
Now, let us look at the etymology of the word mantra. The root man means – to think and the suffix โtra is used to denote instruments or objects. Hence, the mantra is an instrument of thought. Why is this particular instrument of thought so potent? It is precisely because – thought associated with mantra is no ordinary thought.ย
It is not the conceptual thought used in worldly expression or discussion. It differs from vikalpa โ a discursive form of thought. . It is a more intense, more effective thought. This thought is one-pointed since it is connected with a concentrated form of speech, endowed with special potency and efficacy. This is the idea conveyed in this verse: ย
ย
mananam sarvaveditvam trฤแนam samsฤryanugrahaแธฅ/
Mananatrฤแนadharmitvฤnmantra iti abhidhฤซyate
Meaning: It is called mantra because it is in the nature of thought and deliverance. It is indeed all-knowing thought and liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Pฤลini provides another alternative to the etymological origin of the word mantra. He says that the root mantแน means gupta paribhฤแนฃana – ‘protected or secret speech’.
Now from a spiritual point of view, how do mantras differ from ordinary speech? Unlike language, they are not bound by โconventionsโ nor associated with objects, but are oriented within โ towards the source of all speech and therefore of all manifestation.
Apart from that, mantra repetition has a psychological effect on the meditator. In the early stages of a personโs spiritual endeavour, it might be difficult to bring oneโs concentration to the tip of the nose or to the third eye point for a prolonged period of time. Repetition of mantra, or mantra japa, gives the mind something to focus on, eliminating any external distractions.
The โmonkeyโ mind is then entrusted with some absorbing work. While mantras are popularly in Sanskrit, the use of mantra (in Pali) is also a highly common form of mediation in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. In the Islamic Sufi tradition, the Sufis use the โNames of Godโ or particular phrases found in the Quran in a mantric way, which they call dhikr. Across traditions, seekers repeat verses not only because of their intrinsic potency, but also because it provides something that they could latch on in order to eliminate the fluctuations of the monkey mind.
However, mere repetition may not be helpful if there is no devotion or earnest quest.
Gayatri Mantra
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Om Bhลซr Bhuvaแธฅ Suvaแธฅ
Tat savitur vareแนyam
Bhargo devasya dhฤซmahฤซ
Dhiyo yo naแธฅ pracodayฤt
Meaning: We meditate upon the effulgence (divine light) of the creator- this light, which illumines all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light inspire our intellect.
Bhลซแธฅ – Earth/the physical realm/body/materialisation
Bhuvas โ the atmosphere/the mental realm/life-force/vibration
Suvaแธฅ – that which is clothed well/the spiritual realm/radiation
Tat- That
Savituแธฅ – of the sun/creator
Vareแนyam โ We adore
Bhargas โ the effulgence
Devasya โ of the lord
Dhฤซmahฤซ โ we meditate
Dhiyaแธฅ – intellect
Yaแธฅ – which (effulgence)
Naแธฅ – our
Pracodayฤt โ may it inspire
What is mantra | The power of Mantra | Gayatri mantra By Yogi Himanshu Jiย
Significance:
By chanting this mantra with devotion, Mother Gฤyatri nourishes and protects, while channelling our senses towards the Self. The definition of Gฤyatri is very beautifully articulated in this phrase: gฤyantam trayate iti gฤyatrฤซ (She protects the one who chants, hence she is called gฤyatrฤซ.)
Another interpretation is that the mantra contains โ Adoration, meditation and prayer.ย The second line (tat savitur vareแนyam) encapsulates adoration. It says, โWe adore the effulgence of the creator.โ The third line (bhargo devasya dhฤซmahฤซ) alludes to meditation. It says, โWe meditate upon the effulgence of the lord.โ The fourth line (dhiyo yo naแธฅ pracodayฤt) is a prayer. It says, โMay this divine light inspire our intellect.โ