स्तूयतेऽनेनेति स्तोत्रम्, स्तु+ष्ट्रन्, स्तुतिः, गुण कर्मादिभिः प्रशंसने इत्यमरः।
The one whose virtues, deeds etc. are called are called Stotra or Stuti, it has been said in Amarkosh.
Stotram kasya na tushtaye. Who doesn’t feel satisfied or happy by singing praises or praises, describing them.
Praise is called the description of the qualities, fame etc. of the deity (Goddess, Gods). In this, the devotees express their helplessness and kindness to their deity while describing their qualities and aspire for their grace.
मन्त्र्यते गुप्तं परिभाष्यते इति मत्रि गुप्तभाषणे +घञ् ।यद्वा,मन्त्रयते गुप्तं भाषते इति मत्रि गुप्तभाषणे अच्। Mantrayate Guptam Paribhashyate iti matri guptbhashane +gh. It is clear from this etymological interpretation of Amarkosh that mantra means secret or mysterious statement or thing. It is also said among people that what is being discussed, that is, what secret talks are taking place.
Mantras are the medium of worship of the deity. It has been said in the scriptures, Mantradhino deities. Mantras are mysterious alphabets. Although those alphabets or group of words have meanings, but their meanings are mysterious and more importance lies in their practice than their meanings. The meanings of mantras can be mismatched or crude or even surprising like the Shabar mantra. Saint Tulsidas has said in Ramcharit Manas, कलि बिलोकि, जग हित हर गिरिजा। साबर मन्त्र जाल जिन्ह सिरिजा।।अनमिल आखर अरथ न जापू। प्रगट प्रभाउ महेस प्रतापू। Kali Biloki, Jag Hit Har Girija. Sabar Mantra Jaal Jinh Sirija. Pragat Prabhau Mahesh Pratapu. That is, Shiva Parvati, looking at Kali Kaal, created groups of Shabar mantras for the welfare of the world, whose letters are mismatched, their meaning is not correct (or not correct), but due to the glory of Lord Shiva, they have effects.
It is said in the scriptures, Devadhino Jagat Sarvam, Mantradhino Devta. That is, the whole world is under the deity and the deities are under the mantras.
The biggest difference between hymns and mantras is that mantras are not fruitful without the guidance of a guru or can be harmful as well, but praise is done from the books themselves and they always have auspicious results.
Mantras have been called the body form of the deity. That’s why necessary precautions should also be taken towards them. If the letters or vowels of the mantras of the Vedas are pronounced wrongly, then they cause harm. As it is said in Paniniya Shiksha, हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा मिथ्या प्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह। स वाग्वज्रो यजमानो हिनस्ति यथेन्द्रशत्रुः स्वरतोऽपराधात्।। Hinaḥ svarto varnato wa mithya prayukto na tamartmah. Sa Vagwajro Yajmano Hinasti Yathendrashatru: Swarato’paradhat. After stating all these differences between hymns and mantras, it is also necessary to say that there is a similarity between them, like the verses of Durga Saptashati are self-evident, the couplets or couplets of Ramcharitmanas are also self-evident. These have become the form of mantras. Described in Ramcharitmanas, Janaksuta Jagjanani Janaki’s very dear Karuna Nidhan ki. This is the form of Gayatri Mantra.
Similarly, मन्त्रब्राह्मणयोर्वेदनामधेयम्. It is clear from this saying that the entire Vedas are the combined form of Mantra and Brahmin (here Brahmin means yajna) sacrificial prose. Now look at the interpretation of Yasak’s Nirukta about mantra, mannaat trananat cha mantra: That is, the mantra which gives relief by thinking through thoughts, is a mantra. Lord Ved Vyas has said, जपात्सिद्धिर्जपात्सिद्धिर्जपात्सिद्धिर्नसंशयः. That is, there is no doubt that success is achieved by continuous chanting of the mantra. The name of the presiding deity is also a mantra. Chanting and kirtan of the mantra of our favorite deity is a source of concentration and welfare of the mind.
Mantra is a collection of words, by chanting which one can attain the desired and get rid of negative obstacles.
