What Are Hindu Mantras?

In Hindu tradition, mantras are sacred utterances or sounds believed to have spiritual power. As one temple guide explains, “A Mantra is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, believed by practitioners to have psychological and spiritual powers”. The Sanskrit word mantra itself comes from man (“mind” or “to think”) plus tra (“tool”), literally meaning “instrument of thought”. In practice, chanting a mantra quietly or aloud helps to focus the mind. Traditional practices include japa, the repetition of a mantra up to 108 times using a mala (prayer beads). This simple form of meditation, which involves “repeating a calming word, thought or phrase” to keep away distracting thoughts accessible to anyone. Over time, my father taught me that even brief moments of mantra meditation could bring me back to the present and soothe anxiety. And it actually works really well. I’ll try to teach you some that I learned.

Key Mantras and Their Meanings

Several Hindu mantras are especially dear to me, each carrying a deep meaning and personal resonance. Here are a few I grew up with:

Om (ॐ)

The primordial sound and the “Pranava Mantra.” Om is considered the foundational syllable of the universe in Hindu thought. Before all existence, there was a silent void, and then came the cosmic vibration Om. Chanting “Om” is said to align us with the oneness of existence; it is prefixed to many prayers and mantras as a reminder of unity. I remember my dad beginning each meditation session that he put us through with a prolonged “Ooooom,” which took some adjusting to.

Also Read » How To Make the Most of Om (Aum) Chanting

Gayatri Mantra (गायत्री मंत्र)

A powerful Vedic hymn to the Sun (Savitr), traditionally chanted at dawn and dusk. The Gayatri Mantra embodies deep wisdom: as one yogi notes, it “embodies the collective wisdom of the entire Vedic revelation”. The words (roughly) mean “We meditate on that excellent glory of the divine light,” calling the inner sun of intellect to awaken and guide us. I think I only did this once with Dad. I called him up to confirm, and yes, he still does it, but not that much anymore.

Om Namah Shivaya (ॐ नमः शिवाय)

A five-syllable mantra central to Shaivism. Literally, it means “I bow to Shiva, the auspicious one”. Shiva is not only a deity but also represents the inner Self; thus this chant is sometimes interpreted as “I bow to my own higher self.” The syllables na, ma, śi, vā, ya correspond to the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether), so the chant is said to “filter” our body and mind through Shiva’s purified essence. My father would chant this mantra on evening walks, and I remember he actually painted a picture of Shaiva that I still have in my room. I thought he looked like an Avatar because of his blue skin when I was younger.

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (महामृत्युंजय मंत्र)

Known as the “great death-conquering mantra,” this verse addresses Shiva in his form as Tryambaka (“Three-Eyed One”). It translates roughly as “We worship the fragrant, life-enhancing Lord Tryambaka. May He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality.” Hindus regard it as a healing prayer that bestows longevity and strength.

Through these chants, they can carry meaning, intention, and even healing. Even without fully understanding the Sanskrit, as I still don’t really know everything, however, the vibrations definitely gave me a sense of focus. I tend to still use some in my routines: quietly repeating Om Namah Shivaya during exam nerves, or feeling enveloped by peace while humming Om. Over time, I noticed that this practice seemed to ease my racing thoughts. Try it for yourself, just search a mantra on YouTube and listen to it, and maybe try to sing along, because as much as I can say it works, you probably won’t believe me until you try it for yourself, and if you have read this far, perhaps you can give it a try?

Mantras in Modern Mental Health Practice

Today, many mental health practitioners incorporate mindfulness and even spiritual grounding into care. Psychiatric nurses, therapists, and doctors increasingly recognize the value of these age-old practices. In fact, panelists at an American Psychiatric Association symposium emphasized that a clinician’s own meditation practice is a crucial first step to integrate mindfulness into therapy.

Nursing educators similarly stress the importance of spiritual self-care and mindfulness. For example, psychiatric nurse Stephanie Wynn advises nurses to cultivate their own spiritual wellness (through practices like meditation, prayer, or mindful walking) because it strengthens empathy and resilience. By tending to their inner lives, practitioners are better able to “sit with” suffering and guide patients compassionately, rather than becoming overwhelmed themselves. In clinical settings, even secular programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) draw on these roots: decades of research show MBSR significantly improves depression and anxiety symptoms.

For those pursuing careers in mental health, this holistic shift is reshaping professional education itself. Advanced nursing programs, too, are increasingly integrating mind-body approaches into their curricula. Take, for example, online PMHNP (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) programs, which now emphasize holistic care skills—including mindfulness techniques and cultural sensitivity—alongside traditional clinical training. These programs prepare psychiatric nurses to blend scientific therapy models with respect for patients’ spiritual practices. In practice, a PMHNP might sit quietly with a client to practice deep breathing or self-compassion meditation between more conventional therapy and medication management; the goal remains the same: relief of stress and a calmer mind.

Related » Sacred Christian Chants: Styles, Features, Benefits

Conclusion

Looking back, the sound of Hindu mantras was a bridge for my father to connect with me and teach me a valuable stress-relieving tool that he learned and wanted to pass on. As a child, it was a comforting family ritual; as an adult, it’s a personal tool for maintaining mental health.

Nowadays, neuroscience and psychology tell us that these ancient sounds have real effects: they alter brain waves, lower blood pressure, and ease our emotional burdens.

This blending of tradition and science gives me confidence in my Dad. Mantras aren’t just spiritual poetry; they are tools of the mind to help with meditation. When I chant or listen, I’m tapping into both cultural memory and a proven way to foster calm. It’s a reminder that even in today’s world, the simple act of repeating a sound can connect us to something larger and to a quieter, more centered self.

The post Growing Up with Hindu Mantras appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

1. The Sacred Power of Om
   • Attain Omniscience With Om Chanting
2. Chanting Om Fulfills Wishes and Grants Wisdom
3. How To Practice Om (Aum) Chanting for Maximum Benefit
4. Syllable Significance of Om (Aum)
5. Why Om Chanting Is Considered So Powerful
   • Frequency Resonance of Om (Aum)
6. Conclusion

“The goal which all Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which all humans desire — when they live a life of continence… it is ‘Aum’. The syllable Aum is, indeed, Brahma and is the highest support. Whosoever knows this is adored in the World of Brahma.”
— Katha Upanishad

The Sacred Power of Om

The syllable Om, or Aum, is the most sacred syllable in Hinduism. Volumes have been written on its mystic significance.

