There is a saying in Sanskrit - "Strotram kasya naa tusht-te"
It means that who is there in the world who does not get pleased by a prayer or a salutation.

The power of Mantras & Shlokas has been acknowledged since time immemorial. Read on for more details

What is the Meaning of Mantra?

"Mantra" is scientifically composed verse in Sanskrit Language, mostly in two lines with specific information for invocation of divine powers, Mantra is defined as a 'Man tarati san Mantrah' meaning ----- which uplifts and protects one is Mantra. Secondly it is a combination of letters which are sounds, or an arrangement of words with specific spiritual potentialities. Additionally, these potentialities unfold themselves in the physical body as a result of awakening the power centers in the body because of the sound waves released by the repetition of the letters of the Mantra. The real power of Mantra lies hidden, and is in the form of syllables which is awakened by uttering the Mantra Repeatedly.
Mantra contain powers and deep philosophical meaning and its singing reapeatedly benefits mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Mantras must be chanted or recited with unwavering devotion and motivation. Chanting them as a matter-of-course deprives them of power and is practically useless from the point of view of conscious growth, evolution and effect.

How to sit: Sitting in position which maximizes the total effect of mantras is desirable. According to the ancient systems, the lotus posture is the best asana for meditation and for mantras. Other asanas (postures) which are recommended in order of effect for meditation or the practice of mantras are:
1. Padma Asana
2. Vaira Asana
3. Siddha Asana or Vajra Asana.
Once you have decided upon the asana for a particular mantra, you must use the same mantra for the duration of the chanting. You can sit on the earth ( as distinct from floor), on a deer skin, a tiger skin, a wooden platform, a cotton or plant fibre mat. Synthetic materials should not be used.

Where to chant: Mantras should be chanted in a quiet place. Once a place has been chosen, it should become permanent for all practical purposes.

Best time: The best time for chanting mantras is the Brahmamahurta ( 4 a.m.). Other good times are the transition periods i.e. when night is turning into day ( dawn and sunrise), when day is turning into night (twilight and sunset). You can also choose the time before going to bed. Having chosen your time, you should be regular about the hours and duration of your chanting.

Position: If chanting mantras during the day time, you should sit facing the north or the east. If chanting mantras during the night, you should sit facing the north.

Rosary: Generally, a mala or rosary of 108 Rudraksha or tulsi (basil) or sandalwood beads is used when chanting mantras. According to ancient texts, the following beads can be used for chanting specific mantras :
1. For obtaining wealth : Rosary of coral beads
2. For begetting children : Rosary of Putrajiva beads
3. For fulfillment of desires : Rosary of crystals
Preferably, your rosary should not be visible to others when you are using it. Covering your hand with a cloth or a specially made covering is a common practice. With the rosary hanging over the middle, ring and index finger of the right hand, the thumb and middle finger are generally used to roll the beads. You must not cross the ' head' of the rosary when rolling the beads and must revert to the head after completing a rosary.

How often: The number of times a mantra has to be chanted is usually specified. Normally, it is considered auspicious to chant a mantra 11 times, or 108 times or in multiples of 108. Once you have fixed upon the number, you can increase it but cannot decrease it.

 SOME MANTRAS :

OM  BHURBHUVAH  SWAHA  TAT  SAVITUR   VARENYAM  BHARGO
        DEVASHYA  DHI  MAHI  DHIYO   YONAH  PRACHO  DAYAT !(GAYATRI MANTRA)

Summary of the Mantra

Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life, Remover of pain and sorrow, The Bestower of happiness, Oh! Creator of the Universe, May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light, May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.

Word for Word Meaning of the Mantra

Aum = Brahma ; bhoor = embodiment of vital spiritual energy(pran) ; bhuwah = destroyer of sufferings ; swaha = embodiment of happiness ; tat = that ; savitur = bright like sun ; varenyam = best choicest ; bhargo = destroyer of sins ; devasya = divine ; dheemahi = may imbibe ; dhiyo = intellect ; yo = who ; naha = our ; prachodayat = may inspire ;

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

Rishis selected the words of various Mantras and arranged them so that they not only convey meaning but also create specific power through their utterance. Gayatri Mantra inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". All the problems of a person are solved if he/she is endowed with the gift of righteous wisdom. Once endowed with far-sighted wisdom, a man is neither entangled in calamity nor does he tread the wrong path. A wise man finds solution to all outstanding problems. Only those persons who do not think correctly find difficulty and take wrong steps due to foolishness. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra removes this deficiency. The teachings and powers incorporated in the Gayatri Mantra fulfill this purpose. Righteous wisdom starts emerging soon after Jap(recitation) of this Mantra is performed.

Extracted from "The Great Science and Philosophy of Gayatri" by Shree Ram Sharma Acharya, Shanti Kunj, Hardwaar, Uttar Pradesh, India.

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M BHURBHUVAH SWAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO         DEVASHYA DHI MAHI DHIYO YONAH PRACHO DAYAT !   

Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya-koti Samaprabha; Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Karyeshu Sarvada.

( O Elephant faced Ganesha, the Almighty One, thy effulgence is equal to millions of Suns. I pray thee for removal of all impediments in the path of my auspicious deeds).

A Mantra can consist of a powerful word or a combination of words and can be used for self realization, for freedom from worries, to fulfill one's desires, to ward off the effects of malefic planets, to bring you success, peace and contentment -- the range is truly vast. You can choose for yourself.
   

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Namaste Devi Gayatri Savitri Tripadakshare;
Ajare Amare Matas Trahi Mam Bhava-Sagarat.

( O three-lettered (A , U, M) goddess, inspiring Gayatri, never aging and immortal, O Mother, protect me from the ocean of re-birth, salutation to thee).

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                                                        more mantras to be added