WHAT ARE THE RULES OF MANTRA JAPA ? MANTRA-05

OM GURUVE ADISHANKARA NAMAH-...... THE RULINGS FOR MANTRA;-- 14 FACTS;-- 1-The science of mantra is very ancient and was once widely practised in all parts of the world. Reference to mantra is found in the oldest Vedic scriptures, which are claimed to be more than 5,000 years old.

2-Literally, the word mantra means ‘revealed sound’. According to the ancient texts, mantra means a sound or a combination or sequences of sounds which develop spontaneously. These sounds were revealed to rishis and other pure beings in psychic states or in very deep meditation, when all consciousness of the self was lost and when nothing but inner light shone in front of them. 3-Mantra do not have any specific meaning. Their power is not in the words themselves, but in the sound vibrations created when the mantra is uttered verbally or when it takes form in the mind and is not expressed in the voice.

4-Mantra brings about state of resonance between the individual and the depths of his inner being. They allow the individual to unleash inner cosmic powers, forces and knowledge. The sound patterns of the mantra stimulate a certain effect on the mental and psychic nature of an individual. Each mantra will create, or draw out, a specific symbol within one’s psyche. 5-There are two important points regarding mantras that should be taken into account. Firstly, mantra should never be misunderstood to be the name of a particular god of a particular religion. There should be no conflict between your religion and mantra. Many people think they cannot repeat Om Namah Shivaya because they would be reciting the name of a Hindu god when they are Christian or Muslim. 6-Secondly, a mantra cannot be translated. Translation alters the sound. Even though mantras are found in Hinduism, in Buddhism, Catholicism, in Islam and among the Parsis and other religions and sects, they are never translated. If you change the succession and order of the sounds, the mantra ceases to be a mantra. If you translate the words you may have a very beautiful prayer, but not a mantra. 7-There are thousands of mantras, stemming from a variety of cultures, languages and religions. Some common ones are: Om, Shreem, Hreem, Kreem, Aim, Dum, Hum, Om Namah Shivaya and Om Mani Padme Hum etc,. Everyone has a mantra of his own, and just as your personality is the represents your outer self, similarly the mantra represents your inner personality. It is through mantra that we realize our own psychic personality and it is this personality which we really are. 8-In tantra there are all kinds of mantras; some are personal mantras for use in japa and other meditation practices, and some serve a specific purpose. So, before seeking a mantra it is important to know what you are seeking it for. If you are undergoing some problem in life, then the mantra you employ to get rid of it will be a temporary one, not your personal mantra. When the problem subsides, the mantra will be of no further use to you. On the other hand, if you are trying to awaken the kundalini or psychic powers, then you must have the correct personal mantra. 9-It is said that a child should receive his first mantra when he is eight years old. He should not practice mantra as we older people do it, but he should repeat his mantra at sunrise and sunset along with breath awareness – five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the evening. This mantra will create a reorientation in his disturbed subconscious contributed by his parents. He should receive his second mantra at marriage or when a great change in his life or a transition in his personality is taking place.

9-1-This mantra should be an introduction to spiritual life, and also to responsibility and steady mindedness. When he becomes spiritual he should receive his third mantra. It will help him on the spiritual path and enable him to withdraw his mind and to switch of his consciousness from the external world to within. Hindus are given a fourth mantra at the time of death or just before. When a man’s pranas and consciousness are being withdrawn, and all the lights are being extinguished, when his consciousness is functioning only a fraction, this is the ideal time to put the fourth mantra into his ears. This mantra leads his soul to the next birth. 10-According to tradition, initiation into mantra is given by the guru, one’s mother or revelation. A mantra received in a deep dream or through intuition, which you constantly feel a strong attraction for, may also be taken as your mantra. A mantra can never be bought or sold. When a guru gives a mantra it is never based on a monetary transaction. A mantra obtained in such a way will never have any power. 11-CAN WE CHANGE A MANTRA?

