धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः । तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत्।

 No doubt, you love your children. You send them to the best schools, give them the most nutritious food, and provide them with the latest toys,clothes, books, and video games that they can show off to their friends. However, in some time, the toys will break; the comic books will be torn; the clothes will be too small. What will remain is the cultural legacy that you pass on to your children.

Why Mantras?

Increasing westernisation and the advent of the Internet has produced 'cultural orphans' or people who are unable to relate to their own culture, and face an identity crisis. Your child can probably rattle off the names of his favourite comic characters. But can he chant a single prayer from his culture? Your child may not enjoy chanting prayers or singing devotional songs now, but as he grows up, he will always cherish those moments he spent with you—the lighting of the diyas, the burning of incense, the flowers, meeting different members of the family, etc.

In another article, you learned about mantras, and how they can be used. Here are some famous mantras that you can teach your children so that they grow up with a greater appreciation of their culture.

Ganesh Mantra

This mantra, dedicated to Ganesh the beloved elephant-headed god of Hinduism, is chanted before any activity, ritual or puja is performed.

Mantra:

Vakratund Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha

Nirvhignam Kurumedeya Sarva Karyashu Sarvada

Meaning: O Lord with the large body, curved trunk, and the brilliance of crore (10 million) suns, please free my work from all obstacles, forever.

Om

 Om is the greatest of all syllables in Hinduism and forms part of many mantras. It is related to the Tibetan 'Hum' while some believe that it also may be related to the Hebrew 'Amen'.

Meaning: Aum represents God as sound. As Krishna says in the Bhagvad Gita, "Of all the alphabets, I'm the Aum." The Aum is said to contain the knowledge of the entire Vedas. It is also the sound of the celestial spheres, the 'hum' of the universe, and the primordial sound heard at the beginning of the universe.

Gayatri Mantra

Second only to Aum, the Gayatri mantra is regarded as one of the most powerful mantrasof Hinduism. By repeated chanting with correct pronunciation, it is said that one is able to attain enlightenment.

Mantra:

Aum Bhur Bhuva Svaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat,

It should be remembered that this simple mantra has several meanings, all of which are valid. Two of the meanings are given below.

Meaning 1: O God, you are the giver of life, remover of pain and sorrow, the bestower of happiness, may your light destroy our sins, and may you illumine our intellect to lead us along the righteous path.

Meaning 2: Aum, we meditate on the splendour of the supreme reality, the source of the three worlds: the gross or physical, the subtle or the mental, and the celestial or the spiritual.

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra

This simplest of mantras is quite popular all over the world. Devotional in nature, chanting this mantra is said to bring one closer to God, and wash away all sins.

Mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

Meaning: The mantra simply refers to Rama and Krishna, who are regarded as the incarnations of Vishnu. The word 'Hare' probably refers to another name for Krishna, but also means the 'energy of God'.

Shanti Mantras

Each of these mantras is followed by the phrase "Om shanti, shanti, shanti", and hence these mantras are known collectively as the Shantimantras. The word 'shanti' means peace in Sanskrit.

Mantra 1:

Asatoma sad gamaya

Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya

Mrityor ma amritam gamaya

Meaning: Lead me from untruth to truth; lead me from darkness to the light; lead me from mortality to immortality

Mantra 2:

Om poornamadah poornamidam

Poornaat poornamudachyate

Poornasya poornamaadaya

Poornamevaavashishyate

Meaning: That is Absolute (God). This is Absolute. Absolute arises out of Absolute. The Absolute is taken from the Absolute, yet the Absolute remains.

Mantra 3:

Om sahanaa vavatu sahanau bhunaktu

Saha veeryam karavaavahai

Tejasvi naavadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai

Meaning: May He protect us. May He nourish us. May we work together. May our study be enlightening! May we never hate each other!