Guest guest Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Jaya Jagannatha Dear List, Namaste Excerpts from the Gayatri Mahima Madhuri by Swami Mahanidhi which some of you maybe interested in. Love, Swee Vedas mention the three types of mantras in the three modes. These are sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Sattvic ones gives us light, wisdom, bhakti, compassion etc for they destroy all karma, brings inner peace and helps to ensure perfection after death. Rajasic mantras are chanted for progeny and materialistic prosperity which forces us to take rebirth to reap the fruits of our karma. Tamasic mantras are in the modes of ignorance and generally used to propitiate tamasic/demonic energies or it can be used to harm another person or when one is performing a vicious deed. Consonants and vowels are all endowed with very specific powers and when in particular combinations, they assume more power in relation to a particular deity. These mantras are given and heard by that particular Rishi in a particular chanda (metre). The special combinations of these vowels and/consonants form a particular bija which normally associates with the deity in full form. The power that manifests from these mantras are greater than the constituent sounds. By repetition of the mantra, the sadhaka invokes the mercy of that deity and tus, the sadhakha overcomes maya and hopefully regains his spiritual position. This is because the mantra acts to cleanse the mind and heart of the Bhakta and thus makes him fit for serving the Lord. Dhyana Mantras are used for meditation and helps to mentally invoke the Lords, transcendental form, His abode and His lila. Bija Mantras are for meditation and purification of articles used in a puja Mula Mantras are the root mantras which are the very essence of the Deity and these are normally recited along with each item of worship as a means of addressing the Lord. Pranam Mantras are for offering obeisances to the Lord after the end of a worship. Gayatri Mantras whether Vedic of Pancaratrika mantras, are used to worship the Lord. These invoke the Three Principles of Sambandha, Abhidheya and Prayojana. These (Gayatri) mantras indicate a specific poetic meter (chanda) as sung in Vedic hymns. The Vedic mantra such as Brahma-Gayatri is called the Sabda-Brahma which is known to be eternal and apraakR^ita (spiritual) vibrations representing the Supreme Being in the form of sound. Repetitions of mantras evoke internal and external energies. Rishi -The four aspects of bona fide Vedic and Pancaratrika mantras has a Rishi as the medium as a means of communication between the Supreme and Man through whom the mantra was given to mankind, for it was first heard by that particular rishi in his mediation and his subsequent spread of the same. Chant the name of the Rishi while touching the Head and thereby, offering obeisance to that Rishi in gratitude for Him having enriched the world with this particularly inspiring mantra. As a rule, one should identify with the Rishi who preserved the mantra, the chanda etc. Chanda – This is the poetic meter of a particular mantra which are initially the three: Gayatri, Anushtup and Jagati. The Vedic meters are: Gayatri, Ushnik, Anushtup, Brihati, Pankti, Tristup, Jagati, Aticchanda, Atyasti, Atijagati and Ativirat. The Gayatri meter has 24 syllables, Anushtup has 32, Usnik has 28 etc with each having four more syllables than the previous one. The Vedic sound of Brihati is the most expansive and therefore, it is not possible for the ordinary man to totally understand the entire technical details in this matter (SB 11.21.41) Various Vedic meter designate the seven horses that carry the Sun-God’s chariot and these are Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnik, Jagati, Trishtup, Ansuhtup and Pankti. (SB 5.21.16). Touch one’s mouth while mentioning that particular chanda (of the mantra). Istha Devata – Is the presiding Deity of a mantra or is the Deity worshipped by that mantra. There are 33,000,000 (33 million) devatas (demi-gods) and each have their own abode in the universe and each of them has a name or a mantra for which he is the presiding deity. Chanting the personal mantra invokes that Devata who responds according to the intensity of one’s meditation (I liken this to wearing a superfine Gemstone when that particular deity takes its abode in that Gemstone with such beauty and intensity of colour, like the Vajra that is present in that gemstone.) When one chants with sincerity, that particular Deity will appear either physically or in one’s meditation to fulfil the devotees desires. Chant the name of the Deity while touching the Heart to indicate the seat of the Devata and pray to him and implore him to accept the prayer. Viniyoga – Is the use, function or purpose for chanting the mantra, such as performing homa, samkara to the repetitive japa. Keep the purpose of chanting a particular mantra with fixity of mind so that there is a clear direction in what the sadhaka wants to achieve. Mantra Potency: All vedic mantras are eternal sound vibrations of spiritual import. Vedas are not composed by any man at a certain point in time. Mantras from the Vedas are eternal representations of the Supreme in the form of sound. When mantras are received from a bona-fide spiritual master, the purified person can spiritually realise the purpose of the mantra when one receives diksha. The word diikShaa is formed of two syllables – dii which comes form the root daan meaning to “give spiritual knowledge” (divya-j~nana) and kShaa from the root, kShaya meaning “to destroy sinful activities”. Diksha is the process by which a conditioned soul attains transcendental wisdom and freedom from sin. It is the religious undertaking which bestows dviya-j~nana and destroys paapa, paapa-bija and avidya. Though there are some auspicious months and tithis stated for an auspicious time of initiation, the closing statement that the Sad Guru has prerogative over his timing in diksha that, if the Sad-Guru so desires, mantra diksha can be taken at any time, in any place and in any condition. Such is the transcendental benediction of the all merciful Sad-Guru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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