Sanskrit Dharani, in Buddhism and Hinduism, a sacred verse of great efficacy, used by the common man as a verbal protective device or talisman and by the yogi (spiritual adept) as a support or instrument for concentration. The dharani is a short summary of the essential doctrine contained in a much longer sacred text and serves as an aid to its retention. Properly recited, the dharani conveys the same merit as reading the entire work. The meaning of a dharani is often very difficult to determine and may sound to the uninitiated like a string of meaningless words, the accuracy of which is, nevertheless, carefully guarded when passed on from teacher to pupil. Compare mantra.
DHARANI
Meaning of DHARANI in English
Britannica English vocabulary. Английский словарь Британика. 2012