72-648: The Ṇamōkāra mantra is the most significant mantra in Jainism , and one of the oldest mantras in continuous practice. This is the first prayer recited by the Jains while meditating . The mantra is also variously referred to as the Pancha Namaskāra Mantra , Namaskāra Mantra , Navakāra Mantra , Namaskāra Mangala or Paramesthi Mantra . It is dedicated to the Panch-Parmeshthi, namely the arihant ,
144-527: A mantra in texts, traditions, rituals and meditation arose thereafter. The Namokar Mantra may abbreviated to Oṃ Namaḥ Siddhanam (6 syllables), Om Nhi (2 syllables), or just Om (1 syllable) in Jain literature. Below is the meaning of the Namokar Mantra line by line, wherein the devotee first bows to the five supreme souls or Pañca-Parameṣṭhi : There is no mention of any particular names of
216-477: A feat, suggests Staal, that was made possible by the strict mathematical principles used in constructing the mantras. These saman chant mantras are also mostly meaningless, cannot be literally translated as Sanskrit or any Indian language, but nevertheless are beautiful in their resonant themes, variations, inversions, and distribution. They draw the devotee in. Staal is not the first person to view Hindu mantras in this manner. The ancient Hindu Vedic ritualist Kautsa
288-432: A later period of Hinduism, mantras were recited with a transcendental redemptive goal as intention, such as escape from the cycle of life and rebirth, forgiveness for bad karma, and experiencing a spiritual connection with the god. The function of mantras, in these cases, was to cope with the human condition as a whole. According to Alper, redemptive spiritual mantras opened the door for mantras where every part need not have
360-497: A literal meaning, but together their resonance and musical quality assisted the transcendental spiritual process. Overall, explains Alper, using Śivasūtra mantras as an example, Hindu mantras have philosophical themes and are metaphorical with social dimension and meaning; in other words, they are a spiritual language and instrument of thought. According to Staal, Hindu mantras may be spoken aloud, anirukta (not enunciated), upamsu (inaudible), or manasa (not spoken, but recited in
432-482: A literal meaning. He further notes that even when mantras do not have a literal meaning, they do set a tone and ambiance in the ritual as they are recited, and thus have a straightforward and uncontroversial ritualistic meaning. The sounds may lack literal meaning, but they can have an effect. He compares mantras to bird songs, that have the power to communicate, yet do not have a literal meaning. On that saman category of Hindu mantras, which Staal described as resembling
504-458: A major Jain text : Meditate on, recite or chant the sacred mantras, consisting of thirty-five, sixteen, six, five, four, two and one letter(s), pronouncing the virtues of the five supreme beings ( Pañca-Parameṣṭhi ). Besides, meditate on and chant other mantras as per the teachings of the Preceptor (guru). Mantra A mantra ( Pali : mantra ) or mantram ( Devanagari : मन्त्रम्) is
576-420: A mantra simultaneously with in-breath and out-breath to help develop tranquility and concentration. Mantra meditation is especially popular among lay people. Like other basic concentration exercises, it can be used simply to the mind, or it can be the basis for an insight practice where the mantra becomes the focus of observation of how life unfolds, or an aid in surrendering and letting go." The "Buddho" mantra
648-477: A result, there is a long history of scholarly disagreement on the meaning of mantras and whether they are instruments of mind, as implied by the etymological origin of the word mantra . One school suggests mantras are mostly meaningless sound constructs, while the other holds them to be mostly meaningful linguistic instruments of mind. Both schools agree that mantras have melody and a well designed mathematical precision in their construction and that their influence on
720-422: A sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes , or group of words (most often in an Indo-Iranian language like Sanskrit or Avestan ) believed by practitioners to have religious, magical or spiritual powers. Some mantras have a syntactic structure and a literal meaning, while others do not. ꣽ, ॐ (Aum, Om) serves as an important mantra in various Indian religions . Specifically, it
792-459: A specific mantra and its associated deity is often a requirement for reciting certain mantras in these traditions. However, in some religious traditions, initiation is not always required for certain mantras, which are open to all. The word mantra is also used in English to refer to something that is said frequently and is deliberately repeated over and over. The earliest mention of mantras
