The Beginner's Guide to Common Mantras
Tue, 02/16/2010
Before starting yoga practice, many people find it useful to repeat a mantra, prayer or invocation. Mantras help listeners invoke the sacred, find deeper meaning and enhanced empowerment in their yoga practice, and reach the ultimate goal of all yoga: liberation.
Although any prayer can be used, there are some ancient Vedic chants in classical Sanskrit, drawn from the Upanishads and other classical yoga texts, which are commonly used. These ancient mantras are considered to be divine rhymes composed by the ancient Vedic Rishis. Although they are composed in Sanskrit, their meaning is believed to be universal since Sanskrit is considered the language of the heart.
Rishis selected the words of the mantras and arranged them so that they not only convey meaning but also create specific power of righteous wisdom through their utterance. The sounds involved in these mantras are significant in themselves as they produce a set of specific reaction in the person and awaken the Kundalini (spiritual life force) through stimulating of the charkas (energy centers). The ancient chants have an inherent power, known as "mantra shakti", which has a positive influence not due to any philosophical meaning behind the mantra, but simply due to its utterance alone. Hence, proper pronunciation and enunciation are very important. They contain powerful healing and transformational energies and their reverberations affect the surrounding atmosphere.
These are some of the common chants along with their English translation and some historical information.
1. Om (Aum)
The sound of the universe Om, actually pronounced "Aum," is an affirmation of the Divine Presence that is the universe. It is said to be The Primal Shabda (the divine syllable). It is the most important and significant word of the mantra tradition and is considered as the root mantra of all mantras. Ancient yogis believed that the whole universe vibrated as one and that in deep meditation one could hear this vibration as "AUM."
In the classical Yoga Sutras, the yogi and sage Patanjali defines Om as follows: ‘Om is a symbol of Ishwara (Underlying Intelligence).’ verse 1.27
The meditation technique of Aum –
Find a quiet, calm and undisturbed place.
Sit comfortably, spine tall without strainin
Close your eyes and focus your vision inward and upward about an inch above your browline.
Take a deep breath.
Chant the mantra Aum as explained below.
Take another inhale and repeat.
Continue for at least three minutes.
Trust your instincts. Listen to what they tell you. Let them be your guide from now on below Aum pronunciation; Remember that the Aum has actually four syllables. The ‘A’ and the ‘U’, the ‘M’ and the silent syllable. For Aum japa to be effective, the mantra must be pronounced correctly.
The first syllable is A, pronounced as the English word “awe,” but prolonged: “aaaa”. Start with "ah" way back in your throat and stretch for two seconds. You will feel the solar plexus and chest vibrating.
The second syllable is U, as in “roof,” pronounced “oo” but prolonged: “ooo.” Gradually, let the sound roll forward along your upper palate for two seconds. You will feel the throat vibrate.
The third syllable is M, pronounced “mm” with the front teeth gently touching and the sound prolonged: “mmmm.” Keep allowing the sound to roll forward until you close your lips to form "mmm" for three seconds. You will feel it vibrate the top of the head.
The last syllable is the deep silence of the Infinite. Since the pure intelligence rises from the deep silence, you have to merge your chant from the M to the deep silence. The mantra must continue moving in pure silence for at least a few seconds. This is most important.
The three syllables run together: AAUUMM (silence), AAUUMM (silence), AAUUMM (silence). Each repetition is sounded for about seven seconds with a silence of about two seconds before the next repetition. As you get better, a time may come when just one chant may last for several minutes at a time, with at least a few minutes of deep silence in between.
There are many ways to chant Aum.
When you chant it loudly, you feel the omnipotence of the Supreme.
When you chant it softly, you feel the delight of the Supreme.
When you chant it silently, you feel the peace of the Supreme.
It is best to chant Aum out loud, so its sound can vibrate even in your physical ears and permeate your entire body. This will convince your outer mind and give you a greater sense of joy and achievement. When one chants Aum loud, one touches and calls forth the cosmic vibration of the supreme Sound. When chanting out loud, the M sound should last at least three times as long as the AU sound.
Chanting the Aum mantra for 15 minutes daily can produce remarkable effects in you. It will help calm the mind, settle the thought process and realize the self. The sound of Aum produces instant positive vibrations and takes the listener to a state of mental stillness. It purifies the atmosphere.
Thus, proper chanting of Aum is a high form of yoga, moving energy from the lower chakras of the body up to the highest - the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head.
2. Shanti mantra
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ||
Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Om, peace, peace, peace be to all.
The Shanti Mantras or " Peace Mantras" are Hindu prayers for Peace (Shanti) from the Vedas. Generally they are recited at the beginning and end of religious rituals and discourses.
Shanti Mantras are found in Upanishads, where they are invoked in the beginning of some topics of Upanishads. They are supposed to calm the mind of reciter and environment around him/her. Reciting them is also believed to be removing any obstacles for the task being started.
