On Sunday, the 2nd of Feb 2003, we met at 9am, to hear Rohini Gupta tell us about the ‘Power of Mantras’ Rohini enlightened us on the fact that there were over 7 crores of mantras…and so many have been lost!
Why do mantras at all? Why do we need mantras? Mantras are connectors. They connect us to the divine energy that is within us. Though it is our own energy, we are so blocked that we are unable to call upon it. Mantras can help us open that channel to our own selves, to our ATMA, OUR DIVINE BEING
There are seed mantras and Shabad mantras…
A seed Mantra is called a ‘Beej’ Mantra. It does not mean anything, but its intonation releases tremendous power. Aum is a beej (seed) and pranava (runs through our prana, or breath) mantra. It represents the un-manifest and manifest aspects of God. It exists beyond time. When we chant the mantra, the silence between each chant is important. It is the sky between the clouds. Continued awareness of this silence merges the seeking soul with its true divine nature. Aum is called the Anahata Nada. All sounds are the result of the striking of two objects. Aum is an Un-struck sound.
A Shabad Mantras, may run into a sentence. Some are Vedic Mantras, i.e. they come to us, from the Vedas. Others, we may procure from other Spiritual books.
‘Om Namo Bhagvade Vaasudevaaya‘ is the Mantra, given to Dhruv, by Sage Naarad, through which young Dhruv, realized the Lord. This story and Mantra comes from the Shrimad Bhaagvad. Some are awakened mantras and some need to be awakened. It is believed that the Gayatri Mantra is an awakened Mantra. The other Mantras may be awakened, by reciting a ‘Mala’ everyday, for 40 days. One must light a candle or oil lamp, and burn incense.
A Guru Mantra is ones personal Mantra, and one can chant, recite it, on any time of the day. It is best to keep the mala (Rosary beads) in a bag. Move the beads with your middle long finger and the thumb. The Meru is the main knot of the rosary. One never crosses it, but turns the mala around and continues the next round.
Rohini introduced to us the mantras, explained to us, their power and the visualization that makes them more effective.
1) Aum gum Ganapataye namah
This Mantra helps remove obstacles. ‘Aum’ and’Gum’ (rhymes with ‘sun’) is a seed mantra.
Visualize: A lot of greenery (Trees, plants etc), Lord Ganpati, A havan where you may give your offerings.
2) Aum shreem Laxmi dhanam dehi dehi shreem Aum
This Mantra grants wealth and prosperity. ‘Aum’ and ‘Shreem’ are seed mantras.
Visualize: Goddess Laxmi on a pink lotus, showering us with light, golden flowers and coins. We offer pink or white flowers.
3) Aum Aim Saraswateyi Namah
This Mantra helps studies, knowledge. Aum Eim are seed mantras.
Visualize: White clad Saraswati on a blue ocean. Offer white and yellow flowers.
4) Aum Dum (pronounce ‘u’ as in put) Durgayei namah.
‘Aum’ and ‘Dum’ are seed mantras. This mantra protects, encourages, gives confidence, removes anxiety.
Visualize: Mother Durga clad in red, with a trishul in her hand. Offer red flowers into the fire.
5) Aum Suryaaya Namah
This Mantra protects, grants courage and confidence. The Gayatri and the above Mantra are invocations to the Sun God. While the Gayatri is more for the mind, this one is more for the well-being of the body.
Visualize a bright Sun (not rising) A yellow lake reflecting sunlight. Color: Golden yellow. Feel the rays of the sun falling on you. But let the rays not be hot but comfortable. Offering: Water and golden yellow flowers. Drink more water when you chant the sun mantras.
6) Aum Hreem Sarva Manokaamna Siddhim Hreem Aum
This Mantra fulfills all desires. Aum and Hreem are seed Mantras Though the above Mantra does not invoke any Devi ( Mother, Laxmi, Durga, Saraswati…) Hreem is a Devi seed Mantra.
Visualize any Devi that you have faith in. Maybe Laxmi on a pink lotus. Offer any colored flower. Visualize a place full of the things that you desire, in all the colors of the rainbow.
GLOSSARY (Pronunciation)
A Like in ‘but’
Aa Like in ‘Far’
Ai Like in ‘hair’
Ey Like in Whey
I Like in ‘Pin’
Oo Like in ‘Shoot’
Oon ‘n’ has got a nasal sound.
U Like in ‘Put’
SANSKRIT
Sanskrit believes that the sound of the word never gets ruined and that it has an everlasting value.
Words in Sanskrit open out from their seed (beej) form.
A root is always a single syllable that contains one of the basic sounds a, I, u, ri
The root or seed may create a word, yet the word will vibrate to its best, and gives it tremendous power.
The Vedic or the Sanskrit view gives more importance to the special sound it should produce, than to the meaning of the spoken word.
Shakun Kimatrai 