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#1732790739761864-481: A spell or weapon of supernatural power. Zimmer defines mantra as a verbal instrument to produce something in one's mind. Agehananda Bharati defines mantra, in the context of the Tantric school of Hinduism, to be a combination of mixed genuine and quasi-morphemes arranged in conventional patterns, based on codified esoteric traditions, passed on from a guru to a disciple through prescribed initiation. Jan Gonda ,
936-571: A subject of controversy among scholars. Tantra usage is not unique to Hinduism: it is also found in Buddhism both inside and outside India. Other important Hindu mantras include: Apart from Shiva Sutras , which originated from Shiva's tandava dance, the Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta are a collection of seventy-seven aphorisms that form the foundation of the tradition of spiritual mysticism known as Kashmir Shaivism . They are attributed to
1008-526: A widely cited scholar on Indian mantras, defines mantra as general name for the verses, formulas or sequence of words in prose which contain praise, are believed to have religious, magical or spiritual efficiency, which are meditated upon, recited, muttered or sung in a ritual, and which are collected in the methodically arranged ancient texts of Hinduism. By comparing the Old Indic Vedic and Old Iranian Avestan traditions, Gonda concludes that in
1080-482: Is japa , the meditative repetition of a mantra, usually with the aid of a mala (prayer beads). Mantras serve a central role in the Indian tantric traditions , which developed elaborate yogic methods which make use of mantras. In tantric religions (often called "mantra paths", Sanskrit : Mantranāya or Mantramarga ), mantric methods are considered to be the most effective path. Ritual initiation ( abhiseka ) into
1152-485: Is an example of a seed syllable mantra ( bijamantra ). It is believed to be the first sound in Hinduism and as the sonic essence of the absolute divine reality. Longer mantras are phrases with several syllables, names and words. These phrases may have spiritual interpretations such as a name of a deity, a longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge, and action. Examples of longer mantras include
1224-523: Is claimed to purify the mind and spirit. Kirtan is a more musical form of mantric practice. It is a common method in the bhakti traditions , such as Gaudiya Vaishnavism . Kirtan includes call and response forms of chanting accompanied by various Indian instruments (such as the tabla , mrdanga and harmonium ), and it may also include dancing and theatrical performance. Kirtan is also common in Sikhism . Tantric Tantric Hindu traditions see
1296-622: Is found in the Vedas of ancient India and the Avesta of ancient Iran . Both Sanskrit mántra and the equivalent Avestan mąθra go back to the common Proto-Indo-Iranian *mantram , consisting of the Indo-European *men "to think" and the instrumental suffix *trom . Due to the linguistic and functional similarities, they must go back to the common Indo-Iranian period , commonly dated to around 2000 BCE. Scholars consider
1368-405: Is more general: a word or phrase that is often repeated and expresses a particularly strong belief. For instance, a football team can choose individual words as their own "mantra." Louis Renou has defined mantra as a thought. Mantras are structured formulae of thoughts, claims Silburn . Farquhar concludes that mantras are a religious thought, prayer, sacred utterance, but also believed to be
1440-527: Is recited or chanted during a ritual. Staal presents a non-linguistic view of mantras. He suggests that verse mantras are metered and harmonized to mathematical precision (for example, in the viharanam technique), which resonate, but a lot of them are a hodgepodge of meaningless constructs such as are found in folk music around the world. Staal cautions that there are many mantras that can be translated and do have spiritual meaning and philosophical themes central to Hinduism, but that does not mean all mantras have
1512-406: Is said to have attained its true and pristine nature of infinite bliss, infinite knowledge and infinite perception. Such a soul is called siddha and is revered in Jainism . In Jainism , moksha is the highest and the noblest objective that a soul should strive to achieve. In fact, it is the only objective that a person should have; other objectives are contrary to the true nature of soul. With
