Japa Yoga

1. In this Iron Age, Japa Yoga is an easy way for attaining God-realisation.
2. Japa is the repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord with Bhava and
feeling.
3. Japa removes the impurities of the mind, destroys sins and brings the
devotee face to face with the Lord.
4. Every Name is filled with countless powers; just as fire has the natural
property of burning things, so also the Name of God has the power of burning
the sins and desires.
5. Sweeter than all sweet things, more auspicious than all good things, purer
than all pure things, is the Name of the Lord.
6. Name of the Lord is a boat to cross this Samsara. It is a weapon to destroy
the mind.
7. The repetition of the Mantra again and again generates great spiritual force
and momentum and intensifies the spiritual Samskaras or impressions.
8. Mananaat Trayate iti Mantrah: By the Manana, constant thinking or
recollection, one is released from the round of birth and death; so it is called
Mantra.
9. Repetition of Mantra raises vibrations. Vibrations give rise to definite forms.
Repetition of Om Namah Sivaya gives rise to the form of Lord Siva in the
mind; repetition of Om Namo Narayanaya gives rise to the form of Lord Hari.
10. The glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning and
intellect. It can certainly be experienced or realised, only through devotion,
faith and constant repetition.
11. Japa is of three kinds, viz., Manasic Japa, Upamsu Japa or humming, and
Vaikhari Japa, loud and audible Japa.
12. Mental repetition of Japa, Manasic Japa, is more powerful than loud Japa.
13. Get up at 4 a.m. and do the Japa for two hours. Brahmamuhurtha is most
favourable for Japa and meditation.
14. If you cannot take a bath, wash your hands, feet, face and body, and sit for
Japa.
15. Face north or east when sitting. This enhances the efficacy of the Japa.
16. Sit on a Kusha-grass seat or deer-skin or rug. Spread a white cloth over it.
This conserves body-electricity.
17. Do some prayer before starting the Japa.
18. Have a steady pose. Have Asana-Jaya or conquest over Asana. You must be
able to sit in Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for three hours at a stretch.
19. When you repeat the Mantra, have the feeling or mental attitude that the
Lord is seated in your heart, that Sattva or purity is flowing from the Lord to
your mind, that the Mantra purifies your heart, destroys desires and cravings
and evil thoughts.
20. Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner, just as a contractor tries to finish his
work in a hurried way. Do it slowly with Bhava, one-pointedness of mind and
single-minded devotion.
21. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without mistakes. Do not repeat it too
fast or too slow.
22. Use not the index finger while rolling the beads. Use the thumb, the middle
and the ring fingers. When counting of one Mala is over, revert it and come
back again. Cross not the Meru. Cover your hand with a towel.
23. Be vigilant. Keep an alert attention during Japa. Stand up and do the Japa
when sleep tries to overpower you.
24. Resolve to finish a certain minimum number of Malas before leaving the seat.
25. Mala or rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God.
26. Sometimes do the Japa without a Mala. Go by the watch.
27. Practise meditation also along with Japa. This is Japa-Sahita-Dhyana.
Gradually Japa will drop and meditation alone will continue. This is Japa-
Rahita-Dhyana.
28. Have four sittings for Japa daily—early morning, noon, evening and night.
29. A devotee of Lord Vishnu should repeat “Om Namo Narayanaya”; a devotee of
Lord Siva, “Om Namah Sivaya”; a devotee of Lord Krishna, “Om Namo
Bhagavate Vasudevaya”; a devotee of Lord Rama, “Om Sri Ramaya Namah”
or “Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram”; a devotee of Devi, Gayatri Mantra
or Durga Mantra.
30. It is better to stick to one Mantra alone. See Lord Krishna in Rama, Siva,
Durga, Gayatri.
31. Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential. Sit in the same place and at the
same time.
32. Purascharana is repetition of the Mantra Akshara-Laksha, one lakh of times
for each letter.
33. Japa must become habitual. Even in dream you must be doing Japa.
34. Japa Yoga is the easiest, quickest, safest, surest, and cheapest, way for
attaining God-realisation. Glory to the Lord! Glory, glory to His Name!
35. O man! Take refuge in the Name. Nama (Name) and Nami (Lord) are
inseparable.