Once you have a mantra do not change it, it is not something to play with. You can change your home, your religion, your husband or your wife, but you should not change your mantra or your guru. Both mantra and guru are symbols of your consciousness and to change them will create confusion in your psychic body. Once created, that confusion can never be corrected. Sometimes people hear about another mantra and believe it to be more powerful than their own and so they want to change. The mind can so easily influence one into rejecting his own mantra and adopting another. The following are the only valid reasons for changing your mantra:---- 11-1-Your guru gives you another mantra. 11-2-For therapeutic purposes or for some specific problem you temporarily accept another mantra that has the power to help you over the obstacle. In this case the guru should give the mantra, as correct pronounciation is essential and this cannot be revealed in any book. 11-3-You realize another mantra which is so overwhelming and compelling that you know it is definitely your mantra. 11-4-When one takes a mantra, it must be accepted with absolute faith and with final decision. The mind should be fully impressed by the mantra. A mantra is absolutely personal and must be kept secret. When you keep the mantra secret, it becomes more powerful. This is true with everything. A seed will grow in the earth if it is covered, in secret, but it will never grow into a tree if it is left uncovered and exposed for all to see. 11-5-Mantras for spiritual evolution must be practiced for a set amount of time every day. If the mantra is repeated too much, it will affect the whole system, and those who are very psychic, sensitive, unstable, or subject to hallucinations, may not be prepared for that at all. If you regularly repeat the mantra for ten minutes daily, within a few days you will know if you are oversensitive and whether the mantra is impressing your mind to a larger of lesser extent. 12-Mantra repetition should not create tension in the mind. The mind becomes tense if there are conflicts present due to various mental obstructions. To avoid mental tension, do not try to concentrate while practicing mantra. Simply repeat the mantra as you would spontaneously carry on a conversation. If you talk and try to concentrate on how you are talking and what you are saying, tension will be created. When the mind is very distracted you should never try to concentrate. Concentration (dharana) can only come when sense withdrawal (pratyahara) has been achieved. The purpose of mantra repetition is not to develop concentration but to withdraw the senses and still the mind. 13-The mantra can be utilized in different ways: it can be practiced in conjunction with the breath, the psychic pathways, concentration on the eyebrow centre and so on. Mantra is a very powerful method of healing. 14-There are specific mantras for a wide range of ailments and complaints, but these must be given by someone well versed in the therapeutic use of sound and mantras. As well as these, there are bija mantras which anyone can self-prescribe for healing purposes. Each chakra (psychic centre in the body) has a bija mantra and if you have a physical complaint which is located in the region of one of the chakras, you can use its mantra to strengthen and heal. For example, Ram is the mantra for manipura chakra (navel centre) and if it is chanted in kirtan or repeated in japa, it will stimulate the abdominal area benefiting complaints such as peptic ulcer, constipation, diarrhoea and other digestive disorders.

BEEJ MANTRA OF CHAKRAS;- The bija mantras of the main chakras are given in the following table:-----

--------------------------------------------------------- Mantras------ Chakra------- Physical location ----------------------------------------------------------- Lam----- Mooladhara------ Perineum Vam---- Swadhisthana--- Base of the spine Ram---- Manipura---------- Navel centre Yam----- Anahata------------Heart centre Ham ----Vishudhi ---------------Throat Om------ Ajna----------------- Eyebrow centre ----------------------------------------------------------- HOW TO CHANT BEEJ MANTRA ?------ 1-Sit in a comfortable position, focus on the beej mantra and the associated body parts if possible - you can say it in the heart or aloud but the intention is to be correct..... 2-Say the beej mantra in soft yet loud manner 3-Say each mantra starting 3-4 times upto 20 times for the associated chakra 4-Once done move to the next chakra 5-Once you start practicing it for a few days, it will resonate with your energy system.

WHAT IS MANTRA PURASCHARANA?-

Purascharana means ''pura charati iti'', that means, that which is performed before or prior/Before the deity or prior to the Mantrasiddhi.. Purascharana means repeating a mantra for a particular number of times and for a period of time. This is the first and important part of the purascharana.

