Mantras are an inherent part of yoga. Yoga mantras or chants are Words, syllables, or expressions with spiritual otherworldly hugeness.
This significance lies in the translation or meaning of the mantras. Repetition of a mantra usually brings about some good effect in your life. Moreover, many mantras invoke Gods or respectable personalities of the past and ask for their blessings. Many people chant mantras during meditation for concentration.
Benefits Of Chanting Mantras
The practice of chanting mantras can help you in many ways, whether you are religious or spiritual. Some of its benefits include:
- Improvement in concentration
- Greater self-awareness
- Reduction of stress, depression, and anxiety
- Calming of the mind
- Releasing all negativity and tension and thus, embracing positivity
- Growth of compassion, especially towards yourself
- Higher emotional and mental control
- A sense of empowerment
- Reinforcement of positive goals
- Increase in intuition and extrasensory perception
- The stronger discipline of mind and body
- Better patience
- A clearer perception of the world
These are, of course, only the known ones. However, there are more that we have not yet even discovered. Logical investigations have indicated changes in the mind because of meditation. In other words, there is solid evidence of the benefits of chanting mantras.
Mantras You Should Memorize And Chant
The following yoga mantras can greatly improve your life and push you towards a brighter future.
Om Mantra
The mantra Om consists of the sound Om being pronounced from as deep in your body as possible. You have to stretch the sound as long as your breath permits and in a low, guttural voice. Om is the basic sound of the Universe. Therefore, chanting it helps you achieve unity with the Universal consciousness.
Shanti Mantra
The yoga mantra Shanti goes “Om Shantih Shantih Shantih”. “Shantih” means peace. Therefore, this mantra calls for peace in our lives, minds, and in the Universe. Also, it helps spread harmony throughout the Universe and makes our soul tranquil in the truth and light of the world. Moreover, Om Shanti meditation helps remove distractions from our minds.
So Hum Mantra
The most popular use of So Hum is in yoga vinyasa for breath control. A yogi inhales at “So” and exhales at “Hum”. “So Hum” means “I am That”. It signifies a person to be part of the entity that is the Universe rather than having a separate identity.
“Gayatri Mantra”
The Gayatri Mantra in yoga goes “Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varentam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayai”. The mantra means “Earth, Heaven, the Whole Between. The greatness divine intensity of the Sun. May we ponder the brilliance of that god, May this move our agreement”. Thus, it summons the Sun God that enlightens all the domains to carry light to our lives.
Adi-Mantra
This Gurmukhi mantra goes “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo”. It signifies “I bow to the innovative Infinite Energy and the Divine Wisdom”. Hence, chanting this mantra helps a yogi open their mind to the Divine Teacher and Creator of all the Universe. Moreover, they ask for their blessing and knowledge.
Siri Gaitri Mantra
This is a Kundalini mantra and it goes “Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung”. It means “The Sun, the Moon, the Earth, the Infinite, and all that is in it, I am a part of it”. It is a restorative mantra meant to heal the body, mind, and soul. It reminds us that we are all a part of the Universe.
Satnam
Another one of the Kundalini yoga mantras, this chant in Gurmukhi is also an important part of the Mool Mantra. “Sat” means truth and “Nam” means name. The mantra translates to “Truth is my name”, which reiterates the truth in God’s name. Also, the “Sat” is always pronounced longer by at least 8 times than the “Nam”.
Neti Neti
This is a very simple mantra meaning “Not this, not this”. It helps the person chanting it wards off any negativity and mistake from your life. In this manner, it guides you the correct way.
Ganpati Mantra
The Ganpati mantra, as the name suggests, is an invocation to Lord Ganesha offering him salutations. It goes “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah”. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the deity of new beginnings who removes obstacles and brings auspiciousness to a new journey.
Patanjali – Mantra
The Patanjali Yoga Mantra goes “Om. Yogena chittasya padena vacham. Malam sharirasya cha vaidyakena. Yopakarottam pravaram muninam. Patanjalim pranjaliranato’smi.” It invokes the sage Patanjali, Father of Yoga. The yogi bows before him, asking him to purify their mind with yoga, speech through grammar, and body through medicine.
Surya Mantras
The 12 Surya Mantras accompany each asana in Surya Namaskar and offers respect to the Sun God in 12 forms. It goes “Om Mitraya Namah. Om Ravaye Namah. Om Suryaya Namah. Om Bhanave Namah. Om Khagaya Namah. Om Pushne Namah. Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah. Om Marichaye Namah. Om Adityaya Namah. Om Savitre Namah. Om Arkaya Namah. Om Bhaskaraya Namah.”
Shivay Mantra
The mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” calls upon the supreme God Lord Shiva for blessings. The serenade has 5 syllables and henceforth is additionally called the Panchakshara Mantra. Also, they stand for the five states of matter Air, Water, Earth, Fire, and Ether.
Lokaksema Mantra
Also called the Mangala Mantra, “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” is a part of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Closing Yoga Mantra. It asks for happiness, peace, and good fortune for all people in the entire Universe.
Conclusion
Chanting mantras add another dimension to the practice of yoga. It disciplines your mind along with your body. In conclusion, memorizing the above mantras and chanting them will make your life even more fulfilling besides yoga.