Samhita: Sage College of Spiritual Studies
Samhita: Sage College of Spiritual Studies
Samhita: Sage College of Spiritual Studies
Samhita
Samhita (Sanskrit:
The Samhitas form the first part of each of the four Vedas. As Samhita is the
collection of the mantras, so sometimes Samhitas are referred to as Mantras. Most
of these mantras or hymns are concerned with nature and deities.
The Samhitas are named after the Vedas they belong to, for example RigSamhitas or Rig-Veda-Samhitas will refer to Samhitas of Rigveda.
What is a Mantra?
The word mantra has two parts: man, which is the root of the Sanskrit word for mind;
and tra, which is the root of the word instrument. A mantra is therefore an instrument of the
mind, a powerful sound or vibration that you can use to enter a deep state of meditation.
According to the Vedic tradition, the ancient sages were able to hear the subtle vibrations
produced by everything in naturethe sounds of the wind, thunder, butterflies, rushing
rivers and all other creations. They recognized that these sounds are the manifestation of
spirit into matter. They identified Om (or aum) as the most elemental sound, representing
the infinite universal consciousness. For thousands of years, people have used this mantra
to expand their awareness of the divine.
The ancient seers also identified all the primordial vibrations or mantras that make up the
universe and these were eventually recorded in the Vedic literaturethe four texts that form
Origin of Mantras
Mantras are Vedic in origin. The teachings of the Vedas consist of various Mantric chants or
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Healing by Mantropathy
The chanting of Om in Transcendental Meditation has now received widespread
recognition. Mantras can be used to treat tension and many other difficult diseases that are
yet to come. The Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan, research center for integration of science
and spirituality in Shantikunj, Haridwar, India, is the only place I know of which carries out
extensive experiments on 'mantra shakti'. The result of these experiments is used to testify
that Mantropathy can be used scientifically for healing and environment cleansing.
Over the last 21 years of my Vedic religion broadcast, several listeners have told me how
they have benefited physically and spiritually from chanting Maha-Mrtyunjay mantra for 15
minutes every morning.
How to Chant
There are many schools of thought on the methods of chanting. A Mantra chanted correctly
or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, is sure to bear the desired
result for physical and mental well being. It is also believed by many that the glory of Mantra
chanting cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can be experienced or
realized only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Mantra.
According to some scholars, Mantra chanting is Mantra Yoga. The simple yet powerful
Mantra, Om or Aum harmonizes the physical forces with the emotional forces with the
intellectual forces. When this happens, you begin to feel like a complete being - mentally
and physically. But this process is very slow and requires a lot of patience and unfailing
faith.
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Why should we repose in the Self? How is this going to help in our day-today life?
When the river is calm, the reflection is clearer. When the mind is calm, there is greater
clarity in the field of expression. Our sense of observation, perception and expression
improve. As a result we are able to communicate effectively and clearly.
Most of our problems or misunderstandings arise because of a lack of proper
communication. When our mind is free from agitation, the way we interact and
communicate is so much more pleasant and effective. Our efforts are not hindered by rifts
caused due to communication gaps. This leads to a lot of positivity in our outlook and
progress in life.
Mantras are as subtle as the air which creates ripples in the water as it gently moves over
it. Air is all-pervading and at the same time affects specific regions. The field of the mantras
is also such. It is all pervading and also creates an impact on the one who is practicing.
A Bija Mantra (Seed Mantra) is assigned to each Chakra, and each petal of the Lotus
blossom carries a Sanskrit syllable that is described as the guardian of that particular
Chakra. When we repeat the Mantra belonging to a Chakra in meditation we unite with the
quality and vibrational energy of the Chakra and with this awaken its qualities within us.
A Mantra is a syllable, a word or a sequence of words with a high spiritual vibration. All
elements and energies in the Cosmos can be influenced and guided by Mantras. That is
why Mantra is the best aid in awakening the dormant consciousness.
There are three types of Mantras:
Prayer
Guru Mantra
Bija Mantra
A spiritual Mantra always contains the word OM and the name of a divine incarnation. This
name is full of significance. It possesses even greater spiritual power than the person.
There is a story in the Rmyana that illustrates this clearly.
