Notes

Mantra
The
Power of Sound

Aja
28 Mantra Mantra 1
 For additional copies of Mantra - The Power of Sound, and other
products from ATMA, or for information regarding Sanskrit,
Mantra or Enlightenment Encounter classes and seminars,
call or write:

ATMA
Mantra 10235 NW Cornelius Pass Road
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The Power of Sound Phone (503) 690-9513
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1998
ATMA
10235 NW Cornelius Pass Road
Portland, Oregon 97231
Voice/Fax: 503 690-9513
E-mail: atma@atmainstitute.org
Web Site: http://www.atmainstitute.org
Standard Disclaimer:
The information provided in this booklet is for educational
and informational purposes. Be sure to see the health pro-
fessional of your choice in case of serious illness or dis-
ease. And know that in the end, it's pretty likely you're
going to die anyway - every body does.
Aja has been a student, explorer and
teacher in the areas of body, mind and con-
sciousness for over twenty years. After
intensive study, he was ordained as a Ve-
dic Priest in India in 1975, received a
Doctorate of Naturopathy Degree from the
International University in 1984, and in
1990 received the title of Sanskrit
Adhyapaka (Teacher of Sanskrit) from the
American Sanskrit Institute. Over the
years he has extensively researched both
Eastern and Western teachings on spiritu-
ality, religion and transcendence, personally explored the realms of
consciousness and awakening and authored several books on health,
spirituality and consciousness. In 1990, through self inquiry, he ex-
perienced a permanent shift in his perception of reality, recognizing
that Self of Absolute Consciousness from which all arises, and which
permeates all things.

2 Mantra Mantra 27
 Traditional Mantras
There are numerous mantras that are very popular in a devotional sense,
and are also very powerful and purifying. Many of these are also used as Mantra
mUla mantras (mla - root) when performing pj, ritualistic worship of
the Deity. We offer several here. The Power of Sound
` nm> izvay
om nama ivya Introduction ............................... 4
Known as the panckara mantra, or five syllabled mantra, this is the
most well known mantra to Lord iva and one of the most well known Sanskrit Alphabet ...................... 6
mantras in general. It is also used as a mUla mantra in worship including Pronunciation ............................ 7
for iva lingam stones.
Mouth Positions ........................ 8
` nmae naray[ay Invocational Mantras................. 9
om namo nryaya
This is the akara mantra, or eight syllabled mantra. It is to Lord Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra ......... 11
Nryaa, a form of Vishnu. Gayatri Mantra ........................ 12
` nmae -gvte vasudv
e ay Other Gayatris ......................... 13
om namo bhagavate vsudevya Bija Mantras ............................ 16
Known as the dvdakara mantra, or twelve syllabled mantra, Chakra Bijas ............................ 17
this is the most well known mantra to Lord Vishnu. It is also
the mla mantra for Vishnu forms, including the sacred lagrm Planetary/Elemental Bijas ....... 19
il stones found in nearly all Vishnu temples. Additional Bijas ...................... 20
hre k:[ hre k:[ k:[ k:[ hre hre Body Bijas (Marmas) .............. 22
hre ram hre ram ram ram hre hre Planetary Mantras.................... 24
hare ka hare ka ka ka hare hare Additional Mantras ................. 25
hare rma hare rma rma rma hare hare
This well known mantra, popularized by the Hare Ka movement origi- Traditional Mantras ................. 26
nally comes from the Kali Santarana Upaniad and is said to eradicate Sanskrit Training/Author......... 27
all the impurities due to the present age of Kali yuga, and bestow prema
bhakti or pure love of God.

