Mantras are phrases, which are generally in Sanskrit and chanted to fulfill ones desires, to appease deities or to overcome the negative effects of planets. These short prayers have been in use in India from time immemorial. There is a controversy regarding the free availability of certain Mantras, however the Mantras useful in warding off the ill effects of planets are feely available in the print media. Mantras similar to Yantras have been cloaked in a shroud of mystery and myth. A proper study of the subject reveals no such mystery attached to this subject, but rather a lot of misconceptions.
There is a loose set of guidelines, which govern the usage of Mantras. Some consider that Mantras should be recited while sitting at a silent spot, others advise a more relaxed atmosphere and encourage the chanting of a Mantra while walking, working or just sitting. Depending on the Mantra one can adopt the best possible method of practicing the Mantra. Each Mantra has to be chanted a particular number of times, and this number varies from Mantra to Mantra. The full effect of a Mantra is only visible when one completes the prescribed number of recitations.
In the Orient, especially India, rosary or Rudraksha Mala is used for the purpose of keeping a count of the chants. The rosary is made of the dried fruit of a plant found in the Himalayas. There are a total of 108 beads, of which one is slightly bigger than the rest. While counting one never crosses this bead, but either stops, or turns back. It would be correct to add here that it is the recitation of the Mantra that is more important than the beads. There are other rules that govern the giving of a Mantra to a person, which again varies from Mantra to Mantra. Pronunciation plays the most important role in the efficacy of a Mantra. A Mantra when pronounced correctly yields the best result. Right pronunciation produces the right vibration in ones body.
The efficacy of a Mantra depends totally on the faith of the subject who is utilizing it. Faith along with patience can help one see the true power of the Mantras.
Indian Astrology has mentions of Mantras, which are effective in warding off the malefic effects of planets. Each planet has a particular Mantra associated with it the number of times it has to be repeated and the time of reciting it.
- SUN
"Om hram hrim hraum sah Suryaya namah"
Meaning: Om hram hrim hraum I bow to the Sun.
To be repeated 7000 times at the time of sunrise. - MOON
"Om sram srim sraum sah Chandraya namah"
Meaning: Om sram srim sraum I bow to the Moon.
To be repeated 11,000 times at the time of sunset. - MARS
"Om kram krim kraum sah Bhaumaya namah"
Meaning: Om kram krim kraum I bow to Mars.
To be repeated 10,000 times two hours after sunrise. - MERCURY
"Om bram brim braum sah Baudhaya namah"
Meaning: Om bram brim braum I bow to Mercury.
To be repeated 19,000 times 5 hours after sunrise. - JUPITER
"Om gram grim graum sah Gurave namah"
Meaning: Om gram grim graum I bow to Jupiter.
To be repeated 19,000 times at the time of sunset. - VENUS
"Om dram drim draum sah Sukraya namah"
Meaning: Om dram drim draum I bow to Venus.
To be repeated 6,000 times at sunrise. - SATURN
"Om pram prim praum sah Sanaiscaraya namah"
Meaning: Om pram prim praum I bow to Saturn.
To be repeated 23,000 times at sunset. - RAHU
"Om bhram bhrim bhraum sah Rahave namah"
Meaning: Om bhram bhrim bhraum I bow to Rahu.
To be repeated 18,000 times at night. - KETU
"Om sram srim sraum sah Ketave namah"
Meaning: Om sram srim sraum I bow to Ketu.
To be repeated 17,000 times at night.