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#17327907397611584-493: Is the premise that before existence and beyond existence is only One reality, Brahman, and the first manifestation of Brahman expressed as Om. For this reason, Om is considered as a foundational idea and reminder, and thus is prefixed and suffixed to all Hindu prayers . While some mantras may invoke individual gods or principles, fundamental mantras such as Shanti Mantra , the Gayatri Mantra and others ultimately focus on
1656-465: Is the rational faith in the true nature of every substance of the universe. Samyak Caritra or rational conduct is the natural conduct of a (soul) living being. It consists in following austerities, engaging in right activities and observance of vows, carefulness and controls. Once a soul secures samyaktva , mokṣa is assured within a few lifetimes. The fourteen stages on the path to liberation are called Gunasthāna . These are: Those who pass
1728-777: Is the tantric phase of Mantrayana . In this tantric phase, mantras are at the very center of the path to Buddhahood, acting as a part of the supreme method of meditation and spiritual practice. One popular bija (seed) mantra in Mahayana Buddhism is the Sanskrit letter A (see A in Buddhism ). This seed mantra was equated with Mahayana doctrines like Prajñaparamita (the Perfection of Wisdom), emptiness and non-arising . This seed mantra remains in use in Shingon , Dzogchen and Rinzai Zen. Mahayana Buddhism also adopted
1800-518: Is to solemnize and ratify rituals. Each mantra, in Vedic rituals, is coupled with an act. According to Apastamba Srauta Sutra , each ritual act is accompanied by one mantra, unless the Sutra explicitly marks that one act corresponds to several mantras. According to Gonda, and others, there is a connection and rationale between a Vedic mantra and each Vedic ritual act that accompanies it. In these cases,
1872-447: Is what matters to the devotee. A mantra creates a feeling in the practicing person. It has an emotive numinous effect, it mesmerizes, it defies expression, and it creates sensations that are by definition private and at the heart of all religions and spiritual phenomena. Traditional During the early Vedic period , Vedic poets became fascinated by the inspirational power of poems, metered verses, and music. They referred to them with
1944-849: Is widespread in the Thai Forest Tradition and was taught by Ajahn Chah and his students. Another popular mantra in Thai Buddhism is Samma-Araham , referring to the Buddha who has 'perfectly' ( samma ) attained 'perfection in the Buddhist sense' ( araham ), used in Dhammakaya meditation . In the Tantric Theravada tradition of Southeast Asia, mantras are central to their method of meditation. Popular mantras in this tradition include Namo Buddhaya ("Homage to
2016-695: The Mangala Sutta , Ratana Sutta , and the Metta Sutta . According to the American Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield : The use of mantra or the repetition of certain phrases in Pali is a highly common form of meditation in the Theravada tradition. Simple mantras use repetition of the Buddha's name, "Buddho", [as "Buddho" is actually a title rather than a name] or use the "Dhamma", or
2088-712: The Ratana Sutta for apotropaic reasons. Even at this early stage, there was an idea that these spells were somehow connected with the Dharma in a deep sense. Conze argues that in Mahayana sutras like the White Lotus Sutra , and the Lankavatara Sutra , mantras become more important for spiritual reasons and their power increases. For Conze, the final phase of the development of Buddhist mantras
2160-491: The Buddha's Teaching . It was a popular Buddhist verse and was used as a mantra. This mantra is found inscribed on numerous ancient Buddhist statues, chaityas , and images. The Sanskrit version of this mantra is: ye dharmā hetuprabhavā hetuṃ teṣāṃ tathāgato hyavadat, teṣāṃ ca yo nirodha evaṃvādī mahāśramaṇaḥ The phrase can be translated as follows: Of those phenomena which arise from causes: Those causes have been taught by
2232-753: The Gayatri Mantra , the Hare Krishna mantra , Om Namah Shivaya , the Mani mantra , the Mantra of Light , the Namokar Mantra , and the Mūl Mantar . Mantras without any actual linguistic meaning are still considered to be musically uplifting and spiritually meaningful. The use, structure, function, importance, and types of mantras vary according to the school and philosophy of Jainism , Buddhism , Hinduism , Zoroastrianism , and Sikhism . A common practice
