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A peace invocation from the Isha Upanishad. The meaning of the hymn is
- That (pure consciousness) is full (perfect); this (the manifest universe of matter; of names and forms being maya) is full. This fullness has been projected from that fullness. When this fullness merges in that fullness, all that remains is fullness.

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1. Nitya – Nitya Japam is the daily recitation. It could be as simple as the repetitive names or short slokams one says as part of the daily prayer.

2. Naimittika – This type of recitation is done for specific circumstances or during specific times. An example could be the recitation one does before embarking on a journey.

3. Kaamya – This type of recitation is when a person has a specific goal in mind and meditates to obtain that specific result.

4. Nishidda – The forbidden recitations are called Nishidda. These could comprise of certain restrictions during certain times. An example is when Sandhyavandanam is beign performed, one is not allowed to recite certain Japa mantras.

5. Prayaschitta – These set of mantra japams are meant for atoning from one’s sins. It is when a person is cognisant of their mistake and want to do japams to repent their mistakes.

6. Chala – Chala is when the meditation is done when one is mobile.

7. Achala – Achala is when the meditation is done when one is immobile.

8. Upaamsu – This type of meditation is when the mantras are whispered rather than said aloud

9. Vaachika – This is the articulate type of meditation where one uses words to connote to the object of meditation.

10. Bramara – This is when the words are hummed like the buzz of the bees.

11. Manasa – This is when the meditation is done in the mind.

12. Akhanda  – It is said that when one perseveres and consistently meditates, the habit will become sub-conscious like the very breath one takes. This is the incessant meditation.

13. Ajapa – This is the where words are not used. This form of meditation takes the breathing process of Inhalation and Exhalation as the object of the Japam. This is the inarticulate form of meditation

14. Pradakshina – This form of Japam is when the person circumambulates the source and chants the Mantra while doing so.

Chanting or Japam has its origins in the Vedas. The meaning of the word Japam is to understand the meaning of a mantra and repeat it. The continous repetition of a mantra with the consciousness of the pregnant meaning in the words calms the inner senses and gives pure bliss. 

Mantra

The word Mantra is derived from Man +Tra which means achieving the ultimate in this material world. The phonetics in a mantra can give suggestions to the mind. It will give benefits to both who chants and the one who hears the Mantra.

Three modes of Japam

Japams can be done aloud, softly or within the mind. The Japam that is done within the mind is said to be the most effective.  

It is easier said than done to meditate within the mind, when a person is just starting to do Japams. The mind wanders so much that it is difficult to concentrate on the object of one’s meditation. A beginner should try to say aloud the Mantram, then slowly move towards soft intonations and then finally towards the mental meditation. Japam is a means of getting in touch with one’s own self.

The rhythm and the meaning in the Japam combine to increase ones concerntration.  

 Benefits

The benefits of Japam are immense. Apart from the spiritual benefits, Japams render healing, peace, Calmness, reduction in depression, improvements in the ability to concentrate, heightened self-development, elimination of negative traits. In short Japam addresses all the spheres of life – spiritual, mental & physical.  

Om asato maa satgamaya
Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya
Mrityor maa amritam gamaya

Lead me from the Unreal to the Real,

Lead me from darkness to Light;

Lead me from the temporary existence to the Eternal Immortality.

Om sham no mitrah sham varunah sham no bhavatvaryamaa
Sham na indro brihaspatih sham no vishnururukramah

Namo brahmane namaste vaayo twameva pratyaksham
Brahmaasi twaameva pratyaksham brahma vadishyaami

Tanmaamavatu tadvaktaaramavatu

The meaning of this Shanti Mantra is “May Mitra, Varuna, Aryaman, Indra, Brihaspati do us good. May Lord Vishnu who has vast strides do us good. Salute to Brahma, Vayu. Oh Vayu, you are the only visible Brahman, you are only the visible Brahman. I quote the divine law, the truth. May the truth protect me and my teacher. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti 

Shanti mantra meaning Peace hymns are Vedic hymns that gives peace to the person hearing and reciting. They are usually said at the beginning and end of religious rituals. All Shanti mantras end with the words “Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi” beseeching peaces in the three worlds that we dwell in, Adhi-Bhautika, Adhi-Daivika and Adhyaatmika. When the Shanti Mantras are recited, the troubles from these three worlds are overcome.

Below are some of the Shanti Mantras with their meaning,

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Om Purnamadah Poornamidam Poornat Poornamudachyathe Poornasya Poornamadaaya Poornamevavasishyathe

That is Absolute, This is Absolute, Absolute arises out of Absolute, If Absolute is taken away from Absolute, Absolute remains Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Below is a beautiful video of this Shanti Mantra