Although the metaphysics of Aum, or Om, is elucidated exhaustively in the Vedas and Upanishads, different traditions like Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism etc., have also indicated similar viewpoints.

Even Christianity has delved into the profound significance of Aum [we use the variants interchangably in this article] — though not directly. The following statement is more than suggestive:

“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God — Amen [Aum].”

The very same meaning is reflected in the Maitri Upanishad: “Aum represents the primordial vibration of Universe — Aum is the Centre of the Universe.”

Further on similar lines, the Vedic scriptures state: “Aum is the knowledge and wisdom of those who know God, since it is God.”

Attain Omniscience With Om Chanting

Patanjali observed: “Om is the seed of omniscience.”

How to arrive at omniscience, you may well ask. As the Chandogya Upanishad says, one should meditate on the syllable, Om, to come to omniscience. With Om, we are united with all; this is why it is omnipresent as well.

The Chandogya Upanishad further states that, speech [vak] and life force [prana] are joined together in syllable, Aum. Prana is the Universal Life Force, incarnated in every living being; it, therefore, supports all living organisms. In other words, Aum is more than sound. It is Nada Brahma. It is life itself and, hence, omnipotent.

Chanting Om Fulfills Wishes and Grants Wisdom

Meditating on Aum is a guarantor of our wishes being fulfilled. Aum is also the fount of wisdom, because we will not desire trivial or harmful things through its use. Aum illuminates us and dispels our illusory desires. This is also the power of Aum. This is reason enough why the Mandukya Upanishad states with complete authority: “Dismiss other utterances, all other japas and mantras.” Why? Because, only Aum is our bridge to immortality!

The Bhagavad Gita mirrors Aum as the central element in Lord Krishna’s exposition of spiritual life and practice. Lord Krishna said: “He who is engaged in the practice of concentration and uttering the syllable ‘Aum, the Brahma,’ remembers Me and attains the supreme goal — i.e., reach the highest state of ‘stateless’ eternity.”

Aum is not merely a word, but an intonation. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters aa [A], au [U], and ma [M]. When combined together, it results in Aum, which is believed to be the basic sound of the Universe. It is a prayer in itself.

How To Practice Om Chanting for Maximum Benefit

Here’s how you may practice Om chanting to derive the maximum benefit for your body, mind and spirit:

Step1

Keep the body erect, by holding the chest, the neck and the head in an upright posture

Step 2

Place all the organs of perception, action and mind in your heart [ i.e., the self; the core of being, and not physical heart]

Step 3

Cross all the streams of samsara [society] in the ferry boat of prana — this is perfect alignment

Step 4

Chant Aum by feeling the resonance of “A” in the abdomen, “U” in the chest, and “M” vibration in the head

Step 5

After the syllable, there is silence beyond thinking, i.e., the ineffable spirit of consciousness.

Repeat after a mindful pause.

Syllable Significance of Om (Aum)

The syllable, Aum, may be represented in the following manner:

For vibration

A – abdomen, U – chest, M – head

For experience

A – waking, U – dreaming, M – deep sleep

For mind

A – conscious, U – subconscious, M – unconscious

For quality/virtue

A – tamas [inertia], U – rajas [activity], M – sattva [essence]

For existence

A – Brahma, U – Vishnu, M – Shiva
[Creative], [Sustaining], [Destructive]

For time

A – present, U – past, M – future

Why Om Chanting Is Considered So Powerful

It may be emphasized that the assessment of the wholesome goodness of Aum is based on the following grounds:

1. The scriptures have elaborately proclaimed the pronunciation of Aum as realization of vibrations within abdomen, chest and head. In the abdomen, we can infer a large cavity. As a result, very low frequency sound vibrations are conjectured as resonating vibrations to be experienced
2. Aum is the basic (primordial) sound produced upon the origination of the Universe. Since this involves very large objects, the nada should consist of low frequency components
3. Electroencephalograph [EEG] studies of Aum chanting brain wave frequency analysis have revealed the good, harmonious effects of low frequencies [<100Hz, including infrasound <20Hz] on human subjects.

In like manner, the practice of Aum chanting and its brain frequency synchronization has lead to the following:

• High insight
• Out-of-body experience
• Increased mental abilities and IQ
• Deep sleep
• Meditation.

Frequency Resonance of Om (Aum)

Studies have suggested that the external constant frequency synchronization through other means is less helpful than meditation, which naturally generates the required frequencies determined by the individual’s physiology.

There are three aspects that have emerged from scientific studies:

The audible range for human beings is 20Hz-20KHz. But, what we know from the study of musical sound is that the sounds we encounter in routine settings have a range starting from just below the mandra saptak, or lower octave [256-512Hz] to the tar saptak, or high octave [1024-2048Hz]. However, the chanting of Aum requires very low frequencies – i.e., below 100Hz with some components of infrasound.

This requires a mean to assess the pronunciation of Aum, since it is a combination tone. One study attempted to find out frequency components by using frequency analysis [FFT: Fast-Fourier-Transform]. The recorded sound of Aum of a person, thereafter, was fed to a cathode ray oscilloscope to observe the wave form. The result showed component frequencies well below 100Hz. This may be regarded as the meditative state of that person. The analysis led to different results for different persons. Inference: it is the individual’s characteristics that determine a particular outcome.

Related » Morning Mantras (Chants) to Awaken the Power Within

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is proposed that for proper chanting of — i.e., to generate proper feeling of vibrations — one may follow a procedure that brings a natural proper posture and mental state, along with the harmonious chanting of the word, Aum, or Om. This way you will make the most of Om chanting.