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2304-466: The Om mantra, which is found incorporated into various Mahayana Buddhist mantras (like the popular Om Mani Padme Hum ). Moksha (Jainism) Sanskrit moksha or Prakrit mokkha refers to the liberation or salvation of a soul from saṃsāra , the cycle of birth and death. It is a blissful state of existence of a soul, attained after the destruction of all karmic bonds . A liberated soul
2376-629: The Tathāgata ( Buddha ), and their cessation too - thus proclaims the Great Ascetic. Early Buddhist texts also contain various apotropaic chants which have similar functions to Vedic mantras. These are called parittas in Pali (Sanskrit: paritrana ) and mean "protection, safeguard". They are still chanted in Theravada Buddhism to this day as a way to heal, protect from danger and bless. Some of these are short Buddhist texts, like
2448-446: The mokṣamarga or the path to liberation. According to Acharya KundaKunda 's Samayasara : Belief in the nine substances as they are is right faith (samyagdarśana). Knowledge of these substances without doubt, delusion or misapprehension, is right knowledge (samyagjñāna). Being free from attachment etc. is right conduct (samyakcāritra). These three, together, constitute the path to liberation. Samyak Darsana or rational perception
2520-706: The siddhas , the acharyas , the upadhyaya and all the ascetics. A short inscription (dated 200 BCE to 100 BCE) found in Pale Caves in Maharashtra mentions Namo Arahatanam ( नमो अरहतानं ) or Namo Arahantanam ( नमो अरहंतानं ), only the first line of Namokara Mantra. In Kushana and Shaka periods of 1st century CE to the first quarter of 2nd century, only the first line was prevalent. The Hathigumpha inscription dated between 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE starts with Namo Arahantanam ( नमो अरहंतानं ) and Namo Save Sidhanam ( नमो सवे सिधानं ),
2592-471: The Śvetāmbara canon states that Tirthankaras' sermons are in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit , so they prefer the version with नमो (Namo) as they consider it to be the original form of the mantra . Digambaras, on the other hand, believe that Tirthankaras do not speak after attaining Kevala jnana and that there is no specific language in their sermons. Most Digambaras, therefore, prefer reciting
2664-448: The "Sangha", the community, as mantra words. Other used mantras are directed toward developing loving kindness. Some mantras direct attention to the process of change by repeating the Pali phrase that means "everything changes", while other mantras are used to develop equanimity with phrases that would be translated, "let go". "In contemporary Theravada practice, mantra practice is often combined with breathing meditation, so that one recites
2736-455: The ' meru ', or ' guru ' bead); the devotee using their fingers to count each bead as they repeat the chosen mantra. Having reached 108 repetitions, if they wish to continue another cycle of mantras, the devotee turns the mala around without crossing the head bead and repeats the cycle. Japa-yajna is claimed to be most effective if the mantra is repeated silently in mind (manasah). According to this school, any shloka from holy Hindu texts like
2808-463: The Buddha") and Araham ("Worthy One"). There are Thai Buddhist amulet katha : that is, mantras to be recited while holding an amulet. The use of mantras became very popular with the rise of Mahayana Buddhism . Many Mahayana sutras contain mantras, bijamantras ("seed" mantras), dharanis and other similar phrases which were chanted or used in meditation. According to Edward Conze , Buddhists initially used mantras as protective spells like
2880-481: The One reality. Japa Mantra japa is a practice of repetitively uttering the same mantra for an auspicious number of times, the most popular being 108 , and sometimes just 5, 10, 28 or 1008. Japa is found in personal prayer or meditative efforts of some Hindus, as well during formal puja (group prayers). Japa is assisted by malas (bead necklaces) containing 108 beads and a head bead (sometimes referred to as
2952-407: The Tantric school, with numerous functions. From initiating and emancipating a tantric devotee to worshiping manifested forms of the divine. From enabling heightened sexual energy in the male and the female to acquiring supernormal psychological and spiritual power. From preventing evil influences to exorcizing demons, and many others. These claimed functions and other aspects of the tantric mantra are
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3024-573: The Vedas, Upanishads , Bhagavad Gita , Yoga Sutra , even the Mahabharata , Ramayana , Durga saptashati or Chandi is a mantra, thus can be part of the japa , repeated to achieve a numinous effect. The Dharmasāstra claims Gāyatri mantra derived from Rig Veda verse 3.62.10, and the Purușasūkta mantra from Rig Veda verse 10.90 are most auspicious mantras for japa at sunrise and sunset; it
