What is Mantra?

I am currently reading and enjoying the book, Mantras: Words of Power, by Swami Sivananda Radha.  Swami Radha opened an Ashram in Kootenay Bay, BC in 1963.  She has since passed away, but the Ashram continues.  You can view more information about it at http://www.yasodhara.org/

 I thought over the next few blogs I would share some of the information from this book, one of her many books.

The first chapter is called, "What is Mantra?"

Swami Radha explains that a mantra is a combination of sacred syllables that form a nucleus of spiritual energy.  The root word man in the word Mantra means in Sanskrit "to think", tra comes from trai, meaning "to protect or free from the bondage of samsara or the phenomenal world."  So, Mantra means, "the thought that liberates and protects."

Understanding this concept intellectually though only encompasses a small part of its meaning.

When one chants or recites a mantra, it is said to activate and accelerate the creative spiritual force, promoting harmony in all parts of the human being.  The energy created can then be directed to benefit the one chanting and others around.

Swami Radha also explains how each Mantra has six aspects.  They are a Rishi or seer, a raga or melody, a Devata or presiding deity, a Bija or seed sound, Sakti or power and Kilaka or pillar.

The Mantras have been transmitted from generation to generation, from Guru to disciple.  The power of each mantra increases each time it is passed on and as the great Rishi's knew, they are intended to be used in the service of others and as a guide to mankind.

The raga is very important in each mantra.  It is a sequence of sounds that create a specific vibration and is important not to be changed.  Each mantra has not only an outer audible expression but it also carries a subtle essence or vibration, with a meaning that arises from the eternal Spirit.  The repetition of the mantra being repeatedly chanted gives rise to the form of a specific deity (Devata).

Each Mantra also carries a Bija or seed.  This seed is the essence of the Mantra and gives it special power, a self-generating power. So, the energy in each Mantra starts with the seed and grows a beautiful spiritual being.

The Kilaka, or pillar is explained as the driving force, the will power to pursue perfection in each Mantra.  Once the power begins though it continues with a self-generating force so the kilaka becomes a way to join the power of the mantra to the Guru and to the Deity until all become one.

The consciousness within the mantra is called Sakti or Divine Mother, the power or energy present in pure form.

Swami Radha says that through repetition of these words of power, the goal of Mantra Yoga is achieved.  This is the goal of all Yogas - to unite the individual consciousness with the Universal Consciousness.

And this was only from the first chapter!

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/