Puja, Mantra, and Pranayama

Vedic spiritual practices date back thousands of years, and the influences of Vedic teaching are spread far and wide between Hinduism, modern Hermetic magick and Thelema, and Buddhism. I have found that they can be incorporated usefully within contemporary Western Paganism, despite their seemingly different focus and style.

In this article I will focus on three branches of practice. The first is Puja, a Hindu practice which is the ritual worship and care of a deity through a statue; the second is Mantra, intoning Sanskrit phrases to affect changes in the world and within one's self; the third is Pranayama, control of the psychic energy system through breathing exercises.

Puja

The purpose of puja is the worship and veneration of a particular deity (my previous article was all about Hindu deities). This worship is done through ritual, prayer, meditation, chanting, offerings, or song, and is aimed at an image of the deity whether that is a picture, a statue, or more abstract symbol (this is called a murti). It must be made clear that this image is not the deity itself, but a vessel for the deity's cosmic power. The symbol allows the devotee to make a spiritual link with the deity, and have access to the Divine.

Puja is very widely used in Hinduism and is a key part of Brahmin (priestly caste) family worship.

The puja is structured in stages, much like a neo-Pagan ritual though with different activities taking place. It begins with the Invocation, where rice is sprinkled over the murti and the spirit of God called upon to enter that representation. The deity is then offered a seat (through visualisation rather than jointed limbs), when rice grains are sprinkled in the copper dish placed below the murti, and this is followed by the devotee washing the feet of the murti with a wet flower. A mixture of water, milk, ghee, sugar, and honey is made and given as an oblation of reverence to the murti, which is then bathed in it by being sprinkled lightly with it. The murti is robed in red, and given its sacred thread, and then anointed on the forehead with sandalwood paste. Next, flowers and leaves are set around the murti, incense and a ghee lamp is lit before it, and it is offered food, fresh fruit, and a few coins. Having finished this, the devotee circumambulates the ritual area, and asks the deity to accept the offerings and forgive any omissions in the ritual. (It's always good to have a catch-all!) Finally, more flowers are offered, and the devotee or group of devotees may sing praises of that deity, and play musical instruments.

In Hindu tradition puja is a highly ritualized and well-defined affair, such occasions often being overseen by a family guru who chants the sacred Sanskrit mantras involved. Modern Pagan practices are generally far more individual and each ritual is often personalized by its creator and made more specific to its purpose; the above puja ritual could be adapted by a neo-Pagan who wanted to work with or worship a Hindu deity. For instance, a Wiccan might like to cast a circle, before beginning the practice of Puja, and may also include in the ritual a meditative section where they meditate upon that deity, or commune with the deity through meditation. A little creativity (something most Pagans are familiar with!) will help you adapt a puja ritual to your own needs.

Mantra

"Mantra is the sacred science of sound."

In Eastern spiritual systems, a mantra is a set of words which can be chanted externally or internally to effect change in the world and in one's self (a bit like neo-Pagan magick.) Mantra most closely translates into the word 'spell', and indeed there is some similarity between these two, although mantra is a term for a more specific practice. Most yogic mantras are in Sanskrit, the ancient language of the Vedas.

While historians will tell you that the Sanskrit language was created by grammarians, a mantra Yogi will tell you that the sounds of Sanskrit were received by the ancient rishis (wise men) during meditation. The Sanskrit language therefore, is a sacred language (as Hebrew is in Kabbalah and Judaism) whose words and phrases, if used properly, have a sacred and magickal effect.

It is immediately obvious how useful mantra and mantra techniques can be for any neo-Pagan. Used in any ritual as words of power, mantras give you an extremely potent and condensed technique for spell working and trance. A mantra can be chanted once as a stand-alone invocation or the mantra/set of mantras can be chanted repeatedly over a session to build the energies of the mantra (much like dancing and chanting can be used in neo-Pagan ritual to raise energy.)