This is an updated version of the article that first appeared in the January 2007 issue of Complete Wellbeing magazine

The post How To Make the Most of Om (Aum) Chanting appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Morning mantra chanting has been practiced in India for thousands of years as an essential part of daily spiritual routine. When you chant these sacred sounds during the early morning hours, also called Brahma Mahurat, you align yourself with cosmic energies and awaken the divine power that lies within. The vibrations created through Sanskrit chanting not only calm the restless mind but also energize your entire being for the day ahead.

According to ancient Hindu scriptures, sound was the first element of creation, making mantras spiritually empowered vibrations that connect us directly to the source of all existence. Whether you’re seeking inner peace, spiritual growth, or simply a meaningful way to begin each day, these five powerful morning mantras—including the universal Om, the illuminating Gayatri Mantra, and the profound Purnamadah Purnamidam—offer a complete foundation for your daily meditation practice.

“Prayer is more than meditation. In meditation, the source of strength is one’s self. When one prays, he goes to a source of strength greater than his own.”
— Madame Chiang Kai Shek

Benefits of Morning Mantra Chanting

The practice of chanting mantras in the early morning hours creates profound shifts in both consciousness and daily experience. When we begin our day with sacred sound, we align ourselves with the natural rhythms of creation and tap into the reservoir of spiritual energy that flows most freely during dawn.

Morning mantra chanting purifies the mind by displacing the habitual chatter of worries, plans, and fragments of dreams with focused, elevated vibrations. The repetitive nature of chanting creates a meditative state that stills the restless mind and opens the heart to receive the day’s experiences with greater equanimity and wisdom.

The physical body also benefits from this practice. The vibrations produced during chanting massage the internal organs, regulate breathing, and stimulate the nervous system in ways that promote both alertness and calm. The throat chakra is particularly activated, enhancing our capacity for truthful communication throughout the day.

Perhaps most significantly, morning mantras establish a sacred container for our daily activities. By beginning with devotion and remembrance of the divine, we carry this elevated consciousness into our work, relationships, and challenges. The mantra becomes a thread of awareness that we can return to whenever we need to reconnect with our deeper purpose and inner peace.

Regular morning chanting gradually transforms our relationship with time itself. Instead of rushing into the day driven by external demands, we learn to move from a center of stillness and intention, making our actions more effective and our presence more healing to ourselves and others.

Essential Morning Mantras in Sanskrit

Om (Aum) – The Sound of the Universe

“Aum” or “om” is one of the most powerful mantras to chant in the morning on waking up. It is the amalgamation of three sounds. The “aaa” sound comes from the navel. Navel is Vishnu, the maintainer or preserver; “uuu” is from the solar plexus, the point between the breasts, for Brahma, the creator and “mmm” is the throat, or Shiva, the destroyer.

When you say Om or Aum, the reverberations are in these three parts of the body. It is a very powerful mantra that invigorates and calms at the same time, creating a stillness of being from which vast pools of energy can be tapped. If you chant this for 15-20 minutes in the morning, it alleviates you.

Related » How To Make the Most of Om (Aum) Chanting

Gayatri Mantra – For Illumination

The Gayatri Mantra is another powerful Sanskrit mantra that you could chant in the morning as you wake up. It reads as:

“Om Bhur Buvah Suvah,
Tat Savitur Varenyam,
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi,
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayath.”

What is the meaning of the Gayatri mantra?

We contemplate the glory of light illuminating the three worlds: gross, subtle and causal. I am that vivifying power, love, radiant illumination and divine grace of universal intelligence. We pray for the Divine Light to illuminate our minds.

The Gayatri Mantra is a Vedic prayer to illuminate the intellect, and is addressed to the Sun or “Savita”, which means “that from which all is born”. This mantra holds the essence of the Vedas or knowledge and fosters and sharpens the knowledge-yielding faculty. It is a sacred mantra through which we realise the unity and multiplicity that is present in life and creation. “Atma” or the “divine being” is one, though the forms which it takes are many. Gayatri is the Trinity of three deities — Gayatri, Savitri, and Saraswati. Of these, the first is the master of sense, the second is the teacher of truth, and the third is the master of speech. These three are present in each one of us.

When you chant the Gayatri mantra in the early morning hours, it evokes your intuitive powers and your intellectual capacities at the beginning of the day. This mantra creates vibrations that fill the environment with light and peace.

While Om and the Gayatri mantra are best chanted in the morning, they can also be chanted at other times of the day.

Kardharshana – Invoking Divine Blessings

Kardharshana is a beautiful morning prayer that sanctifies our hands and invokes divine blessings before we begin our daily actions.

“Karagre Vasate Lakshmi
Kara Madhye Saraswathi
Kara Mule Tu Govindah
Prabate Kara Darshana”

What is the meaning of Kardharshana prayer?

“On the tip of your fingers is Goddess Lakshmi; on the base of your fingers is Goddess Saraswati; in the middle of your fingers is Lord Govinda. In this manner, look at your palm.” When we begin our day with this prayer, we look at our palm [kar], which symbolises the five organs of action and then we invoke the various deities. We then say that all our actions during the day will be performed with the right attitude, dedication, discipline and love.

This prayer is followed by this one,

“Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale,
Vishnupatni Namastubhyam Padasparsham Kshamasva Me”

This means, “The ocean is your clothing, the mountain, your bosom, I am about to step on You, so please forgive me.” This prayer is offered to the Earth in gratitude for allowing us to step on her as we set forth in the morning to attend to our daily tasks.

Suprabatham – For a Pleasant Morning

“Su” signifies good or auspicious and “prabhatam” means morning, and this hymn is chanted to wake up the Lord and seek His blessings at the start of the day.

“Kausalyasuprajarama!
purva sandhya pravartate,
uttistha! narasardula!
kartavyam daivam ahnikam.”

What is the Meaning and Significance of Suprabatham?

This means, “O Rama, Kausalya’s auspicious child! Twilight is approaching in the East. O, best of men! Wake up, the divine daily rituals have to be performed.”

It is a common feature in South India to wake up to the sound of Suprabhatam, or the early-morning prayer. MS Subbulakshmi singing the Srikamakshi Suprabatham in her most melodious voice is something that is incomparable, and as we listen or hum along, we feel one with the divinity within us. “Suprabhatam” literally means “good morning” and we wish ourselves and the world just this when we sing this hymn.