THE FIVE LIMBS OF MANTRA PURASCHARANA;-

There are five parts / limbs to a purascharana,

1. Mantra japa (Repetition of Mantra)

2. Homa (Fire Obulation using the Mantra)

3. Tarapana (Water obulation using Mantra)

4. Marjana (Ritualistic sprinkling of Water)

5. Bhojana (Feeding of Brahmins / Sadhus)

1-MANTRA JAPA;-

Japa – repeating the mantra for a specified number of times. This is normally n Lakh times, where n stands for the number of characters / alphabets in the mantra. If the mantra is a very big one, than, it is also accepted as 1 lakh repetition. And, at the beginning of the japa everyday, the puja should be performed to the mantra deity or the yantra for the particular mantra.

2-HOMA;-

Homa – after performing the reqired number of japa. The Homa should be performed using the same mantra adding a “swaha” to it. And the number of times the homa should be performed is 1 / 10th of the Japa. Likewise, the later stages in the purascharana is 1 / 10th of the former stage. The obulation material or the material for the offering in the fire is generally Ghee (clarified butter), but sometimes, may vary according to the purpose of the pursacharana.

3-TARPANA;-

Tarpana – water mixed with milk or jaggery etc. is used to perform tarpana. In this, the water is taken in a spoon and it will be poured through the palm, leaving the thumb.This too should be done using the mantra and a “tarpayami” added to it.

4-MARJANA;-

Marjana – the water is taken in a bowl and a small piece of ginger it tied to the tip of it, through which the water is sprinkled on oneself or the yantra. The sprinkling should be done using the mantra suffixed with a “marjayami” to it.

5-BHOJAN;-

Bhojana – number equal to 1 / 10th of the number of marjana should be fed, as the last part of the purascharana.

This completes one round of purascharana. In kali age to attain mantra siddhi one should perform four purascharana using a mantra. Manra siddhi generally means attainment of the complete control of the mantra, for using it in a way desired. But, for a sadhaka, it means the blessing of the deity. It could be felt by the peace one gains after the purascharana.If for some reason, one is not able to perform the above other limbs, than it can be substituted with four times japa (four times of the 1 / 10th of the previous limb).

METHOD OF MANTRA PURASCHARANA;-

12 FACTS;--

1-The repetition of a Mantra with rigid spiritual observances a fixed number of times to obtain quick spiritual progress is known as Mantra Purascharana. It can be performed for material progress too. The practitioner should observe certain rules and undergo strict dietetic discipline to ensure quick Mantra Siddhi.

2-During the Purascharana take only fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, roots, barley and Havis-Anna (rice cooked with ghee, sugar, milk). A Sadhaka can live on pure Bhiksha (alms) also. If you can live on milk alone during the period of Purascharana it is highly laudable. You can have Mantra Siddhi even by repeating the Mantra a lakh of times.

3-Select any holy place of pilgrimage on the banks of sacred Ganga, confluence of rivers, mountain valleys of charming scenery, temples, Tulasi gardens, below Asvattha trees or convert a portion of your house into a temple by keeping the picture of the Lord, burning incense etc., and by suitable decorations.

4-Purascharana done in holy places has a benefit hundred times superior to that done in one's own house.You can select any Mantra for Purascharana. Your Guru Mantra or Ishta Mantra is the best.

5-Sandhya time, sunrise, sunset, midday are all recommended for Japa. Repeat the Mantra as many lakhs of times as there are letters in the Mantra. You can do half of that number. In no case the number should be less than a lakh.

6-Sit facing East or North during Japa. Select Siddha, Padma, Svastika or Virasana for Japa. Never sit for Japa with a loaded stomach. Have fixed timings for Japa. Take a bath before you start, if possible, or at least wash hands and feet. Perform Achamana or sipping of Sanctified Mantra water. 7-Deer skin, cloth, blanket, Kusa grass or tiger skin can be used as seats while doing Japa. Spatika, Tulasi, Rudraksha Malas can be used for counting the number of Japa. Have a Mala with 108 beads or half or one-fourth that number.

