In Hinduism, managing and transforming lust or sexual desire into higher spiritual energy is a key aspect of personal growth. Lust, like all emotions, is natural, but excessive attachment can distract from one's spiritual path. Hindu traditions offer various approaches, prayers, and deities for overcoming lust and finding balance in one’s life. Below is a comprehensive guide that includes prayers, mantras, deities, practical steps, and some rare facts.
Key Deities to Worship for Pray Away Lust
Kamadev and Rati: Kamadev is the god of love and desire, while his consort, Goddess Rati, represents passion. Worshipping them helps channel desires into a constructive and balanced force.
Lord Hanuman: The celibate monkey god, Hanuman, is revered for his ability to control desires and is an ideal deity for helping with discipline and restraint.
Lord Narasimha: Narasimha, a fierce incarnation of Vishnu, helps overcome inner demons, including lust and uncontrolled passion.
Mahakal (Lord Shiva): Shiva, in his form as Mahakal, represents the destruction of ego and lower desires, including lust.
Goddess Kali and Goddess Chinnamasta: These fierce goddesses symbolize transformation, the destruction of ego, and the removal of deep-rooted desires like lust.
Simple Prayers and Mantras
Kamadev and Goddess Rati
Kamadev Mantra for controlling desires:
"ॐ कामदेवाय विद्महे, पुष्पबाणाय धीमहि, तन्नो अनंगः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Kamadevaya Vidmahe, Pushpabanaya Dhimahi, Tanno Anangah Prachodayat."
This mantra invokes Kamadev to help control desires and channel them towards positivity. Recite it 11 or 108 times daily while concentrating on your intentions.
Lord Hanuman
Hanuman Mantra for celibacy and control over senses:
"ॐ हनुमते नमः॥
Om Hanumate Namah."
Recite this mantra while meditating on Hanuman’s qualities of strength, self-control, and devotion. This mantra helps in curbing lustful thoughts and strengthens one’s willpower.
Lord Narasimha
Narasimha Mantra to destroy inner demons:
"ॐ उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्।
नृसिंहं भीषणं भद्रं मृत्युर्मृत्युम् नमाम्यहम्॥
Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum Jvalantam Sarvatomukham,
Nrisimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityur Mrityum Namamy Aham."
Chant this mantra to invoke Lord Narasimha's fierce energy to destroy negative desires and impulses.
Mahakal Shiva
Mahakal Mantra for overcoming lust and attachments:
"ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam,
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat."
This powerful Shiva mantra helps liberate the mind from attachment, lust, and delusion.
Goddess Kali
Kali Mantra for destruction of negative desires:
"ॐ क्रीं कालिकायै नमः॥
Om Krim Kalikayai Namah."
This mantra invokes Goddess Kali to destroy lust and help transform it into spiritual energy. Meditate on her fierce form while chanting this mantra for liberation from base instincts.
Goddess Chinnamasta
Chinnamasta Mantra for self-control and transformation:
"ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं ह्रूं ऐं वज्रवैरोचनीये हूँ हूँ फट् स्वाहा॥
Om Shreem Hreem Hroom Aim Vajravairochaniye Hum Hum Phat Swaha."
This is a potent mantra for transformation and self-control, invoking Goddess Chinnamasta’s power to decapitate desires and ego.
Simple Puja Steps
Cleanse Yourself and Space: Before starting the puja, take a bath and wear clean clothes. The ideal colors for clothes are:
- White for purity (Shiva, Hanuman).
- Red or black for fierce goddesses like Kali or Chinnamasta.
- Saffron or yellow for celibacy and spiritual discipline (Hanuman, Narasimha).
Create an Altar: Place an image or idol of the chosen deity. Use simple offerings such as:
- Flowers (especially white or red roses).
- Fruits.
- Incense sticks.
- A lamp or diya with ghee.
Invoke the Deity: Close your eyes, offer flowers, fruits, and light the incense. Recite the specific mantras of the deity. Meditate for a few minutes on the qualities of the deity, asking for strength and guidance to overcome lust.
Meditation: After chanting the mantras, sit in silence for 5-10 minutes. Focus on calming the mind and reaffirming your intention to transform lust into higher spiritual energy.
Practical Steps and Ideas for Modern Times
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Observation: Being aware of lustful thoughts when they arise is crucial. Instead of suppressing them, acknowledge them and gently redirect your focus to something constructive or spiritual, such as meditation or chanting.
Dietary Discipline: Follow a sattvic (pure) diet which is simple, clean, and nutritious. Avoid foods that can stimulate the senses, such as excessively spicy or rich foods.
Yogic Practices: Certain yoga poses and breathing exercises (pranayama) are known to control sexual energy:
- Kundalini Yoga can help direct energy upwards.
- Bhramari Pranayama helps calm the mind and reduces impulsive thoughts.
- Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) and Padmasana (Lotus Pose) direct energy away from lower chakras to higher spiritual centers.
Fasting and Brahmacharya (Celibacy): Periodic fasting helps develop self-control and detachment from sensory desires. If celibacy is a personal goal, try practicing Brahmacharya, or mindful moderation, in sexual activity.
Reading Sacred Texts: Engage with spiritual texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Shiva Purana, or Hanuman Chalisa, which emphasize detachment, control of desires, and devotion.
Rare Facts
Kamadev’s Incineration by Shiva: According to the myth, Kamadev was once incinerated by Lord Shiva for disturbing his meditation. However, Shiva later revived him in a bodiless form, symbolizing the transcendence of lust into a higher form of love and devotion.
Goddess Kali's Symbolism: Kali represents the power to destroy not only physical enemies but also inner demons like lust, anger, and greed. Her black color represents the formless, eternal, and transcendental nature of the universe.
Hanuman’s Celibacy: Hanuman is one of the most revered celibates in Hindu mythology. His complete devotion to Lord Rama helped him transcend all worldly desires, including lust.
In Hinduism, lust is not something to be feared or repressed but to be transformed. Through devotion, prayer, and self-discipline, one can rise above this emotion and channel it into spiritual energy. By worshipping deities like Hanuman, Shiva, Kali, and Kamadev, and practicing meditation and mindful living, lust can be conquered in modern times as it was in the ancient past.