 |
| What is Mantra ? |
| Mantra’s are energy based
sounds wherein speech is the essence. Chanting a word produces
an actual physical vibration. We have to know the effect of
this vibration to understand the meaning associated with it.
This is first level of energy basis for words. Another level
is intent. By intent we mean the mental intention. When this
mental intention is associated with chanting, it influences
the resultant effect. The third level is the Rhythm. When these
words in the physical form coupled with mental intention are
chanted with a rhythm, they have a long lasting effect. This
is what mantra is. |
 |
| Generally speaking, there
are two types of Mantras: |
| |
Universal Mantras
: Universal Mantra is a prayer or a group of
words which can be chanted with devotion for spiritual
upliftment in all the ages, anywhere in the world. |
| |
Home Mantras : These
Mantras are used for private prayers. |
|
| Gayatri Mahamantra |
| Gayatri Mahamantra and Maha Mrutyunjaya
are the two most famous Universal Mantras. Without going into
the Vedic details we enumerate the two Mantras for the benefit
of our readers. |
"OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI
DHI YO YONAH PRACHODAYAT" |
 |
| OM |
Para Brahman |
| BHUR |
Bhu Loka (Physical Plane) - This refers to the five
elements this body is made up of |
| BHUVA |
Bhuva Loka (Middle Plane) - This refers to the power
in man which animates the body. This is actually the Prana
Sakthi |
| SVAHA |
Swarga Loka (Heaven) |
| TAT |
That, this refers to God, or Paramatma |
| SAVITUR |
That from which all is born |
| VARENYAM |
Fit to be worshipped |
| BHARGO |
The Radiance, the Spiritual Effulgence, the light that
bestows wisdom |
| DEVASYA |
Divine Reality |
| DHEEMAHI |
We Meditate |
| DHI YO |
Buddhi, Intellect |
| YO |
Which |
| NAH |
Our |
| PRACHODAYAT |
Enlighten |
|
| The Gayatri Mantra may also be translated
in the form of a prayer, as under: |
| OM (OM) - We meditate (DHEEMAHI)
upon the Spiritual Effulgence (BHARGO) of THAT Adorable Supreme
Divine Reality (VARENYAM DEVASYA), the Source (SAVITUR) of the
Physical (BHUR), the Astral (BHUVA), and the Heavenly (SVAHA)
Spheres of Existence. May THAT (TAT) Supreme Divine Being enlighten
(PRACHODAYAT) our (NAH) Intellect (DHIYO) (So that we may realise
the Supreme Truth). |
| |
The Gayatri mantra is a
Universal prayer, which asks for a clear Intellect so
that the Truth may be reflected therein without distortion. |
| |
Gayatri is the very basis of Vedas.
It is also called Veda Mata (Mother of the Vedas). Gayatri
is the mantra, which preserves, protects and rescues the
chanter from mortality. |
| |
If Gayatri Mantra is chanted with Love,
God will accept it. |
| |
Each word should be pronounced clearly
and distinctly, without undue haste or hurry. |
| |
Men, Women of all climes and creed,
can chant Gayatri Mantra. |
| |
The Gayatri Mantra should be recited
three times a day i.e. morning, evening and night. |
| |
The Gayatri Mantra is synonymous to
the Divinity and therefore must be approached with humility,
reverence, faith and love towards the Mantra. |
| |
Chanting with humility, reverence, faith
and love is more important than mechanical repetition
while the mind wanders. |
| |
Full faith in the power and potency
of the Gayatri Mantra will be generated only when the
seeker has developed requisite degree of enthusiasm, reverence
and love towards the Mantra. |
| |
The more one chants the Mantra, the
greater benefit the chanter gets. |
|
| Mahamritunjaya Mantra |
| “OM TRYAMBAKKAM YAJAMAHE SUGANDHIM
PUSTIVARDHANAM URVAROOKAMEVA BANDANAAN MRITYORMOKSHEEYA MAAMRITAAT” |
 |
| This Mahamritunjaya mantra is
from the Rig-Veda and needs initiation for attaining Siddhi.
