Mantra-ratna: The Ashṭāksharī Mantra

The mantra-ratna, or “gem of mantras”, is the eight-syllable mantra of Nārāyaṇa: Oṃ Namo Nārāyaṇāya. It is called the ashṭāksharī, “the one of eight syllables”. The Uttara Khaṇḍa of the Padma Mahā Purāṇa declares it the highest mantra, the essence of all the Vedas, and the direct way to the world of Vishṇu.

It was handed down from Vishṇu to Brahmā, then to Nārada, to Vasishṭha, and to King Dilīpa. The Purāṇa sets out who may receive the mantra, the rites of initiation, and how one receives the mark of the Sudarśana disc, which goes together with the mantra.

The Mantra and Its Line of Teachers

The eight-syllable Nārāyaṇa mantra, Oṃ Namo Nārāyaṇāya, is declared higher than all other mantras. The Uttara Khaṇḍa explains its meaning: Nārāyaṇa means “the abode (ayana) of all beings (nāra)”, or “he whose abode is in the first waters (nāra)”.

Vishṇu himself first gave this mantra to Brahmā. Brahmā passed it to Nārada, Nārada to Vasishṭha, and Vasishṭha to King Dilīpa. This forms a pure line of teachers going back to the highest source.

Who May Receive It

Only those properly initiated into the Vaishṇava tradition have the right to receive the mantra. The main requirements are:

  • Being a brāhmaṇa devoted to Vishṇu, or a kshatriya, vaiśya or śūdra following the form of Vaishṇava practice suited to them
  • Having a qualified guru to give the mantra
  • Going through the five purifications:
    • the heated Sudarśana disc mark (the disc emblem pressed onto the body with heat)
    • the ūrdhvapuṇḍra (the vertical mark on the forehead)
    • receiving the chief mantra
    • pūjā of Vishṇu
    • devotion to Vishṇu’s devotees

The Sudarśana Disc Mark

An essential part of receiving the mantra is bearing the heated mark of the Sudarśana disc on the body. The marks of the disc and the conch are pressed onto the top of the arms, near the shoulders, with heated metal stamps. This is said to burn away the gathered pāpa that comes from all contact with unholy people, and to purify the one who receives it. Brāhmaṇas marked with the disc are considered “great brāhmaṇas” (mahā-brāhmaṇas); those without these marks are considered ordinary.

The Sixteen Kinds of Vaishṇava Devotion

In the same section the Purāṇa also lists sixteen kinds of service and devotion to Vishṇu that together make up the complete Vaishṇava life. They cover everything from daily ritual to pūjā offered in the mind.

Sources

  • Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapters 223–226