MANTHRA

Courtesy: Sri.N.Gurumurthi

 MANTHRA

Manthra is a sacred sound and often considered as a secret sound also. It is

a vibration and incantation. It is a statement of Truth giving direction for

action for self-development and self-realization.

What is the use of reciting a Manthra?

Manthra concentrates the mind by means of repetition (Japa). Japa is of

What are the different kinds of Japa?

There are four ways of Japa reciting.

(1) The full manifested form of 'Vak' or speech by hard distinct

(2) The intermediate stage of manifestation of Sabda-Brahman, where letters

(3) The third form is Vagdevi, the subtle form of sabda, where the organs of

phonation are not active but the letters are pronounced mentally.

(4) The last Paraa-Vak is the will which creates the three previous forms of

Sabda which is, therefore, the cause of all Sabda. It implies that since all

Sabda denotes names, "Paraa" is the Avyakta or the un-differentiated power.

The more subtle the recitation - the more effective and powerful the Japa and

What is the method of obtaining the Manthra?

The foremost and best method is to obtain it from a learned Guru. If there is

earnestness, deep faith and strong devotion, the Teacher of all the teachers,

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the First teacher of the Universe will spontaneously help the disciple in

knowing the Manthra, how to recite it, etc. in HIS own ways, which are

numerous and not explainable.

What are the benefits of reciting such Manthras?

A Manthra properly obtained with reverence from a Guru and used regularly

with devotion can silence the chattering of the tormented and troubled mind

and its consequent tensions, worries and sorrows. Manthra helps to break the

tyranny of the harmful emotional effects over us. Thus Manthra can lead us

A Manthra can connect us with the beneficent, powerful, and joyful cosmic

energies and vital forces. A Manthra can lift one from dull existence of

tensions, conflicts and stampedes of intellect as a result of repetition of the

same through our sensations, thoughts, memories and words – day after day,

year after year. This enables us to experience the joy, the harmony and the

beauty of existence that is beyond the reach of the gross external organs and

When we recite sacred Manthras, our mind and intellect unconsciously gets

elevated to the perfected and pure mental and intellectual level of the author

What are the influences of Manthras on us and our relations with external

Each sound that we generate, that we think, that we feel, that we reflect by

mind and speech, i.e. in the form of letters or words have got tremendous

potential influence in our own selves and in the external world. And hence

sacred syllables and Manthras undoubtedly have unlimited powers to

produce results internally and externally.

Whatever we do by thought, word or deed, it should be pleasing and

purifying to our own self. Thus by keeping our own house in order, we can

ensure the welfare, prosperity and safety of our immediate environment.

Such vibrations of good thoughts, words and deeds recharge and spread to

an unlimited extent. The sound vibrations that we make, if it is in the form of

any sacred formula or Manthra, it will have a great impact.

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How the Manthra is to be recited?

While reciting the Manthra, the 'Bhavana' (mental effort) is considered very

important. Bhavana means a sincere intense feeling of emotion, sentiment,

good mood and dedicated involvement. The meaning of such Manthras will

get automatically revealed over a period of time when one gains mental

What are the pre-requisites to be observed before reciting the Manthras?

Remembering the Manthra or its recitation – the main purpose is just to give

a strong support to the Mind. But before starting to recite the Manthra, the

pre-requisite is that the Mind should be purified by Saatvic deeds (sadhanas)

and made void or orphaned from worldly thoughts by withdrawing ourselves

What is Prayer? What is the relation between Prayer and Manthra?

Prayer is a link between the individual soul and the universal soul. For that

prayer, Manthra is an essential tool. The other tools are Tantra and Yantra.

For example, an earnest prayer is made to that Adorable Divine Reality, in

the Gayathri Manthra to stimulate our intelligence, so that we may realize

Whatever we contemplate or meditate upon intensely in our Prayer, verily

we become that. Majority of us do not know what to think or contemplate.

There have been generous and great seers, rishis and munis, who have given

us guidance in this respect. Gayathri is one such Great Manthra for self

What are Beejakshara Manthras? What precautions are required while

Beejakshara Manthras are single root words. The great Beejakshara

Manthra 'AUM' or 'OM' is the most important one. By gradual practice one

can experience how such Manthras operate at extremely subtle levels of our

consciousness to bring us fresh joy, vitality and intelligence. No argument

is necessary to realize this truth – Experience it Right Now! When we are

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using a Manthra, we are dealing with Cosmic Energy. We must, therefore,

be very careful how we handle such energy, when we receive it. There is an

infinite world of experiences beyond the limited ones, which the mind, the

intellect and ahamkar (ego) can present. Be secure and Be happy!