26 Mantra Mantra 3
 Introduction Additional Mantras
Nearly all of us speak. We all use language, and we all resonate. San-
skrit is about the simple joy of resonating the pure and simple sounds of
Although there are literally thousands of mantras, and numerous books which
language in a systematic way. It is a recognition that sound and language are
reveal and explain the mantras, we thought we would give just a few ex-
both predicated upon consciousness and that to make sound, to resonate, is
amples from various sources to show the diversity of mantras.
as much an expression of life as eating. And great joy can be experienced in
both.
Ugra Nsiha Mantra
What is Sanskrit? ` %< vIr< mhaiv:[u< JvlNt< svRtaemo u <
The word 'Sanskrit' means perfected or refined, for Sanskrit is consid- n&is<h -I;[< -< m&TyumT& yu< nmaMyhm!.
ered to be the perfect and systematic expression of sound. Sanskrit follows om ugra vra mahviu jvalanta sarvatomukha
a natural progression through the various areas of the mouth, our instru- nsiha bhaa bhadra mtyumtyu nammyaham ||
ment of sound, allowing for a logical, yet euphonic, sequence of resonance. This prayer to the ferocious half man-half lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu,
Historically, there is some academic argument on the actual age of San- Lord Nsihadeva,is exceptionally powerful in removing bad influences,
skrit. Although the script, known as Devanagari (dwelling of the gods) has negative energies, and has been used in cases of hauntings and posses-
gone through many changes over the centuries from its original brahmi script, sions.
the spoken form of Sanskrit is said to be as much as 8,000 years old. In fact,
some in the Vedic tradition will tell you that Sanskrit is literally eternal, and Mantra for Bringing Holy Waters
was only discovered, not created, by the ancient sages in their deep medita- ` ge ymune cEv gaedavir srSvit
tions. This may be one of the reasons that Sanskrit is so powerful - that it nmRde isNxae kaveir jle=iSmn! siixm! k.
re-awakens that which we already know on some level of our being. For om gageca yamune caiva godvari sarasvati
this, Sanskrit is known as the language of yoga, enlightenment and mantra. narmade sindho kveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru ||
Oh water of the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Sindhu,
What is Mantra? and Kaveri, please be present in this water.
The meaning of the word mantra is that which protects or liberates the Traditionally only water from the sacred rivers, especially the Ganges, can
mind, or a mind instrument. Although the word has become almost common be used for bathing of the sacred Deities of the Gods and Goddesses. For
place in today's world, few actually perceive the full import of a mantra. those not close to those rivers, this mantra is used to call them into a pot of
When people speak of it on talk shows or in seminars, especially when refer- water. One holds one hand over the water and then chants this mantra. It can
ring to an English phrase of some kind, what they are really talking about is also be used when bathing.
an affirmation. Repeating a statement like "I am healthy and happy", or "I
am filled with light", while expressing a wonderful sentiment, is not a man- ` < oe ]y. om hu khe kaya||
tra in the strictest sense of the word. For a mantra is more than just a par- Said to be used for snake bites, stings, etc.
ticular group of words expressing an idea; mantra is more a pattern of reso-
nance. It is a vibration that, though it may well be translatable, is most ` I k:[ay nm>. om kl kya nama ||
powerful on a subtler level of existence. In fact there are a whole group of Said to give extraordinary power and spiritual development.
mantras, termed bija or seed mantras, which have no intrinsic meaning, but
are extremely powerful. These bija mantras, individually or strung into a
` I mhalMyE nm>.
group, create resonance at particular frequencies that have deep impact on
om r mahlakmyai nama||
the psyche as well as the body.
A prayer to Goddess Laksmi for peace and prosperity

4 Mantra Mantra 25

Planetary Mantras
In the science of Jyotish, or Vedic astrology, there are 9 planets, ruled over
by presiding Deities. When these planets have a negative effect, as shown in
the natal horoscope, one can help to negate or minimize these effects by
wearing certain gemstones, performing certain rituals, and by chanting man-
tras which correspond to that planet. Below are given some examples of
simple mantras for each planet.
Sun ` I hNs> sUyaRy nm> `
om hr hansa sryya nama om word will have its effect. This is why affirmations do have positive results
There are also literally thousands of words in Sanskrit which denote
either a name or character of God or Divine Being. These are similarly
mantras in their own right. More than just being a handle for the Supreme,
they also carry a particular resonance which powerfully impacts us on many
levels. Experiment with this yourself. Try repeating the word 'God' for 10 or
15 minutes, versus a Sanskrit name such as Rma, iva, or Ka. While
they all have the same meaning of the Divine, you will probably feel the
Sanskrit words effect you differently.
The truth is that all sound affect us and all words have an action. You
can muscle test someone as strong while they repeat the word 'love', and a
moment later they will test weak while repeating the word 'hate'. Every

