Acharya Prashant explains that chanting a mantra without understanding its meaning is futile because the fundamental human problem is ignorance or false knowledge. He clarifies that while physical medicine can treat the body, the ailments of consciousness require awakening and understanding. He emphasizes that the cure for lack of understanding cannot be more non-understanding; therefore, one must grasp the essence of the words being recited to achieve any real benefit. He dismisses the idea that mere sound or vibration can bring about spiritual transformation without the involvement of conscious intelligence.