Hinduism offers various ways to seek physical, mental, and spiritual healing through prayers, mantras, and pujas (ritual worship). Healing is considered a holistic process in Hindu philosophy, emphasizing harmony between body, mind, and soul. The belief is that divine intervention can restore balance and well-being. There are specific deities, rituals, and prayers for healing, which can be performed to seek relief from illness, injury, or emotional suffering.
Here are some detailed steps, prayers, and mantras for healing, along with relevant deities to worship.
Deities for Healing in Hinduism
In Hinduism, certain gods and goddesses are traditionally invoked for healing:
- Ashwini Kumaras - The twin gods of medicine, known as divine healers and associated with Ayurveda.
- Lord Dhanvantari - The God of Ayurveda and medicine, who holds the nectar of immortality and is worshipped for health and longevity.
- Lord Pashupati Shiva - The healer of diseases, especially worshipped for ailments related to animals and human beings.
- Lord Vishnu - Protector and preserver, invoked for maintaining overall balance in life.
- Lord Ganesha - The remover of obstacles, prayed to for removing barriers in the path of healing.
- Lord Hanuman - Known for his strength and power, he is worshipped to gain vitality and overcome life-threatening diseases.
Healing Mantras and Prayers
1. Ashwini Kumaras Prayer for Healing
The Ashwini Kumaras are revered as celestial physicians and are worshipped for their healing powers. Here's a simple prayer for invoking their blessings:
Mantra:
ॐ अश्विनीकुमाराभ्यां नमः। Om Ashwinīkumārābhyām Namah.
Translation: “Salutations to the Ashwini Kumaras.”
Prayer: O divine physicians, Ashwini Kumaras, I seek your blessings. Grant me strength and healing as you have healed countless others. Remove all diseases and restore me to health. May your divine grace bring wellness to my body and peace to my mind.
2. Lord Dhanvantari Mantra for Health and Longevity
Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is known as the divine physician. Worshipping him can bring good health, long life, and relief from ailments.
Mantra:
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धन्वंतरये अमृतकलश हस्ताय
सर्वामय विनाशनाय त्रैलोक्यनाथाय श्री महाविष्णवे नमः।
Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya Dhanvantaraye
Amritakalasha Hastāya Sarvāmaya Vināshanāya
Trailokya Nāthāya Śrī Mahāviṣhṇave Namah.
Translation: "Salutations to Lord Dhanvantari, the divine healer who carries the nectar of immortality, who destroys all diseases, and who is the preserver of the three worlds."
This mantra can be chanted 108 times daily to invoke Lord Dhanvantari’s healing energy.
3. Pashupati Shiva Mantra for Healing
Lord Shiva, as Pashupati (Lord of all creatures), is invoked to heal both physical and spiritual ailments. He is also worshipped as Vaidyanath (Lord of physicians).
Mantra:
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥
Om Tryambakaṃ Yajāmahe Sugandhiṃ Puṣṭi-Vardhanam |
Urvārukamiva Bandhanān Mṛtyor Muksīya Māmr̥tāt ||
Translation: “We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, who nourishes and spreads fragrance in life. Like a ripe cucumber is freed from its stem, may we be liberated from death and granted immortality.”
This is the famous Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, known for its power to heal diseases and prevent untimely death.
4. Lord Vishnu Mantra for Protection and Healing
Vishnu, as the preserver of the universe, is often worshipped for maintaining balance and health.
Mantra:
ॐ नमो नारायणाय।
Om Namo Nārāyaṇāya.
Translation: "Salutations to Lord Narayana."
Chanting this mantra brings protection, healing, and peace of mind.
5. Lord Ganesha Healing Prayer
Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of any endeavor, including prayers for healing, to remove obstacles.
Mantra:
ॐ गण गणपतये नमः। Om Gan Ganapataye Namah.
Translation: “Salutations to Lord Ganesha.”
A simple prayer to Ganesha can be: O Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles, please remove all hindrances on my path to healing and restore my health.
6. Hanuman Mantra for Strength and Vitality
Lord Hanuman is revered for his incredible strength, vitality, and healing powers. He is worshipped to overcome physical and mental health issues.
Mantra:
ॐ हनुमते नमः। Om Hanumate Namah.
Translation: "Salutations to Lord Hanuman."
Praying to Hanuman with this mantra grants strength, energy, and resilience to face illnesses.
Puja Steps for Healing
Performing a puja (ritual worship) at home for healing involves the following steps:
Purify Yourself and the Place: Take a bath and purify the place of worship by sprinkling water. Light a lamp and incense to create a sacred atmosphere.
Invocation (Dhyana): Sit calmly and invoke the deity you are worshipping by focusing on their image or form.
Offering (Upachara): Offer flowers, fruits, sandalwood paste, turmeric, and kumkum (vermillion). You can also offer specific herbs or healing substances like Tulsi leaves, which are considered sacred and medicinal.
Chanting Mantras: Recite the healing mantra of the chosen deity as per the specific needs of the healing. Repeat the mantra 108 times (one round of mala) or more.
Prayers and Meditation: Close your eyes and focus on the healing energy of the deity. Pray for strength, health, and the removal of obstacles. Meditate on the deity’s form or mantra.
Aarti (Offering Light): Conclude the puja by performing Aarti (circling a lighted lamp in front of the deity) and praying for their blessings.
Rare Facts about Healing in Hinduism
Ayurveda and Vedic Origins: Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, is deeply connected to Hinduism. It is believed to have been revealed by the gods, particularly Dhanvantari and the Ashwini Kumaras, to help humans heal and maintain a balanced life.
Rudraksha Beads for Healing: Certain types of Rudraksha beads, especially the 5-mukhi and 11-mukhi beads, are known to promote physical and mental health. Wearing these beads during healing prayers is said to enhance their efficacy.
Healing through Sound (Nada Yoga): Hindu philosophy also emphasizes healing through sound vibrations. Chanting mantras, especially the "OM" syllable, is considered a powerful healing practice for the body, mind, and spirit.
Sacred Herbs: Herbs like Tulsi (holy basil), Neem, and Bilva (Bael) leaves are considered sacred in Hindu rituals and are used in healing both physically and spiritually.
Praying for healing in Hinduism involves invoking specific deities, chanting their mantras, and performing pujas with devotion. Each deity has unique aspects of healing, whether it is Lord Dhanvantari for medicine, the Ashwini Kumaras for physical ailments, or Lord Shiva for holistic well-being. By aligning with divine energies, Hindu prayer practices help promote healing of the body, mind, and spirit.