Advantage Mantra in Yoga

In our Yog exercises (kriyas, asan and dhyan) we often also recite mantras because it is said that recitation of mantra make the particular exercise more effective and beneficial.

The obvious question therefore comes to mind is what is mantra and how its recitation or chanting effects while doing a physical yogic exercise.

But before we go into the details of mantra we must first understand the properties of Sound or dhwani or shabd or naad. We know that whenever we speak, we create a sound. We have also learnt in our school science studies that Sound is one of the basic energy like heat, light and motion. We know that these energies are indestructible and convertible into each other. For example from Sound you create vibrations and these vibrations by mechanical advantage can be used to produce motion, heat or light. Some familiar common examples are:

Telephone – at the callers end sound is converted into vibrations which are converted into electromagnetic waves which are again converted into sound at the receivers end.

Ultra Sound testing machines – high frequency sound waves rebound from the target and converted into light for imaging the target on the screen or film.

Music Systems – Sound vibrations are converted into laser waves (heat or light) which are impressioned / printed on CD’s or tapes and these when replayed the laser waves are converted into Sound.

We are discussing here Sound as source of Energy.

We are living in a sea of sound. The sounds we hear around us affect our health and vitality. The Universe is made up of vibration and sound is not only a most potent tool in maintaining and creating our sense of well-being, but also can be used to heal the body, mind, and spirit.

When you utter a sound, a form is being created. There is a whole science of using sounds in a particular way so that it creates the right kind of form. We can create powerful forms by uttering sounds in certain arrangements. This is known as the Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound. If you have mastery over the sound you also have mastery over the form that is attached to it.

Naad means “the essence of all sound,” the vibrational harmony of the Infinite. Naad Yoga is based on the experience of how sound vibrations affect the body, mind, and spirit through the movement of the tongue and mouth, and changes in the chemicals of the brain.

Sound or Nada meditation is the most powerful path to self-realization. The reason being that out of the five elements (Panchmahabhuta) which form the microcosm of the body and the macrocosm of the universe, the element of space is the most primal.

Space is connected with the ear, and the ear is the receptacle to sound. In that way sound is the primal experience of all; in comparison to smell, taste, vision and touch. It is also the most accurate and more precise than the others. In the mother’s womb the first sense organ to develop and mature is the ear, and the sensation of the sound is the first one to be experienced. During the dying process, the sense of hearing is the last one to disappear. That is why in various spiritual traditions around the world when someone is dying, scriptures are read, and sacred mantras are chanted. This brings peace to the dying person. In Tibetan Buddhism ‘The book of Living and Dying’ is an example of such tradition. ‘The Book of Living and Dying’ contains concrete and comprehensive instructions that guide a person to die peacefully, attain freedom or have a good rebirth.

Naad is the glue or medium that connects the little me, the individual, to the Big Me, the Universal Self. It is the vibrational harmony through which the Infinite can be experienced.

When we consciously regulate the sounds we make through the use of mantra, breath, and rhythm, we can produce profound effects on our health and well-being. The ability we have to affect our immune system through our thoughts and emotions has been scientifically documented. Mantra, rhythm, and breath used together can create a healing response in the immune system.

On the path of Nada Yoga, the body is healed, the mind recovers its balance and the person becomes a fully functional individual, living with a sense of well-being. In this sense Nada Yoga works as medicine and therapy, helping a person to lead a healthy, happy and balanced life in the world.

We can alter consciousness by changing the chemical composition of the fluids in the brain.

There are eighty-four meridian points on the upper palate of a human’s mouth. One can feel the upper palate with the tongue and experience its different surfaces. There are two rows of meridian points on the upper palate and on the gum behind the upper teeth.

The tongue stimulates those meridian points, and they in turn stimulate the hypothalamus which makes the pineal gland radiate. When the pineal radiates, it creates a pulse in the pituitary gland. When this happens to the pituitary, the entire glandular system secretes. Then the chemical composition of the brain becomes balanced, automatically changing one’s outlook on life.

Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the connection between the mind and emotions, and the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. The link between these body systems and our sensations, thoughts, and emotions, is the limbic system which is made up of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and pineal glands. Sound, breath, and rhythm are intrepreted like a code by the hypothalamus.

