Recommended read: 10 reasons to chant
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of “creating transformation” (spiritual transformation). Their use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra.
Mantras (Devanāgarī मन्त्र) originated in the Vedic tradition of India, later becoming an essential part of the Hindu tradition and a customary practice within Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. The use of mantras is now widespread throughout various spiritual movements which are based on, or off-shoots of, the practices in the earlier Eastern traditions and religions. [more info here]
Frequently used mantras in Kundalini Yoga
ONG NAMO, GURU DEV NAMO
is the Adi Mantra that precedes Kundalini Yoga practice, tuning one in to the higher self. Ong is “Infinite Creative energy in manifestation and activity”. (“Om” or Aum is God absolute and unmanifested), Namo is “reverent greetings’ implying humility, Guru means “teacher or wisdom”, Dev means “Divine or of God” and Namo reaffirms humility and reverence. In all it means, “I call upon Divine Wisdom”.
AD GURAY NAMEH, JUGAD GURAY NAMEH,
SAT GURAY NAMEH, SIRI GURU DEVAY NAMEH
is the Mangala Charn Mantra, and is chanted for protection. It surrounds the magnetic field with protective light, and means “I bow to the primal Guru (guiding consciousness who takes us to God-Realization), I bow to wisdom through the ages, I bow to True Wisdom, I bow to the great, unseen wisdom.”
EK ONG KAR, SAT NAM, KARTA PURKH, NIRBHAO, NIRVAIR,
AKAL MOORT, AJUNI, SAI BHANG, GUR PRASAD, JAP,
AD SUCH, JUGAD SUCH, HABHE SUCH, NANAK HOSI BHEE SUCH
is the Mul Mantra, the root of all mantras. It means, “The creator of all is One. Truth is His Name. He does everything, fearless, without anger, undying, unborn, self-realized, realized thru Guru’s Grace, Meditate: He was true in the beginning, true thru all the ages, true even now. Nanak shall ever be true.”
SA TA NA MA
is the Panj Shabad expressing the five primal sounds of the universe. “S” is Infinity, “T” is life, “N” means death and “M” is rebirth. (The 5th sound is “A”.) This is one of the most frequently used mantras in Kundalini Yoga.
SAT NAM
is the Seed Mantra or Bij Mantra and it is the most widely used in the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Sat means the Truth; Nam means to call upon, name or identify with. Sat Nam means Truth is my identity and I call upon the eternal Truth that resides in all of us. Chanting this mantra awakens the Soul, and more simply means “really”. It is pronounced to rhyme with “But Mom!”
WAHE GURU
is the Guru Mantra, the mantra of ecstasy. It is not translatable but chanting it elevates the spirit.