THUS ENDS JAPA YOGA

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Chanting takes you higher

Category : Facts

Chanting is often regarded as the first step to meditation, and it belongs to the family of
yoga. Its simple, and yet a powerful way to unify your mind & body. In many
philosophical books, chanting is defined as “the harmonious vocalization of key words,
names and phrases that are used in ritual to attune oneself, raise energy and become
centered.”

In my previous post, I mentioned that experiencing the transcendental consciousness is

required to overcome fear, and lead a successful life. Chanting is one of the ways you can
achieve that state. Research works has proved that chanting brings good health, stabilize
heart rate, reduce blood pressure, improve circulation, produce endorphins and aid the
process of metabolism.

Chanting aids meditation by letting you focus on a single verse (mantra), and repeating it
over and over again. Slowly, the rhythm relaxes your mind by getting rid of cluttered
thoughts, and prepares you to experience oneness.

Its very important in today’s world to get relieved from stress and a busy schedule.
Chanting can help us find peace and harmony, make us think better, and as a result we
make better decisions. Chanting mantras are specific sounds that cause vibration, and has
a positive effect on our body. Check out the earlier article to learn more about the the
science behind sound.

A word of caution… Chanting should be done with proper pronunciation at specified

times with alertness. Here is an excellent article to get you started on chanting.

— Dec 21, 09:50 AM

By Seshu Karthick
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factor

Science in Veda Mantras (Part-1): Sound factor

Category : Facts

Vedas are considered as an ocean of knowledge. In relation with every person’s physical
and philosophical views, the Vedas contain the truth to peace, health and salvation.

Every bit of Vedas is very important… each stanza, each line, each word has a significant
meaning to it. For the language also supports its purpose. It is said that Sanskrit is the
only nearest language which could be used to explain or describe anything clearly and
specifically.

The power of Sound

The sound is different and special from all other tatvas(form). Therefore, this sound
becomes the source of all mantras (prayers). On recognizing the power of the sound and
its significance, the Vedas were taught with Sound as a key factor. There is a specific
vibration to sound and it has been proven that sound can easily change the mental state of
a person. Thus a sound can itself rise the level of Consciousness.

Science behind Sound

There is anomalous power in sound. When we spell the Vedas, the sound produced in the
form of sound waves makes a rotation. These wave rotations become synchronous with
those produced by the rotation of the earth. When this merging happens, anomalous
energy gets produced. Therefore by chanting the Veda mantras by the guidance from a
proper GURU, we can experience that anomalous energy.

— Dec 4, 09:55 PM

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Science in Veda Mantras (Part-2): Origin of Thoughts

Category : Facts

All of us would take credit when a thought or an idea pops up in our mind, thinking that
its our intelligence only. But one doesn’t know how the thought has come, and where is
the origin of the thought?
Every sound (mantra) that is spell loud would bring about a shake, or vibrate a micro
(sukshma) atom in the space. This vibration of the sukshma atom, would bring about an
alertness in the mind level of the people with the same frequency. We shall study up on it
deeply…

A group of such micro-vibrated atoms gathered in the space would touch the
vignyanamaya kosa (Intellectual sheet) of the relevant person and would come out as
thoughts in the mind. These thoughts would come out as a speech or action.

Well, this is the science behind a thought or an idea!! Amazing isn’t it?
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Mantra Yoga -
Mantra Yoga has its origin in Vedic Sciences and also in Tantra, infact all the verses
in Vedas are called mantras, it is said that any person who can chant or sing Vedas
can achieve the ultimate salvation or union with supreme consciousness only by
chanting the mantras, which is the aim Mantra Yoga.

