Lord Ayyappa, like many gods of the Hindu pantheon, has a long and interesting story. It informs many of the benefits and uses of the mantra, explaining its power and functionality. Unlike many mantras we cover, there are not countless variations of the mantra; it is a relatively specific mantra with a set meaning, making it easy to remember and use. Let’s take a look at the Ayyappa Mantra now.
A Free Printable Puja Guide to help you chant Ayyappa Mantra
I’m so proud of this puja guide, so I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you today!
As you may know by now, I like to write long and helpful posts for my readers. Sometimes, however, I get an idea to do something more, something even more useful.
That’s why I decided to prepare something that people could have in hand while reciting mantras. Something printable, easy to read, and that could act as a puja guide.
That’s how these guides were born.
Each guide has a big picture of a divinity that you need to devote to, a mantra, and a how-to guide to help you prepare yourself for reciting. It’s in A4 format, and all you need to do is to print it.
This Ayyappa Mantra puja guide is completely free; all you need to do is to enter your email in the box below to unlock it.
What is Ayyappa Mantra?
The Ayyappa Mantra is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, a deity born of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu’s female avatar, Mohini. Lord Ayyappa is a forgiving and generous entity, known to forgive even his worst enemies. His mantra removes obstacles and problems in the chanter’s life and functions as a protection mantra.
Despite not being as ancient an entity like many other Hindu deities, Lord Ayyappa has a strong following and his mantra is potent when chanted consistently and with conviction. All people of all ages and genders can use the mantra to enrich their lives both physically and spiritually, as well as increase their prosperity.
So who is Lord Ayyappa? What is his mantra? And what benefits might we reap from its use? Let us explore further below.
Who exactly is Lord Ayyappa?
In the Hindu pantheon, Lord Ayyappa is a relatively recent addition but has a long history all the same and a varied story.
As touched upon above, he is the offspring of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, who in this instance appeared as his female avatar Mohini.
He was conceived to help destroy a powerful demon, Mahishi. She was the sister of the demon king Mahishasur, who had been slain by Goddess Durga. Mahishi swore revenge, with a boon from Lord Brahma saying she could only be killed by the child of Vishnu and Shiva.
Ayyappa was sent to Earth and adopted by king Rajashekhara. When found, he had a gold bell around his neck, leading to the name Manikandan, or “gold neck”. During his time on Earth, he performed miracles on the sick, foiled a royal conspiracy by acquiring tiger milk (a task intended to either kill or humiliate him), and ultimately defeated Mahishi.
Ayyappa is depicted as a handsome god with a golden bell around his neck. He can often be found in one of three variations:
- With a bow and arrow in the left hand, and a bow or sword in his right held across his thigh.
- In a yogic position.
- Riding a tiger.
Ayyappa is also known as Ayyappan and Manikandan. He is particularly worshipped in the south of India and is known across several regions and traditions in the area.
How to Chant Ayyappa Mantra?
The Ayyappa mantra should be chanted daily, where possible and if it’s not possible to chant daily, Wednesdays, Sundays and Uthraphalguni Nakshatra days are best. It should be chanted 9, 18, or 108 times, preferably between 6-9AM, facing to the east.
The most powerful prayer is as follows:
“Om bhuthanathaya vidmahe
Bhava putraya dhimahi
Thanno sashtha prachodayath.”
Ayyappa Mantra Translation in English
The meaning of this mantra in English translates roughly as follows:
“We shall know Lord Ayyappa
We shall meditate upon the Son of Shiva
And through this, Sashta will give us enlightenment.”
While mantras can often be chanted anywhere at any time, there is a recommended process to follow get the most benefits from this mantra.
- Bathe or wash your hands and feet prior to beginning the chant.
- Sit facing the East when doing the puja.
- Devote yourself completely to Lord Ayyappa. Let yourself receive the positivity and protection of the Universe.
- When chanting you need to look up in the sky, or better look at his picture.
