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Shri Vishnu (Narayana)

अष्टाक्षरी मन्त्र

Ashtakshari Mantra

Taittiriya Aranyaka; also cited in the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana. The Dwadashakshari form is from the Bhagavata Purana.

The supreme mantra of Vaishnavism. The eight syllables Om-Na-Mo-Nā-Rā-Ya-ṇā-Ya are identified with the eight aspects of Vishnu and are said to embody the total surrender of the devotee to the Lord. Recitation is central to Pancharatra worship and Sri Vaishnava practice. Included here with the related Dwadashakshari mantra used across all Vaishnava traditions.

अष्टाक्षरी मन्त्र — The Eight-Syllable Mantra

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

oṃ namo nārāyaṇāya ||

Om Namo Narayanaya ||

ॐ, नारायण (विष्णु) को नमन — अष्टाक्षर मन्त्र।

Om — salutation to Narayana (Vishnu). The eight syllables Na-Mo-Nā-Rā-Ya-Ṇā-Ya, together with Om, form the supreme mantra of Vaishnava devotion.

द्वादशाक्षरी — Dwadashakshari (Twelve Syllables)

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya ||

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya ||

ॐ, भगवान वासुदेव (कृष्ण) को नमन — द्वादशाक्षर मन्त्र।

Om — salutation to the blessed Vasudeva (Krishna). The twelve-syllable mantra from the Bhagavata Purana, held equal in sanctity to the Ashtakshari.

पञ्चाक्षरी — Panchashrī (Five Syllables)

नमो नमः ॥
नारायणाय नमः ॥

namo namaḥ || nārāyaṇāya namaḥ ||

Namo Namah || Narayanaya Namah ||

बार-बार नमन; नारायण को नमन — अर्चना व नमस्कार में प्रयुक्त रूप।

Salutation and salutation again. To Narayana, salutation. Used in archana and nama-japa as short-form invocations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ashtakshari Mantra?

Ashtakshari Mantra (अष्टाक्षरी मन्त्र) is a mantra dedicated to Vishnu (Narayana). A Mantra is a sacred sound or formula, often Vedic, repeated in worship and meditation to invoke a deity and focus the mind.

Which deity is the Ashtakshari Mantra dedicated to?

The Ashtakshari Mantra is dedicated to Vishnu (Narayana).

Is the Ashtakshari Mantra available in Hindi and English?

Yes. On Adiveda the Ashtakshari Mantra is given verse by verse in Devanagari (the original Hindi/Sanskrit script) with Roman (IAST) transliteration, simple phonetics and a clear English meaning, so you can read, pronounce and understand every line.

What is the source of the Ashtakshari Mantra?

The Ashtakshari Mantra is drawn from Taittiriya Aranyaka; also cited in the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana. The Dwadashakshari form is from the Bhagavata Purana..

Can I read the Ashtakshari Mantra online for free?

Yes - the Ashtakshari Mantra is free to read online at Adiveda, formatted for mobile, for devotees in India and around the world.