MANTRA YOGA OR JAPA YOGA -

 MAN + TRA - Mantra is a Sanskrit word made up of two verbs, Man & Tra
which in sanskrit "Mananat Trayate", just by chanting one can save himself in
the universe that is achieve the ultimate in this material world.
 EASIEST BUT SAFEST WAY TO PRATYAHARA or SENSE WITHDRAWAL -
Mantra Yoga is a easiest way to achieve difficult state of Pratyahara, that is
Internalizing the sense oriented mind from external world and focus on inner
consciousness.
 ACHIEVING SAMADHI (through rotation of consciousness) - When you chant
Mantra, you are repeating the particular combination of words, which is
rotating your awareness around the combination, this particular repetitive
action leads to awakening powerful inner force, if controlled properly this can
lead to ultimate salvation or union with super consciousness. One can
compare example of concentrated sun beams in Convex lens, the rays /
beams can burn a paper if lens is used, similarly the consciousness /
awareness can be made concentrated and powerful by repetitive chanting of
Mantra.

MANTRA - GROUPING OF SOUND VIBRATIONS (affect mental & psychological

plane) Mantra is nothing but a combination or grouping of various alphabets /
"Akshar" as is called in Sanskrit. The combined effect of sound vibrations on
physical plane can be observed, specially on brain, or on EEG (Electro
Encephala Graph) one can see the brain wave emission patterns affected with
Omkar chanting, Gayatri Mantra chanting. A alpha activity in brain can be
seen during the Mantra Chanting
Also Mantra affects subconscious mind, it has different impressions on sub
conscious, thinking patterns are affected, negative impressions can be
removed from subconscious such as fear, anger, jealousy etc. also positive
impressions can be programmed in the subconscious. Practice of Mantra
increases concentration, memory, logical thinking.
Mantra Chanting has soothing effect on Nervous System, helps relax the
muscles, can be effectively used to reduce stress and its effects.

REQUIREMENTS OF MANTRA YOGA

 GURU MANTRA OR IN DREAMS - In Sanskrit texts millions of mantras are

there, so the question is how and what to choose? Guru is the best judge of
the disciple, he knows his disciples inside out. So guru can select a best
suited mantra which will help and evolve the disciple. Sometimes people see
the Mantra in their dreams. But this is very rare phenomena.
  UNIVERSAL MANTRA OM - If one can't meet his guru, he can select the
universal mantra
 MANTRA -NATURE of INDIVIDUAL - The selection of mantras is based on the
nature of individual, his mind, physique and spiritual stage of development.
For example
- Gayatri Mantra relate to sympathetic nervous system, so if a person is
aggressive in nature and starts chanting Gayatri, he may start getting angry
early as Gayatri Mantra triggers Sympathetic activities
- Mahamrutyunjay - parasympathetic nervous system
- Pouranic mantra (Om namah shivay, Hare ram hare krishna, Om namo
narayan)
Generally Mantras can be classified in 2 catagories
 Tantric Mantras - This mantras has origin in Tantras, thousands of different
mantras exists and they can be practiced for specific purposes, such as
achieving wealth, health, success, curing specific diseases, longevity or even
for doing bad to someone. But this mantras to be learnt from Guru and has
lot of restrictions. The effects are also fast for these mantras. These mantras
are difficult to learn.
 Pouranic Mantras- This are relatively simple and can be practiced by anyone,
they are easy to learn and helps purify emotions of human mind. These
mantras are safe, slowly the practice of these mantras leads to ultimate
salavation.
 Total faith in Mantra - One must have complete faith in the mantra, without
faith even the medicine is useless, so absolute belief is necessary before
practicing mantras.
o Yantra - psychic shape of mantra, an impression of mantra in the
subconscious mind has great significance, one can focus on these during the
chanting of the mantra and increase the effects of mantra or achieve the
results faster. Popular Shree Yantra, Laxmi Yantra are also associated with
related Mantras, it is said that if one focuses on the yantras, he still can get
the same benefits as that of chanting the mantra.

