DEFINITION AND TYPES OF MANTRA
The most elaborate and meaningful definitions of mantra have been provided by Indian sages and saints. No other sources define mantra better than these saints. The importance of mantra, however, has also been recognized by Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Islam, Christian, Persian and Jewish religions. The science of today also acknowledges its importance.
Dedication and mediation are intrinsic parts of mantra. This is the powerful medium of knowing self or brahmagyan, apart from gaining earthly and divine desires. This is such an esoteric knowledge that one the one hand a person can achieve worldly wishes and on the other they can also achieve nirvana. Due to this capability, this is popular all over the world and people of all religions follow this. The existence of this faith among pre-historic humans as well as civilized and educated society of today is an evidence of its utility.
Our saints and sages have defined mantra so that it can be understood, practiced and kept close to hearts. Mantras have been defined differently by various saints, religions, sects and gurus. In this discussion, we will talk about the definitions propounded by mantragam and tantragam so that we can understand them easily.
- “Manyat Trayete yasmattsmanmantra udahrit”, that is, through meditation, contemplation and dhyana, we can protect ourselves from sorrow and become happy- this is mantra.
- “Manyete Gyaete Atmadi Yen”, that is, knowledge of soul and God is mantra.
- “Manyete Vicharyete Atmadesho Yen”, that is, premeditate on the instructions of the soul, that is mantra.
- “Manyete Satkriyante Parampade Sthitah Devtah” means respect and worship God, this is mantra.
- “Mananam Vishwavigyanam Tranam Sansarbandhanat. Yatah Karoti Sansidhoh Mantra Itiuchayete Tatah”, that is, mediation of brightening and universal soul, achieving which can free a person from fear, sorrow, sin, and disease. Therefore, this is mantra.
- “Mananatattvaswarupsya Devasyamit Tejasah. Trayete Sarvadukhebhyarastsmanmantra Itiritah.” Through which one meditates eternal and illuminated God and frees oneself from sorrow, is mantra. “Mananat Trayete iti mantra”, that is achieving full security and welfare through meditation, dhyana and thinking is mantra.
- “Prayogsamvetarthasmarkah Mantra”, that is, mantra illuminates the meaning of worshipping, rituals and images.
- “Sadhaksadhansadhyavivek Mantra”, that is, in dedication, the knowledge of dedicator is mantra.
- “Sarve Bijatmakah Varna Mantra Gyea Shivatimakah:, that is, this is the form of Shiva.
- “Mantro hi gupt Vigyanah”, that is Mantra is mysterious science.
Thus, to understand and explain mantra, various definitions were provided. This is a serious subject in itself. As in ocean, it is impossible to fathom its depth. In my opinion, the widely accepted definition of mantra is, “words that connect the subject with the mind, that is the fundamental mantra”. Our subconscious mind-set connected with that particular thought and energy.
TYPES OF MANTRA
Generally, there are two types of mantra- Vedic and Tantric. The mantra propounded by Veda is Vedic and one propounded by tantragam is tantric. There are three types of tantric mantra- Bijamantra, Nammantra and Malamantra.
Bija (in Sanskrit- Seeds) or mantra containing bija is bijamantra and those without bija is known as nammantra. According to some saints, those containing more than 20 letters, and according to others, those with more than 32 letters are malamantra.
To give an expression to the natural power of the word is called sankatakshar bija. Its power and forms are infinite. Thus, it gives expression to total capacity, infinite forms and all meanings. It makes various worshippers, worshipping various Gods, understand various mysteries. This is complete in itself apart from being full expression. This is of three types- maulik, yogik and koot.
Some of the saints have called them ekakshar, bijakshar and dhanakshar. When sanketakshar is in its fundamental form then this is called fundamental bija, for instance, yn, rn, ln, bn, kshn, yen etc. When sanketakshar is formed by a combination of various alphabets, then it becomes yaugik bija, for instance, heen, cleen, hveen, kshon etc. If these sanketaskhar are formed of three or more alphabets then it becomes koot bija.
This kind of bija is used in Shri Vidya and tantric worships. The characteristic of bija mantra is that despite having all the powers they are esoteric. They are invoked and called mantra chaitanya. This mechanism can be known through mantra shastra and sadguru.
The power of mantra is not camouflaged in namamantra. The words of these mantra clearly reflects God, his form and his power. For instance, Om Namah Shivay and Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevay. The words of this mantra are self-evident in reflecting the God, his form and his power.
First syllable stress of Malamantra has more than 20 or more than 32 letters but there is no mention of later syllables.
Therefore, malamantras are sometimes short and sometime very long. Keeping in mind its form, Yogini Hridaytantra considers it of two types- small and big.
According to Yogini Hridaya, mantras having 84 letters or less are small ones and more than that are big malamantras. Sometimes they are very long, for instance, Durga Saptashati’s “Savarni Suryatanay” to “Savarni Bhavatimanuh” have 700 hymns.
The scholars of mantra believe that there is not a single letter which is not mantra and there is no plant which does not have medicine. But the power intrinsic in mantra and medicine inside a plant can only be understood with the help of a guru.
It is said, by understanding just one word in its entirety and utilizing it for meditations and worshipping, one can fulfill all the desires of earth and eternity.
|