​Mantras are syllables that create vibrations internally in the person who chants.  They are not just usual sound as created while uttering any other word, but capable of transforming one’s mind to evolve spiritually. 

The result of mantra japa can be compared with that of a stone thrown into a pond that create waves, but goes into the deep.  Mantras has the power to experience the depth of the mind, by creating waves at the surface level.  

The practice of mantra japa results in expressing one’s own impressions of the mind as it starts diving into the depths. Every mantra has “bija” mantra or bijaksharas.  They are otherwise called as the seed included in each mantra. 

In Hindu tradition, there are mantras associated with each deity, but the ultimate goal of chanting mantra is to increase awareness, concentration and to go into the deep planes in the mind. “Aum” is the widely known mantra and that itself is a “bija” mantra. 

Most of the mantras starts with “AUM”.  There are some occasions where “Aum” is chanted three times before the starting of slokas, comprised of mantras. Some of the bija mantras are: Aum, Ham, Yam, Ram, Vam, Lam.  Bija mantra can otherwise be called as mystic sound generated through the chanting of mantra. 

In spiritual practice, mantra japa helps to gain awareness and increase concentration. It helps a lot to concentrate on one’s “ishta devata”, the favorite deity, thus helping to meditate by sitting in a fixed posture.  Mantras are part of tantric tradition that deals with the awakening of the consciousness lying within every human being. It is also known as the awakening of kundalini power by awakening the chakras.  Bijaksharas are formulated in such a way to awaken these chakras so that the individual consciousness is expanded to become universal consciousness. 

Mantras are said to have revealed in the consciousness of sages before ages. And among these, Bija mantra is the first syllable in each mantra.  Each bija mantra has association with its mantra. For example, Lord Shiva’s bija mantra is “hraum”, “dum” is Durga’s mantra and “kreem”, of Kali. It is believed that the subtle forms of these mantras exist in this cosmos. Bija mantras are beyond the intellectual understanding and usual grammatical rules in any language. 

Repeated, concentrated mantra japa takes the practitioner to various planes of consciousness by experiencing the inner silence.  In tantric tradition, chakras in the human body has immense important in awakening the consciousness. Vibration of mantras touch these chakras by making changes in the mind of the practitioner. 

Yantra is the symbolic, physical form of Mantra carrying the subtle effect of Mantra.  It is basically an instrument with symbols drawn comprising of geometrical shapes which has the power to make the mind focus or concentrated. In traditional way, it is drawn in a metal sheet, especially in copper metal sheets.  Best examples are “swastika chakra”, “sri yantra”, etc.  
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One yantra is comprised of several geometrical figures like circles, triangles, horizontal and vertical lines, point, square, etc.  These are carved on metallic plate from several dimensions and angles. It may look downward, upward, etc. 

In Hindu mythology, it is believed that by wearing these yantras, one can achieve good fortunes and it is said that planets can influence on the people who wear it.  Some of these yantras are capable of attracting energy which can bring luck for the person for a given period of time. Some of them also represent astronomical position of planets during a given period of time.

Concentrating on these symbols in yantras can also help in brining good karma, getting rid of the ill-effects of past karmas, etc. Each geometric element in the yantra represents five nature elements in the universe like air, water, fire, knowledge, etc. These symbols are inscribed on metal sheets with the help of mantras by which the symbols get the power to represent cosmic powers and divinity.

Similar way, chanting mantra after wearing the yantra on one’s body will also help the aspirant to evolve spiritually. It is a kind of esoteric concept which is not followed by everyone. While yantra is something physical and gross, mantra is subtle, still more powerful. 

Scientifically, it is said that the geometrical shapes carved on the yantra is just an epitome possessed by the human brain.  That is the reason why the mind is attracted towards certain symbols which has created impressions on the human mind in previous births. These yantras cannot be made anytime, but prepared during certain date and time, according to the procedures defined in Vedas.

Some people who believe in certain deities wear yantras with a belief that it protect them from bad misfortunes and bad luck that arise in the life because of past karma. Precisely, mantra and yantra are based on tantric principles to be used as tools to evolve spiritually.  

Both mantra and yantra has the power to transform the mind as decided by the aspirant. Yantras are also used in black magic which can be harmful for the person if not used in proper ways.

​“Mantras” are powerful syllables that is said to have revealed in the consciousness of ancient rishis which are capable of transforming one’s mind. Mantras form part of Vedas, chanted during auspicious occasions with the intention to praise the Gods and Goddesses. 