State of consciousness in Mantra

 Relaxed and concentrated state of mind - Due to withdrawal from the

material thoughts, distractions, focusing of mind only on Mantra, mind is
relaxed and becomes concentrated. Research shows the presence of alpha
wave / rhythm of brain.
 Rotation of consciousness around Mantra - Awareness is revolved round the
mantra, its pronunciation, yantra (psychic shape) and its meaning, which
builds up psychic energy which can then be used for spiritual purposes.
 "Sakshi Bhav" - Attitude of unconcerned observer, this particular attitude is
very important as it allows bypassing or witnessing disturbances arising in the
conscious & sub conscious mind. Thoughts are generally very difficult to
negotiate, this approach of "Sakshi Bhav" allows to overcome this problem.
 Lost awareness of outside world - When practitioner goes deep in to the
meditation states while chanting mantra, there is absolutely no awareness
about happenings in surrounding environment.
 Only Mantra awareness remains - Even there is no self, the mantra & its
awareness is present when practitioner reaches higher states.

Methods of Chanting Mantra

 Baikhari (Audible) - By chanting a loud which can be heard easily is called
"Baikhari" Chanting
Advantages of Baikhari Chanting
- Removes thoughts
- Easy conceptualization of thoughts
- Makes meditation easy
 Upanshu (whispering) - Chanting of mantra in low voice, or just whispering so
that only practitioner can understand is called "Upanshu" Chanting.
Advantages of "Upanshu"
- Long duration chanting (8 to 10 hours)
- Purposeful Mantra repetition (example: for wealth, health, land acquisition,
happiness etc.)
- Destiny Errors can be corrected with this type of chanting
 Manasik (Mental) - without chanting a loud or whispering, mantra is repeated
in mind, this type of mantra chanting is difficult and can be learnt only with
practice.
Advantages of Mental Chanting
- Subtle form of chanting
- Commonly used by advance practitioners
- Leads to higher states of awareness

Effects of Mantra

 On personal level
- Mantra impacts on mental & psychological plane in a positive way.
- Stirs up emotions (desires, fears, jealousy from subconscious mind to
conscious level as thoughts.) for removing negative tendencies of mind and re
programming the thinking process
- Creates potential energy reservoir
 On surroundings
- Deeper, subtle & astral spheres
- Impacts on macro cosmos & micro cosmos
- Purification of collective conscious mind
o Ex: feel good factor with swamis & yogis

How to practice?

 One should have a Mala or Rosary consisting of 108 beads as is significant in

all Tantra & Veda Texts.
o Repeat Mala for 2 to 3 times daily (increase to even 8 to 10 hours) or Chant
Mantra for at least 11 times.
 Time of Practice - Morning or evening time
 Pranayama during Mantra - Breath and Mantra (So ham with breath) One can
chant the Mantra while exhaling or inhaling or both. While breathing a subtle
sound of "So" can be heard and while exhaling "Ham", which is a repetition of
Mantra "So Ham"
 Concentration on object of faith - One should concentrate on following objects
during the practice.
- GOD
- Yantra - psychic symbol of mantra
 - Purpose of Mantra on Paper
- Stars in sky

Rules of Mantra Chanting

 Selection - Name of GOD, Guru Mantra, in dreams, OM as universal mantra

 Mala or rosary - 108 beads + 1 Sumeru (offset bead)
- Types of mala
Rudraksha Mala - This is generally used for Mantra from Vedas, where long
duration Mantra Chanting is practiced.
Tulsi - Guru mantra,
Crystal -
Purpose of different malas
 Use middle finger and thumb only
 Practice Mantra in meditative pose
 Mala or rosary not visible to others
 Japa Mala should not be worn
 Do not cross sumeru (offset bead)
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Purpose Of Chanting

Chanting regularly with dedication and concentration will allow the development of devotion which will then
bring the aspirant into harmony with the world around himself and the worlds within and without. It will bring
peace and, if mantra is chanted with the sincere desire for self-realisation leading to God-realisation, then
the aspirant will eventually come to stage of bliss and ecstasy in transcendence. This may seem like fantasy
for those who are fully imprisioned within the illusion of material sense gratification but for those who have
risen above such animalistic sense perception it is a transcendent and eternal reality.

In Srimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.51 it is stated, "What was attained in Satya-yuga through meditation, in Tretra-
yuga through sacrifice and in Dvapara-yuga through Deity worship is realised in Kali-yuga through Hari-
kirtana". (Hari is another name of God.) Remember that current lives last but short span of time. Whatever
gained in life materially is left behind at the time of death, or transmigration of the soul but whatever is
gained on a spiritual level is never lost but carried forward to the next incarnation.

Mantra Practice

Practice of mantra in meditation acts as a magnet for spiritual energy and gradually the higher self, seen as having been
dormant or asleep, is awakened. Only then can the soul understand what was enunciated by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
in Bengal, India 500 years ago as "achintya bheda bheda tattva" or "simultaneous oneness with and difference from God".
Mantras coming from an unbroken chain of spiritual masters in disciplic succession (called a "parampara"), act to
gradually purify the practitioner of contamination from eons of association with matter and link the disciple to the guru in a
special relationship in which the teacher can impart wisdom to the aspiring disciple according to their ability.

In one Vedic scripture called "Mahajana-karika" it is said, "Transcendental knowledge", which is received through the
system of ´parampara´, beginning with Brahma, the creator and which is embodied in the Sruti is known as amnayaha, or
the authorised sacred tradition". Students must be astute to understand who is qualified to be guru. A verse from "Vayu-
Purana" states qualification as "An acharya is one who fully understands the conclusions of the revealed scriptures and
whose behaviour reflects his deep realisation. He is a living example for he teaches the meaning of the scriptures both by
word and deed".

In practice generally "japa-mala" or japa beads are used. They are a strand of beads craved form the sacred tulasi tree
(always used by devotees of Lord Krishna or Vishnu), or other woods, or seeds such as the Rudraksha beads used in
Shaivism. Other materials such as crystal, jewels, gold or silver are also used but these are generally for mantras to gain
material wealth.The strand contains 108 beads as 108 is a holy number. The 1 symbolises the Supreme energy, or
godhead. 0 symbolises completeness as God´s creation is perfect and complete and the 8 symbolises eternity. (Mantras
for material gain will use strands with fewer beads, for example a wealth mantra has 30 beads in the strand.)

At the top of the strand is a unique bead,craved differently from the rest, called the "Krishna bead" or "Mount Meru",. This
bead is not fingered during chanting, Beginning from the first bead the bead is gently rolled between the thumb and
middle finger while the mantra is bing repaeated. One repetition on each bead is chanted until reaching the "Krishna
bead". This bead is not rolled between the ingersas the rest but when reaching it the process is to then go back in the
opposite direction. completing 108 mantras once (the number of beads on the strand) constitutes one "round" of mantra,
or a round of "japa". Different devotees make different vows, according to the instructions of their guru, as to the number
of rounds of mantra completed daily. Using beads helps the concentration and also helps to dissipate nervous energy.
These beads become infused with spiritual energy coming from within the devotee and should be considered sacred, to
be kept in a special place and never to be left on the ground.

It is best to find a quiet time and place to chant. Better to chant attentively for 5 minutes, fully concentrating on the mantra,
than to chant for an hour when the mind and senses are too disturbed by unnecessary stimuli. Bathe, then create a
spiritually conducive atmosphere by lighting incense and doing some deep breathing to relax the mind and body. If
chanting mantras for spiritual liberation, sit facing the north and if the mantras are for fulfilment of material desires, sit
facing the east.

