1. Mukti (Liberation) Mantra
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ।।
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya।।
The translation of this Vishnu mantra means, “I bow to the Lord who resides in the hearts of everyone”. This mantra helps to develop compassion because it reminds of the presence of godly being in every being. The emotions of love that arise from chanting this mantra help remove obstacles from one’s life.
2. Vishnu Shantakaram Mantra
शान्ताकारम् भुजगशयनम् पद्मनाभम् सुरेशम्
विश्वाधारम् गगनसदृशम् मेघवर्णम् शुभाङ्गम्।
लक्ष्मीकान्तम् कमलनयनम् योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम्
वन्दे विष्णुम् भवभयहरम् सर्वलोकैकनाथम्॥
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham
Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam।
Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamyam
Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham।।
The mantra translates to, “I bow to Lord Vishnu who preserves and protects the universe, who is pacific, who lies on the divine serpent, from whose navel arises the Lotus with the power of creation, who is the Supreme Being, who holds the entire universe, who is all-pervading as the sky, who is dark like clouds and has a magnificent form. Lakshmi’s lord, one with lotus eye, who is perceived through meditation by the Yogis, I salute you, Lord Vishnu, who removes the fear of worldly existence and who is the Lord of all worlds”. If one regularly chants this mantra he becomes fearless as this mantra is dedicated to bringing one out of unreal worldly affairs and its fears.
3. Shri Vishnu Mantra
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव ।
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणम् त्वमेव त्वमेव सर्वम् मम देव देव ॥
Tvameva Maataa Ca Pitaa Tvameva Tvameva Bandhush-Ca Sakhaa Tvam-Eva
Tvameva Viidyaa Dravinnam Tvam-Eva Tvameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva।।
It is beneficial to chant this mantra when one is in a problem or needs guidance. The sages believed, recitation of this particular mantra helps an individual gain concentration and Lord Vishnu guides them throughout every sector in life. The translation of this mantra reads, “O Lord you are my father and mother, you are also my friend and brother, your wealth and education itself, I see my hopes and Salvation in you”.
4. Moola Vishnu Mantra
ॐ नमो नारायण ।।
Om Namo Narayanaya।।
The mantra is a salutation to Lord Vishnu, it means, “I bow before Almighty”. The mantra is believed to take one to Vaikuntha to spend his blissful afterlife. However, Vaikuntha means the state of being desireless, one can become the desire and free him/herself from materialistic attachment and fear from the use of this mantra.
5. Vishnu sloka
कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा ।
बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतिस्वभावात् ।
करोमि यद्यत्सकलं परस्मै ।
नारायणयेति समर्पयामि ॥
Kaayena Vaacaa Manase[a-I]ndriyair-Vaa
Buddhy[i]-Aatmanaa Vaa Prakrteh Svabhaavaat |
Karomi Yad-Yat-Sakalam Parasmai
Naaraayannayeti Samarpayaami ||
This shloka is found in Bhagavad Gita and Mukundamala, its brilliance may be the reason for its use in numerous texts. The version in Mukundamala differs a little from one in Bhagavad, the mantra above is from Mukundamala. The mantra means, “Whatever I do with my Body, Speech, Mind or Sense Organs, Whatever I do use my Intellect, Feelings of Heart or unconsciously through the natural tendencies of my Mind, Whatever I do, I do all for others, I Surrender them all at the Lotus Feet of Sri Narayana”. The use of this mantra liberates one from karmic deeds performed by an individual consciously or unconsciously and takes one to enlightenment. Its regular chant can make people stress free and remove guilt from their hearts.
6. Vishnu Mangalam Mantra
मङ्गलम् भगवान विष्णुः, मङ्गलम् गरुणध्वजः।
मङ्गलम् पुण्डरी काक्षः, मङ्गलाय तनो हरिः॥
Mangalam Bhagwan Vishnuh, Mangalam Garunadhwajah।
Mangalam Pundari Kakshah, Mangalaya Tano Harih॥
Hindus, often pray to Ganesha for doing new work and chant his mantra. Similar, this mantra exists on Vishnu for doing auspicious works like Pooja, marriage, aarati and so forth. The Mangalam mantra which is outlined above should be recited inauspicious occasion to gain its full benefits. The mantra reads, “All auspiciousness to Lord Vishnu, all auspiciousness to one who has Garuda as His flag. All auspiciousness to one who has eyes like the lotus flowers, and auspiciousness to Hari.
