Sanskrit mantras are ancient prayers to different aspects of the Divine. There are healing mantras, mantras for devotion, and mantras of celebration. To enhance your meditation, try one (or all!) of these amazing Sanskrit mantras and let your soul shine!
Om Namah Shivaya
This is the mantra that changed my life. Before I heard Krishna Das’s Namah Shivaya I had no idea mantras could be sung . I must have played Namah Shivaya hundreds of times, singing along with the unfamiliar words and knowing it was feeding something deep in my soul. Now, some number of years later, my mantra repertoire has expanded but I always love coming home to Namah Shivaya by Krishna Das on Pilgrim Heart. Sing this mantra to help you embrace change and transformation, or to help you develop the intense meditative focus of Shiva himself!
Maha-Mantra (aka Hare Krishna mantra)
I have to admit that for a long time I really had trouble getting comfortable with this one. My fingers would find themselves skipping Hare Krishna tracks on my kirtan albums. Even after making friends with some wonderful Krishna devotees and spending time in their temples, I just couldn’t connect with the maha-mantra. Then I attended a kirtan with David Newman and Mira, and felt my heart break open while singing Hare Krishna. Tears started streaming down my face and I could feel something shift inside. Now you can find me happily chanting Hare Krishna whenever I hear it, and connecting with the Divine Love and Grace that this mantra evokes. David Newman's The Prophet - Hare Krishna on his album Love, Peace, Chant is a beautiful way to feel the love!
Sitaram
I once heard the mantra Sitaram described as Hanuman’s heart. I think that’s a beautiful way to describe this mantra, which can evoke such a feeling of love and devotion. Rama and Sita were devoted to each other, Hanuman was devoted to them, and God is devoted to us. It’s a beautiful thing, and singing this mantra plugs me directly into that love current. If you’re feeling disconnected, give Sitaram a try and feel the devotional fires start to blaze! Kirtan! The Art and Practice of Ecstatic Chant by Jai Uttal has a beautiful version of Sitaram which I can't get enough of.
Dina Dayal
For me this mantra is just plain fun! Have you heard The Pirate Song by Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits? As an experiment, I listened to see just how long I could go without dancing in my seat. The results? About 12 seconds if I really pushed it. The full mantra is “He Govinda He Gopala Keshava Madhava Dina Dayal” – it’s a joyful celebration of Krishna the cow-herder, who protects the souls of all. Feeling down? Need a little pick-me-up but don’t have time for a cup of coffee? You can’t go wrong with He Govinda!
Gang Ganapataye Namo Namah
I can’t get through a mantra list without giving love to Ganesh. Visit my apartment and one of the first things you’ll notice is my Ganesh collection – he adorns my walls, protects my doorway, and even sits on top of my TV. Ganesh is commonly known as the remover of obstacles, helping us to break through the things that block us from spiritual growth. But did you know that he also places obstacles, giving us opportunities to gain valuable insights into ourselves. If you need some help with challenges in your life, or if you’re looking for a friend who’ll tell you what you need to know, Ganesh is your man! MC Yogi's album Elephant Power is a Ganesh celebration, and cannot be missed!
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
