Mantras are divine syllables representing universal power

Mantras

Did you know that Mantra or Mantras are divine syllables representing universal power with transformative effect in a sacred approach to the whole of life and consciousness?

The two syllables of the Sanskrit word 'Mantra' mean, “man” (mind) and “tra” (liberation). Mantra is a sound that can liberate the mind from fear, dependency and sorrow. Once the mind is freed, other problems are automatically resolved because the greatest problem is the mind itself.

In Hinduism, the word Mantra is a sacred syllable or a combination of sacred syllables called Mantras. Mantras have significance in all religions but in Hinduism its universal power with transformative effect is used extensively in a sacred approach to the whole of life and consciousness. Within the bounds of the Hindu tradition the use of mantras in the Vedic age, in Saivism and Vaisnavism, in Tantra, and in Ayurvedic medicine is well recognised.

Mantras abode, according to Upanishad, is basic ether or Parama Akasha defined as the eternal and immutable substratum of the cosmos, out of which, in the uttering of the primal sound Vach, the universe itself was created. The rishis and sages of yore who perceived their existence in the medium of ether evolved them into an audible pattern of words, rhythm and melody. Many meditators focus their meditation practice Mantras and bring increased energy levels and deep inner calm.

Om, the Pranava mantra, the most incredible syllable, with divine connotations, has been explained in almost all the 108 Upanishads of the Muktika canon narrated by Rama to Hanuman. Some are quoted explained below..

The most basic mantra is Om, a single syllable mantra, a an incredible divine symbol which in Hinduism is known as the "pranava mantra," the source of all mantras. The Hindu philosophy behind this is the premise that before existence and beyond existence is only One reality, Brahman, and the first manifestation of Brahman expressed as Om. For this reason, Om is considered as a foundational idea and reminder, and thus is prefixed and suffixed to all Hindu prayers. While some mantras may invoke individual gods or principles, fundamental mantras, like the 'Shanti Mantra, the 'Gayatri Mantra' and others all ultimately focus on the One reality.

The Mandukya Upanishad opens by declaring, "Om!, this syllable is this whole world". It says: The past, the present and the future, that these three are "Aum". The four fourth of time is that which transcends time, that too is "Aum" expressed. It also states everything is Brahman, but Brahman is Atman (the soul, self), and that the Atman is fourfold.

The Chandogya Upanishad opens with the recommendation that "let a man meditate on Om". It calls the syllable Om as udgitha (उद्गीथ, song, chant), and asserts that the significance of the syllable is thus: The essence of all beings is earth, the essence of earth is water, the essence of water are the plants, the essence of plants is man, the essence of man is speech, the essence of speech is the Rig Veda, the essence of the Rig Veda is the Sama Veda, and the essence of Sama Veda is udgitha.

Sita is said to signify “Pranava” or “Aum”. Narayana merged with one with the inner bliss, the Brahman, the Purusha, the holy syllable consisting of A, U, and M, it became the sound Aum.

In Atharvashika Upanishad, Om is very elaborately explained as: “The four syllables of Om – A (अ), U (उ), M (म) and the half part (्) are equated with empirical realities, abstract concepts, rituals and gods. Atharvan explains that the first syllable of Om, "A", represents the Prithvi (Earth), the Rig Veda, the god Brahma – the Creator of the Trimurti, the color red, the eight Vasus, the gayatri meter, and Garhapatya, the sacred fire in a household. The second syllable "U" denotes the Akasha (sky), the Yajur Veda, the color black, the eleven Rudras, the Tristubh meter, and the Dakshinagni ritual fire. The third syllable "M" represents Heavens, the Sama Veda, the color white, Vishnu, the twelve Adityas, the Jagati meter and the Ahavaniya ritual fire. The half fourth syllable, which is the hidden part that follows M, represents the Atharva Veda, Purusha (the Supreme Being), the spectrum of all colours, the Maruts deities, the Viraj meter and the Samvartaka fire which destroys creation. It reverberates as the sound of Brahman.

