The POWER of Mantra! 

Mantra is a sacred word, sound, or phrase repeated during Kirtan, Japa Yoga or meditation! 

Spiritual Meaning

Sacred sound: A mystical syllable or phrase (like Om) used in Hinduism and Buddhism! 

Meditation tool: A focused chant meant to quiet the mind, raise spiritual energy, or lead to inner peace! 

Vedic text: A metrical verse or hymn of praise from ancient sacred scriptures! 

All Mantras were shared originally through Divine grace, shared to the ancient ones in dreams, visions or deep in Sadhana! They flow from Brahman the source or creative energy! 

Mantras have a way of finding themselves to those in need of their supportive energy! You could start of with the Gayatri Mantra then after sometime the repetition of the Gayatri Mantra awakens the vibration of another Mantra that is shared with the practitioner as a vibration or perhaps jump out of the lines of a book, or is heard in passing! 

In Varnamala, Sir John Woodroffe says: 

By worship and meditation or Japa of Mantras the mind is actually shaped into the form of the object of worship and is made pure for the time being through the purity of the object (namely Ishta Devata—the Chosen Deity), which is its content! 

By continual practice (abhyasa) the mind becomes full of the object to the exclusion of all else, steady in its purity, and does not stray into impurity! 

Japa means silently repeating God’s name in solitude. When you chant His name with single-minded devotion you can see God’s form and realise Him! 

Suppose there is a piece of timber sunk in the water of the Ganges and fastened with a chain to the bank! You proceed link by link, holding to the chain, and you dive into the water and follow the chain. Finally, you are able to reach the timber! 

In the same way, by repeating God’s name you become absorbed in Him and finally realise him! 

A good friend of mine in Rishikesh who sends me daily reminders drawn from Swami Sivananda's teachings, and to whom I'll be eternally grateful for their support - once answered this question: 

“MP, why do the deities of Mantra appear at certain moments along the devotee's path?" His response: "Sir, whichever deity's name you chant, you invite their presence!"

In my own experience, the Hanuman Chalisa is a perfect example of this. Several years ago, the word "Chalisa" kept surfacing within my Sadhana — it persisted for months, and I set it aside each time, knowing that learning it properly would take real dedication. Eventually I gave in, and learnt to recite the Hanuman Chalisa under a Vedic Kirtan teacher. From there I learnt the melody, then the chords — a process that took over 18 months in total. Today, the Hanuman Chalisa is woven into my daily practice, whether through reading, chanting, or playing it on the harmonium! 

Why is Mantra so important?

I can honestly say the Hanuman Chalisa changed my practice and life - it transformed my understanding of Mantra and Bhakti! Hanuman showed me the path to Rama's abode: Rama, in turn, led me to Vishnu, and then to Krishna! When the student is ready, the master appears - and Vishnu, Rama, Krishna and Hanuman have been the greatest teachers on my spiritual path!

It's why I say with complete confidence: Mantra Yoga will change your life! Whether through personal chanting, group chanting (Kirtan), or Japa, every Mantra path eventually leads back to the Lord's lotus feet! 

My preferred daily Mantra practice is to chant or read the Hanuman Chalisa and the Maha-Mantra! 

There are four levels of Mantra practice or the four levels of Sound (Vāṇī)

Vaikhari (Audible / Gross Sound): The spoken word articulated through the vocal cords, tongue, lips, and mouth. It is the loudest level, best for beginners or calming a restless, distracted mind through external vibration!

Madhyama (Mental / Intermediate Sound): The subtle level of inner dialogue and thought where words form in the mind without being spoken aloud. It resonates closer to the heart and helps shape deeper focus and intentions! Which they say is 10 times more powerful than Vaikhari (Vocal) 

Pashyanti (Intuitive / Visualizing Sound): The deeper level of "seeing" or intuitive insight where sound is experienced as a causal wave or vibration before it breaks into distinct language. It arises near the navel center and connects to deep inspiration and awareness! Which they say is 100 times more powerful than Madhyama (Mental) 

Para (Transcendental / Supreme Absorption): The ultimate, unmanifest, and primordial source of all sound located at the root center. It exists beyond the ordinary mind and senses as pure universal consciousness and absolute stillness! This is the level where the chanter experiences the true power of the Mantra.. The Mantra runs automatically during the waking, sleeping and dream states within the mind and subtle body, there is no effort it just flows in the same way Maa Ganga flows from the Himalayas! 

Mantra Yoga can be practised anywhere, anytime — while driving, walking, before Sadhana, during Sadhana, or even to close your practice. It flows through the waking, sleeping, and dream states alike! Best of all, it's never too late to begin! 

If setting aside dedicated time to chant feels like a challenge, start simply by listening to Krishna Das or other Kirtan artists. The vibration will naturally deepen, opening the way for the next step in your journey to unfold! 

Jai Shri Krishna 🚩 Jai Shri Ram 🚩 Jai Shri Hanuman 🚩Jai Shri Ganesha 🚩

Self-Enquiry! Mantra Yoga! Japa Yoga! Serve others!

OM ॐ OM ॐ OM ॐ OM ॐ OM ॐ OM