MANTRAS AND JAPAM

Mantras

·     The word mantra comes from the Sanskrit "mantrana", which means advice or suggestion.

·     In a sense, every word is a mantra. Mantras affect both the one who chants them as the one who hears them.

·   Each mantra or word is a sound pattern that suggests to the mind the meanings inherent in it, and the mind immediately responds.Mantras can excite the emotions and give suggestions to one’s own mind. That is why it makes sense to chant mantras even if you do not comprehend their meaning and depth.

·        According to Ramana Maharshi, repetition of mantras (japa), with attention directed to the source of the sound, completely engages the mind. This is Tapas (penance).

·        The source is not in the vocal chords alone, but also the idea of the sound is in the mind, whose source is self. Thus the practice of mantra repetition is more than a suggestion, a bit of advice or an idea. It is a means of getting in touch with our self.

·      Mantras may be used for religious worship, for japa (repetition), for healing, to help spiritual evolution, for purification, for making offerings and in Mantra Yoga.

·    Some mantras are only chants or expressions of nearness to the Divine. But some saints who were inspired by divine love and unshakable faith used these mantras in their own spiritual practice and their followers afterwards started using those mantras, calling them mahamantras or great mantras.

·     Primarily it is faith which creates the effect of mantras. Melody, intonation, pronunciation, whether silently or aloud, all are important in the recitation of mantras. Moreover, the beat cycle in which mantras are recited is important, but it changes according to the state of consciousness of the one who is chanting.

·  An increase in the speed of chanting increases the speed of mind, heartbeat and respiration. The beat cycle of the mantras affects the emotions.

·      A fast speed sometimes creates a continuous vibration and when it is done in groups it creates a good effect, because the mind works in synchronization with the beat cycle and has no time to fantasize. Fast chanting of mantras exhausts the mind, heart and breath and relaxation comes after the chanting is over.

·  Slowing the beat cycle of mantras also creates the same continuous vibration, but it slows down the speed of mind, heart and breath while the chanting is going on.

·   It induces a hypnagogic state, but it is good only when the chanting of mantras is done individually.

·    A medium-speed beat cycle is good for group and individual chanting of mantras. It does not disturb the heartbeat or breathing pattern and makes the mind more awake, alert and conscious.

·    The place from which the sound emanates influences its' tonal quality. Deep tones are produced by the vocal chords in conjunction with the abdominal region, middletones in conjunction with the chest, heart and throat regions and high-pitched tones in conjunction with the upper region of the body.

·    Indian classical music uses all three regions in a gradual order, but the middle region is used most and produces a greater emotional impact on the listeners.

·        Mantra shakti - There is a Sakti or power in every word. The Name of God, chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully, is sure to give the desired result. 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 Name. By Mantra japa, you can attain peace of mind quickly. By prolonged and constant practice the inherent power of the Mantra (Mantra-Sakti) will be awakened, which will fill your very existence with the Divinity of the Mantra.

·       Use a rudraksha or tulsi mala of 108 beads. Do not allow the mala to hang below the navel. Keep the hand near the heart or the nose. The mala must not be visible to you or to others. Cover it with a towel or handkerchief, which must be clean and washed daily. Use the middle finger and the thumb of the right to roll the beads. The use of the index finger is prohibited.

·   Select any Mantra or Name of God, preferably that given to you by your Guru, and repeat it from 108 to 1,080 times daily (one to ten malas).

·  The early morning period (Brahmamuhurta) and dusk is the most favourable time for Japa and meditation as this is when Sattva (purity or steadiness) is predominant. Facing east during the practice enhances the efficacy of the Japa.

PLANETS	RULING DEITY	OVER RULER	GRAINS	YANTRAS
SUN	AGNI, GOD OF FIRE	SHIVA	WHEAT	SURYA YANTRA, GAYATRI YANTRA, VISHNU YANTRA
MOON	APAS, WATER GODDESS	PARVATI	WHITE RICE	SRI YANTRA, LAXMI YANTRA
MARS	BHUMI, EARTH GODDESS	SKANDA	RED DHAL	MANGALA YANTRA
MERCURY	VISHNU, THE MAINTAINER	NARAYANA	MUNG BEANS	VISHNU YANTRA
JUPITER	INDRA, KING OF GODS	BRAHMA	CHICK PEAS	GANESH YANTRA
VENUS	INDRANI, QUEEN OF GODS	INDRA	LIMA BEANS	SRI YANTRA, LAXMI YANTRA
SATURN	YAMA, GOD OF DEATH	PRAJAPATI	SESAME SEEDS	SRI SHANI YANTRA
RAHU	DURGA, GODDESS OF POWER	SARPA	BLACK GRAM	KALI AND DURGA YANTRA
KETU	CHITRA GUPTA, GOD OF KARMA	BRAHMA	HORSE GRAM (KULATTHA)	MAHAMRITYUNJAYA YANTRA

·     Maintain a steady pose. Attain mastery of the posture. You must be able to sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana for hours at a strech. Recite some prayers before starting the Japa. Resolve to complete a certain minimum number of malas before leaving your seat.

·      Do mental Japa for sometimes without a mala. When the mind wanders, do the Japa aloud, or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.

·   Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner. Do it slowly with feeling, one-pointedness of mind and single-minded devotion. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without any mistakes. Repeat it neither too slowly nor too fast. Increase the speed only when the mind wanders. Be vigilant and alert during Japa. Stand up when sleep tries to overpower you.

·      Try to associate the Japa with the rhythm of the breath and meditate in the form of your Deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front of you. Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it. Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential if success is to be achieved.

·      It is important not to leave the place at once after the Japa is over and mix with everyone or plunge into worldly activity. Sit very quietly for at least ten minutes, humming some prayer, remembering the Lord and reflecting upon His infinite love. Then, after devout prostration, leave the place and commence your routine duties and activities.