` sae< saemay nm> `

when done in the right fashion. But it is for this reason that mantras are so
Moon powerful. These are very specific vibrations, recognized by the ancient sages,
om so somya nama om which can have very specific and powerful effects. These sages were like the
doctors or scientists of sound, creating a unique form of medicine that af-
Mars ` -aE< -aEmay nm> ` fects us on all levels.
The Vedanta Sutra, one of the premier philosophical works of India,
om bhau bhaumya nama om proclaims, om anvtti abdt, 'From sound comes freedom.' And

` bu< buay nm> `

Lord Ka tells us in the Gt that abda khe - I am the sound in
Mercury ether. The Yoga sutras of Patanjali say, vcaka praava,
om bu buddhya nama om tajjapastadarthabhvanam - God's manifestation is O and the way
is the repetition of O and contemplation of its meaning. So sound
Jupiter ` b&hSptye nm> ` and mantra have an extremely transformative effect, as realized by
om bhaspataye nama om the R
is in their meditation, and handed down to us for our benefit. And
Venus ` zu< zuay nm> ` they can be pleasurable. As the Bible says, "Come make unto the
Lord a joyful noise," as well as, "In the beginning was the Word,
om u ukrya nama om and the Word was God!"

Saturn ` z< znEray nm> ` ` zaiNt> zaiNt> zaiNt>

om a anaicarya nama om

Rahu ` ra< rahve nm> ` o nti nti nti

om r rhave nama om

Ketu ` ke< ketve nm> ` OM Peace, Peace, Peace

om ke ketave nama om

24 Mantra Mantra 5
 A<
A<
The Sanskt Alphabet

Aa Aa #
Vowels
i $ %u ^
%<<
#<<

<<
\<< <<

A<>AaEAae< <
@e<
@<<
$<

<<
^<<
} Aa<

r< l< v<

b<
@ e @e ai Aae o AaE au <
c<
k<
y<
\ l l A< a A> a

;<
Consonants z<
D<
o< m< ]<
-<
Gutturals k ka o kha g ga " gha ' a p< )<

s< h<
Palatals c ca D cha j ja H jha | a g< q< t< j<

H<
Cerebrals q a Q ha f a F ha [ a "<
|<
'<
Dentals t ta w tha d da x dha n na

Q<
Labials p pa ) pha b ba - bha m ma w<

Semivowels y ya r ra l la v va

Sibilants & Aspirate z a ; a s sa h ha

f< d<
Special Compounds
F< x<
[< n<
] ka } ja tra
6 Mantra Mantra 23
 Body Bijas - Marma Point Bijas Sanskt is a beautiful language both in form and sound. For the
purposes of this booklet we have chosen to use both the original
The physical body is an aspect of the absolute, or a microcosm of the Devanagari script and Roman transliteration wherever possible, al-
universe, and just as the bija mantras exist throughout the universe, they lowing you to see the words in their original form without having
also exist throughout the body. The Ayurvedic medical system has something to learn the script. The pronunciation guide below should allow you
similar to the Chinese acupuncture meridians called Nadis. Where 2 nadis to properly pronounce the Sanskt mantras.
come together you have a sandhi, and when you have 3, you have a
marma point. The following points, in both devanagari and transliteration, PRONUNCIATION
correspond to the the drawing at right which uses only the devanagari. Vowels
a - like the u in but - like the a in father
i - like the i in pin - like the ee in peek
A< a forehead q< a right hip joint u - like the u in put - like the oo in pool
Aa< face Q< ha right knee - like the ri in rim - like the ree in reed
#< i right eye f< a right ankle l & l - like & but with an L in front
$< left eye F< ha root of right toes e - like ey in hey ai - like the ai in aisle
%< u right ear [< a right toe tips o - like the o in go au - like the ow in cow
^< left ear t< ta left hip joint a - close the mouth & resonate
\< right nostril w< tha left knee a - an echo of air repeating the mouth position
< left nostril d< da left ankle
< l right cheek x< dha root of left toes Some Consonant Rules
< l left cheek n< na left toe tips Every consonant has built into it the sound 'a' (like the u in
@< e upper lip p< pa torso right but). The gutturals through the labials each have five letters: a
@e< ai lower lip )< pha torso left hard non-aspirated, a hard aspirated, a soft non-aspirated, a soft
Aae< o upper teeth b< ba back aspirated, and a nasal. In non-aspirates you expel minimal air
AaE< au lower teeth -< bha navel and in aspirates you expel maximum air.
A< a crown of head m< ma stomach The guttural letter ka is pronounced like the cu in cuff, while
A>< a mouth y< ya heart the palatal ca is pronounced like chu in chum.
k< ka right shoulder r< ra rt. shoulder top Cerebral sounds are produced the same as dental except the
o< kha right elbow l< la under neck tongue is more at the roof of the mouth with cerebrals, and
g< ga right wrist v< va left shoulder top directly behind the tongue for dentals.
"< gha root of right fingers z< a heart to rt hand a is pronounced like nga in singa songa.
'< a right fingertips ;< a heart to lft hand a is pronounced like nya.
c< ca left shoulder s< sa heart to rt foot a is pronounced like the 's' in sprechen.
D< cha left elbow h< ha heart to lft foot a is pronounced like the shu in shun.
j< ja left wrist < a heart to face orbit sa is dental and pronounced like the su in sun.
H< jha root of left fingers ]< ka heard to abdomen ka starts as if you were to say 'k', then say a.
|< a left fingertips ja is pronounced like gya.

