A Sanskrit Mantra for Personal Growth and Development

The desire to grow personally and professionally is innate in every human being. Well, I should not have said “every human being,” as there are some individuals who, either out of ignorance or because of an inflated ego, claim to know everything and believe that the universe revolves around them. For the rest of us, who realize that learning is an ongoing journey, I share a set of three Sanskrit mantras which have supported my own personal development and growth. These mantras, rooted in ancient wisdom, can help us build our character and serve as vital ingredients for our growth.

Sanskrit mantras have been employed for centuries as tools for personal growth and spiritual development. People assert that by regular chanting of mantras, they find a sense of inner peace, feel serene, and develop better clarity of thought.

The three mantras discussed here are known as the Pavamána Mantras and found in ancient Indian texts called the Upanishads. These texts narrate the philosophical principles and concepts of life, including karma (right action), brahman (ultimate reality), atman (true self or soul), moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation) and other Vedic doctrines elucidating the path to “self-realization” through yoga and meditation practices. Pavamāna means “being purified” and can also mean “that which flows.” Often recited to invoke peace and stay on the right path, these mantras can be powerful toosl for personal growth and transformation.

The three Pavamána Mantras are:

1. Asato mā sadgamaya: Lead me from falsehood to the truth.
2. Tamaso mā jyotirgamaya: Lead me from darkness to the light.
3. Mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya: Lead me from death to immortality.

The fourth sentence ( oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ) isnot in the texts but is customarily recited at the conclusion of most mantras.

Like other works of literature, the Upanishads also do not explain what the authors meant by their writings, leaving the readers to interpret the author’s intent. Scholars and commentators have translated these mantras differently and supplied their own interpretations as to their significance. In the translation of the first mantra ( asato mā sadgamaya), a notable amount of variance exists. For example, this mantra has been translated as “Lead me from evil to good” and “Lead me from the unreal to the real.” I prefer (without any claims to accuracy or authenticity) the translation “Lead me from falsehood to the truth.”

Since the texts do not explain the meaning or significance of the mantras, we look to the interpretations of other commentators and/or deduce our own. Over the years, I have inferred the significance for each of the three mantras as follows:

1. Lead me from falsehood to the truth: As human beings, we tend to perceive events, things, acts, concepts, or actions that align with our values and what we believe to be true rather than ascertaining the objective reality. Akin to the concept of “beauty being in the eyes of the beholder,” truth lies in the mind of the observer. Thus, quite often, what we believe to be true is usually untrue (asát in Sanskrit). Psychologists have also found this phenomenon to be pervasive and call it the “confirmation trap.” Reaching conclusions based on our biases and preconceived notions is a trap as it clouds our judgement and leads to poor decisions. To achieve self-realization and heightened consciousness, it is essential that we shed our biases, and only then can we reasonably conclude what is the truth.
2. Lead me from darkness to the light: Perhaps the most significant of the three mantras, this mantra urges us to move from darkness to light. Darkness can mean several things, the most common being ignorance, fear, desperation, and sadness (or unhappiness). For us to move from darkness to light, it is imperative for us to expand our knowledge; refine our existing skills and regularly acquire new ones; be respectful of others and their opinions; and act in socially and morally acceptable ways. Quite often, even though our intentions are honorable, our ignorance leads us to say things or act in ways that hurt us and others. Overcoming ignorance and embracing enlightenment enables us to navigate life’s challenges skillfully, gracefully, and compassionately.
3. Lead me from death to immortality: Considering that death is inevitable for all living beings, how can we achieve immortality? While physical immortality is impossible, creators of works of art, such as music, literature, movies, sculptures, architectural marvels; founders of institutions of learning and healthcare services; and founders of institutions dedicated to the upliftment of people are commemorated for ages, which is a form of immortality. Their creations are cherished for ages, and they leave behind a legacy that inspires and benefits millions of people around the world for generations. Attaining this form of immortality is within our grasp. Sadly, our crimes and barbaric acts can also cause us to be remembered forever, but then, if we have transcended from falsehood to the truth, and from darkness to the light, our consciousness would be enlightened enough to alert us, and we can prevent ourselves from committing any misdeeds.

Translating Theory into Practice

Understanding the theoretical aspects of these mantras is valuable, but for any transformation to occur, they must be put to practical application. One can start by listening to the mantras. Most music and video sharing platforms have renditions of these mantras by different artists in a range of styles. One rendition that I find particularly captivating is by Dana van Breukelen (a.k.a. Dana Devi), a talented musician, singer, and yoga teacher. While her translation differs from mine and includes an additional line not found in the original texts, her melodious delivery transports me to a world of serenity, tranquility, and peace. More information on Dana Devi is here and her rendition of these mantras are here.

Once the meanings of these mantras are ingrained, the next step would be evaluating our thoughts and actions against what the mantras suggest. By embodying the wisdom of these mantras in our daily lives, we can unlock the transformative potential within ourselves and experience a tectonic shift in our thought process, and correspondingly, in our lives. Let these ancient mantras guide us from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, and ultimately, from mortality to immortality achieved through noble deeds.

Life is Precious…Live Well©