Chant means a sacred word or sound in Sanskrit. Practitioners believe mantra chanting produce spiritual and psychological powers. The earliest chants believed to be 3,000 years old were composed by Hindus in Vedic Sanskrit.
There are English translations for non-Hindu Yoga practitioners. Mantras exist in different schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Even Christians and Taoists utter similar chants and hymns.
Yogis know chanting Om is reciting a mantra which comes from two Sanskrit terms. Man refers to “mind” and tra means instrument or vehicle. The vehicle conveys the mind from a particular state of activity to silence and tranquility.
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu
connotes: “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” It is chant of power to help us participate in a spiritual evolution and bless the world. Chanting this mantra allows us to move from our person exuding a prayer of love or devotion for the whole world.
Heyam Dukham Managatam
means “Avoidable is the suffering that has not yet come.” The sutra or aphorism is, “Pain that has not occurred is not a problem.” According to Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra (Yoga Institute Director), this sutra tells us wise persons are aware the world will not give us anything but pain. Everybody faces consequences of our karmas or destinies. Our lives, the types of nature and action we have depend on this karma. When we are born, we are able to complete a few karmas while others remain. Therefore, we continue to suffer.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Most mantras begin with “Om.”However, it has no specific meaning. The origins of Om are nowhere to be found in the haze of time. In Buddhism, Om is not merely a universal sound. It is the sound of the universe. Mandukya Upanishad, the shortest of Sanskrit texts, says Om is the past, present, and future. Om epitomizes humanity. It is the equivalent of white light. Shanti means peace. Its sound is beautiful as well. Shanti is uttered three times. Hindu teachings usually end with Om Shanti Shanti Shanti because these words invoke peace. This mantra also ends some devotional rituals of Buddhists.
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah
Sarve Santa Niramaya
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu
Ma Kashchid Dukh Bhaav Bhavet
indicates, “May everyone be happy, may every ne be free from all diseases may everyone see goodness and auspiciousness in everything, may none be unhappy or distressed. Om peace, peace, peace!” We pray for all and ourselves. The, we start to heal and get well. The chant reminds us of the universal self.
Ma Kashchid Dukh Bhaav Bhavet means “Merciful Lord, bless all with happiness, free from all misery, and bestow thy divine blessing that all may realize eternal bliss.”
There are other chants for world peace but the above-mentioned mantras represent the most widely used today.
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