Just like the normal words creating the sound when uttered through mouth, mantras also create sound, but with a vibration affecting the internal chakras in the body. Certain cells in the body, are activated through this vibration.  This helps to control the mind by increasing the awareness and concentration. Chanting of mantras in its specific order brings the effect of Prayanam, a yogic practice of controlling the mind through breath control.  

​The breath is controlled with a consequence of rhythmic chanting of mantras formulated as slokas. This in effect activates the brain cells. Usually, mantras are combination of different words starting with the syllable “Aum”. There are different types of mantras creating various types of sounds. 

Chanting of some mantras create nasal sounds, several others are chanted by giving importance to certain letters in the mantra, etc. Mantras belong to Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama chanted based on several traditions. “Aum” is considered as the source of all the mantras in Hinduism. The sound is created with the help of the lips, tongue, jaws, nose and throat. This helps in the smooth flow of prana through the nadis (channels) related to these organs. 

When the pranic flow is smooth through these nadis, the brain cells gets activated by bringing a good control over the emotions of the mind. When the emotions are controlled, naturally, the greed, anger, lust that makes the man mad is also controlled and as a result, the individual who practice the mantra chanting starts to live in the world with harmony. 

Mind is transformed automatically through the channelizing of the pranic energy through the nadis. The individual gets a good balance over the positive and negative energies of the mind. Just like the sound produced by any musical instrument that soothes the human mind, mantras are also powerful in brining tranquility in the mind.  

If the mantras are chanted in a group, the persons who chant and persons who are present in the presence also get benefitted out of it.  Generally, mantras are initiated by Guru to a disciple depending on the favorite deity of the disciple.  Repeated chanting of mantra takes the disciple to spiritual heights. 

​Rudraksha beads are said to have been flowed down to earth as tears of Lord Shiva.  It is believed that as per the legend that the beads have a great significance in evolving the beings spiritually.  No seed other than rudraksha has this position in the Hindu mythology. There are several types of beads, categorized based on the faces of the rudraksha.  

It starts with one, which is believed as Lord Shiva himself, then two faced – Gauri Shankara or the Ardha Narishwara symbolizing the aspect of Shiva and Shakti.  While some are rare and cn be worn only by certain type of people. Some are very common and can be worn by people of any caste. Different faces have different mantras associated with it. 

Chanting the mantras by wearing the rudraksha beads can heal several diseases like blood pressure, breathing and respiratory problems, etc. One who wears the appropriate rudraksha possesses several qualities and prevents from ageing, increase vitality, etc.  The wearing of beads also helps to gain focus and concentration during meditation. 

One of the important advantages of wearing the rudraksha touching the heart is to control the blood pressure. This is very much essential for those who want to meditate peacefully without mental distortion. This prevents the meditator in experiencing heat, cold, and other disturbances assumed as mistakes in meditation. The rudraksha bead mala or rosary worn by the person is basically acting as the connection link between the heart rate and that of the cells behind the neck. 

If there is any imbalance in the heart rate, this information is passes to the base of the brain and this helps in maintaining the balance of cardiac output and heart rate. Thus, it is believed that the rudraksha rosary has the power to control the heart disorders and blood pressure. The leaves of rudraksha tree is said to have high Vitamin C content, helpful in curing rheumatism and is also used as an remedy for poison. 

Rudraksha fruit is used as medicine for the brain disorders, pneumonia, uclers, etc. To get maximum benefit from spiritual point of view, one has to wear the rosary given by the Guru during the initiation. Some use them as the aid to chant mantra to keep track of the mantra count.  Some believe that wearing of rudraksha mala can also attract luck.

When it comes to our daily life, we need to utilize our intelligence to discern the "grain from the husk". We should be able to decipher what is correct and good, not just for us but also for the society at large. But, the question that comes up is, how can we discern this?? What is good for me (or my family) may not work well for others!   

Such thinking comes from a very limiting mindset which only considers one's own well-being, a self-centered way of thinking and living. 

When the intellect is truly developed, then we can see the complete picture- we will not be a Dritirashtra who felt it was correct to wage a war with Pandavas, so his son could have the kingdom.  If he would have utilized his intellect, he would have seen that- not only were Pandavas the rightful heirs to the throne, but Yudhistar also was better equipped to lead the nation.

​Plus, Pandavas also had the kindness and etiquette to ensure that he and his sons were always well taken care of in the best possible way!   Forget about being wise and deciding the best for his nation, if Dhritirashtra was truly smart (with proper discernment) he would have seen what was really good for himself (and his sons). But instead- Dhritirashtra chose to wage a war- which killed all his sons and he needed to retire to the forests!