22 Mantra Mantra 7
 < h
H is a very powerful mantra and can be used almost like a sword and
armor. It pierces through negative forces as well as reflect away such
forces. It can be used to pinpoint specific spots of energy to dissolve
them.

g< ga
Ga is the bja mantra of Lord Ganea, and thus is good for
beginning of projects or to invoke his energies and to dispel sorrows.

GlaE< glau
Another bja mantra relating to Ganea.

Five Positions of the Mouth
Each of the sounds of the Sanskrit language are pronounced in one
(or more) of the 5 mouth positions. The chart below shows which
letters appear in which position.
]+a<E krau
Krau is the bja mantra relating to Lord Nsihadeva, the man/lion
incarnation of Viu. His ferocity overcomes the demonic impulses and
this mantra can be used for dispelling negative influences, including ghosts
and other entities.

n&< n
ilan &
ls
nts

we

Sib pirate
na

ts
vo
ls

nso

Another bja mantra of Nsihadeva relating more to His benevolent

mi
we

As
Co

Se
Vo

aspect for protection and prosperity.

A Aa kog"' h
< du
1. Guttural:
2. Palatal: #$ cDjH| y z Du is the mantra relating to Durg, an aspect of Siva's consort.
\ qQfF[ r ;
ra<
3. Cerebral:
twdxn l s
r
4. Dental: R is a bja relating to Lord Ramachandra, and is said to bring Supreme
5. Labial: %^ p)b-m v peace, protection and happiness.

8 Mantra Mantra 21
 Additional Bija Mantras Invocational Mantras

`
` (Aae)< O sh navvtu sh naE -un-
Om is the original bija mantra from which all other bijas emanate. It is sh vIy krvavhE
tejiSv navxItmStu ma ivi;avhE.
considered to be the primordial sound. Meditating on, repeating, and
contemplating its meaning brings one to the very source of manifesta-
tion.
om saha nvavatu saha nau bhunaktu

@e< ai saha vrya karavvahai

tejasvi nvadhtamastu m vidvivahai ||
This mantra relates to the Goddess Sarasvati and works on the mind.
It is excellent for improving mental powers of memory, concentra- May we both (teacher & student) be protected;
tion, learning, and speaking. May we both be nourished;

I< r
May we work with energy;
May our studies be vigorous
May we not be enemies.
This mantra relates to all Goddesses in general and the Goddess Laksmi
in specific. It relates to prosperity, beauty, general health, peaceful-
ness, creativity, gentleness. The honorific r is related and seen in many
yantras, before the names of saints, Gods, and even common people. `
Astae ma smy
I hr tmsae ma JyaeitgRmy
This mantra also relates to the Goddess, and specifically the aspects m&TyaemaRmt
& < gmy.
of Siva's consort - Mahamaya, Kali. It is powerful mantra for cutting
through illusion. om asato m sadgamaya

I kl
tamaso m jyotirgamaya
mtyormmta gamaya ||
Relates to Lord Krsna and gives power, control of emotions, sexual- From untruth lead me to Truth
ity and attractiveness while simultaneously promoting detachment. From darkness lead me to Light
From death lead me to Immortality

