posted May 03, 2008 02:25 PM
A mantra (Devanagari) (or mantram) is a religious or mystical syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words or vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras originated in the Vedic religion of India, later becoming an essential part of the Hindu tradition and a customary practice within Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. The use of mantras is now widespread throughout various spiritual movements which are based on, or off-shoots of, the practices in the earlier Eastern religions.Mantras are interpreted to be effective as sound (vibration), to the effect that great emphasis is put on correct pronunciation (resulting in an early development of a science of phonetics in India). They are intended to deliver the mind from illusion and material inclinations. Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra.
Mantras can excite the emotions and give suggestions to the mind. Mantras affect both the one who chants them as the one who hears them. The word mantra comes from the Sanskrit "mantrana", which means advice or suggestion. In a sense, every word is a mantra. In our daily life we use words to get everything done, obtain everything we need. Each mantra or word is a sound pattern that suggests to the mind the meanings inherent in it, and the mind immediately responds.
According to Ramana Maharshi, repetition of mantras (japa), with attention directed to the source of the sound, completely engages the mind. This is Tapas (penance). The source is not in the vocal chords alone, but also the idea of the sound is in the mind, whose source is self. Thus the practice of mantra repetition is more than a suggestion, a bit of advice or an idea. It is a means of getting in touch with our self.
Mantras may be used for religious worship, for japa (repetition), for healing, to help spiritual evolution, for purification, for making offerings and in Mantra Yoga. Some mantras are only chants or expressions of nearness to the Divine. But some saints who were inspired by divine love and unshakable faith used these mantras in their own spiritual practice and their followers afterwards started using those mantras, calling them mahamantras or great mantras.
Primarily it is faith which creates the effect of mantras. Melody, intonation, pronunciation, whether silently or aloud, all are important in the recitation of mantras. Moreover, the beat cycle in which mantras are recited is important, but it changes according to the state of consciousness of the one who is chanting. An increase in the speed of chanting increases the speed of mind, heartbeat and respiration. The beat cycle of the mantras affects the emotions.
A fast speed sometimes creates a continuous vibration and when it is done in groups it creates a really good effect, because the mind works in synchronization with the beat cycle and has no time to fantasize. Fast chanting of mantras exhausts the mind, heart and breath and relaxation comes after the chanting is over.
Slowing the beat cycle of mantras also creates the same continuous vibration, but it slows down the speed of mind, heart and breath while the chanting is going on. It induces a hypnagogic state, but it is good only when the chanting of mantras is done individually. A medium-speed beat cycle is good for group and individual chanting of mantras. It does not disturb the heartbeat or breathing pattern and makes the mind more awake, alert and conscious.
The place from which the sound emanates influences its' tonal quality. Deep tones are produced by the vocal chords in conjunction with the abdominal region, middletones in conjunction with the chest, heart and throat regions and high-pitched tones in conjunction with the upper region of the body. Indian classical music uses all three regions in a gradual order, but the middle region is used most and produces a greater emotional impact on the listeners.
sources used for this artical:
The sanatan society organization
and wikipedea.com
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Following are some of the main mantras used in Mantra Yoga:
Source: CD entitled "Sounds of Tantra" by Harish Johari
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Ganesha Mantra
AUM
GAJANANAM BHOOTGANADHISEVITAM
KAPITTHYA JAMBOO PHALCHARU BHAKSHANAM
UMASUTAM SHOKVINASHKARAKAM
NAMAMI VIGHNESHWAR PADPANKAJAM
AUM
Translation
Elephant-faced, worshipped by the existing beings, of all living beings,
tasting the elephant apple (kaith) and jambolana (jamun),
the son of Uma, destroyer of grief,
I bow to the lotus feet of Ganesha who is Lord of all.
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
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Saraswati Mantra
AUM
AING SARASWATYE NAMAH
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
Aing is the bij-akshar (seed syllable or condensed form of the larger mantra) of Saraswati.
If repeated 500.000 times, one can see Saraswati and will become enlightened.
50.000 Repetitions should be accompagnied by Homa.
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Durga Mantra
AUM
AING HRING KLEENG
CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHEY
AUM
Click]http://www.sanatansociety.org/indian_music_and_mantras/mantras_durga_mantra.htm]Click[/UR L] here to actually "hear" it in practice
This is the most popular mantra of the divine Mother Durga.
This mantra should be repeated 500.000 times.
The fire worship should be performed with 50.000 ahutis of the same mantra.
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Kali Mantra
AUM
KRING KALIKAYE NAMAH
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
Kring is the bij-akshar of the divine Mother Kali.
The number of japa is prescribed at 500.000.
Homa with 50.000 ahutis should be performed afterward.
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Mahalakshmi Mantra
AUM
SHRING HRING KLEENG
MAHALAKSHMI NAMAH
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
Shring is the Lakshmi bija. The prescribed number for japa is 100.000.
10.000 ahutis of ghee and samigri bring Mother lakshmi's blessings in the form of peace, prosperity and harmony.
