What is a Mantra?
A Mantra is a powerful combination of sounds whose chanting raises vibrational energy.
According to Hinduism, there are mantras for every occasion and situation. There are 3 Universal mantras whose Japa can be done by anyone to attain benefits.
These are
- Aum
- OM Namah Shivaya
- Gayatri Mantra
OM or AUM
Aum or OM is the shortest and the most potent sound to heal the mind and body. It is well known as a primordial sound of creation, meaning it existed from the beginning of Time.
Aum is the original vibration from which all other vibrations were able to manifest.
According to Nikola Tesla, “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.”
This quote is actually very relevant in modern times. A lot is being said about the universe and its principles but the key point here is that we need to think about the way the universe works.
It’s not that you pray to the Universe and you will get the reward- NO- it does not work like that. You need to raise your own vibration or the level of existence actually to manifest what you want in life. Aum chanting is one way to do that.
Benefits of AUM Chanting
Chanting Aum daily raises the vibrations by connecting you to the absolute. This universal mantra aligns your frequency with the frequency of the universe. Now, with this alignment, it is easier to manifest your desires.
Though there are many other factors at work too. But this is the one which undoubtedly helps. Start with chanting Aum 11 times and slowly increase it with time.
How to Chant AUM
Sit straight with your feet touching the ground. The neck should be straight and the chin slightly up. Eyes focussing between the eyebrows i.e on the third eye chakra.
Take a deep breath and start with “ A” and naturally extend towards “U” stretch the sound and close it with “M” eventually humming and fading it. Again take a deep breath and start chanting. Repeat this 11 times in the beginning and extend it as you practice daily.
Om Namah Shivaya
This is a five-syllable mantra. Each syllable symbolises one element out of the five elements. When we chant this mantra we mean to say, “ I bow down to all levels of consciousness, may I be awakened in mind and heart”.
Om Namah Shivaya can be understood in relation to the 7 chakras as well.
- NA relates to 1st chakra (root chakra) and the element is Earth.
- MAH relates to 2nd chakra(Sacral chakra) and the element is Water.
- SHI relates to 3rd chakra (Solar Plexus chakra) and the Element is Fire.
- VA relates to the 4th chakra ( Heart chakra) and the element is Air.
- Ya relates to the 5th, 6th and 7th chakra ( Throat Chakra, Third Eye and Crown chakra) and the Elements are Ether and Space.
Keep in consideration all the seven chakras while chanting the mantra. Keep chanting the mantra and engulf yourself in seven colours related to the seven chakras.
Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra’s presence can be tracked back to Rig Veda where it is written in Sanskrit, approximately 2500-3000 years ago. There is a very interesting story behind this powerful mantra.
King Vishwamitra along with his troops was passing through the jungle after a glorious victory in a war. There he came across Rishi Vashisths’s ashram.
He went inside to meet and greet the great sage who has attained a very high spiritual status. Maharishi Vashishtha invited him and his troops to have some food and take rest. To this, the king did not agree.
He was surprised by Guru Vashishta’s invitation because apparently there were no resources in the ashram to prepare food in such large quantities.
He denied staying there and asked the permission to leave. Brahmrishi Vashisth pressed him to stay and promised to make all the arrangements in a minute.
After his conversation with the king the Brahmrishi went inside the ashram and prayed to the Kamdhenu Cow and requested her to make all the things available for the supper. Within seconds the hearty feast miraculously appeared.
King Vishwamitra was astonished to see this and suddenly felt greedy to possess the divine cow.
He asked the Guru to give Kamdhenu to the him and of course he was denied because as per the Rishi the cow can only serve and survive in satvik environment. Since the King’s life is dominated by Rajas, the cow can’t stay there.
Now, this was the moment of truth for the king. He realised that inspite of him being a king he has nothing great with him.
He is ruining his life by fighting battles and the real treasure is with the Rishi who has no attachment for the royal life and still possess the most valuable asset capable of fostering and army.
King Vishwamitra decided there and then to renounce kingly life and embrace “Sanyasa”.
Vishwamitra remained in austerity for many hundred years and was blessed by Lord Brahma and conferred upon the title of Maharishi Vishwamitra.
The king was a little restless and aspired for the title of Brahmarishi. Then he was being guided by Lord Brahma to seek the blessings of Vashishtha to attain the title of Brahmarishi.
Vishwamitra went to the Guru’s ashram and overheard a conversation of Guru Vashisth and his wife arundhati to whom he mentioned that he was subtly helping the progress for Vishwamitra to attain the heights for spiritual wisdom.
When Vishwamitra heard this his he became regretful and touched the feet of Brahmrishi vashisth with teary eyes.
The moment he touched his feet he heard the divine Mantra of Gayatri from inside. So this is how the Mantra came into existence after a sage’s purification for thousands of years.
This mantra is a greatest gift to humanity. If chanted daily it has manifold benefits.
- Increase in physical and mental strength
- More clarity
- Peace of mind
- Praying to Sun God promises good career
- More focus
- Better understanding and clarity of mind.
All mantras are unique and carry different benefits but these three mantras can be chanted by anyone. The auspicious time to chant the mantras is the sandya kal.
There are three sandhays in a day- Morning and Evening 6-8 or 12 p.m-2 p.m in the afternoon. Choose a place and time and consistently chant mantras for heighted awareness.
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Jyoti Arya is an expert in occult sciences like Tarot and Astrology. She is an ICF coach and combines the eastern and western philosophies to orient the seekers towards clarity in life. Having expertise in tarot, she simplifies the complexities of human behavior and its resolution through her point of view.