The Importance Of Mantras In Hinduism

The theory of Sound is a vital component of our physical existence. We communicate with sound and respond to our environment based on what we hear. Music also has a profound effect for most humans as it can change our mood and fully engage us. It is often suggested in Hindu texts, that the mantras must be recited correctly with a particular cadence or melody in order for them to work properly. With this idea, we can imagine that sound can play an important role in the use and practice of mantras. Traditionally, it was considered necessary and very important in Hindu teachings, that the transference of the mantras should be given audibly from a guru to the disciple, in order for the student to hear the correct pronunciation and melody (Arumugam,

In the theory of Nȃda – Brahman, as expounded by Guy L. Beck in his book called ‘Sonic Theology Hinduism and Sacred Sound’, sound is a vital component in the use of mantras (1995). Beck states that music in India is connected to the concept of Nȃda – Brahman (Nȃda - a Sanskrit word meaning: sound; Brahman - a Hindu name of the ultimate God) and how this concept connects to the use of mantras in meditation. Beck explains that the sonic properties of mantras are considered very important in Hindu spiritual practices. Hinduism is fundamentally a sonically based theology and sound has a central role in Hindu theology and practice. Śabdha-Brahman translates to sacred sound and is commonly found in the Hindu Upanishads and was eventually superseded by Nȃda - Brahman with the flourishing of the Tantric traditions after 500A.D. This term was associated with the concept of primordial sound and the vibrating before the creation of the universe as well as residing in the human body. Nȃda – Brahman includes the realm of non-linguistic sound and is also associated with musical sound where Śabdha-Brahman (Śabdha - a Sanskrit word meaning - word manifested by sound 'verbal ') was predominately

With the advent of modern sound recording technology in the twentieth century, mantras could also be recorded. Recording of mantras is a relatively recent practice, with the first western recordings coming out in the mid-1960s. One of the early recordings of mantras was included on the album ‘Krishna Consciousness’ by Bhaktivedanta (1966) that included the Hare Krishna Mantra Chant. This would influence musicians like the Beatles and popular music through the late 1960s and mid-1970s (Maan, 2013). This was the beginning were modern media introduced Vedic mantras to a world audience. Now mantras and their recordings have been widely distributed commercially, but can also be found non-commercially available on many Hindu and yoga websites. Before the advent of modern recording technology, the only way to get an authentic, specific Tantric mantra was to hear it verbally by a Guru or yoga