mantra Chanting Basic

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Mantras must be chanted or recited with unwavering devotion and motivation. Chanting them as a matter-of-course deprives them of power and is practically useless from the point of view of conscious growth, evolution and effect.

 

How to sit: Sitting in position which maximizes the total effect of mantras is desirable. According to the ancient systems, the lotus posture is the best asana for meditation and for mantras. Other asanas (postures) which are recommended in order of effect for meditation or the practice of mantras are:1. Padma Asana2. Vaira Asana3. Siddha Asana or Vajra Asana.Once you have decided upon the asana for a particular mantra, you must use the same mantra for the duration of the chanting. You can sit on the earth ( as distinct from floor), on a deer skin, a tiger skin, a wooden platform, a cotton or plant fibre mat. Synthetic materials should not be used.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to chant: Mantras should be chanted in a quiet place. Once a place has been chosen, it should become permanent for all practical purposes.

 

 

Best time: The best time for chanting mantras is the Brahmamahurta ( 4 a.m.). Other good times are the transition periods i.e. when night is turning into day ( dawn and sunrise), when day is turning into night (twilight and sunset). You can also choose the time before going to bed. Having chosen your time, you should be regular about the hours and duration of your chanting.

 

 

Position: If chanting mantras during the day time, you should sit facing the north or the east. If chanting mantras during the night, you should sit facing the north.

 

 

Rosary: Generally, a mala or rosary of 108 Rudraksha or tulsi (basil) or sandalwood beads is used when chanting mantras. According to ancient texts, the following beads can be used for chanting specific mantras:1. For obtaining wealth : Rosary of coral beads2. For begetting children : Rosary of Putrajiva beads3. For fulfillment of desires : Rosary of crystalsPreferably, your rosary should not be visible to others when you are using it. Covering your hand with a cloth or a specially made covering is a common practice. With the rosary hanging over the middle, ring and index finger of the right hand, the thumb and middle finger are generally used to roll the beads. You must not cross the ' head' of the rosary when rolling the beads and must revert to the head after completing a rosary.

 

 

 

How often: The number of times a mantra has to be chanted is usually specified. Normally, it is considered auspicious to chant a mantra 11 times, or 108 times or in multiples of 108. Once you have fixed upon the number, you can increase it but cannot decrease it.