In the quiet moments when the energy of the day begins to fade, our minds can either race with leftover thoughts or settle into a deep, restorative peace.

For centuries, Vedic wisdom has offered a key to unlock that inner peace: the power of mantra. And when it comes to soothing the mind and balancing the emotions, few mantras are as direct and effective as the one dedicated to Soma, the Moon God.

Today, we explore one of the most essential and accessible lunar chants:

The Soma Bija Mantra

In Sanskrit:

ॐ सोम् सोमाय नमः

Transliteration: Om Som Somaya Namaha

Decoding the Vibration of Peace

While some mantras are long and poetic, the power of this one lies in its profound simplicity. It revolves around the bija, or seed sound, for the Moon.

  • Om (ॐ): The universal sound, tuning us into the cosmic vibration.
  • Som (सोम्): This is the crucial part. ‘Som’ is the seed sound for the Moon. It is the pure, unadulterated vibration of lunar energy – cool, calm, reflective, and nurturing. Chanting it is like striking a tuning fork that resonates directly with your mind and emotions.
  • Somaya (सोमाय): This means “to Soma” or “for Soma.” It is a direct, personal address to the lunar deity.
  • Namaha (नमः): “I bow” or “I offer my salutations in reverence.”

Putting it all together, the mantra is a simple, humble, and powerful declaration:

“Om, I offer my salutations to Soma, the Moon God, whose essence is the sacred sound ‘Som’.”

Why This Mantra Is So Powerful

Think of it like calling a dear friend by their most familiar name. It’s intimate and direct. By focusing on the core sound Som, you bypass complex intellectual ideas and connect straight to the feeling of peace. It’s a mantra for the heart, not just the head.

Chanting “Om Som Somaya Namaha” can help you:

  • Instantly Calm a Racing Mind: The repetitive, soothing sound helps break cycles of anxiety and overthinking.
  • 💧 Soothe Emotional Turbulence: Like the moon’s influence on the tides, this mantra helps bring a gentle balance to the ebb and flow of your emotions.
  • 🧠 Promote Mental Clarity: By calming the mental chatter, it creates space for your intuition and clear thoughts to emerge.
  • ❤️ Cultivate Nurturing Energy: It connects you to the Moon’s qualities of care, compassion, and self-love.
  • 🌙 Strengthen Your Moon in Astrology: In Vedic Astrology (Jyotish), this is a primary remedy for pacifying the malefic effects of the Moon and enhancing its positive qualities in your chart.

How to Practice

  1. Find a quiet space. Sit comfortably, perhaps near a window where you can see the night sky.
  2. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Let go of the day.
  3. Begin chanting, either aloud or silently. Feel the vibration of “Som” in your chest and head. Don’t worry about perfection; focus on the feeling.
  4. Continue for a few minutes, or for a full 108 repetitions using a mala if you have one. The best time is often in the evening, especially on Mondays, the day traditionally associated with the Moon.

You don’t need complex rituals to find your center. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple, ancient sound to guide you back home to yourself. Let the gentle chant of “Om Som Somaya Namaha” be your lullaby for the soul.