3096-406: The arias of Bach 's oratorios and other European classics, he notes that these mantras have musical structure, but they almost always are completely different from anything in the syntax of natural languages. Mantras are literally meaningless, yet musically meaningful to Staal. The saman chant mantras were transmitted from one Hindu generation to next verbally for over 1000 years but never written,
3168-537: The condensed edition of Vyākhyāprajñapti . This version also replaces Ardhamagadhi नं with Maharashtrian Prakrit णं . In condensed edition of Avashyakasutra (dated circa last quarter of 5th century), the नं is also replaced with णं as well as अरहंत (Arahant) with अरिहंत (Arihant). Shatkandagam (circa 475–525 CE) and later Visheshavashyakbhashyavritti (circa 725 CE) and Anuyogadwarasuchi shows नमो (Namo) replaced with more Prakit णमो (Namo). However, most Śvetāmbaras still use नमो (Namo) as
3240-473: The entire work is meaningless. Alper lists numerous mantras that have philosophical themes, moral principles, a call to virtuous life, and even mundane petitions. He suggests that from a set of millions of mantras, the devotee chooses some mantras voluntarily, thus expressing that speaker's intention, and the audience for that mantra is that speaker's chosen spiritual entity. Mantras deploy the language of spiritual expression, they are religious instruments, and that
3312-424: The first two lines of Namokar Mantra. The rest of the lines are not there. It was inscribed by the Jain monarch Kharavela of Kalinga kingdom . According to historian M. A. Dhaky , these two lines were originally used as mangala (auspicious opening lines) in written works and rituals then. The Namaskara Mantra with all Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme souls) was first mentioned in the auspicious opening lines in
3384-462: The form of udana arises in susumna , and then just as flame arises out of kindled fire and gets dissolved in the sky, so also atma (Self) like a flame having burnt down the fuel of the body, gets absorbed in Shiva. One of the most ancient Buddhist mantras is the famous Pratītyasamutpāda-gāthā , also known as the dependent origination dhāraṇī . This phrase is said to encapsulate the meaning of
3456-536: The function of mantras was to be an instrument of ritual efficacy for the priest, and a tool of instruction for a ritual act for others. Over time, as the Puranas and Epics were composed, the concepts of worship, virtues and spirituality evolved in Hinduism and new schools of Hinduism were founded, each continuing to develop and refine its own mantras. In Hinduism, suggests Alper, the function of mantras shifted from
3528-456: The gods or any specific person. The prayer is done towards the guṇa (the good qualities) of the gods, teachers and the saints. Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from the tirthankaras or monastics. This mantra simply serves as a gesture of deep respect towards beings whom they believe are spiritually evolved, as well as to remind the people of their ultimate goal i.e. moksha (liberation). According to Dravyasaṃgraha ,
3600-579: The last stage are called siddha and become fully established in Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. Nirvāna means final release from the karmic bondage. When an enlightened human, such as an Arihant or a Tirthankara , extinguishes his remaining aghatiya karmas and thus ends his worldly existence, it is called nirvāna . Technically, the death of an Arhat is called their nirvāṇa, as he has ended his worldly existence and attained liberation. Moksha (liberation) follows nirvāṇa. However,
3672-446: The light of Supreme I-consciousness is a mantra. The divine Supreme I-consciousness is the dynamo of all the mantras. Deha or body has been compared to wood, "mantra" has been compared to arani —a piece of wood used for kindling fire by friction; prana has been compared to fire. Sikha or flame has been compared to atma (Self); ambara or sky has been compared to Shiva. When prana is kindled by means of mantra used as arani, fire in
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#17327907397613744-471: The means to liberation (moksha). The four jewels are called moksha marg . According to Jain texts, the liberated pure soul ( Siddha ) goes up to the summit of universe ( Siddhashila ) and dwells there in eternal bliss. According to Jainism, the Ratnatraya or "three Gems", samyagdarśana (correct perception), samyagjñāna (right knowledge) and samyakchāritra (right conduct), together constitute