Anybody can recite this mantra and attain good health, release
from bondage and other problems. This is the greatest reliever
from all evils and can be recited at any time like any other
Maha-mantra. It should be recited preferably for forty days
both in the morning and evening, after lighting a jyoti and
sitting on a woollen asana while facing east. Recite the Maha-mantra
108 times (one rosary) or its multiples in each sitting. This
is the greatest work of Maharishi Vashistha. Before commencing
the Mahamritunjaya mantra recite the following small prayer
to the everlasting spirit of the Maharishi for his blessings
and guidance. |
| OM SUCHIRMARKAIR BRIHASPATIM
ADHVARESHU NAMASYATAH (21 Times) |
| We pray to Brihaspati (the Lord
of this Universe and the teacher of this Vedic Knowledge), whose
wishes are inviolable, for good thoughts (that will lead to
good speech and actions that cannot be violated as it will be
the truth). |
| VYAM VASHISHTHAYA NAMAH
(21 Times) |
This is the prayer to Maharishi
Vashistha (whose Holy Spirit is Omnipresent).
The initiated should practice the Pranayama ten times with the
Beejakshara Mantra "OM HOUM JUM SAH". Others can skip
this and go to the Maha-mantra directly.
This is to be followed by the Dhyana Mantra (Meditation) of
Sri Tryambakeswara (One of the twelve Jyotirlinga) and then
meditate on Sri Tryambakeshwara (Lord Shiva) and Sri Amriteshwari
(Gouri or Parvati Shakti) with the relevant beejakshara and
Rudra Pooja. Meditate for at least 15 Minutes before starting
the Japa (Recitation of Mantra).
Then repeat the following Mahamritunjaya mantra 108 times or
multiples of this number. The Mahamritunjaya Mantra reads: OM
TRYAMBAKKAM YAJAMAHE SUGANDHIM PUSTIVARDHANAM URVAROOKAMEVA
BANDANAAN MRITYORMOKSHEEYA MAAMRITAAT. |
| WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS MAHAMANTRA |
It is important to understand the meaning of the
words as this makes the repetition meaningful and brings forth
the results.
OM is not spelt out in the Rig-Veda, but has to be added to
the beginning of all Mantras as given in an earlier Mantra of
the Rig-Veda addressed to Ganapati. |
| TRYAMBAKKAM |
refers to the Three eyes of Lord Shiva.
'Trya' means 'Three' and Ambakam' means eyes. |
| YAJAMAHE |
means, "We sing Thy praise". |
| SUGANDHIM |
refers to His fragrance (of knowledge, presence and
strength i.e. three aspects) as being the best and always
spreading around. Fragrance refers to the joy that we
get on knowing, seeing or feeling His virtuous deeds. |
| PUSTIVARDHANAM |
Pooshan refers to Him as the sustainer of this world.
It also means enhancing the vigor and vitality. |
| URVAAROKAMEVA |
'URVA' means "VISHAL" or big and powerful
. 'AAROOKAM' means 'Disease'. Thus URVAROOKA means deadly
and overpowering diseases. |
| BANDANAAM |
means bound down. Thus read with URVAROOKAMEVA, it means
'I am bound down by deadly and overpowering diseases'. |
| MRITYORMOOKSHEYA |
means to deliver us from death (both premature deaths
in this Physical world and from the never-ending cycle
of deaths due to re-birth) for the sake of Mokshya (Nirvana
or final emancipation from re-birth). |
| MAAMRITAAT |
means 'please give me some Amritam (life rejuvenating
nectar). Read with the previous word, it means that we
are praying for some 'Amrit' to get out of the death inflicting
diseases as well as the cycle of re-birth. |
|
| Mantras Associated with Planets |
| SUN |
"Om jabaakusuma sankaasham
kaashyapayam mahaadyutim
Tamorim sarvapaapaghnam pranato-smi divaakaram
Om suryaaya namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| Om, I bow down with devotion to the shining
light that is shining red like a hibiscus flower, shining
onto the earth, removing all the darkness and removing sin.
Om, I bow to the Sun.
|
| MOON |
| "Dadhi sankha tushaaraabham
kshiirodaarnasambhavam
Namaami shashinam somam shambhormukuta bhushanam
Om candraaya namah" |
 |
| Translation |
I bow down to the Moon, who is creamy white
like a container of yogurt (dahi) and most pleasing, born
from the churning ocean of milk, the effulgent emblem of devotion,
which adorns the head of Lord Shiva. Om, I bow to the Moon. |
| MARS |
"Dharaniigarbhasambhutam vidyutkaanti
samaprabham
Kumaaram shaktihastam ca tam mangalam pranamaamyaham
Om mangalaaya namah" |
 |
| Translation |
I bow down to Mars, the auspicious one, who
supports the womb of all creation, shines forth with the radiance
of beauty enhanced by love, and wields power in his hand.
