Srimad Ashtakshari Narayana Mantra

Śrīmadaṣṭākṣarī Nārāyaṇa Mahāmantram

(श्रीमदष्टाक्षरी नारायण महामन्त्रम्)

Source – Sourced from a manuscript.

Initiation – Required.

1. Viniyogaḥ (विनियोगः) -

asyaśrī nārāyaṇa aṣṭākṣarī mahāmantrasya ।

sādhyanārāyaṇa ṛṣiḥ ।

daivīgāyatryai chandaḥ ।

antaryāmī nārāyaṇaḥ paramātmā devatā ।

oṃ bījaṃ ।

nārāyaṇyeti (śrīm̐) śaktiḥ ।

mamaḥ kīlakaṃ ।

śrī man-nārāyaṇāṣṭākṣarī mantra siddhyarthe śrī-guror-anujñāyā mahāmantra jape viniyogaḥ ॥

अस्यश्री नारायण अष्टाक्षरी महामन्त्रस्य ।

साध्यनारायण ऋषिः ।

दैवीगायत्र्यै छन्दः ।

अन्तर्यामी नारायणः परमात्मा देवता ।

ॐ बीजं ।

नारायण्येति (श्रीँ) शक्तिः ।

ममः कीलकं ।

श्री मन्नारायणाष्टाक्षरी मन्त्र सिद्ध्यर्थे श्रीगुरोरनुज्ञाया महामन्त्र जपे विनियोगः ॥

Meaning - This prayer/mantra japa is to invoke Śrīman-nārāyaṇa in our heart, perform mantra japa to obtain His complete grace in all aspects, including the four puruṣārthas – dharma (following own nature), artha (wealth), kāma (desires) and mokṣa (liberation) and all desires that one may seek from the Divine. The sage who visually saw this mantra (ṛṣiḥ) is Sādhyanārāyaṇa. The meter (chandas) for the mantra is daivīgāyatrī of eight syllables and its variations. The deity is Śrī antaryāmī nārāyaṇaḥ paramātmā devatā, the seed (bījaṃ) is o m̐, the power (śakti) is Nārāyaṇeti (śrīm̐). The key (kīlaka) that binds the mantra is ‘mamaḥ’, meaning ourselves. By the grace and command of our guru and the guru lineage, we pledge to undertake the mantra japa in full earnest.

2. Ṛṣyādi nyāsa (ऋष्यादि न्यास) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	Sādhyanārāyaṇa ṛṣaye namaḥ śirasi ।	साध्यनारायण ऋषये नमः शिरसि ।	Open the right palm and touch the top of the forehead with the ring and middle fingers joined at the top of the head.
2	daivīgāyatryai chandase namaḥ mukhe।	दैवीगायत्र्यै छन्दसे नमः मुखे ।	Now touch the lips of the mouth with the four fingers in the right palm, excluding thumb.
3	antaryāmī nārāyaṇaḥ paramātmā devatāyai namaḥ hṛdi ।	अन्तर्यामी नारायणः परमात्मा देवतायै नमः हृदि ।	Touch the heart with the right index, middle and ring fingers
4	om̐ bījāya namaḥ guhye ।	ॐ बीजाय नमः गुह्ये ।	Touch the area of genitals with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.
5	nārāyaṇeti (śrīm̐) śaktaye namaḥ pādayoḥ ।	नारायणेति (श्रीँ) शक्तये नमः पादयोः ।	Touch both the feet with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.
6	mamaḥ kīlakāya namaḥ nābhau।	ममः कीलकाय नमः नाभौ।	Touch the navel with the right ring finger and thumb joined together.
7	mama śrī man-nārāyaṇāṣṭākṣarī mantra siddhyarthe śrī-guror-anujñāyā mahāmantra jape viniyogāya namaḥ sarvāṅge ।	मम श्री मन्नारायणाष्टाक्षरी मन्त्र सिद्ध्यर्थे श्रीगुरोरनुज्ञाया महामन्त्र जपे विनियोगाय नमः सर्वाङ्गे ।	Run both the palms all over the body.
8	iti ṛṣyādi nyāsaḥ ॥	इति ऋष्यादि न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the Ṛṣyādi nyāsa.

