A mantra is a sacred utterance; it is specially associated with India’s great ancient scriptures, the Vedas which are a collection of hymns and sacred utterances that have survived for millennia through oral transmission. Thus, a mantra is linked with oral utterance; its special powers are in the depth of its meaning as much as in the sound vibrations it produces in oral recital. Many people believe that there is a transformative power associated with the mantra, which can bring about a spiritual regeneration.
In Hinduism, a mantra is a sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer, meditation, or incantation, such as an invocation of a God, a verse from the ancient scriptures, or even a syllable or portion of a scriptural utterance containing mystical potentialities.
Many mantras associated with the Hindu faith are normally in the Sanskrit language. They have become part of sacred rites and rituals now, and those who utter them as well as those who hear them are thought to benefit from their special vibrations and spiritual energy.
The word mantra contains two syllables – “man” which means “to think” (also as in manas or “mind”) and the suffix “tra” which means “tool”. Thus, a loose translation of the term mantra would be “instrument of thought”. A mantra is a powerful word or phrase that may or may not have lexical meaning like a phrase or a sentence. But it must be stressed that mantras are not meaningless, even if we do not understand them; for no vocal utterance is entirely without meaning! A mantra has also been defined as “an energy based sound” which is capable of elevating our consciousness.
Mantras have been described as “tools of power” and “tools for power”. They discipline the mind and free the mind from vagaries and impure thoughts; they give the power of focusing and concentration to the mind so that it becomes an instrument of the spirit.
Surely it is not without good reason that so many faiths and so many scriptures assert the power of a mantra!
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