JAPA OR MANTRA-YOGA (YOGA OF RECITATION) AND THE POWER OF SECRET SPELL

Words are the mantras. A Mantra is a sacred spell which liberates us from the sins. Mantra is that which protects the one who repeats it. It is actually the intellect or mind because if a word is mantra or chant, the mind is disciple.

In other words, a Mantra is a sacred spell which liberates us from the sins. In Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism a sacred formula or rhythmically chanted prayer is known as a Mantra. Sanskrit word means literally instrument of thought.

A Mantra may consist of many words or only even one syllable such as 'Aum', the essential quality being obtained by repetition and intense concentration, so that the mind is filled with the idea of the devotional image, usually a deity. Devotees concentrate at the pace of breathing or on some image of God when they recite it. Some intellectuals describe it as Japa Yoga.

God has invested all potency in his Holy Name; e.i., 'if a dying man utters the word 'Ganga' even without understanding, his sins melt away without leaving a mark; moreover, he goes to heaven' -thus it is recorded in the 'Garuda Purana'.

The 'Holy Bible' says- 'In the beginning was the word and word was with god and the word was god.'

Lord Krishna says in the 'Srimadbhagvada Gita' - 'The syllable Aum (Aumkara) in the Vedas I am.'

Mantras (secret spell-powers) belong to so many gods and godessess. Some mantras are called Beej Mantras (Code words/Seed-spells) which are very powerful. As a huge tree resides in a small seed, god lives in a Beej Mantra.

Mantras have amazing power to control the Nature. They produce Siddhi (perfection). Devotees concentrate at the pace of breathing or on some image of God when they recite it. Some intellectuals describe it as Japa Yoga. You must have seen some Sadhus carrying the Japamala (a rosary of beads) and chanting or muttering Mantras on that. Recitation of mantras is called Japa or Mantra Yoga.

A Beej Mantra contains 1 to 9 words; Which contains 1 to 20 words are called Aakoot Mantra (well-versed Mantras) and which contains 20 or more than 20 words are called 'Mala Mantras' (Chain of Mantras).

There is another kind of Japa can be counted is Likhit Japa (Written recitation) : one writes and repeats the spell inwardly. It's very easy but should be done everyday in fixed time and numbers. It requires solitude for concentration. Swami shivanada used to preach and write it to his followers. His Ashram (holy Cottage) is situated at Muni ki Reti (bank of river Ganga), Rishikesh, India till today.

Likhit Japa

There are four kind of Mantras:

1. Vedic Mantras (abstracted from the 4 Vedas)

2. Tantric Mantras (described in Tantra-Shastra)

3. Pauranik Mantras (described in 18 Puranas orated by sage Veda Vyasa)

4. Shaabar Mantras (some Mantras orated by Lord Siva in secret language).

1. Vedic Mantras: Vedic Mantras and hymns are described in four Vedas-

A. Rigveda,

B. Yajuraveda,

C. Atharvaveda,

D. Samaveda.

The knowledge of Vedas is infallible; because the Vedas belong to Lord Brahma, the creator. Vedic Mantras and hymns are very powerful. Gods like Vishnu, Siva, Aaditya, Ganesha, Aadi Shakti Durga and demi-gods like Agni, Indra, Vayu, Varuna, Yama, Kubera etc. protect him who repeats these mantras.

2. Tantric Mantras: Tantra was preached by Lord Siva to Parvati. It is called 'Pancham Veda' (The fifth Veda) or Agama (an enchantment).

Tantric Mantras are very powerful but most of the people misuse them for their ugly purposes, because they are selfish. Actually Tantra is a treatise containing mystical formulas for the attainment of metaphysical or supernatural powers. It is an enchantment and a mystical description of a Mantra in detail. That's why Tantra is generally considered to be a kind of malpractice or witchery.

3. Pauranik Mantras: There are 18 Puranas orated by Maharishi Veda Vyasa. The mantras described in those scriptures are called Pauranik Mantras. Somehow these mantras are very beneficial for the public; and they bestow happiness, bliss, Bhakti (devotion), fortune, victory, success, progress, domination, influence, power, good health, riches and all round prosperity. Moreover, these are quite easy mantras to orate, understand and practice.

Without Purashcharana (a system of chanting mantras), Japa (recitation), Homa (Havana or a fire sacrifice), Tarpana (gratification), Abhishekha (Marjana or cleansing), Brahmin-Bhojana (meals for priests) and Guru-Deeksha (baptism), the mantras never awake and give perfection.

4. Shaabar Mantras: There are some secret Mantras which consists of ordinary words (in some old secret Language) are called Shaabar Mantras. It is said that 'Shaabar Mantras' were orated by Lord Shiva. They are found in Tantrashastras, scriptures of Tantra. Once Lord Siva sealed the all Mantras, but fortunately the Shaabar Mantras were left. Shaabar Mantras are simple to read and they look quite easy but meaning is too difficult to understand. For example-

Shaabar Mantras

There are three kinds of Japa:

1. Vachika Japa (verbal recitation) : a person chants loudly;

2. Upmanshu Japa (silent recitation) : one chants but repeats the spell silently

3. Mansika Japa (Mental recitation) : one chants in the mind with a concentration on the words of the spell. The tongue and the lips do not move in the last kind of Japa. It requires cleanliness and purity of both mind and body. It can surely liberate you from all sins and take you to the path of eternal Truth.

The mantras fulfill all desires but if recited. One can remove problems just by chanting the mantras. It is penance.

In beginning, you will need help of a Mala (Rosary) for the recitation of mantras. People recite on different Rosaries, different in number of beads and color due to their desires. For reciting mantras one ought to keep Mala (a rosary of 108 beads or 54 beads or 27 beads or 15 beads) and sit in a stable Asana (a seat or a Yogic-posture).

A rosary of Rudraksha confers worldly comforts with all round prosperity to the house-holders and Siddhis (perfections), Divine-powers and Moksha (salvation) to the renunciated-ones.

One who recites Mantras on the rosary of Isfatika-Mala (a rosary of Crystal) or Mukta-mala (a rosary of Pearl) attains peace, abundant riches and perfection of speech. Tulsi-Mala (a rosary of Tulsi wood) or Chandan-mala (a rosary of sandal wood) is the best for worship of Lord Vishnu. To remove and destroy the enemies, debts and financial obstructions one should recite Mantras on the rosary of Rakta Pravala (a rosary of Red Coral). Durga (goddess of power) also confers her blessings on the Sadhaka (Devotee) if he recites Mantras on the rosary of Red Coral.

Remember, one should not touch the Tarjani anguli (Index Finger) while muttering Mantras on the rosary; because this finger belongs to Jupiter (to one's Guru or the preceptor). All devotees keep away their Index Finger so that it could not touch with the thumb, as it is shown in the picture above.

Crystal

Tulsi

Red Coral

Turmeric

Emerald

Pearl

The best Mala (a rosary) for reciting Mantras is 108 Mankon ki Rudraksha-Mala (a rosary of 108 Rudrakshas). You must have seen this Mala in the hands of ancient Yogis and some Hindu gods. See the picture of Lord Siva sitting in a pose of deep meditation. You will find him always keeping a rosary of Rudraksha in his hand.

Recite the Holy Name and have a nice day!