3. Kara nyāsaḥ (करन्यासः) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	om̐ kruddholkāya jñānāya svāhā - aṅguṣṭhābhyāṃ namaḥ ।	ॐ क्रुद्धोल्काय ज्ञानाय स्वाहा - अङ्गुष्ठाभ्यां नमः ।	Use both the index fingers and run them on both the thumbs.
2	om̐ maholkāya aiśvaryāya svāhā - tarjanībhyāṃ svāhā ।	ॐ महोल्काय ऐश्वर्याय स्वाहा - तर्जनीभ्यां स्वाहा स्वाहा ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the index fingers.
3	om̐ vīrolkāya śaktyai svāhā -madhyamābhyāṃ vaṣaṭ ।	ॐ वीरोल्काय शक्त्यै स्वाहा - मध्यमाभ्यां वषट् ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the middle fingers.
4	om̐ dyulokāya balāya svāhā - anāmikābhyāṃ hum̐ ।	ॐ द्युलोकाय बलाय स्वाहा - अनामिकाभ्यां हुँ ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the ring fingers.
5	om̐ sahasrolkāya tejase svāhā - kaniṣṭhikābhyāṃ vauṣaṭ ।	ॐ सहस्रोल्काय तेजसे स्वाहा - कनिष्ठिकाभ्यां वौषट् ।	Use both the thumbs and run them on both the little fingers.
6	om̐ nārāyaṇāya v īryāya svāhā - karatalakara pṛṣṭhābhyāṃ phaṭ ।	ॐ नारायणाय वीर्याय स्वाहा - करतलकर पृष्ठाभ्यां फट् ।	Open both the palms; run the opened palms of the right hand on the front and back sides of the left palm and repeat the same for the other palm.
7	iti kara nyāsaḥ ॥	इति कर न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the six-part Kara nyāsa

The meanings of the some of the words associated with this nyāsa are to be meditated upon while performing this procedure –

kruddholkāya jñānāya svāhā (क्रुद्धोल्काय ज्ञानाय स्वाहा) => Let us surrender with deep inner knowledge and realization of the most fierce and omnipotent Lord.
maholkāya aiśvaryāya svāhā (महोल्काय ऐश्वर्याय स्वाहा) => Let us surrender to the most magnificent and omniscient One and regale in the wealth and prosperity granted by the Lord in our lifetime.
vīrolkāya śaktyai svāhā (वीरोल्काय शक्त्यै स्वाहा) => Let us surrender to the undefeatable and most powerful and omnipresent Divine Lord.
dyulokāya balāya svāhā (द्युलोकाय बलाय स्वाहा) – Obeisances to the Lord who rules all realms with he power vested in Him and showers His grace upon all His sincere devotees at all times. He is the Sustainer of the entire Creation.
sahasrolkāya tejase svāhā (सहस्रोल्काय तेजसे स्वाहा) – Obeisances to the Lord residing in the Sahasrāra shining His grace upon all His sincere devotees at all times. Sahasra also refers to His Divine thousand attributes stotram which will also awaken the Kuṇḍalinī and ensure its ascent to the crown – sahasrāra.
nārāyaṇāya vīryāya svāhā (नारायणाय वीर्याय स्वाहा) – Salutations to the Lord who ensures that all His sincere devotees are victorious in all their pursuits and are able to fulfill all their tasks and obtain their cherished desires and wishes.

4. Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsaḥ (षडाङ्गन्यासः) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	om̐ kruddholkāya jñānāya svāhā – hṛdayāya namaḥ ।	ॐ क्रुद्धोल्काय ज्ञानाय स्वाहा – हृदयाय नम: ।	Open index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand and place them on the heart chakra.
2	om̐ maholkāya aiśvaryāya svāhā - śirase svāhā ।	ॐ महोल्काय ऐश्वर्याय स्वाहा - शिरसे स्वाहा ।	Open middle and ring fingers of the right hand and touch the top of the head.
3	om̐ vīrolkāya śaktyai svāhā - śikhāyai vaṣaṭ ।	ॐ वीरोल्काय शक्त्यै स्वाहा - शिखायै वषट् ।	Open the right thumb and touch the back of the head. This is the point where there is a tuft of hair.
4	om̐ dyulokāya balāya svāhā - kavacāya huṃ ।	ॐ द्युलोकाय बलाय स्वाहा - कवचाय हुं ।	Cross both the hands and touch both shoulders with the palms.
5	om̐ sahasrolkāya tejase svāhā - netratrayāya vauṣaṭ ।	ॐ सहस्रोल्काय तेजसे स्वाहा - नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट् ।	Touch the eyes with the right index and ring fingers, with the middle finger touching the ājña cakra.
6	om̐ nārāyaṇāya vīryāya svāhā - astrāya phaṭ ।	ॐ नारायणाय वीर्याय स्वाहा - अस्त्राय फट् ।	Open up the left palm and strike it three times with index and middle fingers of the right hand.
7	iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ ॥	इति षडङ्ग न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the six-part Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsa.

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digbandhaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् इति दिग्बन्धः ॥

Meaning: May the directions be charmed and bound, to prevent any external obstacles from the powers residing in the triads – the Earth, atmosphere and the heavens.