Sit down cross-legged, if possible, but if this is difficult simply find a comfortable position that can be maintained for at
least a short while. Its no good getting into a "lotus post" if your mind is screaming from the physical discomfort. However,
if this pose is comfortoble, there is no better position for meditation.

Hold the beads at the level of the heart chakra, which represents devotion and the desire to transcend the "lower" self.
Generally the beads are kept "hidden" by keeping them in a specially made "bead bag" which has a hole to put your hand
and a convenient smaller hole opposite the hand hole where the forefinger can stick out. This makes it easier to chant
using the thumb and middle finger. Then try to realx and forget about all daily mundane thoughts or activities for a while.
Begin to repeat the mantra while rolling each individual bead between your thumb and middle (third)finger. breathe deeply
and regularly and allow the mantra to wash over your mind. Allow it to enter the earholes by careful listening and to dance
on your tongue by the attentive chanting.

After some time you will feel often a great release for pent-up emotions and feeling. There may be tears, there may be so
many thoughts of wasted time in this life (and may be other lives). Just keep bringing yourself back by conentrating on
hearing and chanting. If you begin to fall asleep, then assume another position or stop your chanting for the time being.
Remember that regular practice is necessary and it will take a little time to begin to realise the benefits on the spiritual,
emotional and even physical levels. Anything worth attaining is worth the patience and fortitude. If you want something
cheap there are any number of charlatans waiting to cheat you with so-called spiritual processes to "make you God". God
never "becomes God". He is eternally the Supreme Godhead. We, as individual souls (atma), are part and parcel of God
endowed with all qualities of God but not in the same quantity, just as drops of water from the ocean are no different in
content than the entire ocean, other than their quantity. If you really want truth and self-realisaton and ultimately God-
realisation you must develop patience and humility. There´s no short cut or "new-age" way of minimising the process you
undergo in the search for spiritual liberation. On the contrary this very "old-age" process of mantra meditatoin will infuse
you with spiritual enerty and remembrance of knowledge gained forgotten over the millennia of time.

When an aspiring disciple has attained firm faith, and the spiritual master feels the disciple ready, he may offer "diksha",
or spiritual initiation. It is of utmost importance to find a realised teacher eventually in order to make real spirtiual
advancement. In the "Narada Pancaratra, Bharadvajasamita 2.34" the following is written, "When the guru gives the
mantra to his disciple according to the rules and regulations of pancaratrika-viddhi then, by the influence of that mantra,
the disciple never takes birth again. A humble disciple conducts himself with great respect for his spiritual master as if he
is a son of the guru. To such a humble disciple, who has been purified by the appropriate samskaras (riituals), the guru
teaches the meaning of the mantra. This is the way that spiritual initiation is performed according to the rules and
regulations of scripture". Therefore we also see from this verse that the first important quality of a sincere disciple is
humility. Without humility it is not possible to rise above the false ego "I" and "mine" or to speak of engaging in spiritual
practice under a bona-fide teacher.

From this verse we can understand that only one who can save his disciple from repeated birth and death in the material
planetary systems should become a spiritual master, or guru.

Methods Of Chanting Mantra

1. KIRTAN is loud chanting congregationally so all who hear it may be benefited, even the lower living
beings such as animals and plants. Kirtans are performed with drums and cymbals and in the case of
Gaudiya Vaishnavism, the names of the Lord are chanted loudly while the participants dance in ecstasy.
Anyone who has seen and heard the devotees of the Krishna Consciousness movement, or the "Hare
Krishnas" chanting on the streets or in the temple has experienced a "kirtan".

