Thread by @Sampadananda

Welcome to the third session of #vedaprabodha. In this session the discussion will be on Mantra.

A Mantra is an inspired and intuitive and rhythmic utterance, a revealed seeing, an expression of a deepest spiritual reality or truth. 3/1

A Mantra therefore is the holistic essence of the truth realised. Every Mantra contains in its vibrations a certain power, and a Mantra reveals to the one who comes into direct contact with a deeper truth of life or spirit. 3/2

The very etymology of the word Mantra reveals that it serves as an instrument to elevate the Mind, an instrument which helps the mind to contemplate and plunge into the oceanic depth of silence. It unites the mind with the pure sound. 3/3

The word Mantra is derived from the root sound ‘man’ which means to think, to contemplate or meditate on, to perceive, to understand or comprehend. The sound 'tra' at the end of the word Mantra is a suffix added in the sense of instrumentality. 3/4

So, etymologically, Mantra is an instrument of or a means for contemplation, meditation, comprehension, perception and of thought.

The sound 'man' also refers to all the activities of the mind and ultimately the Mind itself. 3/5

The sound 'tra' can be considered to be drawn from the root-sound 'trai' meaning to ‘protect’ or to ‘free from’. Therefore, the word Mantra can also mean that which makes one free from the vagaries of the mind.
मननात् त्रायते इति मन्त्रः. 3/6

Four words used for Mantra:
The word मन्त्र refers to the power of silencing the mind.
The word ऋक् refers to the power of bringing illumination.
The word ब्रह्मन् refers to the power of expanding the consciousness
The word छन्दस् refers to the rhythmic utterance. 3/7

That's all for today.

You may visit the following link to read a short write up on the the power of Mantra.

bhagavadgita.org.in/Blogs/5acc40e0…