Purnamadah Purnamidam – For Wholeness and Completeness

“Om Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnamevavashishyate
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti”

The Meaning of Purnamadah Purnamidam?

This Sanskrit mantra roughly translates to: “That is whole, this is whole. From wholeness emerges wholeness. When wholeness is taken from wholeness, wholeness still remains. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.”

This profound Vedic chant from the Isha Upanishad speaks to the infinite nature of existence and consciousness. When chanted in the morning, it awakens within us the understanding that we are complete beings in a complete universe. The word “Purna” means whole, complete, or perfect, and this mantra reminds us that despite the apparent fragmentation of daily life, the underlying reality is one of absolute completeness.

Morning recitation of Purnamadah creates a foundation for the day rooted in abundance. It dissolves the illusion of separation and incompleteness that often drives our anxieties and desires. As the vibrations of this sacred sound fill our being, we begin to perceive ourselves and our world from a place of wholeness, making our actions throughout the day more aligned with this deeper truth of our essential nature.

How to Practice Morning Mantras

Establishing a consistent morning mantra practice requires both dedication and understanding of proper technique. The ancient tradition of Sanskrit chanting offers specific guidelines that enhance the spiritual potency of your daily meditation routine.

Best Time for Morning Mantra Chanting

The most auspicious time for morning mantras is during the “Brahma Muhurta” – the period between 4 AM and 6 AM when cosmic energies are most conducive to spiritual practice. However, any time before 8 AM allows you to harness the fresh morning vibrations before the day’s activities begin. Consistency in timing helps establish a powerful spiritual morning routine.

Preparation and Posture for Chanting in the Mornings

Begin your mantra meditation by creating a clean, quiet space. Sit comfortably with your spine erect – either in a simple cross-legged position or on a chair with feet flat on the ground. Face east if possible, as this direction is considered most beneficial for morning prayers and Hindu morning rituals. Keep your eyes gently closed or softly focused downward.

Breathing and Chanting Technique

Start with three deep breaths to center yourself. When chanting Sanskrit mantras, pronounce each syllable clearly and with intention. The vibrations should originate from your heart center, not merely from the throat. Begin softly and allow the volume to find its natural rhythm. Traditional practice suggests chanting each mantra 108 times using a mala (prayer beads) to maintain count, though beginners may start with 21 or 27 repetitions.

Integration of Mantra Chanting into Daily Spiritual Practice

Your morning mantra chanting can be combined with other meditation techniques such as pranayama (breathing exercises) or followed by silent meditation. The key is to maintain the sacred energy generated through chanting as you transition into your day. Many practitioners find that when they practice morning mantras with genuine devotion and regular commitment, the benefits extend throughout their day.

Related » Ho’oponopono Explained: How 4 Phrases Can Shift Your Inner State

The Takeaway: Morning Mantras Embody the Divinity of the Spirit

Devotional mantra chanting is an intense phenomenon and creates oneness with the God within us. A mantra is not just a sound; it embodies the divinity of spirit. Chanted in the mornings, a mantra taps all the potent goodness that lies within us. The cosmic vibrations that we set up by chanting in the morning spread wellbeing to us and also to the world.

This is an updated version of the article which originally appeared in the April 2008 edition of Complete Wellbeing magazine.

Last updated on 26^th June 2025 with additional context and tips to practice.

The post 5 Powerful Morning Sanskrit Mantras and Chants + How to Practice appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

He is interviewed here by Abha Iyengar.

“Om Bhur Bhuva Swaha
Om Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Naha, Prachodayaat.”
— Gayatri Mantra

Abha: What has led you to believe in the healing power of sound?

CS: While my wife was ill with cancer, I became more and more disenchanted with traditional methods of treatment. I began to take an active interest in alternative methods and stayed up late at night researching different approaches. Thanks to the internet, I found that there are so many healing techniques that the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry did not speak about. Especially interesting were those healing modalities that had to do with sound and light vibrations and frequencies. By the way, many of these methods have been known to our ancestors and were recorded in the ancient scriptures of almost every indigenous people – we Indians, the Egyptians, the Polynesians, Hawaiians and the Native Americans.

Abha: Please tell us about your explorations with sound, as a method of healing.

CS: As I mentioned earlier, many native people have used and still use the sound-vibration of chants for healing purposes. I started researching Indian mantras and Hawaiian chants and found amazing parallels. I also found similar traits within the prayers and chants of the Native Americans. I looked for clues in ancient manuscripts, including The Vedas. Then I began to look for technologies that apply sound and light frequencies for healing. I came across at least three companies in the U.S. that were getting positive results from their approaches towards healing.

Abha: Did you personally recite or chant the Gayatri Mantra before you decided to take it out to the world?

CS: Yes, for almost 50 years, since my sacred thread ceremony. But, I had chanted it mechanically before understanding its true value.

Abha: Indian tradition places great value on and recognises the healing power of sound through chanting of mantras. Any reason why you specifically chose the Gayatri mantra?

CS: I guess the simple answer is that, it was the one I was most familiar with. But, as I started the project, my belief strengthened that the Gayatri was universally loved, was easy to understand and to apply. I was surprised at how many people in the West knew the mantra and spontaneously recited it to me when I told them about my project to create a CD.

There is another reason that I feel pretty strongly about. For centuries, this mantra was used by the religious fanatics to control and discriminate. Until fairly recent times, women and non-Brahmins were not allowed to chant the Gayatri mantra, let alone foreigners. What people forget is that the mantra is a universal prayer; it predates all religions, including Hinduism. It was a gift from the Divine for all humanity. I wanted to make it loved and accessible to everyone, regardless of his or her religion, sex or ethnic background.

Also read » Morning Mantras (Chants) to Awaken the Power Within

Abha: How many times in a day are we supposed to chant the mantra?

CS: Our Vedic scriptures say that we should chant the Gayatri mantra 108 times on three occasions during the day — at sunrise, noon and dusk. I personally chant it nine times on multiple occasions and listen to it in the car as often as I can. The real issue is that regardless of how many times one chants it, if it is not chanted with intent and with an open heart, it serves very little purpose.

