From sound to self: The transformative power of Adi Shankaracharya’s five Vaidik mantras

Abstract

This article discusses five powerful mantras linked to Adi Shankaracharya, an 8th-century Advaita Vedanta philosopher and reformer. It looks at their significance from sound, physical, physiological, and psychological viewpoints. The selected mantras are: (1) Ekāślokī (“One-Verse Hymn”), (2) Guru Aṣṭakam (“Eight Verses to the Guru”), (3) Pañcākṣarī Stotra (“Hymn on the Five-Letter Mantra of Śiva”), (4) Bhaja Govindam, and (5) Devya-Pada-Kṣamā-pana Stotram (“Prayer for Forgiveness to the Divine Mother”). For each mantra, the original Sanskrit is provided along with an English translation. The article analyzes how the sound (nāda) of each mantra resonates, how reciting them affects bodily posture and muscle tone, how physiological processes like heart rate, breathing, and the autonomic nervous system might change, and how aspects of devotion, self-inquiry, and non-duality show up in practice. The study references texts, traditional yoga practices, and modern research on mantra use. It suggests that these mantras work not just as aids for devotion but also as tools for connecting body, mind, and consciousness. The article addresses limitations, including attribution issues, the absence of empirical studies on these specific mantras, and constraints related to cultural context. It concludes with suggestions for future research that combines mantra recitation with studies on psychological and physiological effects, along with advice for practitioners looking for structured practices.