Mantras – a key to Health, Happiness, Peace & Prosperity

Mantras are sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words, composed in Vedic Sanskrit thousands of years ago by rishis or ancient Hindu scientists. Mantra is two words: Man and tra. Man means mind. Tra means the heat of life. Ra means sun. The divine energy of sound is embedded in Mantras. Mantras have psychological and spiritual powers and help to induce an altered state of consciousness. Mantras uses sound to evoke movement of physical and emotional energy through stimulation of the nervous system. It may or may not have literal meaning.  
A practice of repetitively uttering the same mantra for an auspicious number of times is called Japa. The most popular number for japa is 108 and is done with the help of malas (bead necklaces). If one word is chanted in a stepwise fashion, tunefully and with proper rhythm in poetic meter ceaselessly, a cyclic movement is created. By chanting of mantras (Japa), both in the inner psyche of the devotee and in the external cosmos an extraordinary energy stream commences flowing.
Mantras can be done vocally, sub-vocally (whispering) or silently in the mind. Group chanting or recitation of mantra can synchronize the brainwaves between the participants, achieving yet another level of collective effect, as has been shown between musicians. In chanting of mantras, half energy goes outside and the remaining half roams about within the body. Half the energy of words uttered radiates in the external world and the other half commences a powerful process within the body.
Mantra Yoga is a scientific method devised by the Rishis to activate the extrasensory energy centers within to facilitate the sublime flow of vital spiritual currents in this majestic living system. It improves health, peace, prosperity and spiritual progress. Our ability of focusing becomes better.
Shloka from holy Hindu texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutra, even the Mahabharata, Ramayana, Durga saptashati or Chandi is a mantra.
Om is one of myriad such mantras. Gāyatri mantra derived from Rig Veda verse 3.62.10, and the Purușasūkta mantra from Rig Veda verse 10.90 are most auspicious mantras for japa at sunrise and sunset; it is claimed to purify the mind and spirit.
One of the schools of Hindu philosophy i.e. Purva or karma Mimamsa deals with ritualistic part (karma kanda) of vedas to satisfy the urges of Dharma, Artha (wealth), Kama (sensual pleasure). It is believed that all-pervading consciousness manifests itself in different stages, each of which has a different form (deity) and sound vibration (mantra). Wherever a particular ritual is performed with the proper utilization of mantras, the deity related to those mantras is present because when the vibration is concentrated, the materialized form of the deity appears. Both deities and mantras operate on a principle similar to the conversion of energy into matter and matter into energy in physics.
So, mantra is a powerful combination of words which, if recited, takes the vibratory effect of each of our molecules into the Infinity of the Cosmos.
Mantras exist in various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Similar hymns, chants, compositions, and concepts are found in Zoroastrianism, Taoism, ancient Hebrew, Tibetan, Christianity, and elsewhere. In Japanese, mantras are called Shingon.
The use, structure, function, importance, and types of mantras vary according to the school and philosophy of Hinduism and Buddhism. Mantras serve a central role in tantra. In this school, mantras are considered to be a sacred formula and a deeply personal ritual, effective only after initiation. In other schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism, initiation is not a requirement.

The various aspects of Mantras viz. what is Mantra, Reciting of Mantras, Impacts of Chanting of Mantras, Science behind Mantras and Hindu Philosophy of Mantras, are mentioned below.

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 What is Mantra
1.    Mantras come in many forms, including ṛc (verses from the Rigveda for example) and sāman (musical chants from the Sāmaveda for example). 
2.   They are typically melodic, metered, harmonised to mathematical precision, and believed to be resonant with numinous qualities. At its simplest, the word ॐ (Aum, Om) serves as mantra.
3.   They do set a tone and ambiance in the ritual as they are recited.
4.   They included ṛc (verses from Rigveda for example), sāman (musical chants from the Sāmaveda for example), yajus (a muttered formula from the yajurveda for example), and nigada (a loudly spoken yajus).

Reciting of Mantras 
1.    Japa (repetition of mantras) is assisted by malas (bead necklaces) containing 108 beads and a head bead (sometimes referred to as the 'meru', or 'guru' bead). It is believed that 108 number impacts combination of 12 rashis (zodiac signs) & 9 planets.  
2.   The devotee using his/her fingers to count each bead as he/she repeats the chosen mantra. Having reached 108 repetitions, if he/she wishes to continue another cycle of mantras, the devotee turns the mala around without crossing the head bead and repeats the cycle.
 
