The Dhyana Slokas, or meditation hymns, are beautiful meditations on different deities. Each verse focuses on aspects a different deity and also follows a different grammatical structure. The deity is invoked through the vibration of the mantras and the devotion of the aspirant.

The Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra invokes Lord Siva and prays for liberation from ephemeral existence. It states “may we be liberated as the cucumber is liberated from the vine”. When the cucumber is ripe, it does not need any more nourishment from the vine; similarly, when we are spiritually ripe, we are in the world, but not of the world; we are free from the influences of change.

The Shanti Mantras are taken from the Upanishads, the most ancient teachings of Vedanta which constitute the latter portion of the Vedas. Each Upanishad begins with a Shanti Mantra as an invocation and preparation for receiving the teachings. These mantras have been passed down orally for millennia from teacher to student and their vibrations are very powerful, healing, and uplifting. The Vedas are said to be “apaurusheya” (not of human origin), having been discovered in deep meditation by the ancient seers or Rishis.