Hamsa Mantra (Soham Mantra) Benefits and Meaning

Sanskrit Mantras

Hamsa Gayatri mantra lyrics:

”Aum Paramhamsaye Vidmahe
Mahahamsaye Dhimahi
Tanno Hamsah Prachodayat.”

Soham meaning:

“I am He/That”

The term ”soham” is related to ”sa,” and the phrase translates from Sanskrit as – “I that very person”, according to Monier-Williams. In addition, the term is interpreted as a nominal sentence and can also be read as “I am he” or “It/He is I”. This sacred Sanskrit term is found in ancient Vedic literature, and is a phrase that identifies „oneself with the universe or ultimate reality”.

This potent mantra is also known as Soham mantra. Soham and Hamsa is the same mantra; the order of the Sanskrit syllables is simply reversed. An ancient sacred Indian Sanskrit text “Shiva Sutra Vimarshini’ at III.27 says:

„The breath is exhaled with the sacred sound Sa and inhaled again with the sound ham.” Therefore, the empirical individual always repeats this mantra.

The mantra has been called the universal mantra because of the fact that its healing vibration is already a part of the breath, and everybody breathes.

In terms of Tantric Yoga practices, this sacred mantra represents the Shiva principle just as the Kundalini yoga indicates the Shakti principle. This two principles – Kundalini and Hamsa must unite and move together. It is the Kundalini energy that carries the Hamsa up the spine. At the same time, it is the Hamsa or soul energy that turns the Kundalini into a powerful force of spiritual aspiration and ascent.

Soham is also a mantra in Kriya Yoga and Tantrism, known also as Ajapa Gayatri, Ajapa mantra, Hamsa Gayatri, prana mantra, paramatma-mantra, Shri Paraprasada mantra, and as such used notably on its own, in the daily meditation practice ajapa japa and in the kriya practice shabda sanchalana.

When used for meditation, this soothing mantra acts as a natural mantra to control one’s breathing pattern, to help achieve deep breath, peaceful mind and to gain concentration.

How to use Hamsa Mantra (Soham Mantra) in meditation:

Find a place for meditation, where you can’t be disturbed. If you live with someone else, let him know that you are starting a meditation. Close or put on silent your phone. Sit in any comfortable sitting posture (easy pose). You can sit on a floor on a chair. Try to keep the spine upright with the head, neck and the trunk in alignment. Even though you are trying to keep the spine straight and vertical, it should not cause any kind of strain. Relax the hands, shoulders, arms, neck and facial muscles.

See another mantra:  May All Beings Be Happy and Free – Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Sooooo… is the sound of inhalation, and is remembered in the mind along with that inhalation.

Hummmm… is the sound of exhalation, and is remembered in the mind along with that exhalation. Continue with this meditation for about 15 minutes.

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Image source – cdooginz.deviantart.com

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