When Lord Rma and his helpers reached the sea between India and Sr Lanka in their
search for Rmas abducted wife, St, it appeared that a crossing would be impossible as
there was neither a ford nor a bridge available. But Rmas faithful follower, Hanuman, said:
Lord we will build a crossing with your name.
He picked up a stone, wrote the Sanskrit word RM on it and threw it into the water.
Miraculously the stone did not sink, but floated on the surface of the water. The others
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Types of Mantra
Types of Mantra differ according to their origin and meaning. Mantra meditation involves
chattering of different types of Mantras like Om Mantra, Gayatri and Mahamrityunjaya
Mantra.
Types of mantras include those that vary with their pronunciation. These can either be
monosyllabic or in verse form. Mantra literally means thinking that protects or liberates.
Mantra meditation is an ancient practice to achieve spiritualism. It can be attained by the
way of chanting the different types of meditation mantras. Mantra is the powerful verse,
which has a sound effect that heals mind and body and takes them to a higher level of
consciousness, which ultimately lead to attain spiritualism.
Types of Mantras
There are two types of mantras depending upon their pronunciation. They are monosyllabic
and verse. The mantra in which one syllable is used is called monosyllabic mantra like Bija
mantras. When more than sixty syllables are used in a mantra it is called verse mantra. An
example of verse mantra is Gayatri Mantra.
Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri is the feminine form of `Gayatra`, which is a Sanskrit word, which means song or
hymn. In Hinduism, the Gayatri Mantra is attributed to Vishwamitra. The Gayatri Mantra
itself is considered as the goddess as its epitome, which represents Prabrahaman.
Goddess Gayatri is the incarnated form of the mantra. She is also considered as `Veda
Mata`, the mother of all Vedas and companion of Lord Brahma. Beyond the entire theory,
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Gayatri is depicted as a goddess seated on a `red lotus`, suggesting wealth. The Gayatri
Mantra is a highly venerated mantra in Hinduism. The Mantra is in second highest position
to the Om Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra starts with the prefix `Om Bhur bhuvah Shaha`,
which is taken from Yajur Veda. This mantra is found in all four Vedas. This Mantra is also
known as `Savitri`. However in Atharva Veda, Gayatri Mantra is a little different. Gayatri
mantra is also considered as the heavenly awakening of mind and soul. It is the way of
reaching most supreme form of survival and the way to be unified with the ultimate supreme
power the `Brahman`. The Gayatri Mantra is considered by many as the most powerful way
to attain god. Traditionally Gayatri Mantra is chanted everyday to develop intelligence,
knowledge and wisdom and to expand the consciousness. It is also said that the sages who
utter Gayatri Mantra all the time has enhanced and sharpened intelligence and awareness.
Om Mantra
The Om Mantra is among the most significant mantras in Hinduism. Om is considered as
the amalgamation of all mantras, that ultimately leads to an enlighten state of realisation.
The conventional method of chanting Om Mantra can be classified in three ways: verbal,
whispering and mental. Mental repetition is the strongest way for Om Mantra, if the mind is
steady and free from other thoughts. There should be no distraction in mind during the
chanting of Mantra so that the attention is not diverted. One should concentrate and mind
should become internalised. And this should be specifically noticed when chanting the
mantra mentally.
OM Mantra Further, it is believed that the vibration produced by chanting Om in the physical
universe communicates to the first vibration that first occurred at the time of the creation.
The Om sound is also called `Pranava`, which means it sustains life through maintaining
`Prana` or Breath. The three sounds in Om symbolise dreaming, waking and deep sleep
positions and the silence surrounding `Om` stand for the `Turiya` state. This state is the
fourth phase, which is represented by the silence. This state is the attainment of perfect
bliss, when the individual self recognises the own individuality with the supreme.
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Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Mahamritunjaya Mantra is one of the more effective ancient Sanskrit mantras. This mantra
is considered as a call for enlightenment and is a practice of cleansing the karmas of the
essence at a deep level. The mantra is also said to be quite useful for mental, emotional
and physical well-being. This mantra is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The mantra is
There is a literal meaning for each word. Most important part of the mantra is the vibration
that is created during the chanting of the Mantra. The combination of sounds in any mantra
forms a particular vibration in the body. Human body also has a vibratory frequency. The
mantra vibration comes in harmony with the body`s vibration. Maha Mritunjaya Mantra
brings a feeling to let the healing powers of this mantra to act on the bodies of those who
are suffering from pain. The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra brings the personal well being of the
devotees around.