Abha: Do you know of any instances of how the Gayatri Mantra is creating an impact on people as they chant it or listen to it?

CS: I am getting some pretty amazing feedback from people around the world on the effect this CD has on them. There are no two similar responses. My sense is that listening to or chanting the Gayatri mantra helps people where they most need the help -— whether the need is physical, emotional or spiritual. One lady from Australia wrote that her young baby had not slept for three months and obviously neither had the parents. Since she started playing the chant, the baby and the parents have both been sleeping soundly! To be honest, I have no clue as to what is happening and I also feel that I am not supposed to ask.

Abha: Could you give us the essence of the Gayatri Mantra in your view?

CS: There are many interpretations of the Gayatri Mantra. My own way of understanding and loving the essence of this prayer is as follows,

“We meditate on that most adorable, desirable and enchanting lustre and brilliance of our Supreme Being, our Source Energy, our Collective Consciousness, as manifested by the Sun..who is our creator, inspirer and source of eternal Joy. May this warm and loving Light inspire and guide our mind and open our hearts.”

The post Gayatri mantra heals appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Different Styles of Chanting

The earliest Christians offered praise and adoration to God by chanting scriptural texts, especially the Psalms, that is, prayer-hymns that express all the moods and emotions of the heart. Over centuries, many styles of Christian chant emerged in the West as well as the East. The Gregorian chant, the most well-known, named after Pope Gregory the Great, spread all over the West supplanting other forms. It receded into the background with the rise of polyphonic music and vernacular sacred music. It is now experiencing a popular resurgence. The immense popularity of the musical album Chant, recorded by monks of the monastery of Santo Domingos de Silos [Spain] is an index of this upsurge.

Typical Features of Christian Chants

Traditional Christian chant, particularly Gregorian, is monodic, that is, one vocal part of melodic line predominates. The chant is sung without any musical instrument; the only instrument being the exquisite, intimate, subtle and beautiful human voice. A distinguishing feature of the chant is the blending of many different voices in perfect unison. Unison is an indispensable condition for singing the chant, no doubt, but it expresses a deeper reality: the unity of worshipers in God.

Christain chants are sung particularly during the central community act of worship, the Mass. Earlier intoned in Latin, they are now rendered in many different languages. The Latin Gregorian chant is seldom heard today except in a few monastery chapels. Almost everywhere, the chants have taken a vernacular turn. Another religious service, chiefly in the Catholic tradition, during which chants charge the atmosphere of chapels is the Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office. This is a series of devotional services during which texts from scripture, the psalms, and prayers are chanted several times a day from early dawn to close of day by monks and nuns. In some places, ordinary Christians also join the monks in the evening session of prayer [vesper].

Chanting the Divine name

Christian chant includes a form similar to the chant of the Divine Name so popular in our country. This form of chant emerged in Eastern Christianity before spreading west. Known as the “Jesus Prayer”, it consist in repeatedly chanting the name of Jesus with heart and devotion, either in its simpler form, “Jesus” or in its longer version, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”

Chanting the name of Jesus, or reciting it repetitively, is a spiritual practice to arrive at a state of “unceasing prayer”, that is, a state of continual God-awareness. Many devout Christians chant or recite the name of Jesus, just as much as they chant or recite other sacred phrases from the scripture, not only at certain set times but all through the day.

Related article » An interview with Jesus Christ

Ecumenical and Inter-faith Chants

A style of chant that has gained popularity today is the Taize meditative chant. This is the chant of a new religious community in France. Christians of all denominations participate in this inclusive spiritual community. The Taize chants are characteristically short, melodic, and deliberately repetitive. Each chant is followed by a long pause for meditation. The Taize chant has been taken up by churches worldwide.

A new phenomenon that needs to be highlighted is the increased celebration of inter-religious chants. People of different faiths come together to participate in the chants of varied faiths, not only to savor their aesthetic beauty, but also to experience their common humanity and oneness in the Sacred — a significant fact given the religious conflicts that mar our world.

Benefits of Christian Chants

The psycho-physical benefits of chant are fairly well-established today. Researchers point to salutary body-mind effects: slowing down of metabolism, steadying of pulse, normalizing of blood-pressure levels, reduction in rates of respiration and heart beat. Tangible relief from psychological tensions and strains has also been claimed.

Extremely desirable as these benefits are in our fast-paced world, the value of sacred chant, as all religious traditions stress, goes beyond psycho-physical wellbeing: it is a transformative spiritual practice that can open the doors to the timeless.

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• Introduction: Mantras and Islam
• How Does Chanting Help?
• Understanding and Practicing Islamic Chants
• Five Powerful Islamic Chants
• Benefits of Chanting Mantras
• Chanting the Name of God as a Mantra

Introduction: Mantras and Islam

A mantra is a repetitive chant that creates positive vibrations within. Mantras are synonymous with Hinduism. Little do people realise that chanting of mantras is widespread in other religions as well. Islam, for one, greatly stresses on chanting of mantras to attain prosperity, wealth, health and peace of mind.

The term “mantra” is derived from two Sanskrit words, man and tra which mean mind and freedom respectively. Therefore, in the literal sense, “mantra” signifies freeing oneself from the mind. Being an effective tool, chanting of mantras eventually liberates an individual from the countless hassles of life, accelerates the healing process, relaxes and assists in making optimal use of the mind too.

Truly a mystical experience, mantras help in bringing the body, mind and soul in tune with each other. Moreover, it is a unique therapy though which a person can feel one with the Supreme God.

In Islam, there are 99 names through which Allah [God] is recognised. Reciting various names, as mantras, is believed to be the best way to attain spiritual growth, satisfaction, purification and rejuvenation.

An enriched mind devoid of tension and anxieties decides the quality of life. Everyday chanting, prayer or meditation, helps surmount psychological disturbances, uneasiness and senseless rage. The purpose of mantras is to train the mind to become more adaptable and less vulnerable. Additionally, regular chanting also balances both sides of the brain and augments intuition too. Thus, along with tranquillity, a state of harmony and infinite bliss can be achieved.

