Mangala Charan Mantra – Chant Before you Drive! 

Back to Basics with Kundalini Yoga 

As we covered last month, the Mangala Charan mantra, the open lines of the Sukhmani Sahib written by Guru Arjan Dev ji, are an import

Aad Guray Nameh

Jugad Guray Nameh

Sat Guray Nameh

Siri Guru Devay Nameh

Yogi Bhajan described the Mangala Charan as a kavach bund. “Kavach” is the suit of armor that the warriors of old wore in battle, and “bund” is a yogic energy lock. In 1989 at Khalsa Women’s Training Camp, he explained:

“Kavach bund is what protects you from four sides. Kavach is the most powerful defensive thing you can wear around your body so that you cannot be [hurt in an] attack, and this [Mangala Charan mantra] is a kavach bund. It can conquer death.”

What better time to use this mantra then before driving a car! On May 28, 1981, Yogi Bhajan said in a Los Angeles lecture,

“When you start a car, you should chant, ‘Aad Guray Nameh, Jugad Guray Nameh, Sat Guray Nameh, Siri Guru Devay Nameh. Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh.’ “It takes about twelve seconds, between twelve and fifteen. You can chant it quick or you can chant it slow. Now, what are these fifteen seconds for? Why is it obligatory to chant? First, it is so you remember the four Gurus; it’s a protection, you salute them, and you ask for their protection. So, it is called kavach. It is called a kavach mantra. A kavach mantra surrounds you with the radiance of protection. “

There was a time in the world when everything was healed by mantra, everything was created by mantra, and everything was destroyed by mantra. Ultimately, our science will reach that point, again. I am saying it today. It looks very odd to you, but it is going to be that way again one day. There was a time on this earth when mantra ruled.

So, we say a mantra to protect ourselves, a kavach mantra. It means that we are protected. There is a radiance around us, and we are covered by it… “[If you chant the Mangala Charan mantra before driving,] according to time, you are fifteen seconds later. Now, what is the science behind this mantra? Scientifically, if you want to explain it, [chanting that mantra] makes you fifteen seconds late from the spot of an accident.” What a powerful and beautiful mantra of protection! Remember the Mangala Charan mantra, and use it to safeguard yourself and those you love.