20 Mantra Mantra 9
 Planetary Bja Mantras
`
pU[mR d> pU[iR md< There are nine planets in Vedic Astronomy including Rahu and

pU[aRTpU[RmudCyte,
Ketu, known in Western Astronomy as Dragon's head & tail.

pU[SR y pU[m R aday Sun (srya) ................... sU< ... s

pU[Rmevaviz:yte.
om Moon (soma)................ sae< .. so
Mars (angala) ................ A< .. a
pramada pramida
prtpramudacyate |

Mercury (budha) .......... bu< ... bu

prasya pramdya
pramevvaiyate ||

All That is Perfect (whole/complete). All This is Perfect. From the

Jupiter (guru) ............... gu< ....... gu
Perfect, comes the Perfect, and the original perfect remains Perfect,
though the entire Perfect emerges from it.
Venus (ukra) ............... zu< ... u
Saturn (ani) ................. z< ... a
`
*aE zaiNtrNtir]< zaiNt> Rhu ............................. ra< ... r
p&iwvI ziNtrap> zaiNtraezxy> zaiNt> Ketu .............................. ke< ... ke
vnSpty> zaiNtivRd e v
e a> zaiNtR zaiNt>
sv zaiNt> zaiNtrev zaiNt>. Elemental Bja Mantras
om

Earth ............................. l< ... la

dyau ntirantarika nti
pthiv antirpa ntiroadhaya nti

Water ............................ v< ... va

vanaspataya ntirvivedev ntirbrahma nti
sarva nti ntireva nti||

May there be peace in heaven, peace in the sky, peace on the earth,
peace in the water, peace in the plants, peace in the forests, peace in
the Gods, peace in Brahman, peace everywhere. Peace, only peace.
Fire ............................... r< ... ra
Air ................................ y< ... ya
Ether ............................. h< ....... ha

