.

ॐ नमः िशवाय
In Hindu traditions, namah (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition
/9001/namaha) means "adoration" and "respect," while shivaya means
"aligning with Absolute Reality."
In practicing this mantra, one can work on attaining Self-realization
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shivaya-mantra).)

Guru Om
Chanting Guru Om (https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/8935/guru-om)
is a way of showing thanks and respect for one’s guru
(https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4954/guru).
 गु ॐ
It is especially beneficial to chant if you are seeking a teacher to learn from
or are showing devotion to an existing guru that you practice with.
A guru is a spiritual teacher, who helps his/her student dispel ignorance
and connect with the Divine.
This mantra contains the original sound of Om because it’s a way of
connecting with the original source of energy while acknowledging
gratitude and commitment to one’s personal guru. (Learn more in The
Guru Guide: What to Watch Out for When Seeking Your Spiritual Master
(https://www.yogapedia.com/2/6720/lineage/guru/what-makes-a-true-
guru).)

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