According to Mantra Yoga Samhita – ‘Mantrarth Bhavanam Japah’
That is, chanting after knowing the meaning of each mantra gives desired results.
There are two words in the word Mantra, Man and Tra. ‘Man’ means to concentrate the mind and the word ‘tra’ means to protect.
Mantra is such a power that just by pronouncing it the solution of every problem can be obtained. It is believed that by chanting the mantra, our inner consciousness gets activated. Positive energy also becomes effective in the environment around us.
According to religious scriptures – ‘Manah Tarayati Iti Mantra:’
That is, mantras have that power that they give strings to human beings. Every deity has its own mantras and only by remembering them, the doors of human progress and success open.
Mantras are mainly categorized into three types – Vedic Mantra, Tantrik Mantra and Shabar Mantra.
Vedic Mantra – All the hymns of Vedic Samhitas are called Vedic Mantras. In religious rituals only Vedic mantras are chanted or pronounced. By the way, it takes a long time to prove Vedic mantras. But once they are proved, they are never destroyed again. His influence in human life remains forever. Whoever proves Vedic mantras for the fulfillment of his wishes, the effect of that mantra is established forever in his life.
Tantric Mantra-
The mantras presented in Tantragams are called Tantrik mantras. Perfection of Vedic mantras requires hard work and meditation. But Tantrik mantras are proven faster than Vedic mantras and also give their results to humans quickly. The sooner Tantrik mantras are proved, the sooner their effect also ends. That is, the sooner the tantric mantras show their effect, the sooner their power also diminishes. The effect of Tantric mantras remains for less time than Vedic mantras.
Shabar Mantra-
Shabar mantras are different from both Vedic and Tantrik mantras. Shabar mantras get proved very quickly. That is, they give their effect to the person soon. These mantras are proven quickly, so their effect also does not last long.
There are three types of Tantrik Mantras – Beej Mantra, Naam Mantra and Mala Mantra.
Beej Mantra – The symbol that gives expression to divine or spiritual power is called Beej.
The whole form of his deity is enshrined in his Beej Mantra. These seed mantras are of three types – original, compound and code. Which some scholars also call Ekakshar, Bijakshar and Ghanakshar.
When the seed remains in its original form, then it is called the original seed, such as A, Yam, Ran, Lam, Vam, Kshan etc.
When this seed is formed by the combination of two alphabets, then it is called a compound seed like- Hreen, Kleen, Shreen, Streem, Kshaun etc.
Similarly, when a seed is made up of three or more characters, then it is called a coded seed.
Even though the overall power is present in the seed mantras, it remains hidden. All beej mantras are extremely auspicious and represent different gods and goddesses.
What is the difference between Stotra and Mantra?
Stotras and mantras are powerful means of propitiating the deities. Today we will know what is the difference between mantra and source? Before worshiping any deity, the mantras related to it should be perfected with the help of a Guru.
Definition of Stotra (Stotra Ki Paribhasha):
The praise and glory of any goddess or deity is described. By chanting the source, supernatural energy is transmitted and by choosing divine words, we attain that deity and it can be sung in any raga. The choice of words in the source is important and it is lyrical.
Definition of Mantra (Paribhasha of Mantra):
To consider mantras only as a set of words is to underestimate their effect. Mantras are waves of powerful rhythmic words which work very miraculously. These waves center the wandering mind. The combination of words is also not simple, it has been written by sages after years of meditation. Chanting of mantras makes the surrounding environment calm and devotional which calms the mind by collecting positive energy. As soon as the mind becomes calm, more than half of the problems automatically get calm. Mantra is a special mantra of a god or goddess which is kept in a verse. Vedic hymns are also called mantras. By chanting it regularly, it becomes conscious. The mantra should be chanted continuously. The power that awakens the dormant powers is called mantra. Mantra is in a particular rhythm which can be attained through a Guru. Whatever gets absorbed in our mind is a mantra. Omkar has originated with the origin of the universe. His glory has been described by Shri Shiva and all the sounds are hidden in him only. Mantra is to remember your favorite and show devotion towards them. The difference between Mantra and Stotra is that Stotra is sung while Mantra is chanted in a predetermined rhythm.