How Does Chanting Help?

Our body is made up of vibrating energies and is comprised of cells that move in unison. When the natural movement and rhythm of these cells is disturbed; diseases and disorders crop up. Our cells respond to the chant [sound] within our bodies and vibrate to restore the harmony back. It also resonates with the chakra system, activates the flow of subtle energies, uplifts mood, balances the mind and, in effect, leads to a state of blissful joy.

Yet, most people complain that even after spending years of chanting mantras, they fail to develop an inner core of practice, or any sort of experience. If one recites them without understanding, in a parrot-like pattern or with no devotion to God, it is probable the chant won’t have any affect!

Chanting mantras, according to Islamic belief, is a path through which one can cultivate intimate relations with Allah [the Divine]. Therefore, the greater your faith in Him, the more powerful and enhanced your mantra-repetition becomes.

The recital of any mantra in Urdu is termed as vird [referred to jap in Hindi]. Vird could either be part of a prayer, meditation session, or a means to stay connected with the Lord. Generally, vird is done after [or, during] daily namaz [prayer offerings] with the use of a tazbeeh [Lil beads or mala], but it can also take place depending on the individual’s convenience or time. It is of essence that the mantra recitation be accomplished with understanding, feeling, love and full concentration.

Understanding and Practicing Islamic Chants

From overcoming difficulties to dispersing calamities to attaining peace of mind and honour —there’s a chant for everything found in Islamic books. Typically, recited as duas [prayers] these chants act as an invocation to Allah and open the doors to blessings though which recovery, healing and progression manifest.

Though chanted primarily in the Arabic language, these can be translated and used accordingly. Yet, it is best to use them in their original form. Jawshan-e-Kabir is an excellent example of the Islamic book of Duas that can be used for everyday reference.

Five Powerful Islamic Chants

Here are five Islamic chants that are easy to remember and have great power:

Allahu Akbar

This is perhaps the most well-known of Islamic chants. It simply means God is great.

Ya Salaam

With its recital, we get connected with ourselves and the Divine, so its quite powerful and effective. The purpose of reciting this is mainly to gain peace of mind. It is recommended for those who get stressed easily due to various pressures.

Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim

It means “In the name of Allah, the most compassionate, the most merciful”. One of the most powerful Islamic chants, it acknowledges and thanks the Lord for His constant pouring of Divine Love.

Ya Ali Madad

“Imam Ali” is the 1st Imam out of the other 12. He is one who is greatly respected. His name is chanted often but mostly during times of pain and trouble; the mantra is recited to call upon his help and blessings. Pleading for help from the Imam, this prayer requests for His support to enable one to follow the true path.

Allaahumma Innee As a Luka BI-Ismika

“Allah, I beseech Thee in Thy name.” A great mantra to seek forgiveness.

Benefits of Chanting Mantras

1. Dissolves the ego/self

Mantras are spiritual “formulae” that aid the person to release or “let go” of the self and conquer heavenly ecstasy and satisfaction. Recital of mantras not only produces vibrations within oneself, but also fills the surrounding atmosphere with positive energy. Its force and effect, however, largely depend on the faith, attitude and concentration of the individual. If conducted with full sincerity, mantras help us connect with our inner self and personality. And, while we’re meditating on that one phrase and analysing the deep shades within us, a state of happiness and serenity is felt. In time, mantras assist in uniting us with our real soul.

2. Improves brain function

Since chanting mantras is all about devoting our mind towards a single chant, a significant effect on the brain is observed. Everyday recitation leads to sharper memory and enhanced concentration levels. Thanks to this, the invoker experiences subtle layers of confidence building up and becomes positively charged.

3. A feeling of calmness

Undoubtedly, an intense feeling of calm and silence is felt when one chants mantras.

4. Boosts energy

Since chanting leaves us more energised and fills us with fresh prana [life force], the process of healing is accelerated.

5. Connection with God

Most evidently, chanting of mantras is a tool through which a follower can stay unified with the Lord. They are prayers that invoke the blessings of the Almighty and help us lead a peacefully gratifying life. Chanting of mantras is not merely a continuous process of repeating words, it is an effective tool to awaken our senses and connect with celestial powers.

Chanting the Name of God as a Mantra

In the case of the Hebrew tradition, there are 72 names of God, each representing some aspect of God. In the Islamic tradition, there are 99 names of God, which again represent various aspects of God. Many people believe Hinduism has many gods, but again, each individual god in Hinduism represents some aspect of the ultimate reality which is beyond thought or conception.

Belief is the most important aspect of mantra repetition. You have to really believe what you’re saying, or have the feeling of belief in what you’re saying for it to really work.

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That mantras are used during meditation to reinforce changes brought about through them is obvious. All sound is cosmic vibration. Any sound that is created affects the Universe.

“To share chanting is to share an experience of silence through listening, a process of healing, and a link with nature, the deeper self, and the divine.”

— T K V Desikachar

The Power of Chanting Mantra

Sound of words can soothe, or enliven us. Soft words heal us, while harsh words create repulsiveness and anxiety. A single word can soothe, or disturb us. The irate jangling of the telephone call irritates us, whereas the soft tinkling of the water fountain smooths the furrows on our forehead.

Mantras are one word, or a single sound, like Om; they may also be short phrases, or a string of sounds like Om Namo Shivaya. They are chanted in rhythm-like poetic hymns. They are potent with primordial energy and purpose.

A mantra is directly associated with the mental processes; they affect our brain, nerves, and emotional balance. According to Sanskrit texts, a mantra is a sacred utterance which protects and frees our mind. A mantra uses basic sound and rhythm patterns to redirect the flow of thoughts in our minds, so that we are freed from the fear that limits our true selves.

Need for Repetition

The repetition of any mantra, or of a deity’s name, is called japa. Japa is often a part of meditation, or dhyan, because the repetition of the mantra helps in creating focus and concentration. The japa has to be done with sincerity and feeling, so that the force of the Divine Power, that we are invoking, suffuses our being. After the japa is over, it is important to sit quietly, for at least 10 minutes, letting the spiritual vibrations that we have invoked have their effect. You should also use this time for reflection and calm before you resume your routine daily activity.

