Om Namo Hanumate Rudravataraya – Hanuman Mantra

What the mantra says

ॐ नमो हनुमते रुद्रावताराय सर्वशत्रुसंहारणाय सर्वरोगहराय सर्ववशीकरणाय रामदूताय स्वाहा॥

• Om namo Hanumate — "Om, salutations to Hanuman";
• Rudravataraya — "the avatar of Rudra", Shiva;
• sarva-shatru-samharanaya — "destroyer of all enemies";
• sarva-roga-haraya — "remover of all illness";
• sarva-vashikaranaya — "who brings all under control";
• Ramadutaya svaha — "to Rama's messenger — svaha", the word of offering.

Read as a whole: "Salutations to Hanuman, Rudra's avatar, destroyer of every enemy, healer of every illness, master of all, messenger of Rama." The svaha at the end marks it as a mantra of offering, often used with havan as well as japa.

Why "Rudravatar"?

Shaiva tradition, the Shiva Purana among others, holds that Hanuman is the eleventh Rudra — that Shiva himself took birth as a monkey through Anjana and Vayu to serve Rama, Vishnu's avatar. Tulsidas echoes this in the Hanuman Chalisa: "Shankar suvan Kesari nandan". So the mantra holds both of Hanuman's identities in one line: Rudra in power, Rama's servant in heart.

About "vashikaranaya"

The word can sound like a magic spell. In this mantra it is an epithet of Hanuman — the one who has every power and every circumstance under his command — not an instruction to control other people. Used as a prayer, the mantra asks Hanuman to bring your situation under his protection; using any mantra to try to dominate someone else runs against the spirit of bhakti.

How to chant

• Tuesday and Saturday are Hanuman's days; Hanuman Jayanti and Narak Chaturdashi (in some traditions) are special.
• After bathing, sit before Hanuman's image, offer sindoor with jasmine oil, red flowers and a lamp of ghee or jasmine oil; offer gur-chana or boondi.
• Chant 108 times with a rudraksha or red-coral mala. Many people precede it with the Hanuman Chalisa.
• Keep a sattvic routine on chanting days: no meat, alcohol or quarrels.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Om Namo Hanumate Rudravataraya?

"Om, salutations to Hanuman, the avatar of Rudra" — followed by his epithets as destroyer of enemies, healer of illness, master of all and Rama's messenger.

Why is Hanuman called Rudra's avatar?

Shaiva texts describe him as the eleventh Rudra, Shiva taking birth to serve Rama. The Hanuman Chalisa calls him "Shankar suvan".

How many times should this mantra be chanted?

One mala of 108 on Tuesdays and Saturdays is the usual practice; some do it daily for 21 or 41 days.

Is this a vashikaran mantra?

The word "vashikaranaya" is a title of Hanuman as master of all. It is a prayer for his protection, not a spell to control others.

Can women chant this Hanuman mantra?

Yes. Practices around touching the murti vary by temple, but anyone may chant Hanuman's mantras.