Mantras of Ma

The 'Mother' is the manifestation of the Absolute Energy that pervades the Universe.
As 'Durga' sitting on a Lion, Mother is a Manifestation of 'Shakti' or the Primordial Energy.

Thepower to breathe, walk, digest etc, comes from Ma Durga.
As Laxmi She is abundance. Not only material, but of Air, Land, Space etc.
The fact that one has understood what one has read so far is due to the Grace of Ma Saraswati' She is the 'OM', from where all sound emanates.
'Ma' is the 'Garbha' (Womb) from where the Universe manifests. The word 'Garba' stems from 'Garbha' and symbolises the 'Dance of Creation' Mother holds us in her arms when we feel dejected, gives us various gifts from time to time, but admonishes us when we cross our line.
There are various Mantras which are recited to revere the 'Mother' or 'Ma' as every devout Hindu calls Her.

Below I present some:
(1) Asato Ma sadgamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya

Mrityur Ma Amritam gamaya

Which means: Oh Mother!

From untruth, lead me to the Truth,

From Darkness, Lead me towards the Light,

From Death, Lead me to Life Eternal.

(2) Sharanaagata dinaarta

Paritraana paraayane

Sarvasyaarti harey Devi

Naraayani namostute

Which means:

Salutations be to you, O Mother

You who are intent on saving the downtrodden

and distressed that come under your refuge.

Oh Devi! you remove the suffering of everyone

(3) Om Sarva mangala Maangalye

Shivey Sarvaartha Saadhikey

Sharanye Trayambikey Gauri

Naraayani Namostutey

Which means:

Oh Gauri Ma!, consort of Lord Shiva,

You, who bestow auspiciousness on all,

And fulfill everyone's' wishes,

I prostrate myself before Thee,

Take me under your care.

The following Mantras describe the various qualities of Ma:

I have picked up 3 and I generally like to say them during Navratra as they are rather simple to remember and recite:

(4) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu

Shakti Rupena Sanshtita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai

Namo Namaha

Which means:

Prostrations unto Thee, O Devi (Ma)who dwells in all beings in the form of Shakti (Energy)

(5)Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu

Budhi Rupena Sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastsyai

Namo Namaha

Which means:

Prostrations unto Thee O Devi (Ma)

who resides in all beings as Intelligence (Wisdom)

(6)Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu

Laxmi Rupena Sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai

Namo Namaha

Which means:

Prostrations unto Thee O Devi (Ma)

who resides in all beings in the form of Laxmi (abundance)

Mantra for Health

Om! Tryambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtee VardhanamUrva ruka meva BandhanaatMrityor Muksheeya Ma amrutaat
Om Tryambakam

Om Tryambakam = The 3-eyed One ie Lord Shiva

Yajaamahe = we all worship

Sugandhim = Full of Fragrance

Pushti = Strength

Vardhanam = One who increases

Urvaa = ripe cucumber

Arukam = Ready to be plucked

Eva = just like

Bandhanaat = from bondage

Mrityo = of death

Muksheeya = Bestower of salvation

Maa = never

Amrutaat = towards Eternity

Om! We worship Lord Shiva (The 3-Eyed One) who is full of fragrance and who nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, bestow salvation and (lead me) towards Eternity

(Make me immortal) just as the ripe cucumber is severed (from the creeper) of its bondage.

Mantras for Difficult Times

Let me share a mantra with you that claims that the Lord's Grace can make the cripple climb mountains and the mute eloquent. With this mantra, you are asking for the Lord's grace to ease you out of difficult situations.

Mookam karoti vaachaalam

Pangum langhayatey girim

Yatkripaa tamaham vandey

Paramaananda Maadhavam

Which means:
I salute that Madhava,

the source of Supreme Bliss,

whose Grace makes the dumb man eloquent and the cripple cross mountains

There are times in life where the more one tries to remedy a situation with someone, the worse it becomes. When you encounter a situation where even communication fails, then recite the following Mantra. It is the 15th verse of the 15th chapter of the Bhagvad Geeta.

Lord Krishna states:

Sarvasya chaaham hridi sannivishto

Mattas smritir jnaanama pohanamcha

Vedaishcha sarvaair ahameva vedyo

Vedaanta krid veda videva chaaham

Which means:
I am seated in the hearts of all.

Knowledge and memory stem from Me,as well as their absence.

I Am verily that which has to be known by all the Vedas.

I Am the author of the Vedanta,and the Knower of the Veda I AM.

The key sentence here is that Krishna claims that He is seated in the hearts of all. As you recite this Mantra, know that the other person is aware of whatever you truly are experiencing vis-à-vis them, and/or the situation.

It pays to pray to Hanumanji as He was the instrument in re-uniting Shri Ram with Ma Seeta. Also Shree Ram is forever indebted to Hanumanji as the latter wanted nothing in return for His services. All He wanted was to continue to be devoted to the Divine Pair.

Do read the Hanuman Chalisa and the translation of the Sunder-Kaand as these prayers are a great help in times of trouble. Also, the one prayer acknowledged by Lord Vishnu, as the prayer to remove problems and gain the Lord's grace is the Satyanarayan Katha. This prayer should be done on full moons only for maximum effect.

In the end, remember that the Lord knows best. You must repose your trust in him, and always end your prayers with the words, "Lord, thy will be done." This way, whatever is right, will happen.

Easy Mantras for Busy People

This is in reply to message received from Viki which was :

I would like to know some very simple mantras that one can chant during meditation like one or two word phrases for health and strength and peace.

My reply :
You have requested one or two word phrases for health, strength and peace.

For health: 'Aham Aarogyam' meaning I am healthy.

Om Trayamabakam...on my website, also for health, but longer

For strength best is the Gayatri which you will find on my web-site, but since you have requested one or two phrases then: Aham Brahmaasmi' meaning I am God

For peace 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti'
Hope I have been of some help.
Sincerely, Shakun

Mantra for a Peaceful Life

Sarveshaam Svaastir Bhavatu

Sarveshaam Shaantir Bhavatu,

Sarveshaam Poornam Bhavatu

Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu

Om Shanti, Shanti Shanteeh

May Health abound forever

May Peace abound forever

May complete abundance, abound forever

May auspiciousness abound forever

Om Peace Peace Peace!

Mantra for Improving Life

Someone wrote to me for a mantra for securing a good job. The following mantra can be applied not only for that, but to help improve one's life or to help secure what your heart desire's. More than just a mantra, it requires a surrendering of oneself to the Lord. To understand more of the concept of surrender, please read the translation of 'Nisaadhanta', a discourse by Shree Morari Babu, in the books section.

This Mantra is from Ch IX of the Bhagvad Geeta. It is the Verse 22:

Ananyaa shchinta yanto maam
Ye janaah paryupaasatey
Teshaam nityaa bhiyuktaa naam
Yogakshemam Vahaamyaham

It means:
To those men who worship Me alone,thinking of no other, of those ever-united,
(To those men, ever-united in love, who surrender to Me, after having done their best)
I secure what is not already possessed,and preserve what they already possess.

Benefit Mantra for a Child

This mantra may be recited for getting a son, or for childless couples, who want a child.
Devaki-sut Govinda Vasudeva JagatpateDehi me tanayam Krishna Tvaamaham sharanam gataha
O Son of Devaki and Vasudeva, the Lord of the UniverseO Krishna! give me a son; I take refuge in you
As such, the result is up to the Lord. We do our best, but in the end, He knows what is good for us. I cannot promise that this mantra will work, but faith is known to move mountains