What is a mantra?

It is that power of the word that expresses Spirit. A mantra is nothing but a thought, which is vibrated. Any thought that is vibrated is a mantra.

(Vienna, 4. September 1983)

Your mantras are to be seen. Mantras are to be such that they should not be mechanical, just saying something mechanically. You should say it from your heart. Again, if you do not say mantras through your heart, the mantra is not siddha. Means you may go on saying one hundred times, it will have no effect. Siddha mantra is that, that you say, that it has an effect, it works. If it does not work, then your mantra has no meaning.

(Diwali Puja, London, 6. November 1983)

There should be complete purity in the recitation of mantras to awaken the deities and your heart must be involved in it. (An undated Marathi letter) Now, the name of your Mother is very powerful. You know that is the most powerful name than all other names, the most powerful mantra. But you must know how to take it. With that complete dedication you have to take that name - not like any other name. You know that in India when they take the name of the Guru, they hold their ears to take the name of their guru. Means, "While taking the name, if I am making any mistake please forgive me." It means that. This mantra is a very powerful mantra. Only what you need is the dedication - the dynamite of dedication.

(Cowley Manor Seminar, England, 31 July 1982)