मन्त्र
mántra/mɐ́n.tɾɐ/
The English word 'mantra' is translated into Sanskrit as मन्त्र (mántra).
While often used to mean a slogan or a phrase that is repeated, in its original Sanskrit context, मन्त्र refers to a sacred utterance or sound used in ritual or meditation to achieve a specific effect.
Meaning: a slogan or phrase often repeated (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word contains the suffix -tra, which denotes an instrument or tool.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /mɐ́n.tɾɐ/ (mántra).
When do people say it?
Common examples of such sacred utterances include ॐ नमः शिवाय, which means "I bow to Shiva" and ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, which translates to "May all beings be happy and prosperous".
Did you know?
- Certain मन्त्र are called 'Bija mantras', or seed mantras. These consist of single syllables like ॐ that have no dictionary meaning but are believed to hold the concentrated power of a whole deity.
- Because it is derived from the root 'man' meaning 'to think', the word मन्त्र is a direct linguistic cousin to the English words 'mind', 'mental' and 'memory'.
- In ancient phonetic traditions, a मन्त्र was not merely defined by its meaning, but by the precise vibration and weight of its specific syllables.
Examples in context
- सः एकः पवित्रः मन्त्रः अस्ति।saḥ ekaḥ pavitraḥ mantraḥ asti.That is a sacred mantra.
- तव मन्त्रः अति सरलः अस्ति।tava mantraḥ ati saralaḥ asti.Your mantra is very simple.
- वयं मन्त्रं पुनः पुनः पठामः।vayaṃ mantraṃ punaḥ punaḥ paṭhāmaḥ.We repeat the mantra again and again.
Example conversation
Vivan and Kavya are discussing their daily habits.
- विवान Vivaanकाव्या, तव मन्त्रः कः अस्ति?kāvyā, tava mantraḥ kaḥ asti?Kavya, what is your mantra?
- काव्या Kavyaमम मन्त्रः 'शान्तिः' इति अस्ति।mama mantraḥ 'śāntiḥ' iti asti.My mantra is 'peace'.
- विवान Vivaanएतत् अति सुन्दरं अस्ति।etat ati sundaraṃ asti.That is very beautiful.
- काव्या Kavyaधन्यवादः विवान।dhanyavādaḥ vivān.Thank you, Vivan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry मन्त्र, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries मन्त्र, CC BY-SA 4.0.