3816-427: The mind). In ritual use, mantras are often silent instruments of meditation. For almost every mantra, there are six limbs called Shadanga . These six limbs are: Seer (Rishi), Deity (Devata), Seed (Beeja), Energy (Shakti), Poetic Meter (chanda), and Lock (Kilaka). The most basic mantra is Om , which in Hinduism is known as the "pranava mantra," the source of all mantras. The Hindu philosophy behind this
3888-573: The most ancient layer of the Vedas, and contain numerous mantras, hymns, prayers, and litanies . The Rigveda Samhita contains about 10552 Mantras, classified into ten books called Mandalas . A Sukta is a group of Mantras. Mantras come in many forms, including ṛc (verses from the Rigveda for example) and sāman (musical chants from the Sāmaveda for example). In Hindu tradition, Vedas are sacred scriptures which were revealed (and not composed) by
3960-541: The name of a deity; for example, Durga yields dum and Ganesha yields gam . Bija mantras are prefixed and appended to other mantras, thereby creating complex mantras. In the tantric school, these mantras are believed to have supernatural powers, and they are transmitted by a preceptor to a disciple in an initiation ritual. Tantric mantras found a significant audience and adaptations in medieval India, Southeast Asia and numerous other Asian countries with Buddhism. Majumdar and other scholars suggest mantras are central to
4032-693: The newer version of the mantra written in Maharashtri Prakrit with णमो (Namo). Composed around the beginning of the Common Era , Chattarimangalam Stotra mentions only Arhat, Siddha, Sadhu and Kevalipragnapti Dharma ( Dharma as prescribed by Omniscients) as four chief auspicious. So the three lines regarding Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu must have been added later. The last four lines about phala-prashashti (benefits of chanting) are not older than 6th century CE and are not found in any older works, according to Dhaky. The importance of it as
4104-478: The oldest texts, mantras were "means of creating, conveying, concentrating and realizing intentional and efficient thought, and of coming into touch or identifying oneself with the essence of the divinity". In some later schools of Hinduism, Gonda suggests a mantra is sakti (power) to the devotee in the form of formulated and expressed thought. Frits Staal , a specialist in the study of Vedic ritual and mantras, clarifies that mantras are not rituals, they are what
4176-461: The path of three jewels: Samyak darśana (Correct View), meaning faith, acceptance of the truth of soul ( jīva ); Samyak jnana (Correct Knowledge), meaning undoubting knowledge of the tattvas ; and Samyak charitra (Correct Conduct), meaning behavior consistent with the Five vows. Jain texts often add samyak tap (Correct Asceticism) as a fourth jewel, emphasizing belief in ascetic practices as
4248-428: The quotidian to redemptive. In other words, in Vedic times, mantras were recited a practical, quotidian goal as intention, such as requesting a deity's help in the discovery of lost cattle, cure of illness, succeeding in competitive sport or journey away from home. The literal translation of Vedic mantras suggests that the function of mantra, in these cases, was to cope with the uncertainties and dilemmas of daily life. In
4320-446: The reciter and listener is similar to that is observed in people around the world listening to their beloved music that is devoid of words. In Oxford Living Dictionary mantra is defined as a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation. Cambridge Dictionary provides two different definitions. The first refers to Hinduism and Buddhism: a word or sound that is believed to have a special spiritual power. The second definition
4392-504: The right view, knowledge and efforts all souls can attain this state. That is why Jainism is also known as mokṣamārga or the "path to liberation". According to the Sacred Jain Text, Tattvartha sutra : Owing to the absence of the cause of bondage and with the functioning of the dissociation of karmas the annihilation of all karmas is liberation. From the point of view of potentiality of mokṣa , Jain texts bifurcates
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#17327907397614464-401: The root dhi- , which evolved into the dhyana (meditation) of Hinduism , and the language used to start and assist this process manifested as a mantra. By the middle vedic period (1000 BC to 500 BC), mantras were derived from all vedic compositions. They included ṛc (verses from Rigveda for example), sāman (musical chants from the Sāmaveda for example), yajus (a muttered formula from
