My foray into the mystic world of mantra chanting has considerably improved the quality of my sleep. Now I enjoy sound sleep every night. Earlier, due to preoccupation with numerous activities, many thoughts remained unacknowledged during the day and returned at night to find an audience. Often, negative thoughts would linger in the mind perpetuating fear, despair, unhappiness and stress, disturbing my nightly sleep.
In order to improve the quality of sleep, the first prerequisite is a calm mind. Some of the ways to calm the mind include practising pranayama, meditation and mantra chanting. Chanting of mantras helps in steadying the mind, controlling the subconscious and purification of the mind.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India, recommended chanting of the Shiva Sankalpa Suktam (SSS) before retiring to bed, though it’s equally effective during the day. When we sleep, our mind returns from travelling far and wide; along with our senses, it comes back to peace, the innermost dweller, the light of the soul. Much healing and refinement occurs in our sleeping hours especially after chanting this ancient and powerful prayer. Shiva Sankalpa Suktam is a powerful six verse hymn from the Rig Veda that entreats the mind to dwell on the auspicious will of the Divine. For developing calm and clear thoughts, alignment to dharmic living is a must; it strengthens resolve
Not only does the chanting of SSS harness thoughts, it brings one pointed focus, purifies the mind and cultivates harmony. The six mantras of SSS are also a part of the Shanti Karnam mantras that are chanted while performing yajna. So, how does chanting of SSS mantras work?
When we are bewildered, confused, or in despair, the mantra acts like a soothing potion. Without a clear head on our shoulders life can be challenging to say the least. The ancients teach us that the subtle powers of the mind are necessary to be in alignment with our soul and in order to be happy and fulfilled.
-V N Mittal
