mantra

Where does the word "mantra" come from? It comes from Sanskrit mantra, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Mantra’s story begins in Sanskrit: mantra meant “a sacred utterance.” A sacred sound or phrase used in meditation and ritual. It reached English by 1800s as mantra. Sanskrit 'instrument of thought'; 'Om' is the best-known mantra. Today, mantra means a word or phrase repeated often, especially in meditation, or a guiding motto.

1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient mantra "a sacred utterance", a sacred sound or phrase used in meditation and ritual.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s mantra "a repeated sacred phrase", Sanskrit 'instrument of thought'; 'Om' is the best-known mantra.