Om, I bow down to Mars. |
| MERCURY |
"Priyangukalikashyaamam ruupenaa-pratimam
budham
Saumyam saumyamgunopetam tam budham pranamaamyaham
Om budhaaya namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| I bow down to Mercury, whose beloved body
is dark like the night, the symbol of intelligence, and whose
qualities are most beautiful. Om, I bow down to Mercury. |
| JUPITER |
"Devaanaanca rishinaanca gurum
kaancana sannibham
Buddhi bhutam trilokesham tam namaami brihaaspatim
Om gurave namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| I bow down to Jupiter, teacher of gods and
sages, the greatest treasure, and the most intelligent of
all creation.
Om, I bow down to Jupiter. |
| VENUS |
"Hima kunda mrinaalaabham daityaanaam
paramam gurum
Sarvashaastrapravaktaaram bhaargavam pranamaamyaham
Om Shukraaya namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| I bow down to Venus, who is fragrant like
crushed sandal and jasmine, the great guru of the demons,
expounding all scriptures, and the descendant of sage Brigu.
Om, I bow down to Venus. |
| SATURN |
| "Niilaambujasamaabhaasam raviputram
yamaagrajam
Chaayaamaartandasambhuutam tam namaami shanaishacaram
Om Shaanaishcaraaya namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| I bow down to Saturn, who is blue like a storm
cloud, the son of the Sun and the brother of Death, who can
cast his shadow even over the Sun. Om, I bow down to Saturn. |
| RAHU (Dragon’s Head) |
"Arddhakaayam mahaaviiryam candraadityavimardanam
Simhikaagarbha sambhuutam tam Raahu pranamaamyaham
Om Raahave namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| I bow down to Rahu, the great warrior who
divides even the Sun and Moon in half, born from the womb
of Simhikaa. Om, I bow down to Rahu. |
| KETU (Dragon’s Tail) |
"Paalaashapushpa sankaasham taarakaagrahamastakam
Raudram raudraatmakam ghoram tam ketu pranamaamyaham
Om Ketave namah" |
 |
| Translation |
| I bow down to Ketu, who is red like a paalaasha
flower, who makes the star-eyed constellation to set, terrible
and awesome to behold. Om, I bow down to Ketu. |
| Diety specific Mantras |
| "Om Namo Bhagavate
Vasudevaya" |
| The mantra of Lord
Vishnu. Any thing in the world is possible by worshipping lord
Vishnu, who sustains the life in world. Enchanting this mantra
saves a devotee from many troubles. It bestows the devotee with
prosperity, peace, wealth etc. |
| "Om Namah Sivaya" |
| It is the mantra
of Lord Shiva. Many people have become rich from virtually state
of starvation by enchanting this mantra. Lord Shiva (Bhole Shanker)
is very innocent (Bhole) God and bestows his blessings immediately
on the devotee. |
| "Om Sri Ramaya Namah" |
| The description of word "Rama"
is unlimited. Lord Rama is the incarnation of Vishnu. A devotee
can gain overall benefits in all fields of his or her life by
enchanting this mantra. |
| "Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai
Namah" |
| The mantra of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of
all the wealth and Prosperity in the world. |
| "Om Sri Durgaya Namah" |
| This mantra is of Goddess Durga the combined form
of the powers of Lakshmi, Saraswati and kali. By enchanting
this mantra all the physical, mental, economic problems are
solved. |
| "Om Aim Saraswatyai
Namah" |
| Godess Saraswati bestows the devotee with the
memory, Knowledge and the power of speech. |
| "Om Sri Maha Ganapataye
Namah" |
| The mantra of elephant headed God (Ganeshji).
A remover of obstacles and bestower of success. |
| "Om Kleem Krishnaya
Namah" |
| The mantra of lord Krishna, the incarnation of
Lord Vishnu. Solves all the problems of devotee and bestows
him with wealth and prosperity. |