On the basis of meanings, mantras are divided into Saguna Mantras (mantras that signify a
specific god or goddess) and Nirguna Mantras (mantras that are formless and conceptual
representing the whole universe). On the basis of quality, the different types of mantras are
Sattvic Mantras, Rajasic Mantras and Tamasic Mantras.
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The other Mantras are: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Sri Krishnaya Govindaya
Gopijana Vallabhaya Namah, Om Sri Krishnaya Namah
The Mantra for Sri Devi is: Om Sri Durgayai Namah Lord Ganapati Mantra is: Om Sri
Ganapataye Namah Sri Hanuman Mantra: Om Sri Hanumate Namah Mantra for Lord Hari:
Om Namo Narayanaya (Ashtakshara), Hari Om, Hari Om Tat Sat Jugal (Combined)
Mantras are: Sita Ram, Radhe Shyam, Radhe Krishna Sri Kalika Mantra is: Om Sri
Kalikayai Namah Sri Laxmi Mantra: Om Sri Maha-Lakshmyai Namah Mantra for Lord Shiva:
Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra and Om Namah Shivaya (Panchakshara)
The Mantras for Lord Rama are: Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram, Om Sri Ramaya
Namah, Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Rame Manorame, Sahasranama Tattulyam Rama
Nama Varanane, Om Sri Sita-Ramachandradhyam Namah , Sri Ram etc. Sri Saraswathi
Mantra is: Om Sri Sarasvatyai Namah Lord Subramanya, Kartikeya Mantra: Om Sri
Saravanabhavaya Namah Sharangati Mantra (for surrender): Om Sri Ramah Sharanam
Mama, Om Sri Krishnah Sharanam Mama, Om Sri Sita-Ramah Sharanam Mama Sharada
Mantra is: Om Sri Bala-Parameshvaryai Namah Tripurasundari Mantra is: Om Sri TripuraSundaryai Namah.
Vedas
The Vedic scriptures are the spiritual literature of the ancient Indian culture, written in the
Sanskrit language. They are comprised of a huge collection of books which include material
(mundane), religious (ritualistic) as well as spiritual (monotheistic) knowledge. The
expression "Vedic" is derived from the Sanskrit word veda, which means knowledge or
revelation. According to the Vedic history, they were written down thousands of years ago.
The date, however, is not very important because, without a doubt, the knowledge
contained in these scriptures was existing a long time before it was written down.
The Veda may be understood by simply accepting what the Veda says about itself. Since
the Vedic self-understanding may be amazing or even unbelievable to the modern reader, it
seems important to dedicate a few sentences to the clarification of probable
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The Vedas are considered the earliest literary record of Indo-Aryan civilization, and the
most sacred books of India. They are the original scriptures of Hindu teachings, and contain
spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of our life. Vedic literature with its
philosophical maxims has stood the test of time and is the highest religious authority for all
sections of Hindus in particular and for mankind in general.
Veda means wisdom, knowledge or vision, and it manifests the language of the gods in
human speech. The laws of the Vedas regulate the social, legal, domestic and religious
customs of the Hindus to the present day. All the obligatory duties of the Hindus at birth,
marriage, death etc. owe their allegiance to the Vedic ritual. They draw forth the thought of
successive generation of thinkers, and so contain within it the different strata of thought.
Bhagavat Gita
Krishna Himself came to this world 5,000 years ago and spoke Bhagavad-gita to His friend
Arjuna.
At the last moment before entering a momentous battle, the great warrior Arjuna began to
wonder: Why should I fight? What is the meaning of life? Where am I going after death?
In response, Krishna brought His friend from confusion to spiritual enlightenment.
The Gita contains detailed explanations of the infinite soul (God), the finitesoul (the living
entities), karma (work in this world), time, and creation, and concisely explains the nature of
consciousness and the universeall in a relatively short seven hundred verses.
Bhagavad-gita is in a category of its own in philosophy and theology. It has been pondered
and deeply admired by philosophers and scholars around the world for centuries. It is
considered the essence of Indias spiritual wisdom. For anyone interested in understanding
the soul, God, and the intimate relationship between the two, the Gita is an essential
introduction. The text is incomparably deep and sublime.
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