- Recite the mantra for at least 45 days with utmost devotion. If you are unable to chant every day, as said above, you can chant on Wednesdays, Sundays, and Uthraphalguni Nakshatra days.
- You need to wear a white garment to show your full devotion.
- You should do the puja early in the morning. The ideal time to chant is between 6.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m
- The mantra can be initiated on any Wednesday, Utharaphalguni or Karthika Nakshatra day, Ekadasi thithi, or Shasthi thithi. Then continue for 45 days straight, or as available.
- Chant the mantras at least 9 times or 18, or 108 times and use the beads of a rosary to keep count every time.
- Let thoughts pass you by, do not dwell on the past or future; concentrate on your mantra; and count the repetitions.
7 Miraculous Ayyappa Mantra Benefits
Like all powerful mantras, the Ayyappa mantra confers many benefits to the chanter who is devoted and diligent. It is not possible to benefit from the mantra, or any mantra, simply through chanting it once or twice on occasion.
It is also not possible to benefit through idle repetition of the mantra. You must chant the mantra consistently and with devotion; only this way can you achieve the desired results.
- Protection From Bad Luck: This mantra protects the chanter from ongoing negative forces. If you’ve ever felt that misfortune seemed to pile upon you, it can help free you from the cycle of negativity and bring good fortune to you and your family.
- Protection From Negative Forces: Even the humblest person on Earth has enemies and those who harbor ill thoughts and wishes against them. Such negative energies aimed a person can begin to impact their life, from their mood and self-esteem to their physical health.
This mantra protects the chanter from these negative energies. So kind and forgiving was Ayyappa of his enemies that directing this mantra to your foes will make them less inclined to wish ill for you to begin with.
- Improved Health: Those suffering from ill health can benefit from the mantra. Lord Ayyappa cured a deaf and blind child in his journeys on Earth. This healing energy can be visited upon devoted chanters of the mantra. Whether it is a chronic illness or recovery from an injury, the mantra will alleviate suffering and help the body to restore itself faster than before.
- Improved Mental Health: Stress, depression, and anxiety are endemic in modern society. It is well known that meditation and chanting of mantras can help with mental wellbeing, and the mantra is no exception. Through devoted chanting of this mantra consistently, one can help restore themselves to proper psychological health.
Stress, depression, and anxiety can all be alleviated and lessened through the chanting of this mantra, as he bestows a bounty of good health and positivity to his devotee.
- Improved Work Performance: This mantra is known to take down obstacles in life. These obstacles include those that stand between us and achieving our goals and desires. For instance, those who seek a raise at work, or a promotion, or even better recognition, will benefit from the use of it. Obstacles between you and your success will fall aside, bringing you good fortune and prosperity.
- Improved Academic Performance: There are many obstacles in our academic lives. We must balance work, study, and social interactions; we must focus and retain information, and also be able to recall it. We must be able to operate under stress. All of these can become obstacles that stand between us and our academic achievements. With the mantra, the path to academic success will be cleared away for us, and we will attain the results we deserve.
- Be Better People: Ayyappa, like many Hindu deities, was a strong proponent of dharma, the way of righteous action. He helped those in need, uncovered deception, and forgave those who conspired against him.
Chanting the mantra can help the chanter to put themselves on the path of dharma and feel an improvement in their sense of self-esteem, an improvement in how kind and compassionate they are, and thus an improvement in their relationships with other people.
Final Thoughts
Lord Ayyappa was a benevolent Hindu deity conceived to destroy a powerful demon. Chanting his mantra will bestow upon the chanter boons of mental and physical health, as well as prosperity and success in their endeavors.
Related articles:
The Complete Guide to Shreem Mantra [Secrets of Money Mantra]
The Absolute Guide to Surya Gayatri Mantra [Blessed By Lord Surya]
The Complete Guide to Chamunda Mantra [Feel Miraculous Blessings]
The A-Z Guide to Vakratunda Mahakaya Mantra [Blessed By Ganesha]
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