This is the art of healing by chanting prayers or mantra or repeating some words. A mantra/prayer is a combination of syllables which form a nucleus of spiritual energy. This serves as a magnet to attract spiritual vibrations. In Sanskrit, mantra means, ‘the thought that liberates and protects’. The chanting or recitation of mantras, activates and accelerates the creative spiritual force in us, promoting harmony in all parts of human being.
The main power or the consciousness within a mantra is
shakti, the female aspect of dynamic energy; and the male aspect is
energy - a state of equilibrium. Mantra is a precise combination of words and sounds – the embodiment of particular form of consciousness of
shakti. The potency of the mantra is released through repetition many times. When you begin to recite and practise mantra, you need to understand yourself what you want to achieve and what are your goals? To what extent and how soon this will manifest depends on you. Obviously, the more effort one puts into it, the more one will achieve.
A mantra, therefore, is a sacred formula, a mystical verse, a nucleus of energy, a concentrated thought form, a word of power and compelling force. It is a capsule of energy made up of powerful vibrations and focus, that has the power to heal.
This energy mass, when repeated in healing through meditation and focus, has the power to heal, to energise or to bestow higher state of consciousness on the aspirant. A mantra is a sound vibration charged with energy.
A mantra may be masculine (solar mantra) or feminine (lunar mantra). Masculine mantras end with ‘hum’ or ‘phat’; the feminine mantras terminate with ‘thum’ or ‘swaha’. The neutral mantras end with ‘namah’. Mantras can also be categorized into Saguna, Nirguna or Bija mantra. Saguna mantras invoke specific deities or aspects of Absolute. Nirguna mantras are abstract and are used for an aspirant’s identification with the Absolute. Bija mantras are derived from the primeval sounds. A Bija or seed mantra is to sadhana what a seed is to a tree, the foundation to bloom into experiencing the Unknown and also it is a seed to the fruit of siddhi. The cumulative energy generated by a Bija mantra can be stored in the brain and used at will. Bija mantras are monosyllabic and unetymological vocables. The efficacy of a mantra requires correct pronunciation, recitation, perseverance and patience.
‘Om’ – a mystic monosyllabic mantra is considered the most powerful of all mantras. It is made of three sounds A,U,M – called the pranava mantra. Gayatri mantra is the most sacred and high resonating vedic mantra.
Choice of Mantra
Choice of mantra is extremely important because the greatest success lies with the match of the mantra to a person. If you have been given a mantra by your Guru, it is better to use that. Namotherapy today is a research fascination for many around the world. Researches confirm that the ultrasonic components in the mantras, if properly uttered, have tremendous healing effects in almost every kind of ailments. There are many books available in the scriptures, wherein the correct mantra for particular dis-ease, behaviour patterns, mental imbalance, etc., are given. One can take reference of these resources also. In Namotherapy, the mantras used, emit ultrasonic waves of different wavelengths and frequencies, so that the japa of a mantra produces a collection of point source of ultrasonic waves, each with its spherical wave form transmitted to the medium needing it; which could be humans, animals, plants and the atmosphere around. This can also be achieved through collective prayers. Instead of a mantra, one can also use positive worded, appropriate, auto-suggestions, for repetitions regularly and get benefitted also.
There are many ways in which a mantra may be chosen. Ideally, one can chant a mantra to which one feels drawn and naturally attracted. Or you could try a few, and then decide which is more calming and allows you to feel good. Or else, choose a mantra that goes well with your symptoms/behaviour pattern, to which you are looking for a change. While using this therapy, it is very essential that you must be regularly doing pranayama and meditation. This is needed, so that through regular deep breathing one can be tuned to proper pronunciation. Also, while healing, one can comfortably use the beej sounds of chakras.
Rani Venkat, generally would advise the person on use of mantras (for touch as well as distance healing). Some mantras that are more famous are:
For fear of death / general fear:
- Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-vardhanam;
- Urvaruka-miva Bandhanat-mrutyor-muksheeya Mamru tath.
For good sleep:
- Prakritya rakta-ya-istav su-dati dant-chadruche;
- Pravakshaye sadrakshyam janayatur falam vidrum-lata;
- Na bimbam tad-bimba-prati-falan raga-darunitam;
- Tula-madhya-rodum katha-miva vilajjet kalaya.
For progress in profession:
- Trayanaam devanaam triguna-janita-naam tava shive;
- Bhavet-pooja pooja tava charan-yorya virachita;
- Tathahi tvat-padod-dwan-mani-peetasya nikate;
- Sthita hothe shaswan-mukulit-karotam-sum-kutah.
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