Such anecdotes from the Vedic scriptures are not meant to simply convey history or tell a story, but it is meant to make us think. We should utilize the wisdom from such scriptures to improve our lives.

We need to focus on sharpening our intellect  and developing our discerning power  called 'vivek' in Sanskrit.

In Vedic philosophy, time has an important role to play for various occasions in personal and professional life. Before starting any task or for special occasions, people check the “muhurta” – the auspicious time to start the work or any important event in one’s life.

​Muhurta is otherwise called as the unit of measurement for choosing a good time for any activity or event in professional and personal life. 

Normally, one muhurta is for approximately 48 minutes. One of the important occasions is starting of a business venture, marriage ceremony, naming of child, etc. There are some common principles followed to find out the best muhurta for a given activity. One among them is “rahu kalam”.

People try to avoid “rahu kalam” to start anything or to perform any auspicious task. But for an occasion in one’s personal life, the best time depends on the star / sign of that individual.  This is because, the best time can be calculated based on the position of the planets related with that individual, during that given point of time. Sun’s energy has high influence on finding the muhurta.  

Just like the influence of sun’s and moon’s gravitational force on the high and low tides in the ocean, planets has influence in the happenings in the life of living beings on the earth. There is a strong belief among the Hindus that if any event important started in the right time will succeed. Muhurta is always calculated with the help of Hindu calendar called “Panchang”. 

Important elements in determining auspicious timing are weekday, lunar day, star, yoga and karana.  Usually these are listed in the panchang. Astrologers are the people who choose the best muhurta.  The planetary positions and its effects on the living beings was discovered several ages before itself. These concepts are explained in Manu Samhita with scientific reasons. 

Selecting the muhurta increases the chances of success.  Astrology and Astronomy deals with these concepts in Hindu philosophy. Based on the astrological calculations and help of planetary positions for a given time, the astrologer tells about the auspicious time for the future. 

The “muhurta” for one occasion differs from other.  The best suitable muhurta for marriage may not be ideal for starting a business venture or signing of an agreement or buying/selling of property.  In modern days, people from many religious beliefs  are aware of the benefits of conducting work during a specific muhurta.

One easy  way to  find out about auspicious timing is to utilize the time of Abhijeet Muhurta. To learn more about  this,  check out these articles...

• What is the Abhijeet Nakshatra? Understanding the power of the Abhijeet Nakshatra- to become the Final and Supremely Victorious One!! 
• Timing is everything!! How you can better time your work and events to ensure most success in your endeavors

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Help From Vedas,    Vedic Science    and   Jyotish For Wellbeing

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Muhurta itself means the auspicious time for starting or performing any event or activity in one’s life. It may be starting of a business, signing of an agreement, buying or selling or a property, marriage ceremony, naming ceremony, etc.

​Choosing the right muhurta for any activity is based on the star of the individual and the planetary position including sun and moon.   Sun’s radiation has high influence on the forces of nature that can create harmony or harmful effects on one’s life. 

​Brahma Muhurta is once such duration of time in the early morning hours every day. Brahma Muhurta is the 3 hours of time in the early morning between 3 and 6 considered as auspicious for various rituals and spiritual practices.  It is the best time for any spiritual practice because of the purified ambience in the atmosphere.  It is believed that this time, the atmosphere is filled with positive electro-magnetic radiation that makes the mind calm and peaceful without any effort.  

Since it is the time when most of the people are in deep sleep, the atmosphere is filled with vital pranic energy which is highly beneficial for the spiritual practices. Activities of the living beings start only after some time so the pollution level is less.  Spiritual masters always advice the people to wake up at this time for spiritual practices because the waves present in this time are most beneficial for the body and mind. 

Brahma Muhurta is best time for doing Yoga, Meditation, Prayer, etc. After the sunrise, usually the atmosphere starts getting dull. One can easily experience the freshness enjoyed throughout the day if he/she wake up during brahma muhurta and if woke up after 7 AM.  The level of freshness if woke up during brahma muhurta is more compared with that of waking up after the sunrise. The rays radiated from the sun during this time brings positive effects on the brain. It makes the brain cells active. This time, the forces in nature is very much pleasant and peaceful. 

One who performs spiritual practices get abundant benefits and it is a cause for spiritual upliftment. The air is also less polluted which is ideal for pranayama and yoga. From medical perspective, waking up during this time makes the blood circulation normal. From Ayurvedic perspective, the three components – vata, pitta and kapha are balanced in the body of a person who wakes up during the brahma muhurta. Vata helps to eliminate the toxins in the body, kapha creates respiratory disorders, etc.