Holding the form of the deity in mind before invoking.
The opening of the Anjaneya dhyanam — bright as the rising sun, learned in every branch of knowledge, granting fearlessness with both hands.
The first four of Lalita Tripura Sundari's thousand names: Sri Mata, Sri Maharajni, Srimat Simhasaneshvari, and she who rose from the fire-pit of consciousness.
Two anushtubhs from the first patala of the Mundamala Tantra that name all ten Mahavidyas in order — the standard enumeration of the set.
Wherever Rama's name is sung, Hanuman is there — hands joined above his head and eyes full of tears.
Hanuman's root mantra — the bija हं with his name in the dative. The commonest Hanuman japa in daily practice.
The best-known Hanuman dhyana shloka — swift as thought, master of his senses, foremost of the wise, and Rama's messenger.
The first of the eight verses to the lord of Kashi, each closing on the same line: I worship Kala Bhairava, master of the city of Kashi.
Abhinavagupta's hymn to Bhairava, from the Stotravali: I worship in my heart the lord who pervades everything moving and unmoving, by a mind made of you.
The verse that opens the Ashta Bhairava Dhyana Stotram: Bhairava is the complete form of Shiva, and those who miss it are deluded by Shiva's own maya.
One anushtubh that names all eight principal Bhairavas in order: Asitanga, Ruru, Chanda, Krodha, Unmatta, Kapali, Bhishana and Samhara.
The couplet that closes the Chalisa, asking Hanuman to live in the heart along with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
The Puranic dhyana of Hanuman, which describes him emerald-green rather than saffron-red.
The companion dhyana verse to Manojavam — seat of immeasurable strength, a fire to the demon forest, first among the wise.
The five-verse visualisation of Batuka Bhairava, the child form called Apaduddharaka — 'he who lifts one out of calamity'. Recited before his hundred and eight names.
The four-bija invocation that opens each decade of the Kalabhairava Ashtottarashatanamavali, the hundred and eight names.
The seven-bija mantra of Mahakala Bhairava, given in the mantra section of the Ashta Bhairava Dhyana Stotram.
The Gayatri addressed to Hanuman, following the three-part pattern of the deity Gayatris.
He who made the ocean a cow's hoofprint and the demons mosquitoes — the jewel on the great garland of the Ramayana.
The Goddess who abides in all beings, addressed by name and saluted three times — the refrain of the Aparajita Stuti, Devi Mahatmya 5.
Whenever dharma declines and adharma rises, I bring myself forth. Bhagavad Gita 4.7.
I bow to Ishana, whose form is nirvana — Tulsidas's eight-verse hymn to Shiva, opening stanza.
Not the mind, not the senses, not the elements — I am consciousness and bliss; I am Shiva.
The mahavakya of the Yajurveda — I am Brahman. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10.
The first couplet of the Hanuman Chalisa: the poet cleans the mirror of his mind with the dust of his guru's feet before he begins.
The mahavakya of the Samaveda — that you are. Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7.
The wise always see that highest step of Vishnu, spread out like an eye in the sky. Rigveda 1.22.20.
The mahavakya of the Rigveda — consciousness is Brahman. Aitareya Upanishad 3.3.
The definition of Om that opens the Mandukya Upanishad: all that was, is, and will be is Om — and what lies outside time is Om too.
The mahavakya of the Atharvaveda — this self is Brahman. Mandukya Upanishad 2.