What are mantras? How and when should you chant them?

Wed, 02/17/2010

They are formidable. They are ancient. They work.
The word "mantra" is derived from two Sanskrit words. The first is "manas" or "mind," which provides the "man" syllable. The second syllable is drawn from the Sanskrit word "trai" meaning to "protect" or to "free from." Therefore, the word mantra in its most literal sense means, "to free from the mind." Mantra is, at its core, a tool used by the mind, which eventually frees one from the vagaries of the mind.

Mantras are energy-based sounds, a combination of magical/mystical words and sound waves used primarily as spiritual channels that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Chanting and mantra recitation have been part of the practice of Yoga for thousands of years.

Chanting is recognized as a form of personal prayer, and puts you in touch with your inner sense of self awareness. It calms your mind and opens your heart, allowing you to experience clarity, peace and joy. It also stimulates your emotions. It is said that through japa the devotee attains extreme focus, on the chosen deity or principal idea of the mantra.

Mantras are considered to be divine rhymes composed by the ancient Vedic Rishis (saints). Although chants are usually performed and written in the divine language of Sanskrit, their meaning and effect on us is believed to be universal since Sanskrit is considered as the language of the heart. The Sanskrit language was thought to have been the "perfect" language. Each sound was meant to affect the energy vibrating through the body. Each word was thought to be sacred. By chanting Sanskrit we have an opportunity to feel these vibrations. The mantras can be difficult to understand, though, if one listens with attention whole heartedly, they lead one to establish calmness, quietness and peace.

Pratyaksha anumana agamah pramanani – Sutra I.7
“Correct perception arises from direct observation, inference and the words of the wise.”

The vibrations and sounds involved in a Mantra are themselves significant. They generate in the individual an unusual mystic power. The reverberations of the sound awaken the Kundalini (spiritual life force) and stimulate charkas (energy centers). 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. These ancient chants contain powerful healing and transformational energies through their inherent power, known as "Mantra Shakti”. Mantra Shakti has a positive influence not only due to any philosophical meaning behind the mantra, but through its utterance alone. The Sanskrit mantras are considered to be sacred sounds, in which the vibration of syllables voiced with correct pronunciation and accent have a purifying effect on the body and mind of the listener.

The ideal times for chanting mantras are three times a day: dawn, mid-day, and dusk. These times are known as the three sandhyas. Chanting or mantra japa involves repetition of a mantra over and over again, usually in cycles of auspicious numbers (in multiples of three). It is said that the maximum benefit is obtained by chanting the mantra 108 times. One may chant it for 3, 9, or 18 times if pressed for time.

Chanting doesn’t have to be limited to practicing yoga or meditation. Mantra recitation or chants can be incorporated into your daily yoga practices in 3 different ways:

Chant along at the beginning of a meditation session.
Chant before and after yoga practice of yoga asanas.
Listen to chants while relaxing, praying, working taking a break, or even cooking.

Prepare your chanting space for meditation by lighting candles, incenses or an aroma diffuser lamp to help activate your body’s natural healing processes.

Find a peaceful, quiet undisturbed place.

Sit in a comfortable meditative pose.

Either keep eyes open with a relaxed focus (on a flame or image of Aum) or keep gently closed.

Feel the flow of your breath as you inhale and exhale.

Follow the pattern of the breath with the mantra, chanting it in your mind or loudly with the same speed as you talk.

Repeat the mantra with respect and a feeling of total surrender.

Follow the mantra up and down through your spine.

There are three ways to perform mantra chanting:

UPANSU JAPA: where Japa is done very slowly so that nobody can hear it. Only lip movement.
MANSIK JAPA: carried out only in the heart without any sound or lip movements.
VACHIK JAPA: recite the mantra in a low, medium or high tone of your sound.

You can chant quietly to yourself, chant out loud, or listen to recorded chants as you go about your day. Listening to chants can help to soothe your spirit and energize you as you face the challenges of the day.

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