The Bhagavad Gita, in the Epic Mahabharata, mentions the meaning and significance of Om in several verses. It says: "Om which is the symbol for the indescribable, impersonal Brahman". In one of the verses Krishna says to Arjuna:

"I am the Father of this world, Mother, Ordainer, Grandfather, the Thing to be known, the Purifier, the syllable Om, Rik, Saman and also Yajus".

Gayatri Mantra

The next most recited prayer after Om is Gayatri Mantra, the most universal of all Hindu mantras, as Mantra japa, for an auspicious number of times. It reads:

Oṁ Bhūrbhuvaswaha Tatsaviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥa prachodayāt.

Meaning; "Let us meditate on that excellent glory of the divine Light (Vivifier, Sun). May he stimulate our understandings (knowledge, intellectual illumination).

Yajurveda Mantra

The Yajurveda Mantra chanted for peace is:

Om Dyau Shanti, Rantariksha Gwam Shanti, Prithvi Shanti, Rapah Shanti, Roshadhayah Shanti, Vanas Patayah Shanti, Vishwed Devah Shanti, Brahma Sarvag Wam Shanti, Shanti Reva Shanti Sa Ma Shanti, Redhi Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

Other equally divine mantras, recited at suitable occasions or as daily prayer, are the following from Upanishads.

1. Pavamana Mantra from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Mudgala Upanishad.

Asato mā sad gamaya, tamaso mā jyotir gamaya, mṛtyor māmṛtaṃ gamaya.

Meaning: "From the unreal lead me to the real, from the dark lead me to the light, from death lead me to immortality.

2. Om Shanti mantra from Tittariya Upanishad

Oṁ Sahanā vavatu

sahanau bhunaktu

Sahavīryam karavāvahai

Tejasvi nāvadhītamastu

Mā vidviṣāvahai

Oṁ Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ.

This translates to:

Om! Let the Studies that we together undertake be effulgent;

"Let there be no Animosity amongst us;

"Om! Peace, Peace, Peace.

3. The Universe, Reality and Consciousness in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Pūrṇam adaḥ, pūrṇam idaṃ, pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate

Pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate.

Meaning: "That (Brahman) is infinite, and this (universe) is infinite. the infinite proceeds from the infinite.

(Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite (universe), it remains as the infinite (Brahman) alone."

4. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit: वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्), or " "the world constitutes but one family" is defined in the Maha Upanishad as:

“One is a relative, the other stranger,

say the small minded.

The entire world is a family,

live the magnanimous.”

“Be detached,

be magnanimous,

lift up your mind, enjoy

the fruit of Brahmanic freedom”.

5. Rama mantra from Rama tapaniya Upanishad. Rama mantras which vary from 1 to 24 syllables, and evolves mantras like: Om Ramaya hum phat swaha; Om srim Ram Dassarathaya Sita vallabbhaya sarvabhita daya namah; Aum Ramachandraya and Ramabhadraya Namah, etc., out of which those with two to six syllables are claimed by the text to be most beneficial.

6. Kali Santarana Mantra, the Maha Mantra of 16 words, from the Kali Santarana Upanishad, popularised by Gaudiya Vaishnavism propagated by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, adopted and recited universally by the Krishna cult.

“Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna , Krishna Krishna Hare Hare”

7. Om namo Narayanaya meaning “Obeisance to Narayana” from Atmabodha Upanishad.

8. The Mundaka Upanishad is the source of the phrase Satyameva Jayate, meaning “Only Truth triumphs, not falsehood”, which is the national motto of India.

9.. Four sacred statements or Mahavakhyas stated by Shukarahasya Upanishad are:

Prajnānam brahma: "Knowledge is Brahman"

Aham brahmāsmi: "I am Brahman"

Tat tvam asi: "Thou art that" ("You are Brahman")

Ayam ātmā brahma:

The Atman (Self, soul) is Brahman"

Apart from the above, the other most popular mantra is the Rama Mantra recited by Lord Shiva from the Sahsranama Stotra.

“Sri rama rama rameti rame rame manorame

sahasranama tat tulyam rama nama varanine”

Meaning:

a): By meditating on "Rama Rama Rama" (the Name of Rama), my Mind gets absorbed in the Divine Consciousness of Rama, which is Transcendental,

b): The Name of Rama is as Great as the Thousand Names of God (Vishnu Sahasranama)