Crossword Genius

Fellow back painting Sacred Word? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mantra

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'isacred wordi?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'fellow back painting' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'man' (fellow can mean a man).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'painting' becomes 'art' (I've seen this before).
'art' written backwards gives 'tra'.
'man'+'tra'='MANTRA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mantra that I've seen before include "Chanted words" , "Prayer" , "Repeated sacred word or words" , "Powerful words" , "Commonly repeated word or phrase, with religious connotation perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app