 Mantra yoga" is an exact science.Mananat
trayete iti Mantrah--"By the constant thinking of Mantra,one is protected & released from the round of births & deaths."
A mantra is so called because it is achieved by the mental process.The root "man" is the word mantra comes from the first
syllable of that word meaning "to think" & "tra" from "trai" meaning "to protect or free" from the bondage of the
phenomental world.A mantra generates the creative force & bestows eternal bliss.A mantra when constantly repeated awakens
the consciousness".By-Swami Sivananda.
A mantra is mystical energy encased in a sound
structure. Every mantra contains within its vibrations a certain power.Upon concentration & repetition of a given Mantra
its energy is elicited & takes form.Japa or mantra yoga is that practice by which the power contained within Mantras is
applied for specific purposes.
Each mantra is constructed from a combination of sounds derived from the fifty letters
of the sanskrit alphabet.Sanskrit is also known as Devanagari or the language of gods.the ancient greatest scientist(sages)
of India, who were attuned to higher levels of consciousness were well aware of the inherent power contained is sound,&
they utilized combinations of sounds to set up specific vibrations.These vibrations applied systematically could literally
move mountains.In fact one theory on the building of the pyramids suggests that it was the highly developed science of manipulating
sound vibrations that enabled the early Egyptians to sculpt & move stones of such enormous proportions.
Whether
such feats can be attributed to the control of sound is a question modern science has not yet covered due to impurity of their
brains & their backwardness.Yet there is no doubt that sound does have a definite & predictable effect on the human
psyche & body. An obvious example is the difference between classical & the rock music.The first tends to be relaxing
while the other is inclined to excite the senses & passions with animal extincts.On the more subtle level,various Mantras
are applied for certain purposes.Most specifically,they turn the mind toward concentration on the Supreme & release spiritual
energy in the chakras of the body.
There are different types of Mantras.some called "Bija" or the seed mantras,are
that they have no exact meaning.They act directly on the nadis or nerve tubes of the astral body.They vibrate in the
chakras along the spine,acting as a subtle massage,releasing blockages & allowing the Kundalini energy to flow more freely.In
these the name & form of the sound are merged & cannot be separated.There are also mantras that have meaning which
can be translated.These nirguna or abstract mantras also set up powerful vibrations in the body,but verbally assert union
with unmanifest pure consciousness.More common however is the deity mantra, in which a specific form with attributes is visualized
along with the repetition of the sound.for example: A reclusive person bent on destroying negative qualities would repeat
a Siva mantra.A family person,whose ideal was to be a loving & responsible husband or wife might meditate on the name
of Rama.An individual who sees god as infinite , all loving & even a little playful would build qualities in himself by
repeating a Krishna Mantra.
Benefits of Mantra Japa:-
1.) Mantra Japa purifies the heart.2.) Mantra Japa
Awakens the Kundalini Shakti.3.) Mantra Japa Burns your past sins even of Previous Births.4.) Mantra Japa Destroys births
& deaths.5.) Mantra Japa Removes Delusion & Ignorance.6.) Mantra Japa Destroys the Shadripus(Six Enemies).7.) Mantra
Japa Scorches the Samskaras which are deep rooted.8.) Mantra Japa Manifest The Ishta Devta in Front Of You.9.) Mantra Japa
induces Vairagya.
10.) Mantra Japa Makes us Fearless.11.) Mantra Japa bestows eternal Happiness.12.) Mantra Japa cures
Many Diseases.13.) Mantra Japa gives Life & Bliss.14.)Mantra Japa gives Supreme Peace.15.) Mantra Japa unites the Devotee
with the God.6.) Mantra Japa annihilates Attachment.17.) Mantra Japa develops Prema.18.) Mantra Japa fulfills All Desires.
19.Mantra Japa Gives siddhis & Occult Powers.20.) Mantra Japa Gives Health,Wealth,Fame,Long Life,Strength Of mind &
body.
Mantras were revealed to the ancient masters who codified them in the scriptures & handed down
from guru to disciple in Sanskrit ( the language of gods).Although it is customary for the guru when giving initiation to
accept voluntary offerings or fruit,flowers,money but selling of mantras is strictly against all spiritual rules.
Neither
mantra,deity nor guru,once chosen should be changed.There are many paths up to the mountain.Perseverance on one alone will
bring the aspirant to the top faster than if he were to spread his energies in exploring all the alternative paths..
Every
true mantra fulfills six conditions:- 1.it was originally revealed to a sage who achieved self realization through it &
passed it on to others. 2.it has a presiding deity. 3. a specific meter. 4.it possesses a bija or seed investing it with special
power that is the essence of the mantra. 5. it has also a dynamic divine power or shakti. 6. there is a plug that conceals
the pure consciousness hidden in the mantra.As soon as the plug is removed by constant repetitive practice pure consciousness
is revealed & the devotee receives the vision of his deity.
Types Of Mantra:-
Saguna mantra:-
mantras
used by spiritual aspirants to achieve god realization are called deity mantras.They are saguna with qualities or form producing
& the aid the conceptualization process.They must be repeated with attention to the syllables & rhythm.
Example
:- "Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah" bestows wisdom ,intelligence & creative achievement, Om Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah" confers
wealth & prosperity etc.
Nirguna Mantras:-
Nirguna mantras are without any form & there are no deities
or personalized aspects of god to be invoked.They create vibrations in which the meditator identifies with the whole of cosmos
or nature.
Example :- Om or Aum, Ham , Yam ,Ram, Vam etc.
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