The Nasyam Mantra is a sacred chant used in the context of Nasya karma, the Ayurvedic nasal therapy described in the Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana 5/55-62) and Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsasthana 40/21-28). Nasya involves the administration of medicated oils, powders, or herbal juices through the nasal passages, aimed at cleansing and rejuvenating the head and neck region. The mantra is traditionally associated with the deity Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, and the Ashwini Kumaras, the twin horsemen deities of Ayurveda and healing.
While the exact text of the mantra varies among traditions, it often includes the beej-akshara 'Om' and invocations for health and clarity. The phonetics of the mantra are designed to resonate in the nasal cavity, enhancing the therapeutic effect. According to the Ashtanga Hridayam (Sutrasthana 20/1-3), Nasya is indicated for disorders of the head, sinuses, eyes, ears, and throat, and the mantra is chanted to invoke divine blessings for the success of the therapy.
The traditional purpose includes purification of the sinuses, relief from headaches, improvement of sensory perception, and mental clarity. Recommended chanting context is during the actual administration of Nasya, typically in the morning or evening, with a count of 108 repetitions using a japa mala. The practitioner should be in a clean, quiet space and maintain a focused mind.
Cautions: Nasya should be performed under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, and the mantra should be chanted with proper pronunciation and reverence. The mantra is not a substitute for medical treatment but a complementary spiritual practice.
Salutations to the nasal therapy mantra.
Contains the seed-syllable 'Om', representing the primordial vibration.