A Few Powerful Mantras to Chant

Om

This is the primordial sound. The vibration produced by chanting Om corresponds to the original vibration that first emerged at the time of Creation. The Sound of Om is also called pranava, because it sustains life and runs through prana, or breath.

Soham

“I am Him.” In other words, the Divine, or Supreme Being, is within me.

Tat Tvam Asi

“That Thou Art!” This is acceptance of, and surrender to, the Supreme Being.

Aham Brahma Asmi

This means “Brahma is within me.” It invokes the Divine within oneself.

Gayatri Mantra

“Om bhur’bhuvah svah tatsaviturvarenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodyat”

This is the Gayatri mantra — the most powerful mantra. Gayatri mantra invokes the Almighty, the Supreme God, the Creator of the Cosmos, and the essence of our life’s existence, He who removes all our pains and sufferings, and grants us happiness by His Divine Grace, within us. His Divinity and Radiance, adds to purify us, and guides our righteous wisdom on to the right path.Gayatri mantra should be meditated, everyday.

Om Namo Shivaya

This is another powerful mantra, the repetition of which produces the form of Lord Shiva. The mantra is an invocation to Him. Mantras, formulated by our ancient sages, create specific energies. They cannot be translated and used. Reason: translation changes the vibrations created.

Also read » Morning Mantras (Chants) to Awaken the Power Within

Benefits of Chanting Mantras

Experience of silence

Mantras help us to attain and experience silence. During meditation, we find that our mind is distracted with the continuous chatter of irrelevant thoughts and ideas. Through the simple process of chanting, we attain the silence we require for meditation. For example, as we take a deep breath and inhale, and chant Om slowly as we exhale, and repeat this process continuously, we train our minds to become quiet and still. Alternatively, we can also chant silently without using sound, and connect with the stillness within.

A process of listening

We can chant a mantra aloud, or whisper it. What is important is we need to listen carefully to our chanting, and make it effective. As a result, its impact becomes more powerful. We find ourselves connecting to and awakening the dormant energy within us. In the process, we also develop our listening skills; this helps us to be quieter and more receptive.

A process of healing

Sound has an immense capacity to heal. We need to understand this, and use this knowledge to apply it in our daily lives to heal the imbalances in our body and spirit. The chanting of mantras helps us to heal and recover, and find peace within ourselves. Chanting energizes us; besides, it soothes and calms our spirits.

A link with nature

The environment most suitable to the chanting of mantras should be natural, preferably a garden, or shady nook under a tree. Or, it should be a quiet and open space, as close to nature as possible. If not, the quiet of your room overlooking trees, or flowers, will just do fine.

A link with our deeper self

Mantras link us with our natural selves, stripped of all the trappings of the world.

A link with the Divine

When we continuously chant a mantra, we move into a deeper state of concentration, connecting with the essence of the mantra. This deep meditative state is called dharana. It helps us to draw the power of the mantra closer to ourselves; it links us to Divinity.

Mantras chanted with the right rhythm, accuracy, earnestness and devotion, not only help invoke the Deity to whom they are addressed, but they also compel that Divine Power to come to the aid of the sadhak, or invoker.

Conclusion

The daily chanting of mantras is a spirited tool in the process of our evolution to a higher level.

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Mantra defined

The word mantra is drawn from the words mann, meaning mind and tra, signifying “to deliver,” or “the means for.” A mantra is, thus, a combination of syllables or words, which by stilling the chatter of the mind, acts as a tool to assist us to meditate, and thus deliver us to a higher level.

Originally considered a form of yoga, namely “shabd” [word] yoga, mantras are used to enhance the results of “hatha” yoga, or the yoga of postures that we are more familiar with. Besides infusing the practice of yoga with energy, mantras are also singularly used to heighten spiritual consciousness.

The power of parts

The power of chanting mantras is supposedly derived from syllables. For instance, the three lines of the Gayatri mantra in Sanskrit—Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasaya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat—are said to be composed of 24 syllables, each denoting a particular positive quality.

These syllables are brought together to compose words, which praise a Higher Power. When the mantra is continuously repeated by a person in the right state of mind, understanding the meaning of the words, it bestows strength, possibly because the comprehension itself gives way to wisdom, a state of calm.

The strength of a mantra emanates first from the syllable itself, thereafter from the meaning of the words formed by the syllables. In the case of “Om,” or “Aum,” as it is pronounced, which is a mantra on its own, the power is largely drawn from the significance of the syllable.

The sound of being

This may sound strange [pun intended!], but this is the crux of the force of chanting mantras. Sound is what a mantra is all about. Every cell in our body vibrates, and this movement is testimony to the life force within us. When uttered correctly, a syllable produces a certain vibration in the body. The syllable “Om,” for instance, produces vibrations in the abdomen, upper thorax and head.

At the same time, mythology equates “Om” with the sound of creation, or specifically, the vibration that emanated when a Higher Power [Brahman] set in motion the wheel of creation. “Om” is considered the first or primaeval sound of our Universe that runs through and sustains all life. This Hindu inspiration resonates with the Christian concept of the Logo, or the Word, being the Seed of Life, as God converted His idea of Creation into reality by using His Power of Speech.

When we, too, use our power of speech to recite “Om,” we align our body vibes with what is prevailing in the Universe, thus exposing ourselves to a font of energy that lies beyond. “Om” presupposes harmony within – our body – and, without – in Nature, and the entire Universe. Its utterance harmonises our body’s vibes with an ocean of energy. Truly, “Om” is a mantra that can energise the body to function optimally.

So much for the physical plane we exist in. Spiritually, by connecting individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness, “Om” makes it easier to transcend the confines of our physical body.

Chanting mantras for meditation

Mantras are useful to meditate, as they help focus the mind on a single, meaningful thought. Meditation is more about entertaining one powerful thought in the mind, as opposed to sitting quietly and allowing the mind to roam. The mind, if it starts to wander, must eventually be brought back on track. This is done with the help of a mantra.