Impacts of Chanting of Mantras – 
a. On Health

1. It exert pressure on tongue, lips, vocal cords, palate and the connecting regions in and around your brain create a resonance or a vibration that helps strengthen and stimulate the functioning of your nerves.
2. It leads to release of endorphins that makes one feel refreshed and relaxed. Chanting of specific mantras causes the release of the hormone melatonin and also helps oxygenate the brain, reduce our heart rate and high blood pressure and creates calm brainwave activity. It also boosts the immune system.

b. On Peace

1. Mantra chanting can place you in a meditational state which gives you deep relaxation, sound sleep, assists mindfulness and yoga asanas.

c. On Prosperity

1. Regular chanting of mantra will protect you from sudden death, accidents, famine, misfortunes of any kind, calamity and unexplained situations.
2. It leads towards liberation by purifying your past life bad karmas (action) and bad impact which is suppressed in your subconscious.
3. It purifies the environment and creates positive vibrations. It generates divine vibrations that ward off all the negative and evil forces and creates a powerful protective shield (aura).

d. On Spiritual progress
7.   Mantras are believed to cope with the uncertainties and dilemmas of daily life, to escape from the cycle of life and rebirth, forgiveness for bad karma, and experiencing a spiritual connection with the god.

1. Chanting improve Spiritual Quotient that affect fundamental way of processing of brain.

 
Science behind Mantras

1. Every element of the Universe is in a constant state of vibration manifested to us as light, sound, and energy. The human senses perceive only a fraction of the infinite range of vibration.
2. In ancient India, Ragas (musical tunes) like Deepak, Megh Malhar were in vogue. It is said that on playing the Deepak Raga doused flame lamps got relit on their own and on singing or playing Raga Megh Malhar on a musical instrument, rain clouds in arid regions would gather in the sky. Name of Tansen, minister in King Akbar’s cabinet is well known for this.

3.   A person can tune his or her own consciousness into the awareness of that totality with the use of a mantra. By vibrating in rhythm with the breath to a particular sound that is proportional to the creative sound, or sound current, one can expand one’s sensitivity to the entire spectrum of vibration.
4.   The act of the tongue pressing against the palate of the mouth stimulates the hypothalamus, thalamus, and pituitary. When we recite a mantra, we hit the palate with your tongue. In the palate, there are 84 meridian points: 64 in the hard palate and 20 in the soft palate. This vibration emanating from the hypothalamus directs the actions of the pituitary gland and governs the endocrine systems. It is also in charge of releasing chemicals and hormones throughout the body and to the brain. This vibration releases chemical hormones that balance the body and have healing effects.

1. Chanting of Mantras too is something like using a rifle which has impact backward as well as forward. Rishis discovered as to which type of words, in which manner, with which emotions and in which condition if uttered give what type of results on individuals and external world.
2. Mantras together with Yajna fire attain a divine grandeur, prosperity, peace and progress.
3. A research study by the Hyderabad campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani by Dr Aruna (reported in TOI 24.03.2017), reveals a “clear improvement in the general cheerfulness and clarity of mind“ of the students after they chanted the mantras. As part of the research, the participating students chanted the following five mantras: Gayatri mantra (from Rig Veda), Vishnu Sahasranamam (thousand names of Lord Vishnu), Lalita Sahasranamam (thousand names of Divine Mother), Purus ha Suktam (from Rig Veda dedicated to Cosmic Being) and Aditya Hrudayam (invocation to Surya, the sun god).

 
Hindu Philosophy of Mantras
One of the six Hindu philosophy schools, Purva or karma Mimamsa (i.e. prior inquiry) deals with ritualistic part (karma kanda) of vedas to satisfy the urges of Dharma, Artha (wealth), Kama (sensual pleasure). According to the karma-mimamsa system, the universal controllers who wield cosmic power and maintain the universal order are to be scientifically comprehended through the sound of mantras.
Karma-mimamsa identifies two purposes of ritual: to attain and expand one's own inner potential and unite it with the cosmic force, and to pay respect and show gratitude to the cosmic forces that are constantly supplying light and life to all sentient beings.
Functions of Mantra: 

1. All-pervading consciousness manifests itself in different stages, each of which has a different form (deity) and sound vibration (mantra).
2. The deities or gods are the personified forms of principles that correspond to the vibrating sound patterns of mantras. A deity is a gross physical form of a mantra, and a mantra is a subtle form of a deity.
3. Wherever a particular ritual is performed, mantra converts into a deity and a deity converts into mantra. Both deities and mantras operate on a principle similar to the conversion of energy into matter and matter into energy in physics.
4. The potential of a mantra lies in a dormant state until it is awakened. The secret of awakening and utilizing mantras lies in the rhythmic vibrations in which the mantra is meant to be pronounced and repeated.
5. The proper use of mantras, with their prescribed rituals, is designed to lead one to experience the bliss and happiness contained within the mantra itself.

