Lyrics (Devanagari)
ॐ नमो नारायणाय।
Om Namo Narayanaya.
Meaning
Om, salutations to Narayana (Vishnu, the one who resides in and pervades the cosmic waters). This is the Ashtakshari ("eight-syllable") mantra of Vishnu, one of the most sacred mantras in Vaishnavism, especially central to Sri Vaishnava tradition.
When & Why It Is Recited
Chanted for surrender (sharanagati), peace and protection, especially on Thursdays and Ekadashi, and widely used in Vaikuntha temples and by Vaishnava practitioners as their primary japa mantra.