How to do Achamanam mantra, step-by-step

What is Achamanam

Achamanam, or achamana, is a mantra or mudra that represents purification. There is the superficial external purification of taking water in your hand as you say the mantra. But the mantra itself removes the internal impurity of ignorance of our non-duality with the divine.

When to do Achamanam

Achamanam is performed in the beginning of all vedic pujas and rituals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Satyanarayan Puja etc).

How to do Achamanam

The achamanam mantra (or achamana mudra) has two parts. Before you begin, keep a tumbler of water and a spoon on a plate.

First, do the Shruti Achamanam. Pour water into your cupped palm and sip it thrice, while saying these mantras: Om Achyutaaya Namaha; Om Anantaaya namaha: Om Govindaaya namaha.

Second, do the Purana Achamanam. This has 25 steps, where you touch various parts of your body with the fingers and palm of your right hand, while chanting the holy names of Vishnu. Recite the mantras listed in italics while performing the actions associated with each:

  1. Om Aarchamyaa: Pour a spoon of water on your right hand palm and let it pass through your fingers on to the plate
  2. Om Keshavaya Svaaha: Sip water from right hand
  3. Om Narayanaya Svaaha: Sip water from right hand
  4. Om Madhavaya Svaaha: Sip water from right hand
  5. Om Govindaya Namaha: Pour a spoon of water on your right hand palm and let it pass through your fingers on to the plate
  6. Om Vishnave Namaha: Pass right hand fingers over mouth from right hand side
  7. Om Madhusoodhanaya Namaha: Rub palms with right palm on top
  8. Om Trivikramaaya namaha: Rub palms with left palm on top
  9. Om Vaamanaaya Namaha: Pour a spoon of water on your right hand palm and let it pass through your fingers on to the plate
  10. Om Shridharaya namaha: Clasp hands (like in prayer)
  11. Om Hrishikeshaaya Namaha: Touch right knee with right hand
  12. Om Padmanabhaya Namaha: Touch left knee with right hand
  13. Om Daamodharaya Namaha: Touch chin with right hand
  14. Om Sankarshanaaya Namaha: Touch under nose with right hand
  15. Om Vaasudevaaya Namaha: Touch right side nostril with right hand
  16. Om Pradyumnaaya Namaha: Touch left side nostril with right hand
  17. Om Anirudhaaya Namaha: Touch right eye with right hand
  18. Om Purushotamaaya Namaha: Touch left eye with right hand
  19. Om Adhokshajaaya Namaha: Touch right ear with right hand
  20. Om Naarasimhaaya Namaha: Touch left ear with right hand
  21. Om Achutaaya Namaha: Touch stomach and navel with right hand
  22. Om Janaardhanaya Namaha: Touch chest and heart with right hand
  23. Om Upendraya Namaha: Touch the head with the right hand
  24. Om Haraye Namaha: Touch right shoulder with right hand
  25. Om Shri Krishnaaya Namaha:Touch left shoulder with right hand

One Reply to “How to do Achamanam mantra, step-by-step”

  1. Thank you for this! It is always so confusing to me.. very clearly explained.

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