4536-456: The sage Vasugupta of the 9th century C.E. Sambhavopaya (1-1 to 1–22), Saktopaya (2-1 to 2–10) and Anavopaya (3-1 to 3–45) are the main sub-divisions, three means of achieving God consciousness, of which the main technique of Saktopaya is a mantra. But "mantra" in this context does not mean incantation or muttering of some sacred formula. The word "mantra" is used here in its etymological signification. That which saves one by pondering over
4608-531: The seers ( Rishis ). According to the ancient commentator and linguist, Yaska , these ancient sacred revelations were then passed down through an oral tradition and are considered to be the foundation for the Hindu tradition. Mantras took a center stage in Tantric traditions, which made extensive ritual and meditative use of mantras, and posited that each mantra is a deity in sonic form. One function of mantras
4680-550: The sense of "an exact mantra which reveals the truth of the dharmas", and is the path of mantras. According to Bernfried Schlerath, the concept of sātyas mantras is found in Indo-Iranian Yasna 31.6 and the Rigveda , where it is considered structured thought in conformity with the reality or poetic (religious) formulas associated with inherent fulfillment. There is no generally accepted definition of mantra. As
4752-593: The souls into two categories: bhavya and abhavya . Bhavya souls are those souls who have faith in mokṣa and hence will make some efforts to achieve liberation. This potentiality or quality is called bhavyata . However, bhavyata itself does not guarantee mokṣa , as the soul needs to expend necessary efforts to attain it. On the other hand, abhavya souls are those souls who cannot attain liberation as they do not have faith in mokṣa and hence never make any efforts to attain it. According to Jainism, purification of soul and liberation can be achieved through
4824-590: The terms moksa and nirvana are often used interchangeably in the Jain texts . An Arhat becomes a siddha, the liberated one, after attaining nirvana. In that night in which the Venerable Ascetic Mahavira died, freed from all pains, the eighteen confederate kings of Kasi and Kosala, the nine Mallakis and nine Licchavis, on the day of new moon, instituted an illuminations on the Poshadha, which
4896-594: The universe as sound. The supreme (para) brings forth existence through the Word ( shabda ). Creation consists of vibrations at various frequencies and amplitudes giving rise to the phenomena of the world. Buhnemann notes that deity mantras are an essential part of Tantric compendia. The tantric mantras vary in their structure and length. Mala mantras are those mantras which have an enormous number of syllables. In contrast, bija mantras are one-syllabled, typically ending in anusvara (a simple nasal sound). These are derived from
4968-654: The use of mantras to have begun in India before 1000 BC. By the middle Vedic period (1000 BC to 500 BC) – claims Frits Staal – mantras in Hinduism had developed into a blend of art and science. The Chinese translation is 真言 ; zhenyan ; 'true words', the Japanese on'yomi reading of the Chinese being shingon (which is also used as the proper name for the Shingon sect ). According to Alex Wayman and Ryujun Tajima, "Zhenyan" (or "Shingon") means "true speech", has
5040-567: The yajurveda for example), and nigada (a loudly spoken yajus). During the Hindu Epics period and after, mantras multiplied in many ways and diversified to meet the needs and passions of various schools of Hinduism. In the Linga Purana , Mantra is listed as one of the 1,008 names of Lord Shiva . Numerous ancient mantras are found in the Saṃhitā portion of the Vedas . The Saṃhitās are
5112-493: Was a fasting day; for they said: 'Since the light of intelligence is gone, let us make an illumination of material matter!'(128) A liberated soul dwells in Siddhashila with infinite faith, infinite knowledge, infinite perception, and infinite perfection. According to the Jain text, Puruşārthasiddhyupāya : Having achieved the ultimate goal, knowing everything that needs to be known, and enjoying eternal and supreme bliss,
5184-413: Was one of the earliest scholars to note that mantras are meaningless; their function is phonetic and syntactic, not semantic. Harvey Alper and others present mantras from the linguistic point view. They admit Staal's observation that many mantras do contain bits and pieces of meaningless jargon, but they question what language or text doesn't. The presence of an abracadabra bit does not necessarily imply
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