Often chanted at the end of prayer or practice – also often used to end another invocation or chant. ‘Shanti’ is repeated three times, not only to emphasize the importance of ‘Peace’ in everyone’s lives but also to remove obstacles in three realms:
- Physical or Adhi-Bhautika realm: (troubles/obstacles coming from external world) May we be protected from and enjoy the Peace that follows the removal of obstacles beyond our control (natural disasters).
- Divine or Adhi-Daivika realm: (troubles/obstacles coming from extra-sensory world) May we be protected from and enjoy the Peace that follows the removal of obstacles coming from beyond the earth (spirits, demigods/angels, etc.).
- Internal or Adhyaatmika realm: (troubles/obstacles arising out of ones own body and mind) May we be protected from and enjoy the Peace that follows the removal of obstacles coming from within our body, and our mind (anger, greed, etc).
These are called "Tapa-Traya" or three classes of troubles. When Shanti mantras are recited, obstacles from these realms are believed to be pacified. Finally, when correctly chanted, there is the short silent pause that follows each repetition of ‘Shanti’. This moment of Peace, reminds the seeker of the desired goal. Ultimately, ego is the only obstacle to inner Peace, so the third Shanti is considered the most important one. Even if we are free of outside distractions, if we are not calm on the inside we will never know true Peace. Once we have found inner Peace, external obstacles can ever disturb us.
3. Om Namah Shivaya Invocation
ॐ नम: शिवाय:
Om Namah Shivaaya, Namah Shivaaya, Namah Shivaaya
( pronounced as Aum Num-ha Shi-why) I bow to Lord Shiva (to the goodness within myself), the peaceful one who is the embodiment of all that is cause by the universe.
Om Namah Shivaya is known as the great redeeming mantra. It means "I bow to Shiva." Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to the consciousness that dwells in all. It is a most powerful and popular mantra, which is at the heart of the Vedas and Tantra. The Om Namah Shivaya mantra has five syllables: na-mah-shi-va-ya (sometimes called six syllable mantra by including Om). Thus, Om Namah Shivaya mantra is called five-syllable mantra, or Panchakshara Mantra (panch means five). Among other things, these five represent the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space. Thus, the Om Namah Shivaya mantra leads awareness in the reverse order from manifestation back to the source from which manifestation arose. Listen to the mantra:
4. Invocation paying respect to Maharishi Patanjali
This invocation to Sage Patajali (considered the founder of Yoga) is usually chanted at the beginning of a yoga practice or teaching session to humbly seek his wisdom and guidance. It instils the feeling of total surrender. By acknowledging this great soul we immediately realise how much of a beginner we are. Once this humility is felt, learning is easier and other problems which arise while practicing (mainly concerned with the ego) will be affected. It may also be chanted at the end of the session to give thanks.
This invocation to Patanjali is the introduction to the Bhoja Vrtti, the commentary on the Yoga Sutras written by Raja Bhoj.
ॐ योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां |
मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन ||
योऽपाकरोत्तं प्रवरं मुनीनां |
पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ||
Yogena cittasya padena vaca
Malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena
Yopakarottam pravaram muninam
Patanjalim pranjaliranato'smi
Abahu purusakaram
Sankha cakrasi dharinam
Sahasra sirasam svetam
Pranamami
Patanjalim
With hands to the heart I respectfully bow down to Patanjali, the noblest of sages. The one, who has removed the impurityies of the mind (citta) by Yoga (yogena), impurities of speech (vacca) by words (pada), and impurities (malam) of the body (sarira) by medicine (vaidyakena)
I prostrate before Patanjali, whose upper body has a human (purusa) form (karam), whose arms hold a conch (sankha) and a disc (cakra) who is fair (svetam) and on whose head (sirasam) is a thousand (sahasra) hoods of the cobra, as he is the incarnation of Adishesha.
MAHARISHI PATANJALI
The Indian sage Patanjali is both a historical and a mythical figure. According to Indian mythology, he is the incarnation of Lord Adisesa, represented as a King Cobra sitting over his head. He is said to have fallen to earth. Patanjali means “in the form of a snake that fell into the palms at the time of prayer.”
Historically, Sage Patanjali is said to have lived somewhere between 500-200BC. He is credited with works on three subjects: the three traditional areas to be mindfully refined by speech (grammar), the aspirant body (medicine), and mind (yoga).
- 1. Grammar, i.e. language and the clarity of meaning. (Mahabhasya)
- 2. Ayurveda, medical knowledge regarding body, it’s cleansing, diseases and health.
- 3. Yoga Sutra, knowledge of the mind and consciousness, the most important classic text on the practice. In 196 sutras or aphorisms, Patanjali states what Yoga is - "the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind"; and what Yoga does - "perfect firmness of the body, steadiness of intelligence and benevolence of spirit", it also contains the well recognised Ashtanga Yoga – Yoga of the eight limbs.
