Mantras & Mantra Sadhanas...........

Mantra and Mantra Sadhanas............................................

What is a Mantra ? Which is the most powerful Mantra? How are Mantras to be learnt? How Mantras are to chanted? some thoughts and understanding in this regard...........................

A Mantra can be said to be a word-symbol or symbols representing and expressing, as nearly as possible, the particular view of God and the universe they stand for. When the Mantras that are of the nature of symbols, syllables etc.are given to the disciple/devotee by an illumined Guru, it becomes a living seed. The Guru, by his spiritual power, gives life to the word and at the same time awakens the spiritual power latent in the disciple/devotee. That is the secret of Guru`s initiation. A Mantra is an aid to meditation.

There are three types of Mantras: -

The first category include those that invoke the low powers of nature and are called as Tamasik Mantras.

The second category of Mantras excite and manifest might and power and are called Rajasik Mantras.

and

Lastly, those that are of quiet and purely spiritual types are called Satwi Mantrass.

All the Mantras again fall under two classifications: -


(a) Those that need only to be chanted and there is no need for one to know their meaning and


(b) Those Mantras that are of the nature of an invocation and the disciple/ devotee must necessarily know the meaning of those Mantras. In the absence of knowledge of meaning of the Mantras he will not be able to bring his mind to play upon the Divine theme constantly.

The Vedic Mantras are both in prose and poetry. Metrical Mantras are called "Rik" and "Yajus" is the name of the prose .


Mantras originated at the time of India`s Vedic Religion. The word' Mantra' belongs to Samskrit language, but it is now being used in English language to mean various things, just as words like Guru from Samskrit and Jungal from Hindi are also used in English Language. That which protects on account of it being repeated is called Mantra.

"Mananaat Trayate iti Mantrah."

It is said that mantras can excite the emotions and give suggestions to the mind. Mantras have influence and effect on both the one who chants and the those who listen to them. Ramana Maharishi says, repetition of the mantras , with attention directed to the source of the sound, completely engages the mind. This source is not only in the vocal chords alone, but also the idea of the sound is in the mind, whose source is the Self. Thus the practice of Mantra repetition is a means of getting in touch with our Self. Mantra is a sort of ladder in spiritual evolution. Mantras are used in worship, rituals, for purification, healing etc.