Do Hindu Prayer

Sound is power and different sounds have different effects on the human psyche. If a soft sound of wind rustling through leaves soothes our nerves, the musical note of running stream enchants our heart, thunders may cause awe and fear. The sacred utterances or chanting of Sanskrit Mantras provide us with the power to attain our goals and lift ourselves from the ordinary to the higher level of consciousness. They give us the power to cure diseases; ward off evils; gain wealth; acquire supernatural powers; worship a deity for exalted communion and for attaining blissful state and attain liberation.

Steps

Background to Hindu prayer

1. Learn about the origin of Mantras. Mantras are Vedic in origin. The teachings of the Vedas consist of various Mantric chants or hymns recognized by different seers or Rishis from the Cosmic Mind. Since the Vedas are impersonal and eternal, the exact historical date of the origin of Mantra chanting is hard to arrive at. For example, every Mantra in the Vedas, Upanishads and various religious traditions (sampradayas) within Hindu religion begin with Om or Aum - the primordial sound, the sound that is said to have its origins at the time of the creation of the cosmos - also referred to as the 'Big Bang'.
   • "Mananaat traayate iti mantrah" (That which uplifts by constant repetition is a Mantra.)
2. Understand the Om. The Beginning & the End. The Bible (John 1:1) says: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Modern Vedic philosophers have interpreted this teaching of the Bible, and equated Om with God. Om is the most important of all mantras. All mantras generally begin and often also end with Om.
3. Learn about healing by Mantropathy. The chanting of Om has now received widespread recognition. Mantras can be used to treat tension and many other difficult diseases that are yet to come.
4. Chant. There are many schools of thought on the methods of chanting. A Mantra chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, is sure to bear the desired result for physical and mental well being. It is also believed by many that the glory of Mantra chanting cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can be experienced or realized only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Mantra.
   • According to some scholars, Mantra chanting is Mantra Yoga. The simple yet powerful Mantra, Om or Aum harmonizes the physical forces with the emotional forces with the intellectual forces. When this happens, you begin to feel like a complete being - mentally and physically. But this process is very slow and requires a lot of patience and unfailing faith.

Performing Hindu prayers

1. Take a bath to cleanse yourself.
2. Dress in lightly coloured clothing.
3. Light a diya (lamp) while chanting the prayer for it.
4. Chant your opening prayers.
5. Chant the mantras prayers and bhajans you wish to.
6. Perform Aarti by moving the tali (plate) with the diya in a circular motion.
7. Place flowers at the murtis.
8. Chant closing prayers.

Tips

• It is important to have complete faith in the recitation of Mantras. It is primarily through faith - aided by strong will - that one achieves one's goals. A sound body and calm mind are essential for the chanter of Mantras. Once you are free from all worries and have achieved stability in mind and body, you will derive maximum benefit through the recitation of Mantras. You must have a definite object in view and a strong will power to obtain the desired objective, and then direct that will to achieve the goal.
• Keep the faith!

Related Articles

• Pray in Hindu Temples
• Pray to the Hindu God Ganesh

See also

• Meditate on the Third Eye
• Perform Puja
• Chant Om
• Pray to the Hindu God Ganesh