It is considered the principal way of advancing on the path of "sadhana-bhakti", the process of bhakti-yoga.
In the seventh canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated, "Those who are intelligent in this age of Kali will
worship the Lord through the performance of sankirtana". Sankirtan is kirtan done by a group of people,
generally outdoors, where all within hearing distance may be benefited by hearing the chanting of the holy
names. Elsewhere there are scriptural references such as in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Purva-vibhaga 2.145,
"Kirtanam is defined as loudly giving voice to the glories of the Lord, beginning with the names, pastimes
and qualities of Krishna".

2. BHAJAN Melodious chanting or singing of mantras accompanied by musical instruments. Generally

stringed instruments and percussion are used although wind instruments may also be played. When a group
of devotees (spiritual aspirants) comes together to sing transcendental songs based on mantras glorifying
the Supreme, they are engaged in bhajan.

3. JAPA Repetition of a mantra is called "japa". Repeating the mantra aloud is called "vaikari japa",
whispered softly it is termed "upamsu japa", repeating it within the mind is called "manasika japa" (again
from the root Sanskrit word for mind "man"). Writing the mantra repetitively by hand is "likhita japa". All of
these forms are beneficial and effective but most effective (especially in the beginning) is chanting loud
enough to yourself so you can hear the chanting. This is called in Sanskrit "sravanam" (hearing) and
"kirtanam" (chanting).
Meaning of Mantra

Home > Mantra > Meaning of Mantra

Meaning of MantraMantras, being sacred sound vibrations, are composed of sacred

syllables representative of and containing within great spiritual power, or energy.
Utilising mantras allows us to concentrate and focus this spiritual energy. The mantras
were perceived originally by the great seers or rishis from the primeval or cosmic era
and translated into definite syllables with rhythm and melody.

The word "mantra" is composed, in sanskrit, of two root words. "Man" means" mind",
or "thinking", and "tra" to "release or free". Therefore the meaning is to free the mind
and thinking from the material sphere of consciousness and to be able to transcend the
wheel of "samsara" or "brith and death within this physcial world"

Chanting mantra promotes harmony on all levels as it awakens the spiritual self. Once
awoken, ultimately the spiritual self, or soul, turns within to the source of all power and
can direct spiritual energy not only for personal benefit but for the good of all others.
All mantras have six aspects; a seer or rishi, a raga, a presiding deity (Devata), a seed
sound (bija), power (shakti) and pillar (kilaka)

Maha-Mantra

Mantra

"Hare Krsihna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama
Rama Hare Hare".

This mantra is called "maha", the greatest mantra. It is the most powerful chanted mantra.
If you only learn and regularly chant this 16 word mantra, it is sufficient for awakening
the higher self to it´s true nature as spirit and will allow you to make spiritual
advancement to the point of full self-realisation. It is calling for the energy and mercy of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead and there are no hard and fast rules for the chanting
of this Suprme Mantra.

In the "Ananta-Samhita" within the Vedas we find the following:- "This sixteen name,
thrity-two syllable mantra is the maha-mantra in the age of Kali by which all living
beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this maha-mantra and take
to other so-called purificatory processes which are practiced by reascals, or engage in
chanting other metrical compositions of the name of Krishna that are against the pure
conclusions of the scriptures, or are filled with rasabhasa (scripturally unfounded
conclusions or practice). About this divinely spiritual maha-mantra, which delivers on
from material existence, the original guru, Lord Brahma, has said, "Kali-santaranadi
srutite", ("the srutis section of the Vedas have declared this mantra to be the best means
of deliverance in the age of Kali´). Having all heard this from Brahma, the sons and
disciples of Brahma, beginning wih Narada, all accepted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra
and having once meditated on it attained perfection".

In the"Kalisantarana Upanishad" it is stated, "The sixteen names of the Hare Krishna

mantra destroy all the inauspiciousness of the age of Kali. This is the conclusion of all the
Vedas. Also in the "Agni-Purana" it is written, "Whoever chants this mantra, even
neglectfully, will attain the supreme goal of life. Of this there is no doubt". So you can
see this is the most important mantra to learn!