When chanting a mantra it is crucial to intone the words. Intonation is the practice of chanting a word at a pitch, volume, and note that causes your voice to feel as though it is vibrating or resonating through your body and throughout the room - it is usually a lower pitch than a woman may sing in, but is often the same pitch as a man sings in. When a sound is intoned and resounds, the sound energy itself is believed to create the necessary changes - the way the sound affects the room and your body causes a shift in energy. Once one is used to intoning a particular mantra, the effects can be recreated with the power of the mind only. Obviously, this is the form of mantra that can be used any place and at any time - at a party, at the supermarket, during an exam, and more. Used as such mantra can be a form of instant results magick.

Let us look at the mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya'. On a grammatical level this is a simple invocation to Shiva, roughly equivalent to "Oh, great Shiva". To understand the effects of this mantra one must look at the esoteric meanings associated with it: this mantra is linked to Shiva in his aspect as Maha Yogi. In this aspect he is seen as an ascetic, meditating at midnight in a graveyard, covered in ashes and a loin cloth. This image is used to show fearlessness: Shiva is able to meditate in such macabre surroundings because of his fearlessness, and so this is a mantra to instil a sense of calm and freedom from fear in the chanter.

Some mantras may have a tune or tunes associated with them, but it is generally okay to chant a mantra in one pitch or to a simple tune that you feel fits it if you wish. Another way of finding out the tunes of these mantras is to learn from a guru, such as Muz Murray who taught and still teaches mantra me and my parents.

There are many mantras you can use, but to give you an idea of them, here is a brief list of some that you may find useful. Most mantras refer to a particular deity, and simply form an invocation to that deity often by adding the respectful suffix, namaha which means "the great name I have just said."

Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha

Invocation to Ganapati, remover of obstacles; good for removing obstacles in results magick. If there is something stopping you from doing something, this is the mantra to use.

Om Shrim Mahalakshmiyei Namaha

Invocation to Lakshmi, the Goddess of bounty. She grants her devotees gifts, so this is a very good mantra for getting results with magick. Also good for prosperity, family, and financial needs.

Om Hraum Mitraya Namaha

For attracting good friends, honourable company, and trustworthy acquaintances. Can also be used for healing a friendship.

Om Tare Tutare Ture Swaha

This comes more from Buddhism, as it calls upon the Buddhist Goddess Tara (green), in her fire aspect. It is very good for keeping yourself warm, raising energy in magick and in everyday life, and should be chanted in an upbeat manner.

Om Dhum Durghayei Namaha

Invocation to the Durgha, a warrior Goddess. Useful for self-defence and protection.

Om Eim Saraswatyei Swaha

Invocation to Saraswati, Goddess of artistic and scholastic endeavours. Useful for all studious matters and creative projects.

Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya, Jaya Rama

Invocation to Rama, one of the major incarnations of Vishnu. A peaceful, calming mantra that should be chanted slowly, almost as a lullaby.

Om Arkaya Namaha

"Salutations to the cosmic physician, who removes afflictions." A general healing and heart-centring mantra. For those amongst you who are familiar with planetary magick, it may come as no surprise to hear that there are planetary mantras that can be used to invoke the power of the seven significant (classical) planets.

Planetary Mantras

Om Shri Suryaya Namaha - The Sun

Useful for generating solar energy; healing the heart, blood, spine, and solar plexus.

Om Shri Chandraya Namaha - The Moon

Useful for generating lunar energy; healing the digestive system, lymph system, breasts, and for aid with menstruation.

Om Shri Budhaya Namaha - Mercury

Useful for generating mercurial energy; healing the hands, arms, lungs, and sensory organs

Om Shri Shukraya Namaha - Venus

Useful for generating venusian energy; healing the neck, throat, kidneys, feet, and female sex organs.

Om Shri Angarakaya Namaha - Mars

Useful for generating martian energy; healing blood cells, adrenal glands, and male sex organs.

Om Shri Gurave Namaha - Jupiter

Useful for generating jovian energy; healing the liver, gall bladder, and thighs.

