Mantras and Bird Songs

Abstract

Mantras, invariably regarded as ancient and occupying a realm beyond are invariant across linguistic boundaries and are used in a manner which is different from linguistic expressions: for example, in the contexts of ritual, chant, recitation or meditation, the distinction between meaningful and meaningless, which is basic to language, is irrelevant to their use. Mantras often consist of fragments, and are repeated endlessly, or reduced to nothing. Vedic mantras result from le decoupage des vieux hymnes en formules ou mrme en fragments devenus des corps inertes dans la trame liturgique (Renou). In all these respects it looks as if mantras are the vestiges of something different from language that originated for a different purpose or in response to a different challenge. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are analogies in structure, function and status between mantras and bird songs.

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