10 Mantra Mantra 19
 The Chakra Bja Mantras
(The first bold word in each line is the primary bija sound.)
1st Chakra - Mldhra
l< v< z< ;< s<
la - va a a sa
2nd Chakra - Svdhina
v< b< -< m< y< r< l<
va - ba bha ma ya ra la
3rd Chakra - Maipra
r< fm< Fm< [m< t< w< d< x< n< p< )<
ra - am ham am ta tha da dha na pa pha
4th Chakra - Anhata
y< k< o< g< "< '< c< D< j< H< |< q< Q<
ya - ka kha ga gha a ca cha ja jha a
a ha
5th Chakra - Viuddha
h< A< Aa< #< $< %< ^< \< < < < @< @e< Aae< AaE< A< A<>
ha - am m im m um m m m lm lm em aim om
aum am a
6th Chakra - j
Aa
Aae< ]< h<
o - ka ha
7th Chakra - Sahasrara
AaE<
au.....
18 Mantra
Mahmtyunjaya Mantra
` yMbk< yjamhe sugiNx< puivxR[, <
%vaRkimv bNxnaNm&TyaemiRu ]y mam&tat!.
om tryambaka yajmahe sugandhi puivardhaa |
urvrukamiva bandhann mtyormukiya mmtt ||
We worship the three-eyes One (Lord Shiva), Who is fragrant and
who nourishes all beings; May He liberate me from death for
immortality, even as the cucumber is severed from the creeper
and is freed from bondage.
In spite of its somewhat quizzical meaning, the Mahmtyunjaya
mantra is esteemed as one of the most potent prayers there is.
Coming from the most ancient Rg Veda, this mantra is said to have
power to keep away even death. The very name, Mahmtyunjaya
means 'the great conquering of death,' and it has been related that
in ancient, and even modern times, this mantra has been used to
cure the most malignant of conditions, even postponing death itself.
Besides curing physical ailments, it also works on mental, emo-
tional and celestial ailments, removes obstacles, creates a spiritual
atmosphere, and brings happiness to one's life.
One can practice chanting the Mahmtyunjaya mantra for one-
self or for another. In fact many of the stories related about this
mantra speak of a parent or loved one chanting the mantra on behalf
of an ailing individual, literally saving their lives.
Mahmtyunjaya mantra can also be done, and is especially
potent when chanted in conjunction with a fire yajna or homa, a
vedic fire ceremony where grains and ghee (clarified butter) are
offered into the fire in conjunction with the mantra. This should be
chanted at least 108 times daily, or three times daily. Or if one is
really serious 1008 times.
Mantra 11
 Gyatri Mantra
` -U-v Ru > Sv>
tTsivtuvRre{y<
-gaeR devSy xImih
ixyae yae n> caedyat!.
om bhrbhuva sva chanted, they resonate that particular chakra and help to open,
tatsaviturvareya
bhargo devasya dhmahi
dhiyo yo na pracodayt ||
Let us meditation upon that Divine Light or Essence of that
worshipable Vivifier, God the Life Giver, Who is manifest
on the physical, astral, causal realms, and as That, and Who
enthuses our meditation.
Gyatri mantra is considered by many to be the topmost of
all mantras. This is the mantra which for thousands of years
has been given to those receiving their Upanayanam, or 2nd
birth in India, which is the entrance into spiritual life. It is
nonspecific, as it doesn't invoke a specific Deity, but rather,
that very essence of spiritual beingness and light that underlies
everything - The Source of creation.
Gyatri, which means liberation through song, is said to
have a powerful impact on the mind and intellect. It is said to
give determination and will power; to destroy all bad karmas,
to illumine the intellect, bring powers, fulfill all desires, and
ultimately to fully liberate one from the cycles of birth and
death
It is traditionally chanted at dawn, noon and dusk, but can
be chanted anytime or anywhere without offence. It can be
used for healing oneself or others, for obtaining wealth, to
dispel negative energies, and of course for spiritual enlighten-
ment. If one isn't going to chant it 3 times per day, morning,
as early as possible is the best time, preferably 108 times.
12 Mantra
The Chakra Bja Mantras
According to Ayurvedic and Yogic physiology, there are energy
vortices called chakras (wheels) which are placed along the trunk of
the body, which correspond to different energies, states of consciousness,
and levels of existence. These chakras are represented as flowers
with a center and a varying number of petals around the outside. In
the center of each chakra flower is a main Bija (seed) mantra, while
each of the petals has a secondary bija sound. When these bijas are
balance and align them.
There are no hard and fast rules for chanting these mantras.
Generally, one starts at the first chakra and works their way up, as
most people want to take their energy upward. However, you can
chant them in reverse, going from the top chakra down, in order to
be more grounded, or to get the pranas (airs) to move downward,
such as in constipation, or perhaps in childbirth.
If one is in a hurry, they might want to chant only the main
bijas for each chakra, or do all of the sounds just once. This would
be a good way to begin a meditation, as chanting the bijas puts one
into a space of peace and clarity, perfect for meditation. You can
also make a longer meditation out of chanting the bijas, chanting
each sound from two, three or four times, up to even 100 or more.
Or you could chant each mantra for a specific amount of time. If
there are issues connected with a particular chakra, you may want to
focus on that chakra, spending the greatest amount of time there.
