Acharya Prashant addresses the question of whether chanting the Mahamrityunjaya mantra can control mental tendencies. He asserts that chanting any mantra without understanding its meaning is a futile exercise. He explains that even knowing the literal meaning of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra—which is a prayer for a peaceful death, like a ripe fruit detaching from its vine—is insufficient for spiritual benefit, as the literal interpretation holds no special spiritual depth. The speaker warns that repeating words without knowing their meaning yields absolutely nothing. At most, it leads to a shallow self-confidence or a form of self-deception, where one feels spiritual simply for performing the act of chanting. He strongly advises against this practice, which he says is often promoted by mediocre gurus who prescribe mantras like medicine. He urges the listener to abandon the idea that mechanical repetition has any inherent power. Acharya Prashant clarifies that a true mantra, or shloka, originates from a very high state of consciousness. Its purpose is to elevate the practitioner's consciousness to that same level. This elevation is achieved not through mindless repetition but by deeply understanding and contemplating the mantra's meaning. He states that depth must precede repetition. When one delves into the profound meaning of a mantra, they discover something so beautiful and liberating that repetition becomes a spontaneous expression of love for that truth. This, he says, is the real 'telling of beads' (mala japna). Finally, he explains that the test of a genuine mantra is its self-evident effect on the practitioner. If a mantra is effective, one would not need to seek external validation or a 'second opinion' on its power. Just as a medicine for the eyes, if it works, enables one to see clearly, a true mantra brings about a tangible shift in one's understanding. Mantras do not possess magical powers; their potency lies in their symbolic meaning, which points towards a higher reality and must be understood, not just recited.