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Brahma Gayatri Mantra
AUM
AUM PARMESHWARAYE VIDMAHE
PARATATTVAYE DHI-MAHI
TAN NO BRAHMA PRACHODAYAT
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
The Brahma Gayatri mantra is used to increase productivity.
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Hanuman Gayatri Mantra
AUM
ANJANEYAYE VIDMAHE
MAHABALAYE DHI-MAHI
TAN NO HANUMAN PRACHODAYAT
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
The Hanuman Gayatri mantra is used for increasing love in performing duties and selfless service.
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Krishna Gayatri Mantra
AUM
DEVKINANDANAYE VIDMAHE
VASUDEVAYE DHI-MAHI
TAN NO KRISHNAH PRACHODAYAT
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
The Krishna Gayatri mantra is used for succes in job and an increase in activity.[/b]
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Ram Gayatri Mantra
AUM
DASHRATHAYE VIDMAHE
SITA BALABHAYE DHI-MAHI
TAN NO RAMAH PRACHODAYAT
AUM
Click here to actually "hear" it in practice
The Ram Gayatri mantra is used for security and increase in name and status.
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Some of the most frequently used mantras in Kudalina Yoga
AD GURAY NAMEH, JUGAD GURAY NAMEH,
SAT GURAY NAMEH, SIRI GURU DEVAY NAMEH
is the Mangala Charn Mantra, and is chanted for protection. It surrounds the magnetic field with protective light, and means "I bow to the primal Guru (guiding consciousness who takes us to God-Realization), I bow to wisdom through the ages, I bow to True Wisdom, I bow to the great, unseen wisdom."
ADI SHAKTI, ADI SHAKTI, ADI SHAKTI, NAMO NAMO,
SARAB SHAKTI, SARAB SHAKTI, SARAB SHAKTI, NAMO NAMO,
PRITHUM BHAGAWATI, PRITHUM BHAGAWATI, PRITHUM BHAGAWATI,
NAMO NAMO,
KUNDALINI, MATA SHAKTI, MATA SHAKTI, NAMO, NAMO.
The [b]First Shakti Mantra tunes into the frequency of the Divine Mother, and to primal protective, generating energy. Chanting it eliminates fears and fulfils desires. Adi Shakti means the "Primal Power," Sarab Shakti means "All Power", and Prithum Bhagawati means "which creates through God."
AKAL, MAHA KAL
means "Undying, Great death" is a powerful life-giving chant removing fear and relaxing the mind.
AP SAHAEE HOA SACHE DA SACHE DHOA, HAR, HAR, HAR
means "The Lord Himself has become our protector, the Truest of True has taken care of us, God, God, God", or "The Lord Himself is my refuge, true is the support of the True Lord". Chanted for prosperity.
ARDAS PAYE, AMAR DAS GURU, AMAR DAS GURU,
ARDAS PAYE, RAM DAS GURU, RAM DAS GURU, RAM DAS GURU,
SUCHE SAHE
Guarantees by the grace of Guru Amar Das, who is hope for the hopeless, and Guru Ram Das, who is King of the Yogis and Bestower of Blessings, past, present and future, that the prayer will be answered, and that all one's needs are provided for, signed, sealed and delivered!
DHARTI HAI, AKASH HAI, GURU RAM DAS HAI.
Dharti means "earth" and Akash is Ether, and Guru Ram Das is the venerated 4th Sikh Guru. This is the 1st Sodhung Mantra.
EK ONG KAR, SAT GUR PRASAD, SAT GUR PRASAD, EK ONG KAR
is the Magic Mantra so named for its power and sacredness. It is usually chanted in reverse (Ek Ong Kar, Sat Gur Prasad, Sat Gur Prasad, Ek Ong Kar). Many pages are devoted to the explanation of this mantra and we are warned to chant it in reverence. It means, "There is one Creator - Truth revealed through Guru's grace".
EK ONG KAR, SAT NAM, KARTA PURKH, NIRBHAO, NIRVAIR,
AKAL MOORT, AJUNI, SAI BHANG, GUR PRASAD, JAP,
AD SUCH, JUGAD SUCH, HABHE SUCH, NANAK HOSI BHEE SUCH
is the Mul Mantra, the root of all mantras. It means, "The creator of all is One. Truth is His Name. He does everything, fearless, without anger, undying, unborn, self-realized, realized thru Guru's Grace, Meditate: He was true in the beginning, true thru all the ages, true even now. Nanak shall ever be true."
EK ONG KAR, SAT NAM, SIRI WHA (HE) GURU
is the Adi Shakti Mantra, and it is very powerful for awakening Kundalini and suspending the mind in bliss. Ek means "One, the essence of all", Ong is the primal vibration from which all creativity flows, Kar is "creation", Sat "truth", Nam "name" Siri "great", Wha "ecstasy," and Guru is "wisdom". Taken together it means, "There is one Creator whose name is Truth. Great is the ecstasy of that Supreme Wisdom"!
GOBINDE, MUKUNDE, UDARE, APARE, HARING, KARING, NIRNAME, AKAME
is the Guru Gaitri Mantra which means "Sustainer, liberator, enlightener, infinite, destroyer, creator, nameless, desireless". It brings stability to the hemispheres of the brain and works on the Heart Center to develop compassion, patience and tolerance, uniting one with the Infinite.
