Om Namo Narayanaya (Sanskrit:ॐ नमो नारायणाय,romanized: Om Namo Nārāyanāya,lit. 'I bow to the Ultimate Reality, Narayana'),[1] also referred to as theAshtakshara (eight syllables), and theNarayana Mantra, is among the most popularmantras ofHinduism, and the principal mantra ofVaishnavism.[2] It is an invocation addressed toNarayana, the god of preservation, the form ofVishnu who lays in eternal rest beneath thecosmic waters.[3]
Om Namo Narayanaya is mentioned inHindu literature, especially in theUpanishads and thePuranas. The mantra is described in these scriptures as being invoked to attain salvation from the deity and is also given as an instruction to devotees of Narayana in performance of rituals.[4]
According to theTarasara Upanishad,Om is the divine sacred syllable that represents the nature ofBrahman, the Ultimate Reality that is unchanging and eternal.Namo is translated from Sanskrit as “to bow to” or “to pay homage”.Narayanaya may be translated as "to or of Narayana";Nara refers to “water”, andanaya means “abode” or “shelter.” Narayana is regarded as an epithet of Vishnu, whose celestial realm isVaikuntha, amid the cosmic waters of creation. Hence, it is a mantra that is associated with submission toGod, accepting one's existence in the grand design, as well as seeking the protection of Vishnu.[6]
The sageYajnavalkya provides an explanation of the breakdown of the mantra's components:[7]
| Syllable | Symbolism | Invocation |
|---|---|---|
| Om | Atma | Brahma |
| Na/Ma | Prakrti | Vishnu/Rudra |
| Na/Ra/Ya/Na/Ya | Parabrahman | Ishvara/Virata/Purusha/Bhagavan/Paramatma |
In theVaishnava Upanishads, theSamashti-Yantra, the words described overAnanta, the seat of Vishnu, bear theashtakshara.[8]
TheNarada Purana furnishes the following details regarding the chanting of this mantra: If a man performs thejapa of chanting the mantra in the banks of the riverGanga, he would achievemoksha.[9]
TheNarayana Upanishad also remarks upon the mantra, stating that one attainsVaikuntha by chanting it.[10]
The mantra is also often associated withPrahlada, adaitya devotee of Narayana, and the son ofHiranyakashipu. Despite repeated instruction by his instructors to chant the invocation, "Hiranyaya namaha" (glory to Hiranya), the devotee sticks to his favoured mantra, "Om Namo Narayanaya Namaha" (glory to Narayana).[11]
Periyalvar, anAlvar, a poet-saint of theSri Vaishnava tradition, invoked the mantra to convince thePandya king ofMadurai of the supremacy of Vishnu. He proclaimed that Narayana was the supreme deity, all-merciful and all-bountiful, and that he was the path towards the achievement of bliss.[12]
According to theSri Vaishnava narrative, the theologianRamanuja is regarded to have revealed this secret mantra from the tower of theTirukoshtiyur temple to the crowd gathered outside the shrine.[13]
The mantra is held in supreme regard by theVaishnavas, the adherents of Vishnu who make up the dominant denomination within Hinduism.[14] The religious significance of chanting this incantation is described in theTarasara Upanishad, stating that he who chants the mantra is purified by the deitiesAgni,Vayu,Surya, as well asShiva. The merit attained by chanting it is described to be the equivalent of reciting theItihasas, thePuranas, and all the mantras a hundred thousand times. It is also stated to be the equivalent of reciting theGayatri mantra a hundred thousand times, and the syllable 'Om' ten thousand times. It is stated to be powerful enough to purify ten of one's immediate ancestors, and ten of one's immediate descendants. Finally, it states that the recitation of the mantra allows one to attain the state of union with Narayana.[15]
TheLinga Purana states that chanting the mantra is the means for achieving all objects, and hence must be invoked for every occasion.[16]
InSri Vaishnavism, the chanting of the mantra was part of thepanchasamskaras ofRamanuja, the five sacraments that initiated him into the tradition by his guru, Periyanambi.[17]
According to Vaishnava theology, it is held that whoever studies thisashtakshara of Narayana and recites it constantly attains a full life, supremacy over men, enjoys the pleasures of royalty, and becomes the master of all souls. Whoever chants this mantra is held to attainmoksha, according to the teachings of theSamaveda.[18]
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