Om Namo Narayanaya

Shri Shuka said: O revered father, by chanting which mantra, while remaining ever devoted to Lord Vishnu, does a person become liberated from the miseries of worldly existence? O father, please tell me for the benefit of all.

Vyasa said: I shall tell you the eight-syllable mantra (Ashtakshara Mantra), the supreme among all mantras, by chanting which mortal man is liberated from the bonds of birth and worldly existence.

Meditating with a single-pointed mind on Lord Vishnu, seated in the center of the lotus of the heart and holding the conch, discus, and mace, the twice-born (Dwija) should perform the chanting.

In a secluded, quiet place, or before an idol of Lord Vishnu, or on the bank of a body of water, one should chant the eight-syllable mantra after establishing Lord Vishnu in one's mind.

The Rishi (seer) of this eight-syllable mantra is Lord Narayana Himself, the meter (chhanda) is divine Gayatri, and the Supreme Soul (Paramatma) is its presiding deity.

The syllable 'Om' is said to be white in color, 'Na' is red, 'Mo' is black, and 'Naa' is red in color.

The syllable 'Raa' possesses a luster like kumkum (saffron/vermilion), and 'Ya' is said to be yellow. 'Naa' is dark like kohl, and the final 'Ya' is said to be multi-colored.

"Om Namo Narayanaya" is the mantra that fulfills all the goals of human life (Purusharthas). O dear one, to the devotees who chant it, it grants heavenly realm and final liberation (Moksha). This is the eternal mantra, perfected by the Vedic Pranava (Om).

One should remember Lord Narayana while chanting this eight-syllable mantra, which destroys all sins, is full of splendor, and is supreme among all mantras.

By continuously chanting it at the conclusion of Sandhya Vandana, a person is completely freed from all sins. This indeed is the supreme mantra and the highest penance.

This indeed is supreme liberation (Moksha), and this alone is called heaven. This essence has been extracted from the mysteries of all the Vedas.

In ancient times, this mantra was bestowed by Lord Vishnu for the benefit of Vaishnavas and all mankind. Knowing this, a Brahmana should remember this eight-syllable mantra.

Having bathed and become pure, seated in a clean place, one should chant it for liberation from sins. One should remember it while chanting, donating, offering sacrifices (hawan), traveling, during meditation, and on festive occasions.

Before and after undertaking any deed, one should chant the Narayana mantra. With a pure and concentrated mind, one should chant it a thousand times or a hundred thousand times.

On the Dwadashi tithi (twelfth day) of every month, whoever bathes, becomes pure, and chants the "Namo Narayanaya" mantra a hundred times is considered supreme among Vishnu-devoted twice-borns and attains the ultimate destination.

Whoever worships Lord Vishnu with sandal paste, flowers, and other offerings, and chants this mantra, reaches the supreme Lord Narayana, who is free from all afflictions.

Even a person laden with grave sins, if he chants this mantra while harboring Lord Hari (Vishnu) in his heart, will surely be liberated; there is no doubt about this.

Freed from all sins and becoming a pure soul, he attains the supreme state. Chanting it a hundred thousand times (the first lakh) brings self-purification.

Chanting it a second hundred thousand times brings mastery over the mantra (mantra-siddhi). Chanting it a third hundred thousand times secures entry into the heavenly realm.

Chanting it a fourth hundred thousand times brings closeness to Lord Hari (Samipya liberation). Chanting it a fifth hundred thousand times bestows pure knowledge.

Likewise, chanting it a sixth hundred thousand times fixes one's intellect steadily upon Lord Vishnu. Chanting it a seventh hundred thousand times leads to attaining spiritual form (Sarupya).

Chanting it an eighth hundred thousand times grants Nirvana (Moksha). Remaining steadfast in their righteous duties, noble twice-borns should chant this mantra.

Chanted attentively without laziness, this eight-syllable (Ashtakshara) mantra bestows perfection. Bad dreams, demons, evil spirits, serpents, and Brahma-rakshasas...

...do not come near the one who chants this mantra, nor do thieves, minor afflictions, and mental anxieties. With a single-pointed mind, undisturbed and firmly resolved, a devotee of Vishnu...

...should chant this Narayana mantra which removes the fear of death. This is the supreme mantra among all mantras and the God of gods (Param Deva).

Beginning with Om, this eight-syllable mantra is the most profound secret among all secrets. It bestows longevity, wealth, children, cattle, knowledge, and great fame.

By chanting it, a person attains Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation). According to the authority of the Vedas and Shrutis, this is true and aligned with Dharma.

This mantra bestows perfection upon human beings, without a doubt. Sages, ancestors, gods, Siddhas, Asuras, and Rakshasas...

...have attained supreme perfection by chanting this ultimate mantra. Whoever, knowing their time of death is near according to scriptural injunctions, chants this at the final moment, reaches the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.

"Narayanaya Namah" is the only true mantra that destroys the terrible poison of this worldly existence. O people of pure intellect, joyful and unattached, listen! Raising both my hands, I loudly proclaim this instruction.

Raising my hands, I speak truthfully today: O son! O disciples! Listen, there is no mantra greater than the eight-syllable (Ashtakshara) mantra.

It is true, it is true, again it is true, declared with hands raised: there is no scripture greater than the Vedas, and no deity greater than Keshava (Vishnu).

Having studied all the scriptures and deliberated upon them repeatedly, this single conclusion emerges that Lord Narayana is ever worthy of meditation.

Thus, all these meritorious teachings have been imparted to your disciples, and I have also narrated various sacred stories; therefore, worship Janardana (Vishnu).

O highly wise son! If you desire to attain perfection, chant this eight-syllable mantra which destroys all grief and suffering.

Those persons who recite this hymn issuing from the mouth of Vyasa during all three junctions of the day (dawn, noon, and dusk) cross the ocean of worldly existence without any fear, like royal swans with pure white plumage.

Thus ends the seventeenth chapter titled Ashtakshara Mahatmya in the Sri Narasimha Purana.