Sadhana Mantras
Total time is 62 minutes.
1. The Adi Shakti Mantra:
Ek Ong Kaar Sat Naam Siri Wha-hay Guroo (7 minutes)
“One Source constantly creates creation. Pure being is the true identity. Great beyond words is the experience of ecstatic wisdom.”
The cornerstone of morning sadhana is an Ashtang Mantra, the Adi Shakti Mantra, also called Long Ek Ong Kars Long Chant or Morning Call. This mantra initiates the kundalini, initiating the relationship between our soul and the Universal Soul.
Long Ek Ong Kars are chanted without musical accompaniment, whereas the six mantras that follow may be chanted using various melodies with or without instrumental accompaniment.
2. Eka Mai – 30th Pauree of Japji (9 minutes)
Guru Nanak expresses the relationship between Adi Shakti, creation and the Absolute in the 30th pauree of Japji. Adi Shakti as the Divine Mother creative force gives birth to all that has form, through the actions of the three powers (personified in Hinduism as gods/goddesses): 1) generate (Brahma/Saraswati); 2) sustain (Vishnu/Lakshmi); and 3) destroy (Shiva/Kali).
This mantra cultivates knowledge of the 3 powers of the Universe emanating from the Divine Mother - the Creative Power, the capacity to Sustain, and the power to Destroy. Connection to the Divine Mother includes the realization that we can become attached to the world of form (Maya) and ultimately must liberate ourselves from identification with it to experience the Formless. Recitation of this strengthens the connection to our innate wisdom, creative potential and prosperity, and our capacity to release attachments, surrender, and resurrect. Repetition of this pauree links us to our divinity and yogic power. It gives homage to kundalini Mata Shakti, the Divine Mother Power, to awaken through us, and bestow her grace.
ਏਕਾ ਮਾਈ ਜੁਗਿਤ ਿਵਆਈ ਿਤਿਨ ਚੇਲੇਪਰਵਾਣੁ॥
Eka maa-ee jugat vi-aa-ee tin chaylay parvaan ||
The One Divine Mother conceived and gave birth to three worthy devotees.
ਇਕੁਸੰ ਸਾਰੀ ਇਕੁਭੰ ਡਾਰੀ ਇਕੁਲਾਏ ਦੀਬਾਣੁ॥
Ik sansaaree ik bhandaaree ik laa-ay deebaan ||
One, the Creator of the World (Brahma/Saraswati – the rajasic guna); One, the Sustainer (Vishnu/Lakshmi – the sattvic guna); and One, the Destroyer (Shiva/Kal – the tamasic gunai).
ਿਜਵ ਿਤਸੁਭਾਵੈਿਤਵੈਚਲਾਵੈਿਜਵ ਹੋਵੈਫੁਰਮਾਣੁ॥
Jiv tis bhaavai tivai chalaavai jiv hovai furmaan ||
She makes things move as she pleases, and as she commands.
ਓਹੁਵੇਖੈਓਨਾ ਨਦਿਰ ਨ ਆਵੈਬਹੁਤਾ ਏਹੁਿਵਡਾਣੁ॥
Oh vaykhai onaa nadar na aavai bahutaa ayhu vidaan ||
They see everything, but then choose to unsee our limitations. This is a great blessing.
ਆਦੇਸੁਿਤਸੈਆਦੇਸੁ॥
Aadays tisai aadays ||
I bow to the Formless, I bow.
ਆਿਦ ਅਨੀਲੁਅਨਾਿਦ ਅਨਾਹਿਤ ਜੁਗੁਜੁਗੁਏਕੋਵੇਸੁ॥੩੦॥
Aad aneel anaad anaahat jug jug ayko vays ||
The Primal Being, the Pure Light, without beginning, that cannot be destroyed; the unstruck sound. Throughout all the ages, the Formless is in all forms.
3. The Mul Mantra (7 minutes)
The Mul (Root) Mantra gives an experience of the depth and consciousness of your soul. There are 108 elements in the universe, and 108 letters in the mul mantra (in the original Gurmukhi script). This mantra expands creativity and projects us into action in line with the Creator, and our destiny.
In chanting the Mul Mantra: Leave a slight space (not a breath) between ajoonee and saibhang. Do not run the words together. Emphasize the “ch” sound at the end of the word such. This adds power.
Ek Ong Kaar One Creator, Creation
Sat Naam Being is the Identity
Kartaa Purkh Doer of All
Nirbho Nirvair Without Fear, Without revenge
Akaal Moorat Undying
Ajoonee Unborn
Saibung Self-Illumined, Complete within OneSelf
Gur Prasaad By Guru’s grace
Jap! Meditate!
Aad Such True in the beginning
Jugaad Such True through all time
Hai Bhee Such True now
Nanak Hosee Bhee Such Nanak says Truth shall ever be
4. Sat Siree, Siree Akal (7 minutes)
With this mantra, we declare that we are timeless, deathless beings, Sat Siree Siree Akaal Siree Akaal Mahaa Akaal Mahaa Akaal Sat Naam Akaal Moorat Wha-hay Guroo
Great Truth Respected Undying Respected Undying Great Deathless Great Deathless Truth Identified (Named) Deathless Image of God. Great beyond description is Wisdom
5. Rakhe Rakhan Har (7 minutes)
This is a shabd of protection against all negative forces which move against one’s walk on the path of destiny, both inner and outer. It cuts like a sword through every opposing vibration, thought, word, and action.
It is part of the evening prayer of the Sikhs (Rehiras). Rakhe Rakhan Har was composed by Guru Arjan, the Fifth Guru.
Rakhay rakhanahaar aap ubaaria-an Gur kee pairee paa-i kaaj savaari-an Hoaa aap da-iaal manaho na visaari an Saadh janaa kai sang bhavajal taari-an Saakat nindak dusht khin maa-eh bidaari-an Tis saahib kee tayk Naanak manai maa-eh Jis simrat sukh ho-i sagalay dookh jaa-eh
You who save, save us all and take us across, uplifting and giving excellence. You gave us the touch of the lotus feet of the Guru, and all our jobs are done.
You have become merciful, kind, and compassionate; and our mind does not forget You. In the company of the holy beings you take us from misfortune and calamities, scandals, and disrepute. Godless, slanderous enemies—you finish them in timelessness. That great Lord is my anchor. Nanak, keep firm in your mind, by meditating and repeating the Name. All happiness comes and all sorrows and pain depart.
6. Wahe Guru Wahe Jio (22 minutes)
Chant this mantra sitting in Vir Asan. Sit on the left heel, with the right knee against the chest, with hands in Prayer Pose. Eyes are focused at the tip of the nose.
Wha-hay Guroo Wha-hay Guroo Wha-hay Guroo Wha-hay Jeeo
Wahe Guru is a mantra of ecstasy. There is no real translation for it, though we could say, “Wow, God is great!” or “indescribably great is the Infinite, Ultimate Wisdom.” Jeeo is an affectionate but still respectful variation of the word Jee which means soul. We establish ourselves for victory and the right to excel.
7. Guru Ram Das Chant (5 minutes)
Guroo Guroo Wha-hay Guroo Guroo Raam Das Guroo
This in praise of the consciousness of Guru Ram Das, invoking his spiritual light, guidance, and protective grace. We are filled with humility.