How to Chant the Mangala Charan Mantra (With Pronunciation)

What is the Mangala Charan Mantra (Aad Guray Nameh)?

Great question! On a basic level it is a powerful mantra for protection that is to be chanted three times after the Adi Mantra has been chanted three times. But who wants to be basic? Let’s go deeper 🤓.

A “mantra”, stemming from “man” meaning mind or now and “tra” meaning projection or to transport, is a combination of sounds that we make with our tongues, the roof of our mouth, and our body to invoke a certain energy. To learn more about what a mantra is, check out my blog post about chanting mantras.

Mantras are one of the many yogic teachings that predate written language. Remember: Most of the yoga tradition was passed down orally, until yogic masters such as Patanjali unified many traditions together.

Now that we’ve gone through some of the background; Let’s break down the Mangala Charan mantra in detail. It’s a series of four lines that we can define as:

• Aad Guray Nameh – I bow to the Primal Wisdom
• Jugad Guray Nameh – I bow to the wisdom through all the Ages
• Sat Guray Nameh – I bow to the True Wisdom
• Siri Guru Devay Nameh – I bow to the great unseen Wisdom.

Chanting these lines, in order, multiple times, creates a protective energy barrier that prevents the energy of other people from imposing on your own. This can be great to do before going into social situations, or any situation that may be giving you anxiety.

What’s also great is that as you chant the mantra, you can enhance that protective element with some nice visualizations to further create that feeling of safety and induce relaxation.

When chanting the Mangala Charan Mantra there are several visualizations you can choose from.

• You can move through the directions with mantra. Seeing a sun to your right (east), the earth behind you (south), an ocean to the left (west), and spirit to your front (north), corresponding with each line of the mantra.
• Another beautiful visualization is to surround yourself with a protective shield on all four sides that can only allow nurturing energy through.
• Or you can surround yourself with a swirl of blue with gold (the most protective color) and safely nestle in the center of it.

If it all sounds a little overwhelming and advanced, just see what resonates with you. Go ahead and give it a try to see what you think.

How to Chant the Mangala Charan Mantra

Come to a comfortable seat, sitting tall. Perhaps propping yourself up on a cushion or block.

Dip the chin slightly and bring the hands to prayer at the heart’s center.

Rub the hands together for a moment and then press the thumbs together and into the sternum.

Take a deep breath and exhale beginning with the Adi Mantra, “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo”. Repeat this three times.

Take a breath in and when you are ready, begin the Mangala Charan. Repeat the chant three times as you continue to breathe, incorporating a visualization should you so choose. You could chant it fast (all on one exhale). But I don’t recommend that. I take a half breath in between each line, and try to find a rhythm.

Aad Guray Nameh

Jugad Guray Nameh

Sat Guray Nameh

Siri Guru Devay Nameh

As you finish, draw your breath up into the body. Pull your pelvic floor away from the mat and pull the navel in. Slightly suspend the breath right after you finish without straining. Only holding as long as it’s comfortable for you.

Roll your eyes up into that third eye center and exhale. Relax and put your hands down in your lap.

Interested in adding some yummy mudras (hand positions) to this practice? Check out this great explanation of kundalini mudras.

Not so sure about your chanting and pronunciations? Watch this little clip below with some tips from Guru Singh. You can find the full explanation video and more information like this in my Uplifted Kundalini University.