When a mantra is performed with specific rhythm, sincerity of devotion, purity of thought, phonetic and grammatical accuracy, and all in a manner prescribed by some authoritative scripture, it is believed to invoke a particular deity and compel the deity to assist the invoker to achieve a desired result. According to Hindu beliefs, if the sacred syllable or set of syllables of a mantra is pronounced correctly, the deity to whom it is addressed has no choice but an obligation to respond to the invoker instantaneously and help them. Of the two categories of shaman song, the lyric shaman song is a type of shaman prayer. Generally it is personal and its main intention is to ask for entities such as health or success. The lyric shaman song does not require an expert to perform, but rather the individual recites it in solitude. These songs address the ordinary, everyday and personal needs of someone. The rituals that Korean shamans perform in honor of gods and spirits are called gut in Korean. Like many of the rituals that pertain to nature, a gut has the intention of freeing people of their diseases and misfortunes by praying to gods and spirits. Most Korean shaman songs that are in common practice today are the lyrical songs. The narrative song is the second main category of a Korean shaman song. Unlike the lyric song, the average person does not perform the narrative song. A highly trained and talented expert, performs the narrative songs. The narrative song is usually a shaman's narration to the gods about the wishes of the humans, or a narration to the humans about the gods thought and judgments.
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Mantras are previously set with a specific set of text and syllables. These must be performed precisely and the priest who performs them must adhere to the strict rules or else it is believed that the mantra will not be effective. Because the mantra is understood as putting one in direct touch with divine power, it is not surprising that mantra chanting is controlled with strict rules.