To those unfamiliar with them, mantras can sound like mumbo jumbo. But mantras are definitely not meaningless sounds repeated over and over! Mantras can have a powerful effect when repeated with a focused intention and pure heart.
In yoga, mantras call on the energies of a higher power and help the practitioner to connect with the qualities of the Divine within.
What is a Mantra?
A mantra can be defined as mystical energy encapsulated in a sound structure. Broken into its roots, man comes from the first syllable of the word “to think”, and tra means “to protect or free.”
With deep sustained focus and repetition of a mantra, energy begins to concentrate and manifest. These energies are present all the time, but normally they are not concentrated sufficiently to have an effect.
Some mantras call upon specific deities. This can be misleading to the uninitiated, because all mantras call to the Divine, just different aspects/roles of this Greater Power as represented by each deity. This is similar to how you play different roles in your life (parent, child, sibling, friend, colleague, etc.) but remain the same person.
Mantra’s Powers
In his book Japa Yoga, Swami Sivananda states:
A mantra generates the creative forces and bestows eternal Bliss. A mantra when constantly repeated awakens the consciousness.
Mantras from the yogic tradition are in Sanskrit and contain powers because the sound combinations in the words are believed to come from the Divine and each is associated to a specific vibration to give certain results.
Famous Yogic Mantras
OM
Om is the original sound and mantra. It is usually incorporated into other mantras because it is so powerful.
Om has many meanings as it represents everything, but one way to understand it is the sound of consciousness. It awakens physical and mental powers and can bring peace, protection, and wisdom.
Om has 3 sounds within one syllable, it sounds like “ahhh oohhh mmmm”, so it’s sometimes written as AUM — short, simple, yet powerful.
Om Namah Sivaya
This mantra calls upon the deity Siva, sometimes known as the Destroyer or Transformer. For something new to emerge, the old must first be destroyed, then it can be transformed into the new.
This transformative process applies to all situations, big and small; from birth to death, destroying old habits to create new ones, or breaking the bonds that hold us back.
Namah means to prostrate, bow down, or simply to give respect.
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Ganapati is another name for Ganesha, one of the most recognizable deities. He has the body of a man and head of an elephant.
In rituals, his name is always the first to be revered as he helps to remove obstacles from our way and brings spiritual success. Ganesha represents strength and fortitude and protects all who call upon him.
Reciting mantras might seem a bit strange at first, but after a while, the repetition begins to have a soothing effect. Even those around you feel a sense of peace and enveloping calm. These powerful mantras send off vibrations like ripples in a pond, affecting everyone and everything.
You do not need to understand or fully comprehend what is possible with mantras; all you need to do is repeat it, feel it, and be open to what happens.