Mantras
The word mantra is derived from two Sanskrit words — manas (mind) and
tra (tool). Mantra literally means “a tool for the mind,” and was
designed to help practitioners access a higher power and their true
nature.
Mantras are instruments of the mind. They give your mind something to
focus on. When you keep chanting the mantras in succession, you
de-clutter the mind. The mind doesn’t have anything to think but to
focus on the chanting. The vibrations from the mantras harmonizes you
with your surrounding to take the stress away and give you a relaxed
feeling. The benefits are tremendous for chanting the mantras, they
reduce anxiety and also create clarity of thought.
One of the most universally recited mantras is the sacred Hindu syllable
Aum—considered to be the sound of the creation of the universe. Aum
(usually spelled Om) is believed to contain every vibration that has
ever existed—or will exist in the future.
In order to focus people's minds on God, Babaji taught people to repeat
the ancient mantra Om Namah Shivaya. Repetition of Om
Namah Shivaya is a pathway to unity with the Supreme God. (The name of
God used in this mantra is Lord Shiva Who is a Hindu conception of the
one Supreme God. This mantra has been used for millennia and taught by
saints and gurus in India and the West.) Constant repetition of a mantra
(the repetition is called japa) focuses the mind on God, opens one's
heart and mind to God, and stops or reduces the inherent tendency of
one's mind to constantly plan, worry, day-dream or otherwise prattle
away in really useless activity.
The main purpose of Sri Babaji's coming in a human manifestation at this
time was to reform the hearts and minds of men. He came to remove
confusion and evil from mankind. Babaji once said: "The mind can be
purified only by japa. This is the only medicine for the disease of the
mind. While your mind and heart are impure, how can God live in your
heart? The water to clean your heart is the Name of God. So teach
everyone to repeat the name of God everywhere."
The mind that is generally focused on God's Name responds, when the need
arises, spontaneously to perform its required functions quickly, easily
and well. Babaji emphasized Om Namah Shivaya but also gave other mantras
on occasion: the essence of his instruction is 'Repeat God's name'. Shri
Babaji said that when the great destruction comes to the world, those
who believe in and worship God sincerely and especially those who repeat
His Name(s), would be saved by the power of the mantra.
Į Om Namah Shivaya Į
Om Namah Shivaya mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most powerful mantra in this tradition. Repeating this mantra over and over again leads to a transcendental mode or a state of pure concentration.
The meaning:
- Om – The vibration that represents the creation of the universe.
- Namah – It means to bow or surrender.
- Shivaya – It means the Divine within.
I bow to the Divine (Shiva) within.
The below mantras are sung and chanted at the Ashram, and have specific vibrations to them which when chanted, resonate with your body and create a positive environment for you. It truly can transform you as an individual giving you clarity of thought to act accordingly in peace.
Į Bhairav Mantra Į
Lord Bhairav is a fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Bal Rup
(cradle) of Lord Kala Bhairava is known as Batuk Bhairav. Sri Bhairav
is the guardian deity of the abode of Lord Shiva. Hence, he is also
called Kshetra Pala. The term Bhairav means 'Terrific'. Sri Kala
bhairava represents the protective energy of Lord Shiva, that the Lord
created for protection, during the creation-dissolution cycle.
He is the manifestation who oversees the march of time. The march of
time is inexorable only because Lord Kala Bhairava makes it so. As the
saying goes, time lost is lost forever. There's nothing more precious
than time. So intelligent humans should use every moment effectively,
and be conscious of the spiritual path. And those who want to do this,
have the divine help of Lord Kala Bhairava, if they pray for it
sincerely. Lord Kala Bhairava worship is very important in this Kali
Yuga. Chanting of Bhairava mantras provide all the comforts to the
sadhaka.
Apaduddharanaya kuru kuru Batukaya
Bam Om Namah Shivaya
Į Gayatri Mantra Į
Gayatri Mantra (the mother of the vedas), the foremost mantra in vedic
tradition, inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that “May the Almighty God
illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path”. The
mantra is also a prayer to the “giver of light and life”
Tat savitur vareṇyaṃ.
Bhargo devasya dhīmahi.
Dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt
The meaning:
Oh God! Thou art the Giver of Life,
Remover of pain and sorrow,
The Bestower of happiness,
Oh! Creator of the Universe,
May we receive thy supreme sin-destroying light,
May Thou guide our intellect in the right direction.
Į Guru Mantra Į
Guru Mantra is addressed to teacher or guru who is beyond attributes and forms. These slokas praise the guru for his/her qualities. Guru is verily the representative of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He creates, sustains knowledge and destroys the weeds of ignorance. The true meaning of Guru is one who dispels darkness of ignorance.
Om Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshvara,
Gurur Sakshat Parambrahma,
Tasmai shri Guruve namah.
Dhyana mulam Guror murtihi, puja mulam Guroh padam,
Mantra mulam Gurorvakyam,
Moksha mulam Guroh kripa.
Akhanda mandala karam, vyaptam yena characharam,
Tat padam darshitam yena,
Tasmai shri Guruve namah.
The meaning:
The guru is Brahma, the guru is Vishnu, the guru is Lord Shiva.
The guru is truly the Absolute One; that is why I bow to the holy
guru.
The guru's image is the root of meditation, his feet the root of
worship; The guru's speech is the root of mantras, his grace the root
of liberation.
Endless like the shape of the circle,
Encompassing the whole dynamic and static universe,
To him who shows that abode of God to us, to that guru I bow.
Į Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Į
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is the great mantra for conquering death. It
protects against all threats and at the time of death eases the
process of release. It is beneficial for mental, emotional and
physical health. It is also a moksha mantra which bestows longevity
and immortality.
Oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam
Urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā 'mṛtāt
The meaning:
We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all.
Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be
liberated from death, from mortality.
Į Shanti Mantra Į
This Shanti Mantra is taken from the Krishna Yajurveda Taittiriya
Upanishad (2.2.2) . It is usually recited in schools as prayer before
the start of the classes in schools.
Otherwise known as the teaching mantra, Om Sahana Vavatu is invoked to
unite teacher and student through the protection of the Divine. It can
be used to help clear any negative energy between teacher and student,
allowing them to enter the process of learning in harmony.
Sahanau bhunaktu
Sahaviryam Karavavahai
Tejasvinava dheetamastu
Maa vidvisavahai
Om shanti shanti shanti
The meaning:
May the Divine protect us both (teacher and the taught)!
May the Divine cause us both to enjoy the bliss of Mukti (liberation)!
May we both exert to discover the true meaning of the sacred
scriptures!
May our studies be fruitful!
May we never quarrel with each other!
Let there be threefold peace.
Į Shanti Mantra Į
This famous Verse explains the nature and personality of the Supreme
Lord.
According to this verse, the whole material Universe is a complete
whole produced from the Supreme Lord. But still Lord remains same
Complete whole as before without any change or loss. Hence, the nature
of the Lord iSpiritual.
Pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate
Pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya
Pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate
The meaning:
Om, That (Outer World) is Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness);
This (Inner World) is also Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness);
From Purna comes Purna (From the Fullness of Divine Consciousness the
World is manifested),
Taking Purna from Purna, Purna Indeed Remains (Because Divine
Consciousness is Non-Dual and Infinite).
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.