Why should we perform Hridayadi Nyasa? The answer is to connect with the Divine and to become aware of our inner divinity.
How to perform it.
- Sit in a meditative pose.
- Perform Achama (sipping water from the right palm, while chanting mantras to purify the body and mind before) and pranayama (optional but helpful).
- Mentally invoke the deity (Devi, Shiva, Vishnu).
- Om Hyrdaya Namah – Touch the heart.
- Om Shirase Swaha – Touch the top of the head.
- Om Shikhayi Vashat – Touch the crown or top knot area.
- Om Kavacha Hum – Touch the shoulders/cross arms across chest as a shield.
- Om Netrayaya Vashat – Touch both eyes.
- Om Astraya Phat – Snap fingers or gesture as throwing a missile.
Now the body is energized and protected, ready for mantra Japa, puja or meditation.
What are the benefits?
Spiritual transformation
The core purpose is to transform the Sadhaka’s body into a sacred temple for the deity to be invoked. One’s devotion is deepened. By chanting the mantra and placing the hand on the heart it enables one to develop a strong sense of devotion, love and compassion.
It enhances spiritual progress as it integrates the mantras with the chakras. It also works on material progress. It prepares the sadhaka for liberation and self-realization. Invoking the divine energy leads to channeling of the energy in different parts of the body. The chakras are awakened and one feels revitalized.
Mental and emotional benefits
One attains inner peace as the thoughts are subdued. They are neutralized. One becomes free of stress. One develops a sense of self-security. One surrenders one’s ego by the head step. One is protected from negative influences as one works on creating a divine armor. Negative energy becomes disabled.
Dear ones, the practice of Nyasa has its roots in Vedic and Upanishadic concepts and it developed as a tantric ritual in the first millennium CE, becoming integral to Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava traditions.
Remember that the soul resides in our heart.
Aim Hrim Klim