Meaning of Ra Ma Da Sa: The Healing Siri Gaitri Mantra

Kundalini Yoga has a mantra that is known for its healing powers. Known as the ‘Siri Gaitri Mantra’ or popularly called the ‘Ra Ma Da Sa‘, this kriya, when practiced right, these eight basic sounds can fine-tune your soul to the rhythm of the Universe; a healing vibration that is untouched by pain or illness.

There is a world of difference between ‘getting cured’ and ‘getting completely healed’. When you fall sick, the disease does not just affect your body, but also your mind and spirit.

Eventually, when you overcome the disease, your ecosystem may bounce back to normal, thanks to the right medication, diet, and fitness routine, but what about your mind’s recovery? What about your energetic body, your soul’s well-being?

Weakness or pain takes a tremendous toll on who you are and what you feel. Many slip into depression or anxiety when faced with such a challenge. People lose their careers, their loved ones, and their healthiest selves when battling a disease.

Not even the most advanced technology or expensive medical treatment can make you heal on the inside if you don’t truly want it. Healing is something that is within your control. Something that gives you the courage to accept your past, come to terms with your present, and brace for the future.

And it does not come easily. If only there was a magic spell for healing!

Well, we don’t believe in magic, but we surely trust in the power of yoga, healing meditation, powerful mantras and self-love.

Here’s everything you need to know about ‘Siri Gaitri Mantra’, or ‘Ra Ma Da Sa‘.

Where Does the Siri Gaitri Mantra Come From?

Yogi Bhajan, the Indo-American Yoga Kundalini yoga guru is of the opinion that the Siri Gaitri mantra is one of the most powerful healing prayers on the planet. Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung was first introduced in the summer of 1973. This meditation enables a yogi to send healing energy to anyone near or far, be it across the room or thousands of miles away.

Imagine a raindrop catching a ray of sunlight and transforming it into an iridescent rainbow. That’s exactly what the Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung mantra can do with the healing energy of the universe by channeling it to touch you or those around you.

Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung Meaning

The first step to mastering any mantra is understanding what it means and represents. The Siri Gaitri mantra holds within it eight sounds that stimulate the kundalini flow stored within the central channel of the spine—Ra, Ma, Da, Sa, Sa, Say, So, and Hung.

Let’s take a look at what the translation of each of these sounds means:

• Ra – Ra means the sun. Chanting “ra” helps connect you with the frequency that gives you energy. This strong, hot, and bright energy can purify you from within.
• Ma – Ma means moon. Cool and nurturing, Ma symbolizes the receptive trait in you, to accept everything that comes your way calmly.
• Da – Da is the energy of the earth. This is the frequency that keeps you grounded despite all the uncertainties in life. It gives you a sense of security that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright in the end, no matter what happens.
• Sa – Sa represents the impersonal infinity. As you chant this sound, your energy rises up and flows outwards, merging with the divine healing frequencies of the universe.
• Sa – When Sa is chanted the second time, you draw this infinity into you.
• Say – Say is the embodiment of Sa. It represents the totality of infinity and is quite a personal experience. It is the means to honor and respect the sacred “Thou”.
• So – So symbolizes the personal sense of merger and self-awareness.
• Hung – Hung stands for the infinite, vibrating and real. When So and Hung are chanted together, it means, “I am thou”.

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How to Practice the Siri Gaitri Mantra

The Siri Gaitri mantra taps into the energies of the sun, moon, earth, and the infinite spirit to bring deep healing. This healing prayer is a Sushumna Mantra, as it harnesses the energy that flows through the Sushumna nadi that runs through the spinal cord.

Sushumna is a Sanskrit word that means “kind” or “very gracious”.

When yoga unblocks the divine energy within your chakras, the kundalini energy rises up from the root chakra, through the Sushumna, and flows through all the nadis and chakras in your body.

Here’s a complete breakdown of how to practice this sacred healing meditation:

Posture: Sit down on a yoga mat with legs crossed and a straight spine, easy pose. Relax your shoulders and arms. Clear your throat, apply a light neck lock (Jalandhara Bandha) with your chin slightly pulled back.

Mudra: Using the right mudra is vital. Tuck your elbows on either side of the torso, rest your forearms on your thighs, keep your palms facing up. Try to keep your palms flat during the meditation.

Focus: Focus your mind on the energies evoked with each combination of sounds. Visualize the people towards whom you want to channel this radiant healing energy.

Try this practice prepare yourself for the chant:

Steps:

1. Note that you should pull the navel point in firmly on Hung. Keep in mind that the sound Hung should not be stretched out—it should end abruptly when you pull your navel in.
2. Chant the mantra for 10 to 30 minutes.
3. To end inhale deeply and hold your breath as you offer a prayer to heal your loved ones. Visualize them glow in the radiance of a healing white light or green light. Exhale. Inhale again and repeat the cycle twice.
4. Finish it off with one last deep inhalation as you stretch your arms up high. Vigorously shake your hands and fingers for a few seconds. Exhale, and relax.

Apart from awakening the kundalini energy, the Siri Gaitri mantra is known to adjust the metabolism of the body and balance hemispheres on both sides of the brain to stimulate the neutral mind.

While the initial part of the mantra, which is ascending, reaches out to the infinite, the second part of the mantra, which is descending, directs those qualities back into the self, thus interweaving the divine with the human.

If you want more guidance with the chant and pronunciation, you can always check out authentic yoga tutorials on YouTube or even better, seek the help of a kundalini yoga teacher. Whichever path you choose, make sure that you follow all the instructions carefully and chant with your body, mind, and soul.

Happy healing 💓🙏🏻

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