5. Mudras (मुद्रा) – Cakra (चक्र) mudrā must be displayed thrice with the utterance of the following mantra –

sudarśanāya hetirājāyate namaḥ ।

सुदर्शनाय हेतिराजायते नमः ।

May the king of all weapons - the Sudarśana cakra, protect us at all times and drive away all the negativity around us!

6. Dhyānam (ध्यानम् ) -

udyatkoṭi divākarābha maniśam śaṅkhamgadā paṅkajam ।

cakram bhibhrata mindirā vasumatī saṃśobhi-pārśva-dvayam ॥

kirīṭāṅgada-hāra kuṇḍala-dharam pītāmbaram kaustubho ।

ddīptam viśvadharam svapakṣasi lasaccrīvatsacihnam bhaje ॥

उद्यत्कोटि दिवाकराभ मनिशम् शङ्खम्गदा पङ्कजम् ।

चक्रम् भिभ्रत मिन्दिरा वसुमती संशोभिपार्श्वद्वयम् ॥

किरीटाङ्गदहार कुण्डलधरम् पीताम्बरम् कौस्तुभो ।

द्दीप्तम् विश्वधरम् स्वपक्षसि लसच्च्रीवत्सचिह्नम् भजे ॥

Meaning: Salutations to Lord Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, who shines forth with the brilliance of a zillion suns and is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent! He bears in His arms the mighty discus (Cakra), a mace, a lotus and the divine conch (śaṅkha) and is served by His consorts, the Divine Mother Indirā (Lakṣmī) and Vasumatī (Earth/Bhūdevī) seated on His left and right. He is bedecked with an attractive crown, dazzling necklaces, bracelets and anklets and jewelry all over His body. He dazzles with the brilliance of the most precious and coveted Kaustubha jewel and is dressed in shining golden yellow garments. He also displays the most sacred Śrīvatsā Vaiṣṇava sign on His chest

The cakra blinds us and turns the focus of the mind, upon the vibrations of the śaṅkha. The mace pounds all types of stubborn karma and the lotus represents spiritual evolution that is associated with self-realization. The sacred Śrīvatsā Vaiṣṇava sign grants the assurance to all His devotees of the Divine Lord’s grace.

Needless to say, Lord Śrīman Nārāyaṇa grants immense wealth and worldly possessions as represented by the Divine Mothers Lakṣmī and Bhūdevī by His side. His ornaments and their brilliance rubs off on the devotees in form of all types of wealth!

7. Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	lam̐ pṛthvyātmane gandham kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	लँ पृथ्व्यात्मने गन्धम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the little fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
2	ham̐ ākāśātmane puṣpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	हँ आकाशात्मने पुष्पम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the thumbs of both hands with the upper tip of the index fingers.
3	yam̐ vāyvyātmane dhūpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	यँ वाय्व्यात्मने धूपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the index fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
4	ram̐ vahnyātmane dīpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	रँ वह्न्यात्मने दीपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the middle fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
5	vam̐ amṛtātmane naivedyam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	वँ अमृतात्मने नैवेद्यम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the ring fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
6	sam̐ sarvātmane karpūramiśrita tāmbūlādi sarvopacārān kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	सँ सर्वात्मने कर्पूरमिश्रित ताम्बूलादि सर्वोपचारान् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the fingers of each palm in a folded manner with the tips of the fingers of both hands touching each other and the thumbs facing the heart, in a Namaste position.
7	Iti Pañcapūjā ॥	इति पञ्चपूजा ॥	Thus ends the Pañcapūjā.

8. Mantraḥ (मन्त्रः) -

om̐ namo nārāyaṇāya॥

ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥

The 8 lettered Śrīman Nārāyaṇa mantra should be recited at least 108 times. Initiation is required.

Meaning -

This is a eight syllabled mantra with some syllables representing bīja (seed) mantras. The parts of the main mantra including the bījas are described below. –

The bīja (seed) mantra om̐ (ॐ) consists of – ‘au’ => healing and deep cleansing, ‘m̐’ => removes misery. Ushers in auspiciousness.
The bīja (seed) mantra namo (नमो) refers to our salutations to the Divine and constitutes a bond that is nurtured in our heart.
The words “nārāyaṇāya (नारायणाय)” refers to the Lord of all sentient beings and the insentient matter in the entire Creation.

Salutations to the highly revered Divine in the form of Śrīman Nārāyaṇa to remove all our impurities and bestow His complete grace upon us to lead a happy and contented life and also realize the purpose of our existence in the form of self-realization.

9. Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsaḥ (षडाङ्गन्यासः) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	om̐ kruddholkāya jñānāya svāhā – hṛdayāya namaḥ ।	ॐ क्रुद्धोल्काय ज्ञानाय स्वाहा – हृदयाय नम: ।	Open index, middle and ring fingers of the right hand and place them on the heart chakra.
2	om̐ maholkāya aiśvaryāya svāhā - śirase svāhā ।	ॐ महोल्काय ऐश्वर्याय स्वाहा - शिरसे स्वाहा ।	Open middle and ring fingers of the right hand and touch the top of the head.
3	om̐ vīrolkāya śaktyai svāhā - śikhāyai vaṣaṭ ।	ॐ वीरोल्काय शक्त्यै स्वाहा - शिखायै वषट् ।	Open the right thumb and touch the back of the head. This is the point where there is a tuft of hair.
4	om̐ dyulokāya balāya svāhā - kavacāya huṃ ।	ॐ द्युलोकाय बलाय स्वाहा - कवचाय हुं ।	Cross both the hands and touch both shoulders with the palms.
5	om̐ sahasrolkāya tejase svāhā - netratrayāya vauṣaṭ ।	ॐ सहस्रोल्काय तेजसे स्वाहा - नेत्रत्रयाय वौषट् ।	Touch the eyes with the right index and ring fingers, with the middle finger touching the ājña cakra.
6	om̐ nārāyaṇāya vīryāya svāhā - astrāya phaṭ ।	ॐ नारायणाय वीर्याय स्वाहा - अस्त्राय फट् ।	Open up the left palm and strike it three times with index and middle fingers of the right hand.
7	iti ṣaḍaṅga nyāsaḥ ॥	इति षडङ्ग न्यासः ॥	Thus ends the six-part Ṣaḍāṅga nyāsa.

bhūr-bhuva-ssuvarom-iti digvimokaḥ ॥

भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् इति दिग्विमोकः ॥

Meaning: May the directions get unlocked to allow ourselves to experience the grace from all the triads of the three realms.

10. Dhyānam (ध्यानम् ) -

udyatkoṭi divākarābha maniśam śaṅkhamgadā paṅkajam ।

cakram bhibhrata mindirā vasumatī saṃśobhi-pārśva-dvayam ॥

kirīṭāṅgada-hāra kuṇḍala-dharam pītāmbaram kaustubho ।

ddīptam viśvadharam svapakṣasi lasaccrīvatsacihnam bhaje ॥

उद्यत्कोटि दिवाकराभ मनिशम् शङ्खम्गदा पङ्कजम् ।

चक्रम् भिभ्रत मिन्दिरा वसुमती संशोभिपार्श्वद्वयम् ॥

किरीटाङ्गदहार कुण्डलधरम् पीताम्बरम् कौस्तुभो ।

द्दीप्तम् विश्वधरम् स्वपक्षसि लसच्च्रीवत्सचिह्नम् भजे ॥

11. Pañcapūjā (पञ्चपूजा) -

S.no.	IAST	Devanāgari	Procedure
1	lam̐ pṛthvyātmane gandham kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	लँ पृथ्व्यात्मने गन्धम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the little fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
2	ham̐ ākāśātmane puṣpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	हँ आकाशात्मने पुष्पम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the thumbs of both hands with the upper tip of the index fingers.
3	yam̐ vāyvyātmane dhūpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	यँ वाय्व्यात्मने धूपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the index fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
4	ram̐ vahnyātmane dīpam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	रँ वह्न्यात्मने दीपम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the middle fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
5	vam̐ amṛtātmane naivedyam kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	वँ अमृतात्मने नैवेद्यम् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the lower tip of the bottom phalange of the ring fingers of both hands with the upper tip of the thumbs.
6	sam̐ sarvātmane karpūramiśrita tāmbūlādi sarvopacārān kalpayāmi namaḥ ।	सँ सर्वात्मने कर्पूरमिश्रित ताम्बूलादि सर्वोपचारान् कल्पयामि नमः ।	Hold the fingers of each palm in a folded manner with the tips of the fingers of both hands touching each other and the thumbs facing the heart, in a Namaste position.
7	Iti Pañcapūjā ॥	इति पञ्चपूजा ॥	Thus ends the Pañcapūjā.

12. Samarpaṇam (समर्पणम्) –

guhyādi guhya goptvātvam gṛhaṇāsmat kṛtaṃ japaṃ ।
siddhirbhavatu me deva tvat prasadān mayī sthirā ॥

गुह्यादि गुह्य गोप्त्वात्वम् गृहणास्मत् कृतं जपं ।

सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देव त्वत् प्रसदान् मयी स्थिरा ॥

Meaning: O Lord, you are the most hidden secret of all secrets. May these mantra japa counts performed by me, be offered to you in totality. Our prayers and hope, are that your grace shall remain with us always.

13. Puraścaraṇa (पुरश्चरण) :-

Japa	800,000
Homa	80,000
Tarpaṇa	8,000
Mārjana	800
Bhojana	80

This article is written by Krishna Vallapareddy and can be contacted at Krishna@manblunder.com

Srimad Ashtakshari Narayana Mantra - Variation 2

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