Om Shri Shanaishwaraya Swaha - Saturn

Useful for generating saturnian energy; healing the skeleton, cartilage, skin, calves, white blood cells, and the spleen.

These planetary mantras can be used individually to raise the energies of a particular planet, or you can use them as a set for general well-being and enlightenment. Those of you who work magick based on planetary energies, days, or hours, may add a little 'oomph' into your ritual by using the appropriate mantra as well.

Pranayama

The word 'prana' is used to signify not only breath but also the concept of life energy, these two being inextricably linked. 'Ayama' means control. Thus 'pranayama' means control of your energy through control of your breath.

To a Yogi proper breathing is considered essential. Many people only use half their lung capacity when they breathe, but Pranayama teaches that one should fill the whole of your chest capacity and in doing so breathe slower and more deeply. A regular practice of this exercise will teach you to use more of your lung capacity without even thinking about it, helping you to be healthy and fit in daily life.

Exercise 1 - Dirgha Pranayama - Complete Breathing.

Most people only inflate the clavicular (upper) part of their chest when they breathe. In truth, there are three parts of your lungs that should be inflated - the lower lungs (belly), the mid-chest region, and the upper chest. This exercise allows you to open up all three areas.

1. Sit in a comfortable position, with your back as straight as possible, or lie on your back.
2. Place your hands on your belly, and as you inhale fill it with air, feeling it rise. Keep the breathing smooth and relaxed, and try not to strain. Exhale and repeat this several times.
3. Move your hands to your mid-chest region, and as you inhale fill both your belly and mid-chest with air, feeling it rise and expand. Once again, keep your breathing smooth and relaxed as you exhale and repeat this several times.
4. Now move your hands to your upper chest. Fill your belly, mid-chest, and finally upper-chest with air, feeling it rise and expand. Exhale smoothly, and repeat several times.

You do not have to use your hands in the above exercise, but it is a useful way to learn it until you are familiar with it. Over time you will learn to take slower and deeper breath throughout your day. You can use this exercise when you feel stressed or panicky, or at the start of ritual or meditation.

Exercise 2 - Nadi Shodhana - Alternate Nostril Breathing.

Yogis believe that the left nostril corresponds to Lunar energy and the right nostril corresponds to Solar energy. Alternate nostril breathing is an exercise that brings these two energies into balance within your energy field, aura, psychic nervous system and body.

1. Take your right hand and fold your index and middle finger down towards the palm (so that they are out of the way.)
2. With your hand in this position, place your thumb on (not in!) your right nostril, and your other two fingers on your left nostril. At this point, we are just positioning the fingers and thumb - we are not closing our nostrils.
3. With your little and ring finger, close your left nostril, and inhale through your right nostril, filling your lungs with air.
4. Use your thumb to close you right nostril, hold for a second, before opening your left nostril and exhaling.
5. Breathe in through the left nostril.
6. Use your little and ring fingers to close your left nostril, hold for a second, open your right nostril, and exhale.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 as desired. Remember, always end by exhaling on the right.

Alternate nostril breathing is very balancing, and is considered to be a very important Yogic spiritual practice.

Exercise 3 - Bhramari Pranayama - Bee Breath

Bee Breath is quite a fun exercise - as a child it was an exercise I was taught by my parents, and even today it can still make me giggle. Bhramari in Sanskrit means 'humming bee', and in this exercise one imitates the sound made by a bee.

1. Take a deep breath in through your nostrils.
2. Breathe out through your nose using your throat to make a humming sound. If you do it correctly, it should make your teeth vibrate slightly, which adds the buzzing sound to your hum. (And the tickly fun to the exercise!) You don't have to be loud to 'buzz', but you do have to make the right sound - experiment, and you'll get it quickly.

Bhramari Pranayama causes a joyous energy to rise in your heart, and has been credited with everything from making you smile, to easing the pain of childbirth. Either way, this exercise is certainly fun, and can be a great energizer.

Next time...

In the third instalment of Vedic Magick, we'll be looking at an ancient and sacred fire ceremony, the Agni Hotra.