Sceptics say, “Do you really need a mantra, which involves speaking, to tune within?” The question is valid. Meditation is, after all, an internal process that carries you away from/and outside of the physical world of sensation.

Mantras are interestingly not meant to be used only verbally. They may be recited aloud, or by soft whispering incantations involving the vibration of the vocal chord but without the emergence of sound, or silently in the mind. In fact, the verbal repetition of a mantra is considered its lowest form of use – something usually resorted to by beginners. Its silent repetition is the most potent, provided the mind does not switch off, or go to sleep!

The science of chanting mantras

We have all read, or known, about the power of chanting mantras. The question is: Is this actually backed by modern research? Apparently, it is. An Italian research study, led by Dr Luciano Bernardi, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Pavia, published in The British Medical Journal, has shown the physiological and psychological benefits of the vocal recitation of a Sanskrit mantra—Om Mani Padme Om—as well as Ave Maria, a Latin prayer. Correctly chanting the two mantras aloud caused participants to have a 10-second breath cycle, resulting in six breaths a minute. This corresponds to natural rhythmic fluctuations of the human circulatory system.

The average rate is anywhere between 14 to 20 breaths per minute. So, by lengthening and slowing breathing rhythms, these recitations synchronise our breathing with cardiovascular rhythms, thus improving our heart function as well as improving oxygenation. The result is a feeling of calm and wellbeing.

Try it yourself

If this inspires you to get started, try the simple “So Hum” mantra. Sit comfortably and observe your breathing. Inhale, saying “So,” and exhale saying, “Hum.” Pause for a second between inhalation and exhalation. Feel your breath as you recite the words.

If you’re reciting “Om,” or any other mantra, do ensure you’re in a clean, positive environment. When you’re connecting without, you need to choose the right surroundings, to avoid negative energies.

Practice makes perfect. Call it deep breathing or what you may, mantras pack more than just a sound punch.

Last updated on 3^rd July 2020

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You can make up your own mantra if you want to; the words in a mantra have no significance at all. Words and meanings are not what mantras are about. So, any ordinary phrase, any meaningless word, can serve as a mantra.

Whatever mantra you chant, it makes no difference, because the whole purpose of the mantra is to concentrate your mind.

Let us understand how mantra japa (chanting) works.

What is Mantra Japa (Chanting) and How It Works

When you chant a mantra, all the energy used in your thoughts is released to flow into the mantra. Only the mantra remains in your mind; all other avenues of thought are closed, all other outlets for your mental energy are shut off; there is nowhere else for it to flow.

Normally, when you are thinking, your energy flows in countless different currents; one thought travels North, another South, another East, another West. When you think, you travel in many different directions. You are not one, you are not a unity; you are divided. But, when you chant a mantra, all the energy begins to flow in one direction.

If we use a lens to converge the rays of the sun, fire can be created. The fire is hidden in the sun rays, but when they are separate, at the most some heat can be created, not fire. It is when they are concentrated together that the fire appears. In just the same way there is a great fire hidden in your mind, but as long as the rays of the mind are separate, only a little heat is there. Mantra is a method to concentrate the rays of your mind together. The moment this happens great heat and tremendous amount of energy is created.

Beware of Siddhis

If you consistently practice a mantra, many phenomena relating to energy and power will begin to happen in your life, and they will provide great nourishment to your ego. Whatever you predict will come true, whatever you describe will happen exactly as you have said; if you curse it will come to pass; if you grant a wish it will come true, because so much energy and power is concentrated in you that your statements begin to materialise. The only reason for their materialisation is that when a person can invest great power in the things s/he says, his/her words enter directly into the unconscious of the listener—the arrow flies straight to the other’s heart. And, when anything reaches the heart it starts taking effect.

Once your words begin to come true, your confidence will grow and you will feel ever more powerful. The more your words come true, the more you will feel yourself to be full of some divine power, some siddhi—the power to do miracles. This confidence will strengthen your mantra, and the mantra will increase your confidence; slowly you will come to experience many powers. Yoga has named these experiences of power as siddhis.

These siddhis are the greatest obstacle on the way to realisation. Patanjali has mentioned them in the Yoga Sutras, so that one can keep clear of them. Never move in that direction; if you have, then come back—the sooner the better, because all the time spent in their company is time wasted, and every time you travel further in that direction, your return becomes more and more difficult.

Godliness is a Different Search

My own point is that the world means the search for power, the search for siddhis; godliness means the search for peace, the search for emptiness—and, in this search you slowly disappear and dissolve. But, in pursuit of siddhis you will still be there in the end, and there will be no trace of godliness. In pursuit of peace, in the end, you will not remain; only godliness will remain. It is out of necessity that one of the two has to disappear, the two cannot exist simultaneously.

Yes, the power-trip into siddhis will strengthen you, and this is why those who practice the use of mantras seem to be so full of ego. The ego of the rich man does not even compare, nor that of the politician who prides himself on his position. And, there is a good reason for this. Money can be snatched away, money can be stolen; what is the value of money? And, one cannot rely too much on a political post. It is here today, tomorrow it may not be. But, the power of a mantra is more reliable. No thief can steal it, no public opinion can change its status. The power of the mantra depends solely on your own mind, not on anyone else. So, you can feel more powerful, more self-reliant, standing on your own two feet.

A seeker after siddhis has already gone astray, though there is going to be much in it to interest him/her—the ego is always ready to be fascinated by such matters. An ant was coming towards you, and through willpower you altered its course; the ego is highly impressed by such feats, even though the act in itself is of no importance at all.

Why I Don’t Give You a Mantra

Mantras are a source of power, and it is true that all the religions have devised mantras, because all religions fall from the search for peace to search for power. So, I don’t give you any mantra—nor do I have any to give you, because a mantra is given when the search is for siddhis, for power and prosperity. I am not going to strengthen your mind; I am going to dissolve it. I will cut into it, and then wait for the layers to peel off one by one. Just as the layers of an onion are peeled off, so the layers of your mind will gradually drop away until finally the whole onion has disappeared. Nothing of the mind will remain, and you will have attained the emptiness.

How to dissolve you—this is the great mantra. Concentration will make you more solid, meditation will dissolve you.

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