In the context of the [[Vedas]], the term ''mantra'' refers to the entire portion which contains the texts called [[Rigveda]], Yajur or Saam, that is, the metrical]] part as opposed to the prose [[Brahmana]] commentary. With the transition from [[ritual]]istic Vedic traditions to [[mysticism|mystical]] and egalitarian Hindu schools of [[Yoga]], [[Vedanta]], [[Tantra]] and [[Bhakti]], the orthodox attitude of the elite nature of mantra knowledge gave way to spiritual interpretations of mantras as a translation of the human will or desire into a form of action, with some features in common with spells in general. | In the context of the [[Vedas]], the term ''mantra'' refers to the entire portion which contains the texts called [[Rigveda]], Yajur or Saam, that is, the metrical]] part as opposed to the prose [[Brahmana]] commentary. With the transition from [[ritual]]istic Vedic traditions to [[mysticism|mystical]] and egalitarian Hindu schools of [[Yoga]], [[Vedanta]], [[Tantra]] and [[Bhakti]], the orthodox attitude of the elite nature of mantra knowledge gave way to spiritual interpretations of mantras as a translation of the human will or desire into a form of action, with some features in common with spells in general. |