On the Structure and Effects of Mantras Part - 5

[Guest guest]

Dear ALL,

 

 

As the practice of the mantra involves devoted meditation upon the devata along with the specified (according to the chhanda) rhythmic enunciation or chanting, the rishis had assigned visible forms to different devatas – representing different manifestations and subliminal expressions of the One, Eternal, Consciousness…. Some of the rishis also recommended worshipping the idols – of these forms of the devata – in sacred environment before commencing the japa of the mantras.

The bija represents the origin of the mantra. It may be understood as a group of those syllables that contain, in compact coded form, the gist (tatva) of the mantra and thereby imply the latent existence of the specific power of shabda in that mantra. The japa of the bija generates the 'energy' essential for initiating the activation of the shakti (sonic power) of the associated mantra.

 

Possibilities of Scientific Studies: It may not be feasible to verify or analyze the role of the subtle components like 'devata' in the structure of a mantra by scientific methods. Nevertheless, scientific investigations – along the lines of that in the field of musical ragas – could begin with the other components, namely the bija and tatva and the chanda, as these directly pertain respectively to the symbolic patterns, sonic configurations and phonological characteristics.

It is a well known scientific principle that continuous movement of any kind ultimately results in a circular motion. The orbits and shapes of all the planets in the universe are almost round (or elliptical closed contours) due to this simple principle. It is by the same principle that continuous (non-stop) japa of a mantra creates a circular domain. The 'Taila Dharavat Sutra' describes that – 'If oil is dropped at constant speed for some time continuously, its flow forms a steady stream. Similarly, the repeated rhythmic enunciation of the same word (or a string of words) forms a continuous (without an end or boundary) segment of words'. A popular story in the Ramayana also gives a simple supportive example here. It describes that rishis Valmiki's non-stop chanting of the word mara mara... bestowed upon him the sanctifying effect of the japa of the name of the God –– " rama rama " ....

 

 

..... To be Continued .....

 

Source : www.awgp.org www.awgpsouth.org

Author : Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya

[Guest guest]

Thankyou, panditji for sharing the mantras series with us.

 

, e-gurukul <venkat.koppaka

wrote:

>

> Dear ALL,

>

>

> As the practice of the mantra involves devoted meditation upon the

devata

> along with the specified (according to the chhanda) rhythmic

enunciation or

> chanting, the rishis had assigned visible forms to different

devatas –

> representing different manifestations and subliminal expressions

of the One,

> Eternal, Consciousness…. Some of the rishis also recommended

worshipping the

> idols – of these forms of the devata – in sacred environment before

> commencing the japa of the mantras.

>

> The bija represents the origin of the mantra. It may be understood

as a

> group of those syllables that contain, in compact coded form, the

gist

> (tatva) of the mantra and thereby imply the latent existence of

the specific

> power of shabda in that mantra. The japa of the bija generates

the 'energy'

> essential for initiating the activation of the shakti (sonic

power) of the

> associated mantra.

>

> *Possibilities of Scientific Studies:*

>

> It may not be feasible to verify or analyze the role of the subtle

> components like 'devata' in the structure of a mantra by

scientific methods.

> Nevertheless, scientific investigations – along the lines of that

in the

> field of musical ragas – could begin with the other components,

namely the

> bija and tatva and the chanda, as these directly pertain

respectively to the

> symbolic patterns, sonic configurations and phonological

characteristics.

>

> It is a well known scientific principle that continuous movement

of any kind

> ultimately results in a circular motion. The orbits and shapes of

all the

> planets in the universe are almost round (or elliptical closed

contours) due

> to this simple principle. It is by the same principle that

continuous

> (non-stop) japa of a mantra creates a circular domain. The 'Taila

Dharavat

> Sutra' describes that – 'If oil is dropped at constant speed for

some time

> continuously, its flow forms a steady stream. Similarly, the

repeated

> rhythmic enunciation of the same word (or a string of words) forms

a

> continuous (without an end or boundary) segment of words'. A

popular story

> in the Ramayana also gives a simple supportive example here. It

describes

> that rishis Valmiki's non-stop chanting of the word mara mara...

bestowed

> upon him the sanctifying effect of the japa of the name of the

God –– " rama

> rama " ....

>

>

> .... To be Continued .....

>

> Source : www.awgp.org www.awgpsouth.org

> Author : Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya

>