You might also want to add visualization or kinesthetics to the
chanting. For instance, you may want to hold your hands over each
chakras as you chants its sounds. Or you may want to visualize
colors for each one. Traditionally in the West, we have attributed
the rainbow colors to the chakras, starting with red for the first,
then orange, then yellow, green, light blue, indigo, and violet. Or
you could visualize pure white or golden Divine light. You might
also want to chant the mantras in specific tones.
`
Mantra 17
 The Bja (Seed) Mantras
By far, one of the most powerful forms of mantra is the
bja or seed mantra. One reason they are called 'seed' mantras
is that, like a seed, they possess incredible potentiality in the
most subtle and primordial states. As you can see on the next
few pages, there are many types of bja mantras, including
those for the chakras, planetary bja, Deity bjas, etc. In fact,
the Sanskrit alphabet itself becomes a series of bja mantras
when anusvara (the sound 'M') is added. Thus you have an
A i I u etc., all the way through the alphabet. In
fact, there are mantras that begin by simply going through all
or part of the alphabet in this way.
Again, one of the reasons for this is that each letter of the
Sanskrit alphabet is a specific energy of the Absolute, or God,
and that by focusing on even one of these sounds, and
repeating it, meditating on it, feeling the energy of it, and
allowing that sound and energy to permeate your being, whole
new states of consciousness are available. The name of the
Sanskrit script, Devanagari -Cities of the Gods - gives some
clue to this fact that every letter is indeed a specific energetic
signature of the Cosmos.
The planetary bjas relate to the first syllable of the Sans-
krit name of the planet, which is also a common method of
deriving the bjas of various deities. In this way you would get
Go for Gopla, i for iva, N Nsiha, etc. The planetary
bjas can be used (like the planetary mantras) to alleviate the
negative effects of planets which are poorly situated or badly
aspected in one's birth chart.
The elemental mantras are the same as the first five
primary bjas of the chakras and relate to the five elementals
of earth, water, fire, air and ether.
The additional bjas are some of the most powerful. While
still single syllables, they often have multiple consonants, and
very specific energies.
16 Mantra
Other Gyatri Mantras
Gyatri is really a meter composed of 24 syllables. What we
traditionally call Gyatri mantra is technically called Savitri Gayatri,
a prayer to Savitri, the Solar Orb. However, there are numerous
other Gyatri mantras to other Deities (often more than one), some
of which are given below. Certain words are constants in every
Gyatri as it calls upon the energy of each Deity to enthuse, enliven,
and purify our minds, bodies, and souls.
Guru Gyatri - to the Spiritual Teacher
gu gayi
` gudevay ivhe anNday xImih
tae gu> caedyat!.
om gurudevya vidmahe brahmnandya dhmahi
tanno guru pracodayt ||
To increase devotion to the guru & receive his blessings.
Srya Gyatri - to the Deity of the Sun
sUyR gayi
` -aSkray ivhe idvakray xImih
t> sUy>R caedyat!.
om bhskarya vidmahe divkarya dhmahi
tanna srya pracodayt ||
Said to cure disease when chanted facing the sun.
Lakmi Gyatri - to the Goddess of Fortune
lim gayi
` mhalMyE ivhe iv:[uiyayE xImih
tae lim caedyat!.
om mahlakmyai vidmahe viupriyyai dhmahi
tanno lakmi pracodayt ||
For wealth, abundance, promotions in career.
Mantra 13
 Sarasvati Gyatri - to the Goddess of Learning
` srSvTyE ivhe pu yE xImih
t> srSvtI caedyat!.
om sarasvatyai vidmahe brahmaputryai dhmahi
tanna sarasvat pracodayt ||
For intelligence, memory, wisdom, creativity
Agni Gyatri - to the God of Fire
` mhaJvalay ivhe Aidevay xImih
tae=i> caedyat!,,
om mahjvlya vidmahe agnidevya dhmahi
tannogni pracodayt ||
Provides vitality and essence to the body, mind, pranas & senses.
Gaea Gyatri - to the Remover of Obstacles
` @kdNtay ivhe vtu{fay xImih
tae bui> caedyat!.
om ekadantya vidmahe vakratuya dhmahi
tanno buddhi pracodayt ||
For the removal of obstacles in all endeavors.
Rdh Gyatri - to the Embodiment of Divine Love
` v&;-anujayE ivhe k:[iyayE xImih
tae raxa caedyat!.
om vabhnujyai vidmahe kapriyyai dhmahi
tanno rdh pracodayt ||
To increase devotion and divine love.
Nsiha Gyatri - to the Man/Lion VixNu Incarnation
` vnoay ivXmhe tI[d<a+ y xImih
tae n&is<h> caedyat!.
14 Mantra
om vajranakhya vidhmahe tkadarya dhmahi
tanno nsiha pracodayt ||
To eradicate negative forces and secure Divine protection.
Viu Gyatri
` naray[ay ivhe vasudv e ay xImih
tae iv:[u> caedyat!.
om nryaya vidmahe vsudevya dhmahi
tanno viu pracodayt ||
To increase devotion and spiritual purification.
Hanmn Gyatri - to the Monkey servant of Lord RAma
hnUman! gayi
` Aaneyay ivhe vayupu ay xImih
tae hnUman! caedyat!.
om janeyya vidmahe vyuputrya dhmahi
tanno hanmn pracodayt ||
To increase devotion and service attitude to God.
Ka Gyatri
` devkInNdnay ivhe vasudve ay xImih
t> k:[> caedyat!.
om devaknandanya vidmahe vsudevya dhmahi
tanna ka pracodayt ||
To increase devotion and divine love.
Rudra Gyatri
` tTpuzay ivhe mhadevay xImih
tae > caedyat!.
om tatpuruya vidmahe mahdevya dhmahi
tanno rudra pracodayt ||
For purification and spiritual austerity.
Mantra 15