How to Chant Mantras
CHANTING MANTRAS TO LEAD A FULFILLING LIFE
Intense desire(इच्छाशक्ति) coupled with discipline of mind and concentration is necessary to achieve perfection in any work. This can be achieved only by chanting mantras (मंत्र जप) effectively. One should chant mantras regularly to eliminate illness and sorrows from life.
The word which contains Beejakshara (बीजाक्षर – seed letter) is considered a ‘Mantra’. Usually it is understood that Mantra chanting is the continuous pronunciation of the mantras, but the real questions to ponder are: What is the essence of Mantra chanting? What are the results of Mantra chanting?
CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS MIND
The mind can be divided in to 2 parts: Conscious mind and Unconscious mind. The The Conscious mind is the awakened mind. The Unconscious mind contains our unsatisfied desires, deep secret feelings, etc. The Unconscious mind is more powerful than the Conscious mind. Our sacraments, passions, amorousness, etc are in our Unconscious mind.
The Unconscious mind is affected when a mantra is chanted. There is a rhythm in the Mantra, and the effect of this rhythm pulsates the Unconscious mind. Chanting Mantras helps the brain nerves to become sentient, reduces fickle-mindedness and reduces being mercurial.
Two types of effects are generated on chanting Mantras: Psychological effect and Sound effect.
Concentration levels increases due to the coordination of these effects. Increased levels of concentration helps accomplish the God or Guru whom you favor or accomplish any goals that you may have.
Chanting mantras intensifies your desire to accomplish the goals. This in turn helps your actions to be intensified and highly focused which assures that your goals are achieved. Mantras are infallible, sure-fire and can be immediately fruitful.
MANTRAS AND HEALTH
Continuous Mantra chanting rids us of high-blood pressure, wrong notions and dirty thoughts. These can be considered as the side-effects of chanting Mantras. Each Beejakshara in a Mantra makes the veins in the body healthier resulting in effective blood circulation. Rhythmic chanting of “Kleem”, “Hreem” Beejaksharas has positive effect on Heart and Lungs and their defects and disorders, if any, are effectively removed.
Bramha Muhurtha is considered the best time for Mantra chanting as during that time, the atmosphere around is calm without any noise or clamor. Night times are extremely effective for some special Sadhanas. The Sadhak must chant Mantras during the stated time as per the Guru’s instructions. The Mantras chanted at the right time in the right way ensures fruitful results.
RARE LUSTER
The face of the Sadhak who chants Mantras starts getting a distinct radiance, a rare luster. From Ayruved’s point of view, if all the systems (that is the whole organization) of the body is functioning properly and in tandem with each other, it reflects in the facial countenance which surely begins to have this distinct radiance.
ROSARIES FOR CHANTING
Rosary is a means/material for chanting Mantras. For Shiva and Kali Mantras, Rudraksh rosary is used. For Hanuman Mantras, Moonga rosary is used. For Lakshmi Mantras Kamalgatta (Lotus Seeds) rosary is used. For Guru Mantra Sphatik (Clear Rhinestone) is used. In this way, different rosaries are used for different Mantras.
The electricity continuously flows within human body. This electricity is relatively more effective at fingers of the hands. The coordination of the rhythmic sound of Mantra and the rotation of rosary between the fingers propagates new energy.
The touch of the rosary during Mantra chanting has several benefits:
1) Touch of Rudraksh itself destroys several diseases and ailments.
2) Touch of Kamalgatta rosary gives joy and coolness.
3) Touch of Sphatik rosary gives a rare peace of mind.
DIRECTION TO FACE WHEN CHANTING MANTRAS
The direction to face when chanting Mantras have been given vital importance. Separate distinct vibrations drifts in each direction that we face when chanting Mantras. Selection of the right direction ensures speedy results.
MANTRA CHANTING AND PERSEVERANCE
Perseverance (तप) is the highest level, completeness and perfection that one can attain in Mantra chanting. There is a rhythm in the chanting. Rhythm is continuous sections of sound. There is a brief silence in between two sections of sound. The art of focusing the mind on the brief silences is known as ‘Perseverance’. When the Sadhak/Sadhika attains the state of Perseverance then all the nature’s secrets are automatically unfolded to him/her.
THE DEMOLITION OF KARMAS
A human experiences all kinds of sadness, sufferings, poverty, pain, problems, etc which are the ill-effects of fate (that has been shaped due to past karmas). Chanting Mantras destroys such ill-effects, fulfills the desires, helps achieve goals and helps attain enjoyment, bliss and salvation.
SERMONS OF THE GURU
The only proper medium to attain Mantras are from a Sadguru (An enlightened Master). Only a Sadguru can show the right path, can explain how to pronounce Mantras, how much count to chant and gives its proper minute details. The Sadguru also protects the Sadhak from any adverse circumstances that may arise during the sadhana.
Only the Sadgurudev’s power can ensure success and completeness in a sadhana of a Sadhak/Sadhika during his/her initial phase. Sadhak/Sadhika can attain special Shaktipat diksha (initiation by transferring Sadgurudev’s power to Sadhak through the medium of eyes) if he/she fails to achieve success in several attempts of a sadhana. Shaktipat diksha ensures the achievement of Sadhaks goals through sadhana.
In this way by chanting Mantras a human (नर) can become super-human (नारायण), can remove all the obstacles and sadness in life and attain bliss, infinite peace, and completeness – because chanting Mantras is not just mere recitation but attaining completeness in life. Chanting Mantras with faith, reverence and belief is surely effectual.
(From May’2014 issue, Nikhil Mantra Vigyan Magazine, pg 55)