8-Abstracting the mind from all worldly objects, merged in the inner meaning of the Mantra, thinking of the Lord, the Mantra should be repeated with a uniform speed. Full concentration of the mind on the meaning and divinity of the Mantra brings quick Mantra Siddhi. Continue Purascharana till you attain Mantra Siddhi. Do not stop with one Purascharana. Due to the Doshas of the mind you may not get Mantra Siddhi at once.

9-Sleeping on coarse bed (strictly avoiding cushions and the like), observing strict celibacy, worshipping the deity three times a day, bathing thrice daily, abandoning oil bath, meat, fish, onion, garlic, tea, coffee, chillies, tamarind, observing silence or restricting the speech to a minimum, observing Ahimsa, speaking Truth, shunning all luxuries, one should perform the Purascharana.

10-You should avoid as far as possible absent-mindedness, laziness, spitting during Japa, relaxation of hands and legs, sleeping during the day, mixing with undesirable persons, receiving of gifts, looking at obscene pictures, speaking lies, the company of passionate men, chewing of betels, smoking, drinking etc., too much talk, speaking ill of others, finding fault in others, harming others in thought, word or deed, during the period of Purascharana.

11-You should not dissipate your energy during Japa by looking hither and thither unnecessarily by shaking the body, by laughter etc.Do the same number of Japa every day without variation. Homa or Havan should be performed after every lakh of Japa or at the end of the Purascharana.

12-After completing the Purascharana perform Homa according to the number of Japa, Tarpana (water libations) the number of Homa, Marjana (sprinkling the number of Tarpana and feeding of Brahmins according to the number of Tarpana.

THE KEY POINT;-

You can do feeding and charity according to your capacity if you cannot adhere to the above strictly.Mantra Purascharana has incalculable benefits. Brightness, clearness, or tranquillity of the mind, contentment, dispassion towards worldly enjoyments, Darshan of Ishta Devata, success in all undertakings, attainment of purity of the mind-all these will ensue. Give your best attention and earnestness in the performance of Purascharana.

BENEFITS OF MANTRA-WRITING;-

04 FACTS;--

1-An easy, practical and scientific form of Yoga for modern busy people is MANTRA-WRITING WHICH LEADS TO MEDITATION ;Of the various methods of Japa described in the scriptures; Mantra-writing is the most efficacious. It helps the aspirant in concentrating the mind and gradually leads to meditation.

BENEFITS; -

1-Concentration-

Distractions are minimised as the mind, tongue, hands and eyes are all engaged with the Mantra. This increases the power of concentration and efficiency in work.Control-The mind is controlled by the power of Mantra and it will work better and quicker for you.

2-Evolution;-

Due to repeated innumerable impacts of the Mantra on the subconscious mind, subtle, spiritual impressions are made, which hasten the Soul's progress in evolution.

3-Peace;-

If you are disturbed due to worries or untoward incidents, the mind will get calm and peaceful.

4-Force;-

A mighty spiritual force is generated in course of time in the atmosphere of the place, where you write Mantras or keep the notebooks. It helps in secular and spiritual progress.

NOTE;-Write from one to three pages a day. Follow the rules as far as possible if you want quicker results.

RULES FOR MANTRA-WRITING;-

04 FACTS;--

1-Select a Mantra, or Name of God, and write it with ink in a notebook daily in any script on 1 to 3 pages.Sit in the same place at the same time daily. If possible, keep it under lock and key.

2-Write after a bath, or after washing hands, feet, face and mouth.Sit in one pose throughout. Don't move till completed.Observe silence, and avoid talks, engagements, or calls.

3-Fix the eyes on the notebook. Don't move till completed.Repeat the Mantra or Name mentally while writing.Fix the mind on the form and attributes of the Lord, while writing the Name or Mantra.

4-Adopt one uniform system of writing, top to bottom or left to right.Write each Mantra or Name completely at a time and not in parts.Don't change Mantra or Name. Select one and stick to it for life.Preserve all completed books .

CONTD. .......SHIVOHAM.........