5. Teacher Student Mantra
ॐ सह नाववतु |
सह नौ भुनक्तु |
सह वीर्यं करवावहै |
तेजस्विनावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ||
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ||
oṃ saha nāvavatu
saha nau bhunaktu
saha vīryaṃ karavāvahai
tejasvināvadhītamastu mā vidviṣāvahai
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
May He protect both (teacher and student) of us.
May He nourish both of u
May we both acquire the capacity (to study and understand the scriptures).
May our knowledge be full of light
May there never be discord between us
Om peace, peace, peace.
-From the Taittiriya Upanishad, Katha Upanishad and Shvetashvatara Upanisha
At the beginning of Yoga practice or scripture class, the teacher and student generally recite this peace invocation together. Both seek the Lord’s blessings for study that is free of obstacles, such as poor memory, the inability to concentrate or poor health. They also seek blessings for a conducive relationship, without which communication of any subject matter is difficult. Therefore, this prayer is important for both the teacher and the student. Listen to the mantra:
6. Mantra for completeness
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते ।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥१॥
oṃ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate
oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
-brihadaharanyaka Upanishad and Ishavasya Upanishad
That (pure consciousness) is absolute (perfect); this (the manifest universe of matter; of names and forms being illusory) is absolute. This absolute has been projected from that absolute. When this absolute merges in that absolute, all that remains is the absolute. May there be peace, peace and perfect peace.
The Vedic philosophy of ancient India strongly proclaims the primacy of personality in every sphere of life and knowledge. The most essential Vedic teachings on the universal nature of personality are summarized in Sri Isopanishad, the most confidential of the 108 Upanishads. In this verse. The Upanishad says, " Godhead is perfect and complete. And because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as a complete whole. Whatever is produced of the complete whole is also complete by itself. And because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance.” Listen to the mantra:
7. Gayatri mantra for meditation
ॐ भूर्भुवस्व:|
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम्|
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि|
धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्
Aum Bhūr Bhuva Svaha
(Aum) Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmah
Dhiyo Yo Nahah Prachodayāt, (Aum)
We meditate on the ever-present Supreme Lord who is the breath of life,
the remover of pain and sorrow and the bestower of happiness,
that this glorious power that gives us life,
illuminate our minds and hearts with His sin-destroying divine light and that guide our intellect in the right direction.
Gayatri Mantra is considered one of the most universal of all mantras, invoking the universal Brahman as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun. It is one of the oldest mantras, and generally thought of as being amongst the highest and most powerful mantras of all. This mantra is considered the holiest verse of the Vedas (ancient texts) and is therefore often referred to as "the Mother of the Vedas". Also known as the "Guru Mantra", it inspires wisdom. The mantra is also a prayer to the "giver of light and life", the sun (savitur). Chanting of Gayatri Mantra removes all obstacles in our path to increased wisdom and spiritual growth and development.
Among the mantras, the Gayatri is unique in that it embodies the three concepts of stotra (singing the praise and glory of God), dhyaana (meditation) and praarthana (prayer).
Aum = Brahma
bhoor = embodiment of vital spiritual energy (pran)
bhuwah = destroyer of sufferings
swaha = embodiment of happiness
tat = that
savitur = bright like sun
varenyam = best choicest
bhargo = destroyer of sins
devasya = divine; (these first nine words describe the glory of God)
dheemahi = may imbibe (pertains to meditation)
dhiyo = intellect
yo = who
naha = our
prachodayat = may inspire (is a prayer to God).
Listen to the mantra:
8. Prayer for enlightmen
असतोमा सद्गमय। तमसोमा ज्योतिर् गमया।
मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय॥
Asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Mṛtyormā amṛtam gamaya Aum śānti śānti śāntiḥ
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad
Lead us from darkness to light
From ignorance to truth
And from death to immortality
Let peace prevail everywhere
Aum peace, peace, peace
This chant is useful for chanting after yoga exercises taken from the ancient Sanskrit text, the Yoga Sutras
Listen to the mantra:
9. Mantra for universal peace
सर्वेषां स्वस्ति भवतु । सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु ।
सर्वेषां पूर्नं भवतु । सर्वेषां मड्गलं भवतु ॥
Sarveśām Svastir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Sāntir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Poornam Bhavatu
Sarveśām Mangalam Bhavatu
May good befall all,
May there be peace for all
May all be fit for perfectio
May all experience that which is auspicious.
10. Universal Prayer
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
Mā kaścit duḥkha bhāgbhavet
Om, May all be happy. May all be healthy.
May we all experience what is good and let no one suffer.
11. Mantra for wellbeing
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवंतु
Lokah samastha sukhino bhavanthu.
May the Lord bless the whole world with eternal peace and goodwil
This is the prayer for wellbeing, chanted in a yoga class to set the intention to create a world that is harmonious and peaceful. This mantra inspires us to perform actions that benefit all beings, human and non-human alike.
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