In this post, I want to share a little about mantra and how it’s used as a remedy for challenges and difficulties in your chart in Vedic astrology.
But first let me start with a litte disclaimer: Mantraśastra (the science of mantra) is a intricate and vast discipline unto itself, and I’m really only at the level of a snow flake at the tip of an iceberg in my understanding. However, in my opinion, it’s one of the most exciting and rewarding forms of remediation. I love prescribing mantras to my clients, and have received positive feedback about the benefits and clearing they have brought.
Below, I go into some of the very basics of how mantra is used in Jytoish, particularly for those who know little or nothing about mantras.
Here goes.
What is a mantra?
The word “Mantra” comes from Sanskrit. It is made up of two parts: “manas” meaning mind, and “tra” meaning tool or instrument. Our minds are unruly and constantly wandering. By bringing in the predictablity of a repeated phrase, we can quiet the mind, ease suffering and transform ourselves.
This is because mantra is the union of word and vibrational frequency that creates change on the level of the subtle body.
That said, any repeated phrase can be considered mantra. This includes, say, a Ganesha mantra in Sanskrit, a Christian prayer like Our father, who art in heaven…, a poem or one of the ancient Orphic hymns.
The negative phrases we repeatedly say to ourselves (I’m not good enough. Why would anyone love me? Nothing will ever change. etc.) can be seen as a form of mantra as well, albeit a destructive one that keeps us in a state of bondage.
What kinds of mantras are used in Vedic astrology?
All different kinds.
Mantras can be used to boost, strengthen, pacify specific planets or signs. They can be fast acting, or gentle and purifying, but slower to bring about change.
Some mantras as safe for anyone to chant at any time, while some mantras require initiation. Some mantras are potentially very dangerous and should not be worked with lightly.
A good analogy would be to compare mantra to medicine: some mantras are like beneficial herbs. You could swallow a whole bottle full of them and nothing bad would happen. They are mild and helpful, but they won’t get you far if you’re critically ill.
Other mantras are like aspirin or antibiotics. If taken as prescribed, they do the job and are not harmful.
Still others are more like chemotherapy. You wouldn’t use chemotherapy drugs if you had the flu, but they may be just what you need to cure brain cancer.
At this point on my path as a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer), I consider myself to be something like a “karma GP”. Therefore, the mantras I prescribe are more of the beneficial herbs, aspirin or antibiotics variety. If I had a client who required more potent mantras I don’t yet have the authority to give, I would refer them out to someone who could.
How does the Vedic astrologer choose which mantras to use?
The first thing to do is to determine what is causing the problem in a person’s chart. For example, if they are having issues in relationships caused by their afflicted Venus, the astrologer may have them work with a Lakshmi mantra. If they are suffering because of issues with their moon, they may have them work with a Durga or Kalī mantra, depending on the moon’s condition. For Saturn and Jupiter, they may have you work with Shiva and, for Mercury, Vishnu.
The astrologer also determines what the mantra should do. Should it strengthen and boost or cleanse and pacify? Will a gentle mantra do the job, or does the person need something more industrial strength? Again, carefully analyzing the chart in question will provide the astrologer with these answers.
The 5th house is considered the “house of mantra;” therefore, any planet associated with or placed in this house can be particularly treated well with mantra, if needed. Again, which mantra this would be would depend on the planet and issue in question.
How do you work with mantra?
In general, mantra is often chanted a specific number of time in one sitting, such as 11, 21, 27, 58, 108, 1008 and so one. However, the most standard amount would be 108 times. This is exactly how many beads are on a standard japa mala (string of prayer beads).
Now let’s talk about starting a mantra practice specific to challenges in your chart:
Although its fine to have an initial “getting to know you,” phase with a mantra, to bring about real change, it’s important to do a more intensive practice. This involves chanting the mantra for a specific number of japa (repetitions) for 40 days. The number of repetitions depends on the specific mantra in question, with the minimum number being three rounds on the japa mala, i.e., 3x10. This can take anywhere from around 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on the length of the mantra in question.
If you’ve never chanted mantra before in your life, this can be a little intimidating. However, it gets easier the more you practice. When I first started chanting mantra three years ago, ten minutes in one sitting was a challenge. Now I can easily chant mantra for well over an hour, and look forward to doing it.
How do I start a prescribed mantra practice?
Ok, so let’s say an astrologer prescribed you a 40-day practice with three rounds of the mantra Om Namah Shivaya for your Jupiter. In this case, it would be perfectly fine to first listen/practice and get to know mantra if it’s not one you know.
Once you’re ready, it’s best to start the 40-day practice on a specific day or date recommended by the astrologer. This will either be a day which corresponds to the sign or house the planet is in, or a date that is particularly auspicious in some other way.
Although you can chant along with a video on YouTube that has the right number of repetitions, its more ideal to eventually start working with a japa mala. Since japa mala have 108 beads, its much easier to use them to keep count (I’ll cover how this is done and which mala to choose in a future post, so stay tuned!)
It’s best to always first chant the mantra out loud until you know it well. Once you do, you can either continue chanting out loud or switch to silent chanting – whichever you prefer.
When should I chant the mantra?
Some mantras are more ideal to chant in the morning, and some are better at night. However, in general, it’s fine to fit your practice into your life in a way that works.
The important thing is to make sure you do the full practice in one sitting for forty days in a row.
If you miss a day, simply start the 40-day cycle again from the start.
What do I do after the 40-day practice is over?
This depends again on your chart and the mantra in question.
For some mantras, particularly very potent ones, the 40-day practice will be enough.
For others, its advisable to keep up a practice of, for example, a mala a day when you have the time. This will help keep the energy you’ve created active in your life.
Sometimes the astrologer might suggest ending the practice with some sort of ritual, either that you do yourself or pay a Vedic priest to do for you (this is called Puja, which I’ll be writing more about in the future).
A few more thoughts about mantra
Mantra practice can be intimidating at first.
I have a degree in opera performance, which means I was used to singing/speaking in a language I don’t understand. Still, chanting one round of even a simple, basic mantra was difficult at first. There’s also definitely nothing wrong with taking things slow.
Truth be told, it’s not for everyone (and yes, you can see in a person’s chart if mantra might not really be their cup of tea). Out of the four standard approaches to remediation – donation, mantra, gemstones, puja – it is definitely the one that requires the most time, commitment and discipline.
But the one of the things I love about it.
My mantra practice has been extremely beneficial for me, both internally and externally. I’m going to be sharing more about mantras in the future, so please be sure to subscribe if you’re interested!