Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

PERCEPTIONS

MANTRAS (CHANTS OF LIFE)

Mantra is a Sanskrit syllable or a group of syllables, used to concentrate cosmic and psychic energies. It is said of Shiva, the Supreme Spirit (Paramaatman), that his body is mantra (vidya). It is made visible in the shape of a sign (linga). The linga is composed of man- tras and is regarded as the body of Siva, the place where he is present. Four of these mantras occupy the four regions of the manifested world and the fifth, Isana, lies beyond them, in the central direction. From there, it is at the same time everywhere, a subtle luminous presence. It condenses into a celestial light (divya-linga) equivalent to the vibrations released by the recitation of the respective mantras. The divya-linga, which is Tatpurusha, forms the central 'root pillar' (moola stambha) of celestial light; Vaamadeva however is the linga, installed and consecrated on its base. In the 'root pillar everything has its origin and finally ends in it. Thus it is said, it was called the linga. By the evocative power of the man- tras, Siva is realized throughout the uni- verse; the universe is His body (sarira); this body is of pure energy (saktika sarira), con- taining all the elements, itself the primordial substance (pradhana) of the moving uni- verse. - Stella Kramrisch Mantras create positive vibrations and healing energy fields in the surroundings. Hence, they have powerful effect on the psychic health of the person chanting them. --"Trikenu" Recitation of Lord's name - A must Hindu scriptures extensively glorify the process of chanting the holy names of Hari. In the Sree Bhagawatam it is mentioned : “My dear king, although Kaliyuga is full of faults, inebrieties, quarrel and hypocrisy, there is one good quality about this age — it is that simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcen- dental kingdom.” — Shree Bhagawatam 12.3.51 Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Man, truly, is the sacrifice. The twenty-four years which he passes (first) are the morning libation, for the metre Gaayathri is made up of twenty-four syllables, and the morning libation is related to the Gaayathri metre. With this the Vasus are con- nected. The Praanas indeed are the Vasus, for they make all this stable. (3.16.1) Chant : “O Praanas, Vasus, unite this morning liba- tion of mine with the midday libation. May I who am a sacrifice not be lost in the midst of the Vasus who are the Praanas.” (3.16.2)

The Gaayathri is a universal prayer which does not ask for mercy or pardon but asks for a clear Intellect, so that Truth may be reflected therein without distortion. It can be used by men and women of all castes and creeds, for it calls upon the Glorious Power that pervades the Sun and the Three Worlds, to arouse, awaken and strengthen the Intelligence, so that it may lead one through intense saadhana to success. The Gaayathri is divided into three sec- tions. The first section consists of the Pranava . Aum, Bhuh Bhuvah Svah. Here, the chanter contemplates the Glory of Light that illumines the three worlds or the regions of experience. Tat Savitur Varenyum. The second section picturises the Glory, the Splendour and the Grace which flows from the Light: Bhargo Devasya Dheemahe. The third section is a prayer for final lib- eration, through the awakening of the innate intelligence that pervades the Universe as Light Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat. With the chanting of this mantra the chanter is purified and is transformed into a Vipraha (wise person, sage) as the mind gets purged of all the impurities. "The Gaayatri Mantra should be carved on the doors of every laboratory in the world". — J.B.S. Haldane seen. It can only be inferred. For instance, when mantras are uttered and oblations are offered in the fire, we can see the offered materials being reduced to ashes and this is called Pratyaksha , or perception through direct observation. However, the material which is reduced to ashes gets converted by Mantra to the person for whom it was intended. This cannot be seen, it can only be inferred and this perception by inference is called Paroksha. MANTRA SHAKTHI Mantra Shakthi is something which cannot be

Next 44 years

Now, (his next) forty-four years are the midday libation, (for) the metre Tristubh is made up of forty- four syllables, and the midday libation is related to the Tristubh metre. With this, the Rudras are connected. The Praanas indeed are the Rudras, for they cause all this (universe) to weep. (3.16.3) Chant : O Praanas, Rudras, unite this midday liba- tion of mine with the third libation. May I, who am a sacrifice not be lost in the midst of the Rudras who are the Praanas. He surely recovers from that and becomes healthy. (3.16.4)

Further 48 years

Then (his next) forty-eight years are the third libation. The metre Jagati is made up of forty-eight syllables and the third libation is related to the Jagati metre. With this, the Adityas are connected. The Paranas indeed are the Adityas, for they accept all this. (3.16.5) Chant: “O Praanas, Aadityas, extend this third liba- tion of mine to a full length of life. May I, who am a sacrifice, not be lost in the midst of the Aadityas who are the Praanas.” (3.16.6) Chants help overcome illness, pain etc. — “Chandogya Upanishad”

Mantras are rhythmical formulae; they evoke a supernatural presence, each mantra conjures up a corresponding vision of that supernatural presence.

- Stella Kramrisch