This is considered a universal mantra for dispelling fear, negative energies, and bad dreams.
Mantra to Narayana (Vishnu) – Protection During Sleep
Om Narayanaya Namah
Traditionally recited before sleep or after a negative dream; it brings a feeling of safety and stability.
Mantra to Durga – Strength and Overcoming Fear
Om Dum Durgayei Namah
Protects consciousness and eliminates threatening energies.
Mantra to Hanuman – Courage and Removal of Negative Entities
Om Hanumate Namah
Especially suitable for those who experience dreams of being chased, attacked, or haunted by dark entities.
General Mantra for Peaceful Sleep (from the Vedic tradition)
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Simple and soothing – it invokes peace for the body, soul, and surroundings.
It is recommended to repeat a mantra 11 or 21 times in the morning after a negative dream. 11 repetitions is the minimum, but it carries strong energetic power, connected with the lunar day number Ekadashi (11th day) – associated with Vishnu, symbolizing purification and liberation. This is the day ruled by the energy of 11 – Rudric energy, representing the dissolution of illusions, renewal of body and soul, and deepening of spiritual connection.
In Indian mythology, it is said that Shiva created the 11 Rudras (various emanations of himself) while attempting to help in the creation of humankind. However, since he could not create mortal beings, the Rudras remained immortal, like the other gods.
From that time, Rudra has been associated with the number 11 – symbolizing dissolution, purification, and the removal of fear or illusion. Therefore, repeating a mantra 11 times in the name of Lord Shiva can help cleanse and dispel the effects of bad dreams.
21 repetitions is considered a sattvic (blessed) number – a smaller cycle that activates the energy of the mantra without creating heaviness.
If someone experiences a series of disturbing dreams or wishes to regularly protect their sleep, they may repeat the mantra 108 times. Daily repetition of mantras helps one to better understand divine guidance and messages.
If a dream leaves a very strong emotional impression, it is recommended to light a candle or incense, recite a mantra, and ask for the dream’s influence to be nullified.
The very act of uttering the mantra aloud changes the energy and cuts through the dream’s impact due to the vibration it creates in the space and in the body.
It clears the residual echo of the dream and introduces a new, harmonious resonance.
This is especially effective if the mantra is pronounced immediately upon waking, when the consciousness is still half in the dream world and half awake – for example, if someone wakes suddenly from a nightmare and recites the mantra right away.
It is important to note: when you dream that someone harms you, it likely means that this has already happened behind your back or is being planned – and you may soon discover it.
Mantras can help you withstand the emotional impact more peacefully, but they cannot always prevent the manifestation of such a dream in reality.
Keeping a Dream Journal
In the Vedas, it is believed that dreams are one of the channels through which Higher Consciousness, and at times even devas (celestial beings), communicate with human beings. A journal allows one to preserve these messages. Keeping a dream journal can help strengthen dream recall (for those who tend not to remember their dreams), release emotionally heavy or unpleasant dreams stored in memory, and aid in working with the subconscious.