10 shlokas · Weeks 37–40+ and during labour

Mantras for labour and delivery, to help you stay calm

Many people search for a mantra for normal delivery. We want to be honest with you: no mantra can decide how a birth goes. What a familiar verse can do is give you something steady to hold on to. This page gathers some of the oldest Indian birth verses. There is Charaka's labour mantra from Ayurveda, and Rig Veda lines that picture birth as the wind, the forest and the sea. Short lines like Shri Ram Jay Ram fit easily into the rhythm of your breath.

These verses are for the final weeks, from about week 37, and for labour itself. Practise them before the day, so the words come easily. In labour, say one short phrase on each out-breath, or let someone you trust whisper it in your ear, as Charaka describes. Family waiting outside can chant the Hanuman Chalisa line together.

Your doctor's or midwife's guidance always comes first. If they ask you to breathe or push in a certain way, follow them and set the chant aside. Asking for pain relief is your right, so talk to your doctor about your options. Every safe birth, including a caesarean, is a good birth. Read our disclaimer

Last updated 11 October 2026

How to practise these verses

For every verse below, unless it says otherwise.

Best time: Early labour and between contractions
How to practise: One short phrase on each out-breath. Your birth partner may whisper it in your ear
Who can chant: Birth partner and mother
Best weeks: Weeks 37–40+ and during labour

Honest noteKind, familiar words from a trusted person can lower fear. Follow your doctor's or midwife's breathing guidance first.

Ayurveda's labour mantra

Charaka's Labour Mantra

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

क्षितिर्जलं वियत्तेजो वायुर्विष्णुः प्रजापतिः ।सगर्भां त्वां सदा पान्तु वैशल्यं च दिशन्तु ते ॥

kshitir jalam viyat tejo vayur vishnuh prajapatih, sagarbham tvam sada pantu vaishalyam cha dishantu te

Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana 8 (Jatisutriya); verse numbering varies by edition

Meaning

May Earth, Water, Sky, Fire, Air, Vishnu and Prajapati always protect you and your baby, and give you an easy, unobstructed delivery.

Why we suggest this

This is the Ayurvedic birth mantra. Charaka says a kind, supportive woman should recite it in the labouring mother's ear. We suggest only this gender-neutral line.

What you can expect

Being spoken to kindly by someone you trust during labour can lower fear. Ask your support person to learn this line.

Who can chant: Birth partner / mother / doula recites to the labouring mother

Breathing with contractions

Like the Wind, the Forest, the Sea

यथा वातो यथा वनं यथा समुद्र एजति ।एवा त्वं दशमास्य सहावेहि जरायुणा ॥

yatha vato yatha vanam yatha samudra ejati, eva tvam dashamasya sahavehi jarayuna

Rig Veda 5.78.8

Meaning

As the wind moves, as the forest sways, as the sea surges, so may you, ten-month baby, come down along with the afterbirth.

Why we suggest this

Contractions come in waves. This verse matches that rhythm.

What you can expect

A 'wave' image to breathe with during contractions.

Healthy baby, healthy mother

Alive and Unharmed, from a Living Mother

दश मासाञ्छशयानः कुमारो अधि मातरि ।निरैतु जीवो अक्षतो जीवो जीवन्त्या अधि ॥

dasha masan chhashayanah kumaro adhi matari, niraitu jivo akshato jivo jivantya adhi

Rig Veda 5.78.9

Meaning

Having lain ten months within the mother, may the child come out living and unharmed, living, from a living mother.

Why we suggest this

An ancient prayer, in the plainest words, for exactly what every family wants: a healthy baby and a healthy mother. 'Kumara' can mean boy or child; we read it as 'child'.

What you can expect

It puts your deepest wish into words. Very moving in the last weeks and in early labour.

Best weeks: Weeks 36–40 and early labour

Strength in active labour

Open, Like a Tree Splitting

वि जिहीष्व वनस्पते योनिः सूष्यन्त्या इव ।श्रुतं मे अश्विना हवं सप्तवध्रिं च मुञ्चतम् ॥

vi jihishva vanaspate yonih sushyantya iva, shrutam me ashvina havam saptavadhrim cha munchatam

Rig Veda 5.78.5

Meaning

Open wide, O tree, as the womb of a woman giving birth opens. Hear my call, Ashvins, and set free the one trapped inside.

Why we suggest this

The Vedic poet uses the opening of a birthing body as the picture of freedom. It treats birth as natural and strong.

What you can expect

A bold, empowering image for active labour.

The final stage

Swift as Wind, as Mind, as Birds

Awaiting a Sanskrit scholar's check

यथा वातो यथा मनो यथा पतन्ति पक्षिणः ।एवा त्वं दशमास्य साकं जरायुणा पत ।अव जरायु पद्यताम् ॥

yatha vato yatha mano yatha patanti pakshinah, eva tvam dashamasya sakam jarayuna pata, ava jarayu padyatam

Atharva Veda 1.11.6

Meaning

As the wind flies, as the mind flies, as birds fly, so may you, ten-month baby, come down with the afterbirth. May the afterbirth come down.

Why we suggest this

A light, quick, flying picture for the final stage.

What you can expect

A hopeful mood. The placenta stage is managed by your care team, often with an injection that lowers the risk of heavy bleeding; that is modern 'protection'.

Breath-paced japa

Shri Ram Jay Ram

श्री राम जय राम जय जय राम ॥

shri rama jaya rama jaya jaya rama

Traditional 13-syllable Rama japa

Meaning

Glory to Lord Rama.

Why we suggest this

Very easy to say in rhythm with the breath, even in pain.

What you can expect

A steady rhythm to focus on during and between contractions.

How to practise: Repeat on each out-breath

Family support outside the labour room

All Trouble Is Cut, All Pain Removed

संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा ।जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा ॥

sankata katai mitai saba pira, jo sumirai hanumata balabira

Hanuman Chalisa, chaupai 36 · Awadhi

Meaning

All troubles are cut and all pain is removed for one who remembers mighty Hanuman.

Why we suggest this

A familiar line many families chant outside the labour room.

What you can expect

A calm family helps the mother.

Who can chant: Family waiting outside

Honest notePain relief (epidural, positions, massage) is your right; use it as you wish.

Soft Om on the Out-Breath

ॐ

Mandukya Upanishad

Meaning

The sacred sound.

Why we suggest this

A low humming 'Om' or 'mmm' on a long, relaxed out-breath is similar to the low sounds many birth educators teach.

What you can expect

Many women find it helps them relax the jaw and pelvic floor. Follow your doctor's or midwife's guidance first.

How to practise: Low hum on each out-breath

Honest noteDo not use it while your midwife asks you to push in a particular way.

The Goddess as Strength

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता ।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥

ya devi sarva-bhuteshu shakti-rupena samsthita, namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namah

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapter 5

Meaning

To the Goddess who lives in all beings as strength: I bow to her again and again.

Why we suggest this

A one-line reminder that strength itself is divine, and that it lives in you.

What you can expect

A feeling of inner power.

Hanuman in the heart

Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran

पवन तनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप ।राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप ॥

pavana tanaya sankata harana mangala murati rupa, rama lakhana sita sahita hridaya basahu sura bhupa

Hanuman Chalisa, closing doha · Awadhi

Meaning

Son of the Wind, remover of troubles, form of all that is good: please live in my heart with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.

Why we suggest this

The closing prayer of the Hanuman Chalisa, short enough for labour day.

What you can expect

Courage and comfort.