Friday, July 17, 2009

Importance of Chanting Mantras & prayers............

Importance of Chanting Mantras & prayers in Hinduism....

Chanting of a simple mantra or prayer is considered one of the easiest ways to worship God in Hinduism. The prayer can be "Aum" or "Aum Namah Shivaya" or "Aumm Namo Narayanaya" or any of the numerous other simple Hindu prayers. It is said in the Puranas that chanting of mantras is the best way to approach God in Kali Yuga and attain Liberation. It is believed that self realisation, tapas, Dhyanam etc., are tough to practice for human beings living in Kali Yuga (the present age).


In the Satya Yuga, Dhyanam was the easiest way to approach God. The human mind was not polluted in Satya Yuga and therefore he/she was able to climb the ladder of self realisation easily.

In the Treta Yuga, Yajna and Yagams were seen as the methods of worship.

In the Dwapara Yuga, pujas and rituals were seen as the best modes or worship.

In the Kali Yuga, chanting of mantras and prayers is considered to be the ideal method to attain self realisation. This is because the age of Kali is an age of in auspiciousness. Mind will be easily attracted to pleasures, which lasts only for few seconds. There will always be a craving for pleasures. There will be no control of desire. Non fulfilment of desire leads to anger and destruction. People will not be able to concentrate in the Kali Yuga.


Sage Narada who realised the traps and tribulations in Kali Yuga asked Brahma for a solution to escape from the problems and worries in the Kali Yuga.


Brahma advised Sage Narada that chanting of mantras and prayers is the only solution to escape from the evils in Kali Yuga.


There are no rules or time to chant the simple mantras. A person can chant it whenever he/she wants to. The chanting of a particular mantra helps a person to identify with the Supreme Truth.


Just close the eyes and chant ‘AUM’ in mind.............................


Simple Prayers and Mantras in Hinduism


Prayers or Mantras are used by spiritual aspirants to achieve god realisation, to invoke the blessing of the deity and for meditation. Mantras aid in the conceptualisation process and constant recitation of it gives rise to the actual form of the particular deity in the mind of the devotee.

All prayers and mantras in Hinduism are the many paths to realise the ONE – Brahman.


The continuous recitation of a particular mantra is Japa.


A simple prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesh

AUM Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah


Prostrations to the Great Lord Ganesha.


A Prayer to Lord Shiva


AUM Namah Shivaya


Prostrations to Lord Shiva


Prayer to Lord Vishnu


AUM Namo Narayanaya


Prostrations to Shri Vishnu


Prayer to Lord Krishna


AUM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya


Prayers to the Lord Krishna. ‘Vasudeva’ means he who abides in all things and in whom all things abide.


Prayer to Lord Rama


AUM Sri Ramaya Namah


Prostrations to Lord Ram


"Sri Ram Rameti Rameti,
Rame Rame Monorame;
Sahsrenama tattulyam,
Rama Nama Varnane"




Prayer to Durga – Mother Goddess


AUM Sri Durgayai Namah


Prostrations to Mother Durga


Prayer to Goddess Lakshmi

AUM Sri Maha Lakshmayai Namah

Prostrations to great Mother Lakshmi


Prayer to Goddess Saraswathi



AUM Aim Saraswatyai Namah


Prostrations to Mother Sarasvati


Prayer to Goddess Kali


AUM Sri Maha Kalikayai Namah


Prostrations to Mother Kali


Prayer to Lord Hanuman


AUM Sri Hanumate Namah

Prostrations to Blessed Hanuman


Prayer to Rama and Krishna


Hare Rama Hare Rama,
Rama Rama Hare Hare;
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna,
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

My Lord Rama! My Lord Krishna


Prayer to Lord Rama


AUM Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama


Victory to Rama

Prayer to Lord Shiva – Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra


"AUM Trayambakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanam
Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat"

We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who is full of sweet fragrance and nourishes human beings. May he liberate me from bondage.

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