How to Choose a Mantra

How to Choose a Sanskrit Mantra

What is a mantra?

A mantram or mantra is a Sanskrit or Tibetan word or phrase that is used as a focal point in japa meditation or other yogic chanting practices. The word mantra can be broken down into two parts “man” meaning “mind” or “to think” and “tra” meaning “instrument” or “vehicle.” Thus a mantra can be defined as a “vehicle of the mind,” “thought instrument” or “that which when reflected upon brings liberation.” These thought instruments are considered having special powers to transform your mind, body, and spirit.

It is important to note that a mantra is not an affirmation such as “I am love” or “Today I choose joy.” You can chant affirmations like these similarly to how you would practice japa meditation, but mantras are considered being more powerful and effective than affirmations. If mantra meditation feels too foreign or unnatural, then you might want to start with an English affirmation meditation practice using your mala beads before choosing a traditional Sanskrit or Tibetan mantra.

What is the purpose of a mantra?

A mantra is a mind tool for meditation and self-transformation. The purpose of a mantra is to help you achieve a state of deep relaxation and inner peace, which can lead to increased clarity, creativity, and spiritual growth. They can also be used to cultivate specific qualities or virtues, such as compassion, gratitude, or courage.

How do mantras work?

The mind has a natural tendency to loop and repeat thoughts, which is helpful to not forget something important or to find a resolution to a problem or issue. This tendency can also lead to the reinforcement of negative thought patterns, and can produce unnecessary anxiety and stress. Mantras work by taking advantage of the looping function of the mind, allowing you to interrupt negative or unhelpful thought patterns with the repetition of a sacred Sanskrit phrase or word. By consciously repeating a mantra, you are creating a new positive pattern to focus your mind. This quiets our constant mental chatter and allows us to experience inner peace, mental focus and clarity, and a deeper spiritual connection.

The benefits of mantras

One of the main benefits of chanting is that it can help you achieve a sense of calm and peace, even amid chaos or stress. By repeating a mantra over and over again, you can bring your mind into a state of focus and concentration, which can help you feel more centered and calm.

Chanting mantras can help to balance your energy and bring you into alignment with the universe. Each mantra is associated with a specific energy or intention, so by chanting a particular phrase, you invite that energy into your life. This can help you manifest your desires, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Chanting can also be a spiritual practice, helping you to connect with something greater than yourself. By chanting a mantra, you are opening yourself up to the wisdom and guidance of the universe. This can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your purpose, and the world around you.

History of mantras

Mantras originated from the teachings and practices found in the ancient Vedas of India and are thought to be older than 1000 BCE. They are unique spiritual formulas of sacred syllables, which were originally revealed to the Rishis (seers or sages) in the deepest states of meditation and were also drawn from the thousands of verses in the Rig-Veda. Mantras were one of the earliest components of yoga and are quite possibly the first type of meditation that was developed and practiced.

In ancient times, all of the chants were kept top secret. They were only handed down to a student from the teacher once the yogi had proven his or her worthiness and commitment. Over the thousands of years that mantras have been used for chanting and meditation, many mantras have been opened up to the general public for use. While Hundreds of mantras remain top secret and can only be obtained by a guru or teacher, there are plenty of powerful mantras you can choose from.

Types of mantras

There are three main types of mantras, Bija (seed), Saguna (with form), and Nirguna (without form). The Bija mantras are usually one syllable like “Om” and “Ram.” These can be used individually, but are most often incorporated into Saguna mantras to empower them with their special “seed” energy. The Saguna mantras invoke the forms of the individual deities like “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Om Kali Ma.” The Nirguna mantras originate from the Vedic texts and are thus the oldest type of mantras. These mantras do not reference any deities and their words are very difficult to interpret so they are considered to not have a specific form. Examples of Nirguna mantras are “Aham Brahma Asmi,” “So Hum,” and “Aham Prema.”

Choosing based on the type of mantra

One factor to consider when choosing a mantra is how much of a secular or spiritual approach to you want to take with your meditation practice. If you wish to use meditation as a secular tool to bring you better health, mental wellness, relaxation or personal growth, then choose a Nirguna mantra. If you are choosing mantra meditation for its spiritual effects but are not comfortable with Eastern spiritual traditions, then use a Bija or Nirguna mantra. If you are comfortable chanting the names of the Hindu and Buddhist deities, then you can use Saguna mantras for both spiritual and secular goals, depending on the specific mantra used and your intention with chanting it.

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6 Tips on choosing a mantra

Many yogis are fortunate enough to be gifted a secret mantra from a teacher or guru. The mantra initiation by a teacher is a practice rooted in the teacher’s deep understanding of where the student is in their life and spiritual practice. Thus, if you have a guru or teacher you have been studying with, it is recommended to ask them for a mantra. If not, use the following tips to choose one by yourself.

