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people. e) Shaktianga, has the total power of the Mantra. When we are reciting the Mantra for a Devta or a Divine power, Shaktianga helps us feel or real ize that power.
3) Categorization of Classification of Mantras
In Jain and Hindu traditions, 70,000,000 mantras are discussed in ancient texts. To understand them, they are grouped into five categories:
a) Gender: The first category relates to the gender of the divinity that our mantra is being offered to. The aspects are:
i) Male divinity or Purusha mantra. For example Hanuman. ii) Female or Stree devta mantra. For example Sarasvati or Padmavati
iii) Neutral or Napunsek mantra Note that this does not mean that male mantras are for men only. For example, if a man desired the qualities symbolized by a female divinity, he can use a female mantra. One can tell the gender of a mantra by its ending. Vashat or Phat is the ending on a male mantra. Voshat or Svaha is the end ing for a female mantra. Hum or Nameh is the ending for a neuter mantra.
b) Power: The second category indicates the power of the Mantra to do its work.
i) Siddha: A Siddha Mantra is a powerful mantra given to a person by a Guru or saint. It comes to you very highly energized and works very quickly. ii) Sadhya: This is a mantra to help you achieve a special objective, such as health, prosperity, peace of mind, or sacred knowledge. iii) Susiddha: These Mantras are even more powerful then Siddha mantras and might be revealed during meditation. iv) Ari: With 70,000,000 mantras, it is important to understand that mantras can have wide range of effects. For example, Ari mantras are used by evil persons to do physical harm or destroy their enemies. One should always remember the fundamental virtue of Jainism is compassionate and non-violent behavior towards all living beings.
c) Number of Sounds: Mantras are also categorized by the number of their sounds as follows: (generally the fewer the number of sounds, the more powerful the mantra) i) Pinda mantra has one sound - such as Om or Hreem. ii) Kartari mantra has two sounds. iii Beeja mantra has three to nine sounds. iv) Mantra mantra has ten to twenty sounds. v) Mala mantra has more than twenty sounds.
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