Guest guest Posted December 16, 2003 Report Share Posted December 16, 2003 , "run_jini" <run_jini> wrote: But my query abt "Why should one chant Shlokas?" > is still left unanswered! The basic aim of our taking birth is to realise the Truth. Now there are various ways to realise the truth. Hathha yoga, Raja Yoga, Laya Yoga, Karma Yoga, Gyana Yoga, Tantra,Kriya Yoga, Bhakti etc. are the various paths by which one can realise the truth. Mantra yoga is another such powerful way to realise the Truth. Sabda Brahma is a realised Truth by many. According to this path, the sound is treated as the means, sound which is present on the gross level as vocal sound, and God on the other end of the spectrum. The primodal energy, when explodes with the sound of AUM and starts building the universe, it first creates 50 primodal sounds. All alphabets of all the languages present in the universe are a rough echo of those sounds. 50 Alphabets of Sanskrit language are however the nearest copy of those primodal sounds(hence each alphabet of sanskrit is a beeja mantra in itself). Each sound denotes one piece of consciousness, differentiated to do certain duties in the universe. Mantras and shlokas are the gross vocal part of that consciousness. Hence it can be said that a Mantra is in fact the gross body of sound of that particular god. Mantra is not a prayer, nor his name nor his meaning, but the God himself in a particular consciousness, but at a gross level. The Japa meditation starts by listening to the holy mantras. Even while listening, they affect our Chitta in a subtle way and take us slowly towards progress. The next step is initiation into a Mantra. The Mantra/shloka must match the vibration of our Antkarana (inner-self), to get maximum benefits. Hence it is always advisable to take Mantra from a Guru who has got that Mantra sidhha (realised the truth by that mantra). If no such guru is found, we can make the concerned deity our guru and take the Mantra from Him, this works wonders. Mantras have to recited with full faith and devotion. If the full meaning is known it will be an added bonus. Mantra should be chanted daily and regularly. When we chant a particular Mantra, it evokes the Kundalini by its vibrational powers, and the Kundalini sends the energy current upwards towards brain, the energy being in tune with the vibration of the Mantra. This energy is seen by the Manas/budhhi as the concerned god/goddess, and can be used for further benefits. This explanation is very vague and lacks many details. I am sure my other wise sadhaka friends will add to this. regards and love nachiketa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 what is the role of a Mala (beads) in Japa ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 run_jini wrote: >>> But my query about "Why should one chant Shlokas?" > is still left unanswered! >>> The simple answer is that one shouldn't chant Shlokas unless one thinks that by doing so he/she is going to benefit from it. But you have answered it yourself by saying that passive listening of Vishnu Sahsranaama has had a beneficial effect. If Passive listening can be beneficial, the Chanting the same will definitely be much more beneficial, because in listening we only use the sense organ of hearing and whereas in Chanting we shall have to employ the sense organ of listening as well as the organ of speech. Normally we don't put forth effort unless we see some benefit out of it. Hope it answers your question. Hari Om radhakutir - "run_jini" <run_jini <> 16 December, 2003 3:25 PM Shlokas: Basic Query?! > Respected Members: > > I saw a lot of response to my query abt Shlokas. I'm glad to be a > part of this group. > > Majorly, the discussion has been abt "recitiation of Shlokas - > Mechanical or not". But my query abt "Why should one chant Shlokas?" > is still left unanswered! I'm not a well read scholar, but an > inquisitive commoner, who is trying to find out; why things are - the > way they are! > > About Mechanical recitation, I believe what my Mother once told me. > Even if you are just a passive listener of Shlokas, it has some > effect on you and it can do you some good. (Passive listener meaning: > For instance, Vishnu Sahasranamam is playing in the background and > everyone is busy with their chores- but somewhere you are also > listening to it).I listen to the MP3 version of Vishnu Sahasranamam > at work eveyday. It definitely gives me some peace of mind. Even > though I may not be chanting it with understanding, I can identify > with it. But, you have to BEGIN somewhere right??! > > For instance, I don't have to understand Carnatic music to appreciate > MS Subbalakshmi. But, this is a stage when I'm developing interest > towards music. Soon I'll be able to understand and judge as well. In > the same lines, mechanical recitation can be a step towards > understanding the meaning of Shlokas and educating. > > I'm definitely gaining a lot out of this group. Way to go! > > Ranjani > > > > , dr_nachiketa <no_reply> wrote: > > Dear respected Dr.Yadu > > > > You wrote "and not the mechanical recitation that you are trying > > to propogate." > > > > NO I am not propagating recitation without understanding. I just > > wished to say that for a beginner it is beneficial to recite a > > Mantra even without fully understanding its meaning and i m not > > wrong here. > > > > Shri Vishnu-Devananda the great disciple of Swami Sivananda has > > confirmed this when he wrote in Mantra and Meditation " The Mantra > > shuold be recited with faith devotion and understanding. But if a > > mantra is