gistfile1.php

<?php

// START INDEX.PHP

$mantras = mysql_fetch_assoc( mysql_query( 'SELECT COUNT(*) as count FROM mantras' ) );

?>

Total mantras: <?php echo $mantras['count']; ?>

<form method="post" action="process.php">
<input type="text" name="mantra">
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

<?php
// END INDEX.PHP

// START PROCESS.PHP

if ( ! empty($_POST['mantra']) ) {
  
  mysql_query( 'INSERT .... INTO mantras' );
  
  // redirect back to old file
  header( 'Location: index.php' );
  
  
}

?>