Recorded at the Vedanta Society of Western Washington on August 18, 2013.
In this lecture, Swami Bhaskarananda explains what is meant by mantra and why mantra practice is regarded in Vedanta as a powerful means for inner transformation. A mantra, he explains, is not merely a spoken word but a subtle sound closely associated with divinity, perceived by highly purified minds. Drawing on traditional teachings, he outlines four levels of sound—from audible speech to the subtlest form approaching pure consciousness—and situates mantra at this finer level, where divinity is more fully manifest. Through illustrations and stories, he demonstrates that words and sounds shape the mind, leaving lasting impressions that gradually determine one’s character and spiritual capacity.
Swami Bhaskarananda then describes how repeated chanting of a mantra purifies the mind by filling it with sacred impressions, gradually displacing unwholesome tendencies. He discusses different methods of japa, including aloud, whispered, and silent repetition, emphasizing that mental chanting is especially effective for cultivating concentration and preparing the mind for meditation. He also explains the importance of receiving a mantra from a qualified teacher whose own spiritual life has empowered it. Drawing parallels from other religious traditions, he shows that sacred repetition is universal, and concludes that sustained mantra practice leads the mind toward stillness, purity, and ultimately knowledge of the Self, wherein the awareness of inherent divinity becomes steadily established.