As mentioned above there are eighty-four meridian points on the upper palate. With each stroke of the breath and the tongue striking the meridian points, it is like a beat of a baton that releases waves of neuro-chemical messages to activate the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland commands all the other glands, which in turn, regulate our immune function and emotions.

There is a special connection between the higher functions of the pineal gland and the use of the breath. When the breath is very slow (4 breaths per minute or less), a channel is opened by the hypothalamus between the pituitary and pineal glands. This releases an “inner nectar” or amrit that activates and accelerates the entire nervous system. Vitality and healing cascade through all levels of the mind and body. Nerves, muscles, and glands are at peak performance.

It’s as if mantra and breath are the conductors of a symphony and you are the composer. You can change the notes of the symphony, to create chords of happiness, sadness, vitality, or calmness. This capacity is inherent in our design and requires no special drug or belief. This process of creation exists because every one of our molecules is in communication with every cell and thought. The power of mantra uses sound, breath, and rhythm to command our mind, brain, emotions, body, and actions.

Having established that Sound is Energy and Sound in proper synchronization with breath and rhythm can reach our brain let us now study the type (s) of sound (s) which we should produce so that our brain is stimulated most effectively and also for different results. In Hindu and Buddhist practice we create such sound by use of Sanskrit Mantras or Chantings.

Mantra is a Sanskrit word meaning manas – mind, consciousness, soul + tra, trayate – to free. It is a Sanskrit sound, syllable, word or groups of words that is considered capable of creating transformations. However, the task that a mantra is capable of performing has been interpreted differently in different regions. Hindu Mantra also evolved into writing forms and later with the advent of Buddhism in China, the China also achieved cultural unity by writing it with flexible characters. Mantra represents divinities or cosmic powers and is known to create huge influences through the sound vibrations.

In the practice of Mantras, the mind and intelligence are active. From the perspective of the triple Gunas, the Mantra method is predominantly sattvic, the Yantra is rajasic, and the Tantra tamasic

Now let us understand the evolution of the Mantras.

A Beej Mantra is the shortest form of a Mantra just like a beej (seed) which when sown grows into a tree. Similarly beej mantras of different Gods, when recited together give humans lot of positive energy and blessings of all the Gods. They are the vibrations, and represent the “call” of the soul. It is belief that when the universe was created then the sounds produce during the cosmic evolution are basically the beej mantra. There are about 25 common words used in beej mantras and each Beej mantra has its own power and when mixed with mantras add extra power to the benefits of that mantra. Accordingly the mantras which contain up to nine words are termed Beej Mantra, ten or twenty words forms Mantra and beyond are known Maha Mantra.

These beej mantras are further classified in four types of beej mantra which are as Yog Beej,Tejo Beej, Shanti Beej and Raksha Beej but we need not go into that details.

Common Words used in Beej Mantra are:

Om, Hrim, Krim, Shrim, Hum, Aim, Phat, Krom, Swaha, Klim, Blum, Gam, Hrum, Thah and Klrim Swaha are some of the most common words that can be found in almost all the beej mantras.

OM is the basic beej mantra and it is believed that this sound was heard when the universe was created.

Fundamentally, in OM there are three sounds in the existence. Any given sound can be created out of these three sounds. If you know something about a color television, there are only three color webs. Given these three color webs, any number of colors can be created. Similarly, given these three sounds, any number of sounds can be created. You can see this with a simple experiment: without the use of the tongue, there are only three sounds you can utter: “aaa”, “ouuu”, and “mmm”. Even if you cut off your tongue, you can still utter these three sounds. For any other sound, you need the use of the tongue. You are using the tongue only to mix these three sounds in many ways to produce all the other sounds. There are so many millions of sounds you can create with your mouth, but a person who is mute can only say “aaa”, “ouuu”, and “mmm”. He cannot say anything else because he is not able to use his tongue.