recited without fully knowing the meaning, it will still > > have positive effect, although slower, due to sheer vibrational > > energies of a Mantra". > > > > Mantras have great powers in them and the moment we start > chanting > > them, they start working on our sub-cons. A moment comes when its > > meaning become clear to the sadhaka. In the end even the meaning > > vanishes and the truth reveals itself. Here faith and devotion is > > more important than understanding the literal part of it. > > > > You have very rightly given out the meaning of Beeja Mantras, > but > > they are not the meanings, but an understanding. Like in HUM you > > have written Ha = Siva beeja...so where is the meaning in it ? You > > gave another explanation to Ha. > > > > You have also written " This is precisely that cause of my > > frustration that we > do not know, have desire to know but want to > > propagate ignorance at > > > every step of the way." > > > > If you become frustrated than you are far away from being a real > > sadhaka. Real sadhaka do not frustrate. They re-cast their > > equations and find the balance between the truth realised by them, > > and the truth realised by others. > > > > "What I know is Knowledge and what others know is Ignorance" is a > > perfect example of Spiritual Pride. > > > > Dr. Yadu further wrote " On hand you seem to be interested in doing > > mantra saadhana and have > > > no desire in understanding the same.It is also clear that you > have > > no regard or a > > > clue for "patan~jla muni's Yoga Shastra"." > > > > What do you know about me ? I have not learnt Mantras from > > books. I have seen and experienced the power of Mantras myself. > > What ever i have written is from my Direct Experience. I have > never > > used crutches of scriptures to prove myself right. Now I cant have > > a "Shastrathha" on Patanjali yoga sutras because i do not claim to > be > > a pundit like you. But i m not that ignorant as you ignorantly > tried > > to paint me. (smiles) > > > > Yes i agree you are very knowledgable and learned person and i > > have to learn a lot from you, because i am still a student not a > > teacher like you. Please continue guiding us, and where ever I > find > > i may suppliment/correct/clarify, i will not hesitate. > > > > Dr.Yadu in the end you wrote "This is my last post on the subject" > > > > Oh come-on i know you are not a coward so you will not run away > > from doing your duty. The positive points of your messages have > been > > well taken by us and we look forward to hear again from you. > > > > > > Your humble servant > > > > nachiketa > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > / > > > > > Your > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2003 Report Share Posted December 21, 2003 , laxman_bhatia <no_reply> wrote: > what is the role of a Mala (beads) in Japa ? Mala is not very necessary for Japa, but it is very useful for counting the number of mantras. It also helps keeping the focus. Different Mantras need different type of Malas. - For Vishnu Mantras or other vedic mantras Tulsi Mala is advisable - For Shiva Mantras a Rudraksha mala will be beneficial - For Shakti mantras and beeja mantras Crystal(Quartz) mala is better - For Laxmi mantras rosewood beeds will bring quick results - for Baglamukhi sadhna, turmeric mala is used Except for Tantric mantras, Mala is kept in right hand, and beads are moved with the help of thumb and middle finger. Index finger is not used for Japa. When one mala is complete and we reach the joint called Sumeru, mala should be reversed. Sumeru should not be crossed. Mala should be kept in cloth covering, and no one should see it. Normally a Japa mala is not worn. But Quartz mala used for shakti mantras should be worn around neck to get maximum benefit from the energies created by the japa, and preserved by the quartz. Nachiketa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2003 Report Share Posted December 31, 2003 Thank you Dr. Nachiketa for your wonderful answer. Just wish to add a little that I know. I read in one of Swami Vivekananda's books about AUMkar being the origin of all sounds. The sound 'A' starts from the throat The sound 'U' continues in the mouth. and The sound 'M' originates from the closed lips. i.e the entire apparatus from which we speak viz throat, mouth and lips are involved when we say 'AUM'. All the words we speak are formed only with these organs, thus all the words of all the languages are present in 'AUM'. That apart, 'A' denotes the beginning of all sound and is equivalent to Brahma, the Creator of the Universe The sound 'U' is sustenacne and is equivalent to Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe The sound 'M' denotes the end and is equivalent to Rudra, the Destroyer of the Universe. Thus everything in the Universer, from its sustenace to destruction also finds its roots in 'AUM'. By chanting 'AUM', we also worship all the 3 Moorthis. Thus 'AUM' is the highest Mantra of all Mantras. Even if one knows not any Mantra, one can chant just 'AUM'. Hari Aum !!! , dr_nachiketa <no_reply> wrote: The primodal energy, when explodes with the sound of AUM > and starts building the universe, it first creates 50 primodal > sounds. All alphabets of all the languages present in the universe > are a rough echo of those sounds. 50 Alphabets of Sanskrit language > are however the nearest copy of those primodal sounds(hence each > alphabet of sanskrit is a beeja mantra in itself). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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