History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c92.191

v7.c92.191

The word *mantra* is explained as derived from 'man' to think and 'trai' or 'trā'. Yāska's Nirukta (VII. 12) derives it simply from 'man' The Kulārṇava says 'mantra' is so called since it saves from all dangers, as the *sādhaka* thereby is led to ponder over God of immeasurable refulgence that is the only principle (in the world)' A similar derivation is given by Rāmapūrvatāpanīya Upaniṣad, by the Prapañcasāra and other Tantras.¹⁷⁸⁷ Numerous varieties of mantras called Kavaca, Hṛdaya, Upahṛdaya, Netra, Astra, Rakṣā and so forth are specified in the Tāntrik texts, one or two of which may be illustrated in the note below and the rest are passed over for reasons of space.¹⁷⁸⁸