There are thousands of mantras in the Hindu texts. Many are dedicated to different deities and many are not. They are often just ideas to contemplate on.  Quite a few are hymns or verses for the Vedas.

Described below are three of the most highly revered and well-known ones.

GAYATRI MANTRA – To Expand the Mind.

The Gayatri Mantra also known as Savitr Mantra is a hymn from the Rig Veda and is dedicated to the Sun. It is meant to sharpen your intellect and enhance creativity.

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।

तत्स॑वि॒तुर्वरेण्यं॒

भर्गो॑ दे॒वस्य॑ धीमहि ।

धियो॒ यो नः॑ प्रचो॒दया॑त् ॥

om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ

tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ

bhárgo devásya dhīmahi

dhíyo yó naḥ prachodayāt

– Rigveda 3.62.10

 

May we meditate upon that Supreme Consciousness

which is the basis of all life,

which embodies and protects all life,

whose light eliminates suffering and bestows happiness.

And may that self-luminous, divine brilliance

 and source of all creativity,

 the best of the best, the most virtuous,

 the remover of all ignorance and

the embodiment of all divine virtues

 propel our minds in the direction of enlightenment

 and unfold its potential.

MAHA MRITYUNJAY MANTRA – For Nurturing & Healing

This mantra is dedicated to Shiva and is said to bestow mental, emotional and physical health. It is both a prayer for longevity and immortality.

ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात

Aum tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam

urvārukamiva bandhanānmṛtyormokṣīya mā’mṛtāt 

I invoke the three eyed Lord (Shiva) who sees what we can see but who also sees what we cannot see

to nourish me and fill me with good health.

And when I die may he pluck my soul from my body as easily (without attachment) as the cucumber falls from its plant.

PURNA: THE WHOLE. THE ABSOLUTE. – Contemplating the Self.

The beautiful Isha Upanishad starts with this famous verse.

पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते ।

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

ओँ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om
Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnameva Vashishyate
Om shanti, shanti, shanti

Om
That is the whole, this is the whole;
From the whole, the whole becomes manifest;
When from the whole, the whole is taken away
the whole remains.
Om Peace! Peace! Peace!