In Patanjali’s Yoga, Aum represents Ishwara or Sagun Braham (universal consciousness with attributes). Because all other sounds emerged and are an extension of Aum, a Nada Yogi can make any sound a tool to reach the primal sound Aum and realizes Sagun Braham or Ishwara and then the pure consciousness of Nirgun Braham. In Semitic tradition the Bible says ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’

Each Mantra is a set of sacred syllables or sounds, which is used in a Vedic ritual as an invocation to a deity or a number of deities. They form part of the Vedic hymns, which are found in the Samhita section of the Vedas. Most of them are set to a particular meter, although some may be in prose form. In the Vedic mantras, the emphasis is more on the sounds rather than their wording or meaning.

We are however using the mantras in our yog exercises and therefore interested to know the affect of bija mantra on our chakras.

How to Sound the Bija Mantras for the Chakras?

“With the syllable Aum as their sole support, the wise person attains that which ispeaceful, unageing, deathless, fearless – the Supreme.” – Atharva Veda, Prasna Upanishad 5.7.

The Yogatattva Upanishad (slokas 83–101) states that the five lower chakras are related to the five elements. There are said to be five great elements (bhutas) that make up the world; earth (prithivi), water (apas/jala), fire (tejas/agni), air (vayu) and ether (akasha).

Each element has a bija mantra associated with it, when this mantra is sounded it resonates in the chakra and purifies the nadis (subtle channels of energy). The nadis link the higher spiritual aspects of our being with our mind, emotions and our body.

The third eye chakra is created from ‘Mahattva’, the great or supreme element out of which all the other elements are formed. The bija mantra for the Third Eye Chakra is AUM.

The Crown Chakra is beyond all elements and contains all sounds. The mantra AUM is generally used for this chakra as AUM is the source of all sounds and is the primal cosmic sound Anahata Nada.

LAM for Muladhara the Base Chakra – Earth Element – Dental Position

VAM for Swadhisthana the Sacral Chakra – Water Element – Labial Position

RAM for Manipura the Solar Plexus Chakra – Fire Element – Cerebral Position

YAM for Anahata the Heart Chakra – Air Element – Palatal Position

HAM for Vishuddha the Throat Chakra – Akasha Element – Guttural Position

AUM for Ajna the Third Eye Chakra – Mahatattva

AUM for Sahasrara the Crown Chakra

The bija mantras for the chakras are formed from the semi-vowels of the Sanskrit alphabet YA, RA, LA, VA. They are called ‘antahstha’ or intermediate sounds in Sanskrit.

 Sanskrit Alphabet

The semi-vowels are produced using the five tongue positions used in the Sanskrit Alphabet. As we sound the bija mantras the five different tongue positions stimulate the five elements balancing the chakras.

For sake of repetiton – in yogic philosophy it is said that there are 72,000 nadis (subtle energy channels) in the body. When we chant in Sanskrit we are stimulating the 84 reflex points in the mouth. There are said to 64 reflex points in the hard palate and 20 in the soft palate, and these reflex points relate to the various nadis. When we chant in Sanskrit we awaken dormant parts of the brain and circulate energy through the body.

1. Guttural – The sound comes from the back of the throat. The back of the tongue is placed against the lower soft palate (this tongue position is also called Velar). Red

2. Cerebral – The tip of the tongue touches the roof of the mouth (this tongue position is also called Retroflex or Lingual). Orange

3. Palatal – The tongue is placed flatly against the upper soft palate. Yellow.
4.  Dental – The tongue is placed behind the upper teeth. Green
5. Labial – The sound is made by the lips (this tongue position is also called Glottal). Blue

Each of the semivowels has a different point of pronunciation: YA uses the hard palate, RA is a retroflex consonant, and LA uses the teeth. VA mainly uses the lips, but it also requires the use of the teeth. VA is halfway between the English “va” and “wa.” The sound HA comes from the back of the throat. Harish Johari says that the addition of the NG sound to the semi-vowels of the Sanskrit alphabet turns them into bija mantras. The NG sounds are nasal, like the elephant’s sound, Nishad or Ni (one of the notes of the Indian Scale), that is produced by its trunk rather than its vocal chords. The nasal sounds are said to move energy upward to vibrate the outermost brain cortex where impressions are stored. The bija mantras carry the wisdom and knowledge that brings liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Each element is associated with a different symbol/shape. Visualising this symbol/shape helps to deepen our connection with the element.

