Janardanaswamy Temple, Varkala

ॐ नमो नारायणाय

Oṃ Namo Nārāyaṇāya

Meaning — I bow to Narayana, the one who dwells in the hearts of all beings and in the cosmic waters.

Recited for: Daily japa, surrender and protection

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥

Śuklāmbaradharaṃ Viṣṇuṃ Śaśivarṇaṃ Caturbhujam, Prasannavadanaṃ Dhyāyet Sarvavighnopaśāntaye

Meaning — Meditate on Vishnu clothed in white, moon-hued, four-armed and serene of face, for the removal of all obstacles.

Recited for: Dhyana before Vishnu worship

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Oṃ Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya

Meaning — I bow to the blessed Vasudeva, the indwelling Lord present in all things.

Recited for: Japa, devotion, inner steadiness

ॐ नारायणाय विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥

Oṃ Nārāyaṇāya Vidmahe Vāsudevāya Dhīmahi, Tanno Viṣṇuḥ Pracodayāt

Meaning — May we know Narayana, may we meditate on Vasudeva. May Vishnu illumine our minds.

Recited for: Gayatri japa, protection

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

Oṃ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ

Meaning — Peace in body, mind and spirit; peace in the three realms.

Recited for: Closing prayer of pooja and homa

ॐ हनुमते नमः

Oṃ Hanumate Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to Hanuman, the mighty and devoted servant of Rama.

Recited for: Daily japa, strength and protection

ॐ हं हनुमते रुद्रात्मकाय हुं फट्

Oṃ Haṃ Hanumate Rudrātmakāya Huṃ Phaṭ

Meaning — A powerful bija mantra invoking Hanuman, the embodiment of Rudra, to destroy obstacles.

Recited for: Protection, removal of fear

ॐ अञ्जनिसुताय विद्महे वायुपुत्राय धीमहि। तन्नो हनुमान् प्रचोदयात्॥

Oṃ Añjanisutāya Vidmahe Vāyuputrāya Dhīmahi, Tanno Hanumān Pracodayāt

Meaning — May we know the son of Anjani, may we meditate on the son of the wind. May Hanuman illumine our minds.

Recited for: Gayatri japa, courage

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मन मुकुर सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि॥

Śrīguru Carana Saroja Raja Nija Mana Mukura Sudhāri, Baranauṃ Raghubara Bimala Jasu Jo Dāyaku Phala Cāri

Meaning — Cleansing the mirror of my mind with the dust of the guru feet, I sing the pure fame of the best of the Raghu line, which bestows the four fruits of life.

Recited for: Beginning of Hanuman Chalisa recitation

ॐ आञ्जनेयाय नमः

Oṃ Āñjaneyāya Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to Anjaneya, the son of Anjani and servant of Rama.

Recited for: Sindoor and oil offering

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

Oṃ Gaṃ Gaṇapataye Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to Ganapati, the lord of the ganas, with the bija of obstacle removal.

Recited for: Japa before any new venture

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

Vakratuṇḍa Mahākāya Sūryakoṭi Samaprabha, Nirvighnaṃ Kuru Me Deva Sarvakāryeṣu Sarvadā

Meaning — O curved-trunked, mighty-bodied Lord, radiant as a million suns, make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.

Recited for: Beginning of worship and new work

ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥

Oṃ Ekadantāya Vidmahe Vakratuṇḍāya Dhīmahi, Tanno Dantiḥ Pracodayāt

Meaning — May we know the one-tusked Lord, may we meditate on the curved-trunked one. May the elephant-faced Lord illumine our minds.

Recited for: Gayatri japa, wisdom

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम्। भक्तावासं स्मरेन्नित्यमायुःकामार्थसिद्धये॥

Praṇamya Śirasā Devaṃ Gaurīputraṃ Vināyakam, Bhaktāvāsaṃ Smarennityam Āyuḥkāmārthasiddhaye

Meaning — Bowing with the head to the Lord, the son of Gauri, Vinayaka, the refuge of devotees, one should remember him daily for long life, fulfilment of desires and prosperity.

Recited for: Removal of troubles and obstacles

ॐ विघ्नहर्त्रे नमः

Oṃ Vighnahartre Namaḥ

Meaning — I bow to the remover of obstacles.

Recited for: Archana with durva grass and modak