7. Purana Mantra on Vishnu
ॐ अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपि वा ।
यः स्मरेत्पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः ॥
Om Apavitrah Pavitro Vaa Sarva-Avasthaam Gato-[A]pi Vaa |
Yah Smaret-Punnddariikaakssam Sa Baahya-Abhyantarah Shucih ||
This Vishnu mantra is found in numerous Puranas and one of the main mantras on Vishnu. The translation of mantra states, Om, if one is Apavitra (Impure) or Pavitra (Pure), or even in all other conditions, one who remembers Pundarikaksha (Vishnu), shall be Pure outwardly as well as inwardly. The main aim of this mantra is to salvate one from sins; while sin and dharma are subject to judgments of society, the mantra is free people from bondage and liberate them from emotional connections that cause pain in one’s life.
8. Vishnu Gayatri Mantra
ॐ श्री विष्णवे च विद्महे वासुदेवाय धीमहि।
तन्नो विष्णुः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Shri Vishnave Cha Vidmahe Vasudevaya Dhimahi।
Tanno Vishnuh Prachodayat॥
This Vishnu mantra means, “Om, Let me meditate on Lord Vishnu, Oh, Lord Vasudeva, give me higher intellect, And let Lord Vishnu illuminate my mind”. The Vishnu Gayatri Mantra like every other Gayatri Mantra has an effect of removing fear and bringing one to reality.
9. Sashankhachakram
सशङ्खचक्रं सकिरीटकुण्डलं सपीतवस्त्रं सरसीरुहेक्षणम् ।
सहारवक्षस्स्थलशोभिकौस्तुभं नमामि विष्णुं शिरसा चतुर्भुजम् ॥
Sa-Shangkha-Cakram Sa-Kiriitta-Kunnddalam Sa-Piita-Vastram Sarasiiruhe[a-Ii]kssannam |
Sa-Haara-Vakssas-Sthala-Shobhi-Kaustubham Namaami Vissnnum Shirasaa Catur-Bhujam ||
The English translation of this mantra is,” Salutations to Sri Vishnu Who is holding the conch and chakra, and who is adorned with diadem and earrings; with Yellow Garments and lotus-like eyes. Whose Chest is adorned with a Garland with the Kaustubha Gem; Four-Armed Form of Sri Vishnu and Bow my Head before him”. The Bhakti or devotion is key to self-awareness; the regular chant of this mantra helps develop quick reflexes through increased concentration.
10. Vishnu Mantra
मेघश्यामं पीतकौशेयवासं श्रीवत्साङ्कं कौस्तुभोद्भासिताङ्गम् ।
पुण्योपेतं पुण्डरीकायताक्षं विष्णुं वन्दे सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥
Megha-Shyaamam Piita-Kausheya-Vaasam Shriivatsa-Angkam Kaustubho[a-U]dbhaasita-Anggam |
Punnyo[(a-U)]petam Punnddariika-[A]ayata-Akssam Vissnnum Vande Sarva-Lokai[a-E]ka-Naatham ||
In simple words, this mantra states, “We salute Lord Vishnu, Who is Beautiful like the Dark Clouds, and Who is wearing Yellow Garments of Silk; Who has the mark of Srivatsa on His Chest; and Whose Body is Shining with the Radiance of the Kaushtubha Mani, Whose Form is permeated with Holiness, and Whose Beautiful Eyes are extended like the Lotus Petals; We Salute Sri Vishnu Who is the One Lord of all the Lokas”. This is again a Vishnu mantra as a prayer dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which the devotees can make use of in Poojas or worship of Lord Vishnu.