LAM – Muldhara or Base Chakra

Visualise a square shape in the base chakra. The bija mantra (seed sound) for this chakra is LAM sounded as LANG. The ‘L’ sound in the bija mantra LANG is produced by placing the tongue behind the upper teeth. The mantra is made up of two sounds that are roughly equal in length LA and NG. The duration of the two sounds is the same for all the bija mantras. The NG sound is produced with a nasal intonation creating a resonant humming sound half way between an ‘M’ and a ‘N’. The mantra LANG is focused in the base chakra.

VAM – Swadishthan or Sacral Chakra

Visualise a circular shape in the sacral chakra. The bija mantra for this chakra is VAM sounded as VANG. The ‘V’ sound in the bija mantra is VANG produced by the lips as though making a ‘FF’ sound before the VA. The mantra VANG is focused in the sacral chakra.

RAM – Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra

Visualise a triangular shape in the solar plexus chakra. The bija mantra for this chakra is RAM sounded as RANG. The ‘R’ sound in the bija mantra RANG is produced with the tip of the tongue curling up to touch the roof of the mouth. The main point of concentration when producing this seed sound is on the third chakra. The sound originates from the navel when repeated in a proper manner.

YAM – Anahat or Heart Chakra

Visualise a six-pointed star in the heart chakra. The bija mantra for this chakra is YAM sounded as YANG. The ‘Y’ sound in the bija mantra YANG is produced with the tongue pressed against the soft palate at the front of the roof of the mouth. The mantra is focused in the heart chakra.

HAM – Vishudhi orThroat Chakra

Visualise a crescent shape in the throat chakra. The bija mantra for this chakra is HAM sounded as HANG. The ‘H’ sound in the bija mantra HANG is produced at the back of the throat. The mantra is focused in the throat chakra.

AUM – Ajna or Third Eye Chakra

Visualise a circle with two petals on either side. The bija mantra AUM is created from three sounds, A, U and M. The mantra AUM is focused in the third eye chakra.

AUM – Shahsrara or Crown Chakra

The sounds associated with this chakra are all the vowels and consonants of the Sanskrit alphabet. The mantra AUM can be used for this chakra as it contains all the sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet. The bija mantra AUM is sounded in the crown chakra.

While performing our yoga asanas we should chant the relevant mantra in proper synchronization with breath, focus on the particular chakra related to that asana. This will really be effective as the chakra will  respond to that mantra (sound). By practice and under proper guidance we can recite the mantra by creating proper sound. Every mantra activates a particular kind of energy in that part of our body.

After all Yoga is the most scientific and trusted way to connect body mind and soul.

We bow to the sage Patanjali

 योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां ।
मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन ॥
योऽपाकरोत्तमं प्रवरं मुनीनां ।
पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि ॥
Yogena Cittasya Padena Vaacaam |
Malam Shariirasya Ca Vaidyakena ||
Yo[a-A]paakaro[a-U]ttamam Pravaram Muniinaam |
Patan.jalim Praan.jalir-Aanato[a-A]smi ||
Meaning:
1: (I bow down to him who purifies the impurities) of the Mind (by removing the Chitta Vrittis) by Yoga, (who purifies the expression of) Speech by Pada (Grammar) …
2: … and (who purifies the) impurities of the Body through Vaidya (Medical Science), …
3: … He who is an expert in removing (the impurities of the Body, Mind and Speech), to that most excellent of Munis, …
4: … (Who is) Patanjali, I bow down with folded hands.

Note – I have tried to compile a bit on sound as energy, affect of sound on our body and mind and to create appropriate sounds through mantras for desired effect. To the best of my ability I have accessed information on above subjects from books and internet. I may be pardoned / corrected if my interpretation or understanding is not correct and if I have missed to acknowledge any reference below.

Dedicated to my wife Neeta whose birthday is on 13 December.

References – yogajournal, Isha sadguru, Art of living, Hinduwebsite, Speaking tree, Chakras by Johri, 3ho Foundation.