GURU GURU WAHE GURU, GURU RAM DAS GURU
calls upon Guru Ram Das in praise of his spiritual guiding light and protective grace.
HAR means Creative Infinity, a name of God.
HARA is another form.
HARI is the active form of Creation.
HARI NAM, SAT NAM, HARI NAM, HARI.
HARI NAM, SAT NAM, SAT NAM, HARI.
The name of God is the True Name.
HUM DUM HAR HAR.
This mantra opens the Heart Chakra and means "We the universe, God, God."
ONG means Creator - the Primal Vibration from which all creativity flows.
ONG NAMO, GURU DEV NAMO
is the Adi Mantra that precedes Kundalini Yoga practice, tuning one in to the higher self. Ong is "Infinite Creative energy in manifestation and activity". ("Om" or Aum is God absolute and unmanifested), Namo is "reverent greetings' implying humility, Guru means "teacher or wisdom", Dev means "Divine or of God" and Namo reaffirms humility and reverence. In all it means, "I call upon Divine Wisdom".
ONG SO HUNG is "Creator, I am Thou!", a heart-opening and empowering mantra.
PRANA, APANA, SUSHUMNA. HARI.
HARI HAR, HARI HAR, HARI HAR, HARI.
Prana is the life force, Apana the eliminating force, and Sushumna is the Central channel for that force. This helps draw energy up the spine for healing. Hari and Har are names of God.
PRITVI HAI, AKASH HAI, GURU RAM DAS HAI. (see "Dharti Hai")
Pritvi means earth - calling on the venerated Guru Ram Das is very powerful.
RA MA DA SA, SA SAY SO HUNG
is the Siri Gaitri Mantra, and is chanted for healing. Ra is the sun, Ma is the Moon, Da is the earth, and Sa is Infinity. Say is the totality of Infinity, and So Hung is "I am Thou". "Ra Ma Da Sa" is the Earth Mantra. and "Sa Say So Hung" is the Ether Mantra.
SA TA NA MA
is the Panj Shabad expressing the five primal sounds of the universe. "S" is Infinity, "T" is life, "N" means death and "M" is rebirth. (The 5th sound is "A".) This is one of the most frequently used mantras in Kundalini Yoga.
SAT NAM
is the Seed Mantra or Bij Mantra and it is the most widely used in the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Sat means the Truth; Nam means to call upon, name or identify with. Sat Nam means Truth is my identity and I call upon the eternal Truth that resides in all of us. Chanting this mantra awakens the Soul, and more simply means "really". It is pronounced to rhyme with "But Mom!"
SAT NARAYAN, WHA HE GURU, HARI NARAYAN, SAT NAM.
Narayan is the aspect of Infinity that relates to water, and Hari Narayan is Creative sustenance, which makes the one who chants it intuitively clear or healing. Sat Narayan is True Sustainer, Wahe Guru, indescribable Wisdom and Sat Nam, True Identity. This is the ancient Chotay Pad Mantra.
WAHE GURU
is the Guru Mantra, the mantra of ecstasy. It is not translatable but chanting it elevates the spirit.
WAHE GURU, WAHE GURU, WAHE GURU, WAHE JEEO
"The ecstasy of consciousness is my beloved."
source: Kundalini Yoga Organization
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CHRISTIAN MANTRAS
Christian mantras are often short sections of common prayers. They work to bring about an awareness of God's loving presence.
Examples:
1. Jesus Christ (This is one of the most powerful mantras you can possibly say.)
2. GOD, Christ, Holy Spirit
3.The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, for ever. Amen
4. Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
5. Hail Mary, Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee. Blessed are Thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of GOD, Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
6. Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me.
Holy Mary, Mother of God.
Glory be to God.
7. God is Love
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I am the Soul,
I am the Light Divine,
I am Love,
I am Will,
I am Fixed Design.
You can create a Mantra of any sort at any time all words, phrases, thought patterns, etc. are POWERFUL and are amplified simply through repitition and focus. Again it's the intent behind the Mantra that invokes it's power. Remember always "thought becomes matter" and "words are powerful"
Here are some common Word Mantras:
Peace, Joy, Love, Equilibrium, Personal Power, Forgiveness, Humility, Humbleness, Even-Mindedness, Balance, Centeredness, Bliss, Compassion, Service, Good Will, Altruism, Loving Kindness, Oneness
You may often see these painted on rocks, written in sand, printed on clothing etc.
Songs we sing with our children, prayers we say, etc. These can all be used as mantras.
Also noteworthy here are the internal sounds one hears and feels during Mantra work as well as which Chakra is activating:
1st chakra Buzzing, like a bumble-bee
2nd chakra Flute
3rd chakra Harp
4th chakra Bell (or gong)
5th chakra Rushing waters
6th chakra Roar, all sounds together (Om)
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*Feel free to comment, ask questions, create a mantra of your own, or add some you already know or use here
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posted May 03, 2008 02:25 PM