The importance of teaching kids Mantras – Why, What and How?
Learning and reciting mantras for kids is recommended as a good practice to be inculcated in the early years as the young minds are highly impressionable. Giving them the right exposure in early years is extremely important and helps them in multiple ways.
Benefits of mantras for children
Chanting mantras positively affects the cognitive functioning of the brain. Their other benefits are:
1. Improves Concentration and Memory
Children’s concentration and memory are improved by chanting mantras, according to studies. This is due to the vibrations emitted, which awaken the chakras (on the head and face), which are important for concentration and learning.
2. Reduces Stress
Chanting mantras may also reduce stress and improve the portions of the brain that develop the traits of patience and empathy.
3.Maintains a Healthy Respiratory System
Children’s respiration slows down when they recite mantras. They are able to inhale deeply and hold it for a short period of time. This maintains the heart’s health and controls how the lungs function.
4. Boosts Immunity in Children
Your child’s tongue, vocal cords, lips, and other connected organs may be under pressure from some mantras. The hypothalamus gland, which controls hormone secretion and boosts immunity, is also stimulated by the vibration.
5.Aligns the Chakras
Seven chakras exist within each of us and are in charge of maintaining our physical and mental health. We get sick more frequently when they are out of balance. Reciting mantras can help balance chakras and boost overall immunity.
Mantras for Children With Meanings.
Here are 7 meaningful mantras that you can start with to introduce your kids to Mantra Chanting!:
1.
गुरवे सर्वलोकानां दक्षिणामूर्तये नमः ‖
निधये सर्वविद्यानां भिषजे भवरोगिणाम् |
Guravey sarva lokaanaam
Dakshinaa moorthaye namaha
Nidhaye sarva vidyanaam
Bishajey bhava rohinaam
Meaning: We bow down to the God of South (the universal guru) who is the teacher to the entire world and curer of all the diseases in the world
2.
ॐ सर्वमंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्रयम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमोस्तुते।।
Sarva mangala mangalye shive sarvaartha saadhike
Sharanye trayambake Gauri Narayani namosthute
Meaning: O Goddess of all auspiciousness, who is so harmonious, the fulfiller of our objectives, the giver of refuge, who has three eyes and is in golden color, our salutations to you, Gauri Narayani.
3.
सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यं वरदे कामरूपिणि ।
विद्यारम्भं करिष्यामि सिद्धिर्भवतु मे सदा ॥
Saraswati namastubhyam varade kaamaruupini
Vidyaarambham karishhyaami siddhirbhavatu me sadaa
Meaning: My salutations to Goddess Saraswati. You bless and fulfill all our aspirations. As I am beginning my path to wisdom, I seek your blessings. May I accomplish my goals.
4
शुभं करोति कल्याणमारोग्यं धनसंपदा ।
शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तुते ॥
Shubham karoti kalyaanam
Aarogyam dhana sampadaa
Shatrubudhi vinaashaaya
Deepajyoti namoastute
Meaning: The one who is our light, which brings auspiciousness, prosperity, sound health, abundant wealth, and destroys the intellect’s enemy, our salutations to you.
5.
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु निद्रारूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमोनमः ।।
Ya devi sarvabhuteshu
nidrarupan sansthita
namastasye namastasye namastasye namo namah
Meaning: O Goddess (Devi), you are omnipresent. You also exist in sleep. I bow to you. I salute you thrice. You are the one who is present in all living beings in the form of Sleep (Nidra)
6.
कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये सरस्वति ।
करमूले तु गोविन्दःप्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥
karagre vaste laxmi
kar madhse saraswati
karmule tu govind
prabhate kar darshanam
Meaning: At the top of the hand resides Goddess Laxmi and in the middle of the hand resides goddess Saraswati. At the base of the hand resides Lord Govind. Hence one should look at the hand in the early morning and contemplate on them
7.
ॐ सह नाववतु ।
सह नौ भुनक्तु ।
सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Saha Naav vatu
Saha Nau Bhunaktu
Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai
Tejasvi Naav dhiitamastu Maa Vidvissaavahai
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
Meaning:
Om, Together may we two Move (in our Studies, the Teacher and the Student),
Together may we two Relish (our Studies, the Teacher and the Student),
Together may we perform (our Studies) with Vigour (with deep Concentration),
May what has been Studied by us be filled with the Brilliance (of Understanding, leading to Knowledge); May it Not give rise to Hostility (due to lack of Understanding),
Om Peace, Peace, Peace
How to get your child to learn mantras?
To help your child memorize the mantras, first explain the meaning of each verse and divide each line into two halves. Allow them to practice saying each word out loud. Introduce chanting slokas to them gradually.
Mantras can be only mastered by your child with consistent practice.
Don’t bombard them with too much at once. Also, make sure they know what each sloka means to appreciate what they’re saying. Start with the easiest ones and work your way up to the more difficult slokas.
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