Prayers & Mantras
Amma’s whole life is a constant endeavor to bring peace and happiness to as many beings as possible. Amma offers us tools, in the form of different prayers and mantras, to reach our own happiness and have a positive impact on the world.
“Chanting a mantra or prayers with concentration will definitely create a positive change in nature and help restore harmony.”
– Amma
Mantra
A mantra is a set of sacred syllables in Sanskrit. Its basic function, through repetition, is to calm and focus the mind and ultimately lead us to concentration, peace and happiness. Mantras, like “Om Namah Shivaya” or “Om Parashaktyai Namaha”, have been used since time immemorial.
For thousands of years, spiritual masters have used mantras to help seekers achieve mental strength and clarity. Historically, students received a mantra only after they proved themselves ready for it. However, Amma compassionately gives a mantra to almost everyone who asks for one, according to each person’s concept of divinity.
Prayer for World Peace
Amma has recommended peace mantras for daily chanting. One of those is a prayer for world peace:
Om lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu. May all beings be happy and peaceful.
The mantra is an invocation for harmony and blessings for all of creation, including the welfare of all beings–humans, animals, plants etc. Through this prayer, our mind becomes more expansive and we identify with the entire creation, recognising its true nature to be none other than our own. As we are part of the world, we also benefit from the blessings of the prayer.
Archana
Archana is a devotional recitation of mantras in Sanskrit. In chanting these names, concentration is gained and focus is redirected to the heart.
At Amma’s centers around the world, the daily archana practice includes:
- Amma’s Ashtothara Sata Namavali, the 108 names of Amma, composed by the famous Kerala poet Ottoor Unni Namboodiripad.
- Sri Lalita Sahasranama, the 1000 names of the Divine Mother. Taken from the ancient Indian scripture, Brahmanda Purana, it is a lyrical and devotional chant dedicated to Goddess Lalita.
- Arati and closing prayers
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My mantra has become my favorite prayer. It’s what I say when I’m upset, when I’m happy, when unusual events happen, when someone I know is sick, when I need to figure something out and have no clue where to begin. It’s my way to return to center. When I think of my mantra, I feel grateful. Gratitude is the best place to land, no matter where you start out.
– Mantra practitioner