Introduction to Mantras
The Tale of the Travelling Mantra
3 Vedic Mantras for Healing
Hey, you! Yes, you! Which is your favorite mantra?
Surely, you have encountered the word mantra in your lifetime, be it during your yoga and meditation practice, self-esteem workshop, or even featured in companies’ branding. Mantras render a wide scope of meaning and appropriation. There is nothing wrong with that, because they are a beautiful artistry of the soul, and they paint a serene colorization of the world.
In order to shed some insight into your knowledge about the actual origins of these sacred chants, I will take you on a time-travel journey to the ancient roots of mantra.
The Vedic Ages
Think India around 3000 years ago. A time when the divinity of everyday life depended on the blessings of Gods. A time when purifying the soul from the dirt of bad morals was a must, and reaching Nirvana was a sought-after promise. Also a time when speech was considered to be superior to the written world and was even described as a goddess named Vac.
Mantras were first discovered in the Vedic scriptures — The Samhitas. The sacred hymns played an important part in sacrificial rituals towards worshiping the Gods. You can imagine how critical it was to chant them to perfection, in order to invoke the Gods’ blessings, given that speech was a goddess herself. You do not want to get on the wrong side of Vac’s fellows. For that reason only the Brahmin priests (of high caste) were allowed to chant the aspirations of the whole caste.
Those desires are curtailed into a short mantra, which is comprised of two main components — Meaning and Sound. We can perceive mantras as a sounding thought that helps us tap into an enlightened state of mind. So powerful that they are also used as spells in magic.
To Further Pastures
Mantras overwhelmed a series of other cultures with their enchanting vibrational ability to manifest desires. Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Tao and Christian traditions implemented mantras into their religious schools.
With so many variations of mantras on the horizon it is hard to pinpoint the exact etymology of the word. According to old Vedic it consists of the root “man” (to think) and the suffix “tra” (indicates instrumentality), which translates as something like an instrument of the mind. In Buddhist texts, the suffix “man” means to save, to rescue. Hence, mantra translates as that which saves the one “who, in thought, formulates it and meditates upon it”. This definition is given by Jan Gonda in his iconic essay “The Indian Mantra”.
When it comes to conceptualizing the precise definition of a mantra amongst the gamut of cultural interpretations, however, all schools agree that mantras have a harmonized melody and a well-designed mathematical precision in their construction.
Mantras — A Miracle Or A Scientific Fact?
The science behind how mantras affect us in such a healing way is fascinating. It all starts from the 84 meridians positioned on the roof of the tongue, which are stimulated by the sound vibrations of chanted mantras. The expert in Kundalini Yoga, Dharma Sing Khalsa, M.D. explains that this stimulation acts upon the secretion of the pituitary gland. “Certain permutations send signals to the command centers of the brain… [which] orchestrate a healing response and send out packets of information in the form of neurotransmitters and chemicals, in the brain and throughout the body”, writes Dharma Sing Khalsa, M.D.
Mantras have an incredible effect on the neurological systems of our brain. By calming the default mode network, a.k.a. our survival mode, we become more centered and balanced, and are opening up the doors of higher perception and enlightenment. As a bonus, we receive immediate release of serotonin. Sounds like the perfect drug we can instantaneously access with a simple “Om” chant!
Mantras Of The World
Mantras realize their full energetic potential in yoga and meditation practices as a tool to dive deeper into the depths of calmness and awareness. Their cosmic melody threads the tapestry of healing mantras, travelling all around the world and spreading their energetic flow of tranquility.
Although mantras originated in Vedic Sanskrit, other cultures have had their input into augmenting their composition. As a result, we are now able to delve into a never-ending well of colorful and powerful sacred hymn variations.
Let’s have a look at some of the most beloved mantras for healing.
3 MANTRAS FOR HEALING:
Om
Having mentioned the most well-known mantra on the whole planet — Om (Aum), let me tell you a little bit more about its potency. This mantra stands on top of the pedestal of all sacred hymns and transcends its divinity through the decades. Because it is simply everything.
Om was first referenced in the Upanishads (a collection of ancient sacred Hindu texts). Mandukya Upanishad consists of 12 versus which proclaim the meaning of OM.
“All is OM: Hari Om. The whole universe is the syllable Om. Following is the exposition of Om. Everything that was, is, or will be is, in truth Om. All else which transcends time, space, and causation is also Om” — Mandukya Upanishad
This is the translation of the first verse of the Mandukya Upanishad. You can read the whole text here, as wells as, enjoy some graphics which showcase how Om acts upon your brain and body.
In essence, it is believed that the vibration of the Om chant corresponds with the sound and vibration that occurred in the brim of the creation of the Universe. It is the sound of the void, of complete silence. According to Hindu culture, Om encompasses the four states of consciousness and it signifies the ultimate self (Atman in Hindu).
Since Om is the be all and end all, many other mantras for healing derive from its cosmic structure. They usually place the mystic syllable either at the beginning or the end of the hymn.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (Shanti Mantra)
“Om Peace Peace Peace”
This Sanskrit mantra is the ultimate offering for peace within yourself and to the whole world. Shanti (peace) is repeated three times signifying peace in the body, mind and spirit, thus embracing your entire being.
The peaceful sequence travels through first purifying your body from sufferings, second through calming your mind and releasing it from stress and worries, and third through connecting your soul with the heightened spiritual existence. In another sense, the threefold peace prayer spreads unity throughout the past, present and the future, affecting yourself, your friends and family, and the entire world at large.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti has a Sanskrit origin, but it is widely adopted in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Yogi devotees use this mantra to salute each other, which essentially translates as “peace be with you”. On a modern-day scale, the Shanti Mantra is used in yogic and meditation practices all around the world.
Peace be with you, beautiful souls.
Gayatri Mantra
“Om bhur bhuvah svaha
tat savitur varenyam
bargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yonah prachodayat”.“The eternal, earth, air, heaven
That glory, that resplendence of the sun
May we contemplate the brilliance of that light
May the sun inspire our minds”.
One of the oldest Sanskrit Mantras, first discovered in the Rig Veda texts from 1800–1500 BCE, Gayatri Mantra also finds its place in the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita scriptures.
Gayatri Mantra simply embodies the Divine. Through honoring Savitur — the transcendent sun, it is believed that we are flushing away that which is adverse in our lives, and we are opening our hearts to the cosmic bliss.
Gayatri is known as the “Mother of the Vedas”, additionally called “Veda-Mata”. She defeats darkness by rendering light in our minds and hearts.
Through daily chanting of the Gayatri mantra we enter the premise of what we now call the flow of life, and are gifted with the divine source interwoven through all of our endeavors.
The sacred pool of mantras for healing is endless. I am now leaving you to dive deeper into the hallowed traditions of ancient hymns and their meaning, and to find your unique way of incorporating them into your routine, be it through meditation, morning chants or group gatherings. Be blessed.