Divine energies of Mantras:
Maharshi Jaimini in Purva Mimansa has explained that Mantras possess 4 types of energies:

1. Validity energy – it encompasses teaching, addressing & commands
2. Fruit or result bestowing energy – by various means this energy is awakened to fulfill desires.
3. Amplifying energy - miniscule materials offered to Yajna fire by becoming gaseous spreads out in the entire environment and can influence many other people, materials, atoms & cells.
4. Importing-exporting energy – it can produce special power if done by a person of extraordinary potential, in a special place, with the help of special people, using special apparatus along with special methods of Mantra chanting.

 
If certain words are repeated pause less in one tone and in one rhythm sound waves that emerge do not remain straight and become extraordinary. Since it is moved around rotationally it creates a wondrous energy flow in the inner psyche and in the external cosmos. Thus the results witnessed from this can justifiably termed miracles of Mantra chanting.
Formation of Mantra
Mantra has five parts viz. Rishi, Poetic meter or Cchand, Devta, Beej or seed and Tattva or element. All the 5 parts of Mantra Viniyog (Rishi, Cchand, Devta, Beej and Tatva) show us the manner in which this 5 basis can be manifested, illumined and used optimally. Hence while executing spiritual practice of any given Mantra its Viniyog portion must be understood and imbibed deeply.

1. Rishi principle means a guiding preceptor or Guru who mastered that particular Mantra. It is the duty of a Guru wherein not only should he/she exhibit but also transmit in the disciple a portion of his/her divine power so as to render the disciple’s path of progress straightforward.
2. Cchand means rhythm i.e. tone & sound flow. In which tone, with which steps and with which ascending-descending manner in a Mantra chanted? Mantras are classified as Mansik (mental), Vachik (loud), Upanshu (whisper), Udatt (normal pitch), Anudatt (lower pitch) and Swarit (high pitch) because same Mantra many types of reactions can be manifested.
3. Devta means choosing a desirable energy from the infinite ocean of consciousness. There are special methods ordained for using a particular divine wave of divine consciousness for a particular Mantra. Reinstating, worship and singing of eulogies of Devtas are done for this very purpose. A devotee who pursues nameless/formless meditation imbibes a sentiment of helping his bodily parts and nearby environment ooze with the above energy.
4. Beej means fount/source. In the human body for various powers varied regions have been demarcated. The 6 Chakras (subtle plexus) and 108 subtle glands are demarcated regions for thousands of rivers of energy. These regions can be called switch boards of contacting energy. Beej Science is that data of information regarding where is the contact point of a Devta of a particular Mantra in the body and in what way can it be influenced? Hreem, Shreem, Kleem, Aime, Hum, Yum, Vum, Rum, Lum etc are Beej alphabets which can be called subtle injections used for adding extra energy to a Mantra. As per requirements along with Mantras these extra Beej Mantras are conjoined. In Gayatri and Mritunjai Mantras on this very basis many seeds are changed now and then. By itself it is not compulsory to add these Beej yet it is most required that we know the fount/source of Mantras. If we dial certain numbers on a telephone we can talk to others. By using Beej Regions and Beej Energy a contact can be established with divine consciousness that renders Mantras potent and thus it’s all round benefits accrue.
5. Tattva can be called the key of Mantras. In other words it can be called the goal. Many a times before commencing spiritual practices Sankalpas or resolves are read out. In it, a vow is taken in which dwells the goal or purpose of the spiritual practice undertaken. Via it, where are we to go and what is to be attained?

 
 
Reference

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra
2. https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/10/02/your-brain-on-om-the-science-of-mantra
3. https://wakeup-world.com/2017/05/25/the-ancient-power-of-chanting-mantra-validated-by-modern-science/
4. https://www.doyouyoga.com/how-mantras-work-39322/
5. http://www.shriramsharma.com/super_energy_gayatri_mantra's_scientific_foundation.htm
6. http://nepalyogahome.com/mantra-chanting/