Vedic mantras
13 mantras
Gayatri Mantra
The most widely recited Vedic verse, addressed to the light of the sun — Rigveda 3.62.10.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
The Tryambaka verse of the Rigveda, addressed to Rudra — a prayer for release, likening it to a ripe fruit loosening from its stem.
Asato Ma Sad Gamaya
Three movements — from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to what does not die. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28.
Saha Navavatu
The teacher-and-student peace verse — may we be protected together, and may we not quarrel. Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1.
Om Namah Shivaya — the Panchakshara
The five-syllable Shiva mantra. The phrase occurs in the Shri Rudram of the Krishna Yajurveda.
Purnamadah Purnamidam
The fullness verse — take fullness from fullness and fullness remains. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.1.1.
Agnim Ile — the first verse of the Rigveda
The opening verse of the Rigveda, and so the first line of the Vedic corpus — an invocation of Agni.
Sangachhadhvam Samvadadhvam
The closing hymn of the Rigveda, on moving together and speaking together — Rigveda 10.191.2.
Bhadram Karnebhih
A prayer to hear what is good and see what is good, with steady limbs — Rigveda 1.89.8.
Isha Vasyam Idam Sarvam
The opening verse of the Isha Upanishad — all this is pervaded by the Lord; enjoy what is left over.
Dyauh Shantih — the great peace invocation
Peace called down through sky, air, earth, waters, plants and all beings — Shukla Yajurveda 36.17.
Purusha Sukta — opening verse
The thousand-headed Purusha — the first verse of the Purusha Sukta, Rigveda 10.90.1.
Namaste Rudra Manyava — opening of the Shri Rudram
The first line of the Shri Rudram, the central Vedic hymn to Rudra — Taittiriya Samhita 4.5.1.