A mantra is a syllable, word, or phrase that is repeated during meditation. Mantras can be spoken, chanted, whispered, or repeated in the mind. A mala, which is essentially a string of beads, can be used for counting as you repeat a mantra.
Is mantra chanting effective?
By chanting mantras one is programming the subconscious mind to reverberate with the mantra that is being chanted. Since the mantras have a certain level of consciousness, one is vibrating with that consciousness.
Some of the most prominent mantras in Hinduism are –
1. Aum or the Om. Pronounced ‘Ohm’.
Om (Auṃ or Oṃ or ॐ) is a sacred sound and a spiritual symbol in Hinduism. It signifies the essence of the ultimate reality, consciousness or Atman. The syllable is often found at the beginning and the end of chapters in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and other Hindu texts.
2. Om Namah Shivaya
This mantra literally means ‘I bow to Shiva’.
This is one of the most popular Hindu Mantra and the most important mantra in Shaivism. Namah Shivaya means “O salutations to the auspicious one!”, or “Adoration to Lord Shiva”, or “universal consciousness is one”.
3. Hare Krishna
The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra (“Great Mantra”), is a 16-word Hindu mantra which from the 15th century rose to importance in the Bhakti movement following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The mantra is as below –
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa
Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma
Rāma Rāma Hare Hare
4. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
This mantra is of the most popular Hindu mantras. It is part of Vaishnavism. This mantra means “Om, I bow to Lord Vasudeva or Lord Krishna”. It is a twelve-syllable mantra dedicated to Vishnu as Lord Krishna.
5. Om Shanti
‘Om Shanti‘ is chanted for invoking peace. Peace for all mankind, peace for all living and non living beings, peace for the universe, peace for each and every thing in this whole cosmic manifestation. It is common to find this mantra as part of other hymns, chants and verses. Usually this mantra is chanted three times.
Why are mantras repeated 108 times?
108 represents the ultimate reality of the universe as being simultaneously one and infinite. 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. Malas, or prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads. Here are some Interesting Facts about the sacred no. 108. Also see 108 names of Durga, 108 names of Lord Krishna, 108 names of Lord Rama, Lord Hanuman.
More on the names of Lord Ganesh.
इस लेख को हिंदी में पढ़िए – दैनिक जीवन के लिए 5 सरल मंत्र