1. Match Your Intention

The most important tip to help you choose a mantra is getting crystal clear on what is your inner motivations for practicing japa meditation. This is especially important if you’d like to use a Saguna mantra that carries a specific meaning an power. Take ample time to contemplate and reflect on your spiritual and materialistic goals and ambitions are and what you would like to create, shift or let go of in your life. Once you are clear on your intention you can from there look to choose a chant to support the shift or change you wish to create. For example, if you want more compassion and peace in your life you could use the Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” or if you desire more abundance you could use the Sanskrit chant “Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah.”

2. Consider your emotions and thought patterns

If you have been dwelling or stuck in a negative emotional or mental state for a while, you may want to see if a mantra can help shift you out of this mode. You will need to be clear on exactly what this is and see if you can find the source. Using this info, you can find a mantra to use as a countermeasure for this negative state. For example, if you are feeling depressed you could chant “Om Sri Ramaya Namah” or if you have been having judgments and negative thoughts towards others chanting “Om Tare Tuttare Ture Swaha” will be helpful to purify your thoughts, words, and actions.

Once your practice has shifted your thoughts or emotions, it is recommended to continue chanting the mantra for a while to make sure these positive grooves have been set deep.

3. Honor Your Intuition

When it comes to choosing a mantra, you can certainly be guided by your intuition. As you read through our list of mantras, notice if anything pops out or triggers a mental, emotional or energetic response. Pay attention to any ones that invoke a devotional or befriending quality in you.

4. Choose a Mala Mantra

All of the mala beads on JapaMalaBeads have 2-3 recommended mantras listed in their description. While these pairings are only suggestions, it might be easier for you can choose one of our malas first and then choose one of the recommended mantras listed for that specific mala.

5. Try It Out

Once you have found a mantra that speaks to you, Give it a brief trial period. Allow yourself some time to get to know it by chanting out loud as you genuinely listen and feel. Say it slowly, then try it faster. Try it out loud, then at a whisper and eventually internally.

Qualities of an Effective Mantra

When selecting a mantra that will work best for you, make sure that it will be both powerful and useful to meditate with. Ask yourself the following questions to make sure the mantra you are using is effective and a good fit for you.

  • Is your mantra is easy to remember and is the repetition of the mantra easy or effortless?
  • Does the phrase focus your mind and bring your attention inwards to experience how the mantra is directly affecting me?
  • Does chanting the mantra create the physical sensations, emotions, or state of being that I desire?
  • Does my mind feel clear and calm after chanting the phrase?
  • How energized and awake do I feel after chanting this mantra?

If you don’t like the sound of a chant or it feels difficult for you to pronounce, then feel free to experiment and try out another one.

6. Stick To It

After you have tested out a mantra and confirmed that it feels useful to you, then commit to sticking with it for a set period of time. You can experience beautiful and powerful mental, emotional and physical states while chanting mantras and meditating, but you can also experience challenges, plateaus, setbacks, and boredom. It is important to not stop in the path of these obstacles and to stay with your commitment and stick with your mantra to reap the full benefits of mantra meditation.

To experience and receive the maximum benefits of japa meditation, we recommend committing to a continuous 40-day practice. This will help make your mantra meditation practice a regular habit and will also cement your intentions or goals. It is said that after you complete a 40-day practice the mala and the mantra used become empowered.

Popular mantras

There are thousands of Sanskrit and Tibetan mantras that have been chanted for centuries. Each of these carries its own unique energy and vibration that can help you achieve various goals in life. View our list of mantras with translations to see the diversity and uniqueness of these sacred sounds. Some of the most popular ones include:

  • Om: This is one of the most well-known chants and is often considered the sound of the universe. It is believed to represent the essence of all creation and can help connect you to the divine.
  • Om Namah Shivaya: This phrase honors and invokes Shiva’s power to help release negative energy and promote inner peace.
  • Om Mani Padme Hum: Associated with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, this Buddhist mantra purifies the mind and heart, awakening your innate capacity for empathy and understanding.
  • Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha : This invokes the powers of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom, knowledge, and new beginnings. It is believed to help remove obstacles and bring success in all areas of life.
  • So Hum: This ancient mantra translates to “I am that” and it serves as a conduit to your authentic self, helping you unravel the layers of illusion and connect with your true essence.
  • Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu: This translates to “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” It is a powerful mantra that promotes love, compassion, and global unity.
  • Om Shanti: This phrase means “be one with peace” and it can help bring a sense of calm and tranquility to your mind and body.

Mantras for mala beads

We recommend pairing the energetic properties of your mantra and intentions with the energetic qualities of the gemstone, wood, or seed beads used in a mala. This will create a synergetic effect and will make your mediation more effective and easeful. We have paired mantras with our mala beads on our site, but these are only suggestions. You can use any mantra with any mala that you’d like.

Using more than one mantra?

While you can chant more that one mantra at a time we do not recommend that you chant them in the same meditation session and that you use separate mala beads for each mantra. If you want to use a new mantra on a mala that you’ve used before, we recommend you do a physical and energetic cleansing of the beads before using the new mantra.