Mantra Meditation, Mantra Invocations
Mantras, ancient sound vibrations imbued with profound spiritual significance, offer a transformative pathway to mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Rooted in traditions that span thousands of years, the practice of mantra chanting or meditation is much more than a spiritual ritual – it’s a scientifically supported tool for inner transformation.
At the core of mantra practice lies its ability to activate the body’s subtle energy systems, including inner meridian points, which are vital pathways in traditional energy medicine. These meridian points, when harmonised through the rhythmic repetition of a mantra, help to unblock stagnant energy, fostering a sense of balance and vitality.
How the Mantras Are Written – The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST)
The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST) is a widely accepted system for accurately representing Sanskrit and other Indic languages in the Latin script. It uses diacritical marks – such as macrons (ā, ī, ū) and dots (ṇ, ṭ, ḍ, ś, ṣ) – to preserve the precise pronunciation and phonetic distinctions of the original Devanagari script. These marks are crucial because Sanskrit is a highly phonetic language where small variations in sound can alter meanings significantly.
When you see the mantras written with dots and dashes, remember you a reading a code, not English, that will give you the key to being able to produce the sound with more accuracy, and therefore to invoke the power of the vibration within your body. At times we have also included how the mantra might be written in a common phonetic Westernised form for your reference. However you are encouraged to open your awareness and see how the felt sense of the mantra changes your direct experience as you become more familiar with the distinction in the Sanskrit sounds.
Invocations – Mantra Examples
An invocation in mantra sets the energetic tone and sacred intention for the practice. It is a conscious call to align with higher energies, deities, or aspects of inner wisdom, creating a container of reverence and focus. The purpose is to open the space with respect and clarity, inviting in divine presence or guidance while grounding the practitioner in the present moment. With intention, the vibration of the mantra becomes a bridge between the physical and the subtle, enhancing the potency of the sound and deepening the connection to self and spirit. Below is a list of mantras that might be used for different invocations in the practice of mantra chanting.
Invoking Gaṇeśa (Ganesha)
Before we invoke any planetary mantra, we always call upon Lord Gaṇeśa (Ganesha). This is done in most mantra practice. The elephant headed god, son of Śakti (Shakti) and destroyer of obstacles is also the lord of time, karma and calculation. As such he is the main deity (though some see this as Nārāyaṇa – “God in humanity, incarnate Divinity”). So before we do any work in this field, we call upon Gaṇeśa to help us.
Gaṇeśa
Oṁ gaṁ Gaṇapataye namaḥ (om gam ganapataye namaha)
I bow to the leader of the ganas (divine beings), the one who is the essence of Gaṇeśa (Ganesha).
Śantipāṭh
saha nā vavatu saha nau bhunaktu
saha vīryam karavāvahai
tejasvināvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai
This is a beautiful peace mantra that invokes harmony, protection, and unity between teacher and student. It sets the tone for cooperative learning, mutual respect, and shared spiritual growth, cultivating an energy of peace, clarity, and collective purpose. It is often invoked at the beginning of a course of study.
Gaṇapati Prārthana
gaṇānām tvā gaṇapatigṁ havāmahe kaviṁ kavīnāmupamaśravastam
jyeṣṭharājam brahmaṇāṁ brahmaṇaspata ā naḥ śṛṇvannūtibhissīda sādanam
praṇo devī sarasvatī vājebhirvājinīvatī
dhīnāmavitryavatu gaṇeśāya namaḥ
sarasvatyaī namaḥ | śrī gurubhyo namaḥ | hariḥ oṁ
oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
This Vedic mantra originating in the Rig Veda is a sacred invocation to Lord Gaṇeśa (Ganesha) whose name Gaṇapati means “Lord of the Ganas” or “Lord of the Groups,” referring to his role as the leader of divine beings. The word Prãrthana translates to “prayer” or “invocation,” and this chant is traditionally offered to Gaṇeśa – the remover of obstacles and the embodiment of wisdom – before beginning any significant activity or ceremony. Drawing from ancient Vedic texts, such as the Rig Veda, the prayer honors Gaṇeśa’s role in clearing the path ahead and guiding devotees toward success and clarity.
This prayer also invokes Goddess Sarasvatī, the deity of knowledge, speech, music, and the arts. Her presence in the chant calls forth clarity of thought, eloquence, and creative inspiration – especially important for learning, teaching, and all forms of communication. By invoking both Gaṇeś and Sarasvatī, the Gaṇapati Prãrthana harmonises the energies of wisdom, expression, and spiritual guidance. Commonly recited at the start of yoga classes, spiritual gatherings, and rituals, it sets a positive and auspicious tone, inviting blessings, protection, and focused intention.
Mantra Chanting – Want to Learn Mantras?
If you’d like to engage with the profound, powerful and transformational practice of Vedic mantra and chanting, then please get in touch. I offer 1-1 coaching to help you connect with and understand the distinct mouth positions and felt sense of the 50 letters of the alphabet and understand how to interpret the IAST framework.
Experiencing this will transform you from the inside out as you resonate your body of sound with the power of the sacred sounds. You can get a taste of this with a learn at your own pace course, Mantra Transformation, which takes you through the overview of this framework, and offers you some simple but powerful mantras to get started with a personal sādhana.
