Table of Contents
Highlights of Mantra JapaPower
- Entering the World of Mantras
- Structure of Mantras
- Meeting the Ishta Devata
- Science Behind Sounds and Forms
- Different Mantras and Their Forms
- Importance of Nama (Divine Name)
- Types and Benefits of Japa Practices
Mantra Yoga is a Practical And Perfect Science
Mantra Yoga is a perfect science. However mantra Yoga, cannot be whimsically practiced without guidance. Uttering mantras is like entering an unknown terrain. Hence it is important to take along with you someone who has already been there.
Your guru, preceptor, spiritual master or guide is one such person, who will help you enter the world of mantras. A Mantra, according to Santana Dharma, has the following six parts.
The Structure of Mantras
It has got a Rishi (a man of Self-realization) to whom it was revealed for the first time and who gave the specific Mantra to the world.
He is the Drashta or Seer for a Mantra. Sage Vishwamitra is the Rishi for Gayatri. Secondly, the Mantra has a meter (Chhandas), which governs the flow or variations of the voice. Thirdly, the Mantra has a particular Devata or supernatural being, higher or lower, as its informing power.
This Devata is the presiding deity of the Mantra. Fourthly, the Mantra has got a Bija or seed. The seed is a significant word, or series of words, which gives a special power to the Mantra.
The Essence of Mantra
The Bija is the essence of the Mantra. Then, we should know that every Mantra has got a Sakti. The Shakti is the energy of the form of the Mantra that is the vibration-forms set up by the pitch and sound.
These carry the man to the Devata that is worshipped. Lastly, the Mantra has a Kilaka – pillar or pin. This plugs the Mantra-Chaitanya or Mantric Consciousness that is hidden in the Mantra. As soon as the plug is removed by constant and prolonged repetition of the Name, the hidden Chaitanya or Consciousness is revealed.
The devotee gets Darshanam or direct meeting of the devotee with his or her Ishta Devata takes place.
Sound is a Vibration: Form cannot be Separated From Sound
Sounds are vibrations. They give rise to definite forms. Each sound produces a form in the indivisible world, and combinations of sound create complicated shapes.
Repetition of a Mantra has a mysterious power which manifests Divinity, just as the splitting of an atom manifests the tremendous forces latent in it. When a particular Mantra dedicated to a particular god is properly recited, the vibrations create in the higher planes, a special form into which a particular god enters for the time being.
The repetition of the Panchakshari Mantra – Om Namo Shivaya – produces the form of Lord Siva. The repetition of Om Namo Narayanaya, the Ashtakshara Mantra of Vishnu, produces the form of Vishnu.
The Name of God, chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully, is sure to give the desired result. Just as burning quality is natural to and inherent in fire, so also, the mantra carries within itself the power to destroy sin.
The mantra, especially the one which contains the name of the Lord Such as Shankara, Shiva, Shakti, Rama, Hari etc brings the aspirant into blissful union with the Lord through Bhava-Samadhi. The glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning and intellect.
It can be experienced or realized only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Holy Name or Nama. There is Sakti or power in every word.
Difference between Material and Spiritual Words
Although material words and their actual representations are totally unconnected, our brains make inner associations between words and their actual representations.
If you utter the word ‘excreta’ or ‘urine’ when someone is taking meals, he may at once vomit his food. When you utter the words lemon and salt, your tongues will salivate. When anyone suddenly shouts ‘Scorpion! Scorpion!’, ‘Snake! Snake!’ you will at once jump in fright.
When such is the power of the names of the ordinary things of this world, what tremendous power should there be in the Name of God! God is the completion or the fullness of existence. Hence, the Name which denotes Him, too, is full and perfect.
7/8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
The scores generated in this Quiz may or may not be absolute. There may be right or wrong answers to each Question. A percentage towards 100 indicates that you are more aligned to the overall subject matter.
The Greatness of The Name of God (Bhagavan)
Therefore, the power of the Name of God is incalculable, for it is the height or the zenith of power. The Name of God can achieve anything. There is nothing impossible for it.
It is the means to the realization of God Himself. The name of a thing in this world generates the consciousness of that thing in the mind.
In a much more amplified manner, the Name of God generates God-consciousness in the purified mind and becomes the direct cause of the realization of the Highest Perfection or God.
3 Ways of Repeating the Lord’s Name
There are three ways of repeating Nama or the names of God Repeat the Mantra verbally for some time, in a whisper for some time, and mentally for some time.
The minds wants variety. It gets disgusted with any monotonous practice. Mental repetition is very powerful. It is termed Manasika Japa.
The verbal or loud repetition is called Vaikhari Japa. The loud Japa shuts out all worldly sounds. There is no break of Japa here.
Repetition in a whisper or humming is termed Upamshu Japa. Even mechanical repetition of Japa without any Bhava has some purifying effect on the heart or the mind. The feeling will come later on when the process of mental purification goes on.
Likhita Japam
Write down daily in a notebook your Ishta Mantra or Guru Mantra for half an hour. When you write the Mantra, observe Mouna. Write the Mantra clearly in ink.
On Sundays and holidays, write this for one hour. This is Likhita Japa you can develop a wonderful power of concentration. The benefits of Mantra-writing or Likhita Japa cannot be adequately described.
You can benefit greatly from our Video on Likhita Japam.
Besides bringing about purity of heart and concentration of mind, mantra-writing gives you control of Asana, control of Indriyas, particularly the sight and the tongue, and fills you with the power of endurance.
The benefits of Mantra Japa are unending. The more we tune our consciousness to the process of Mantra Japa, the more we shall become free from the compulsions and bondage of the material world.
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