The Ancient Science of Mantras

1. Mantras: Sonic Keys to Universal Energy

It’s the energy of the sound that bonds us, with the universal energy around us.

Words as building blocks. Words possess immense power, capable of constructing or demolishing worlds. The ancient science of mantras recognizes our intricate connection with words, viewing them as the bridge between our inner selves and the external universe.

Universal energy connection. Mantras are not mere sounds but potent sonic formulas designed to tap into the universal energy. By strengthening our bond with this energy, we can unlock our potential and harness the kinetic energy within us for creative pursuits and spiritual growth.

Training the mind. The science of mantra believes that using the right words can train the mind, sharpen focus, and channelize divinity. This process allows us to transcend negative tendencies and attain liberation, cutting through life's problems like a sharp sword.

2. Mantra Sadhana: Training the Mind Through Sound

The basic principle of mantra sadhana is to practice the utterance of a sound with such intensity, fervor and determination, that your whole being starts to reverberate with that sound.

Becoming the mantra. Mantra sadhana involves the intense and determined practice of uttering a sound until your entire being resonates with it. This process transforms the sound into your mantra, a vehicle for connecting with and transcending to higher dimensions of consciousness.

Beyond lottery tickets. Mantra science is not a substitute for right action but a tool to enhance our potential. It can facilitate deep states of samadhi, accelerate learning, and foster decisiveness and responsibility.

Elevated consciousness. By uniting with a mantra, we elevate our being to a higher level of consciousness, transcending our limited individual selves. This path empowers us to become masters of our destiny, guiding us toward spiritual and material wealth, positivity, and inner peace.

3. Devotion and Faith: Cornerstones of Mantra Yoga

To be totally in love with God (or your deity) and to exercise complete self-surrender towards your object of worship is bhakti.

Faith in the unseen. Mantra yoga requires a fundamental belief in the existence of God and the possibility of divine manifestation in physical form. This faith is essential for connecting with the deity of the mantra and experiencing its full potential.

Beyond mythology. Vedic scriptures are not mere mythological texts but reflections of a cosmic history, describing a human history more primal than the one we habitually consider. These texts reveal an intricate link between our ancestors and us, suggesting that we too possess the potential to attain divinity.

Stages of devotion. Bhakti progresses through three stages: Vaidhi Bhakti (preceptive), Ragatmika Bhakti (passionate), and Para Bhakti (supreme). Each stage represents a deepening connection with the divine, culminating in a state of divine union and wisdom where one sees God in everything.

4. Initiation: Connecting to a Lineage of Awakened Energy

Initiation is not just the spiritual link between you and your guru, it goes way beyond that.

Access to a lineage. Initiation is more than a spiritual link; it's access to the accumulated energy and wisdom of a lineage. It provides protection and guidance, though not always in ways that can be easily explained.

Types of initiation:

• Shakti Diksha: Transfer of energy through touch
• Shambhavi: Transfer of thought energy through a glance
• Maantri: Imparting a mantra

The guru's role. While a guru can be immensely helpful, individual effort remains key. Even without a guru in human form, sincere practice can awaken the inner guru, guiding you toward success.

5. The Four Pillars of Sadhana: Guru, Aspirant, Resources, and Goal

The guru-disciple relationship is like no other, for it’s free of the usual give-and-take exchanges.

Interconnected elements. Mantra sadhana rests on four essential aspects: the guru (siddha), the aspirant (sadhaka), the resources (sadhan), and the goal (sadhya). The absence of any one of these can undermine the entire practice.

Types of disciples:

• The Hopper: Restless and constantly seeking a quick fix
• The Prisoner: Captive to someone else's belief system, lacking personal effort
• The Discoverer: Balances effort and surrender, transforming beliefs into wisdom

Resources and support. While a divine goal may seem detached from practical concerns, access to resources is often necessary for sustained practice. Simplifying life and securing basic needs allows for more focused dedication to sadhana.

6. Daily Duties: Building Mindfulness and Maintaining Energy

The sonic and ancient science of mantras bestows nirvana upon the practitioner while in this very body.

Three types of actions:

• Nitya Karma (Daily Duties): Routine practices to maintain acquired siddhis
• Naimatik Karma (Targeted Duties): Intense practices for specific objectives
• Kamya Prayoga (Application): Using mantra power to achieve desired outcomes

Daily routine:

1. Mindful waking
2. Achamana (first sip of water)
3. Bathing
4. Entering the Pooja Griha
5. First meal
6. Mindful living
7. Self-study
8. Chanting
9. Retiring to bed

Mindful japa. The essence of mantra yoga is mindful japa with devotion. Chanting accumulates energy, while lying, misconduct, and harmful actions deplete it.

7. Six Limbs of a Mantra: The Complete Sonic Science

With any one of the six missing, a mantra won’t be able to work to its full potential.

Essential components. Every mantra possesses six integral limbs:

1. Seer (Rishi): The discoverer of the mantra
2. Deity (Devata): The energy form represented by the mantra
3. Seed (Beeja): The creative energy of the mantra
4. Energy (Shakti): The kinetic aspect of the mantra
5. Meter (Chanda): The rhythmic structure of the mantra
6. Lock (Kilaka): The key to unlocking the mantra's power

Complete potential. A mantra can only be fully realized when all six limbs are intact. Each limb contributes to the mantra's overall potency and effectiveness.

Lineage connection. Knowing the seer connects you to the lineage and acknowledges the privilege of receiving the mantra.

8. Selecting the Right Mantra: Elemental Compatibility

Never rush into selecting the mantra you wish to invoke.

Affinity for the deity. The most important factor in selecting a mantra is feeling an affinity for its deity. This connection is crucial for drawing strength and guidance from the mantra.

Elemental compatibility. Matching the element of the mantra with your own can enhance its benefits. Consider the first letter of your name and the first letter of the mantra to determine compatibility.

Friend or foe. If the elements of your name and mantra are friends, the mantra will be beneficial. If they are enemies, the mantra is unlikely to be effective.

9. Correcting Flaws: Ensuring Potency in Your Practice

A guru must correct the flaws of a mantra otherwise both the guru and the disciple are headed for downfall (by compromising the tradition).

Flawed mantras. Mantras can have flaws that diminish their effectiveness. These flaws must be corrected to ensure the mantra's potency.

Common flaws:

• Dagdha: Chanting with unnecessary sounds
• Trasta: Chanting other mantras alongside
• Garvita: Acquiring a mantra improperly
• Mattah: Acquiring a mantra from a book
• Chinna: Ignoring instructions about the place of sadhana
• Stambhita: Ignoring guru's instructions

Eight-step correction process:

1. Acquiring the mantra sentiment
2. Praying to your guru
3. Crowning your deity
4. Bridging your mantra
5. Creating a protective shield
6. Janana
7. Deepan
8. Bodhan

10. Invoking the Deity: Establishing a Divine Connection

The ultimate goal of any sadhana is to attain sadhya (that which is sought).

Six components of Sarnagati:

1. A firm resolve to perform only those actions that please me.
2. Refraining from performing any act that displeases me.
3. Unrelenting faith that I’m your sole savior and your protector.
4. Self-surrender.
5. Humility.
6. Benevolence

Nine steps to union:

1. Avahana (invitation)
2. Sthapana (establishment)
3. Sannidhana (proximity)
4. Sannirodhan Sambodhana (addressing)
5. Sammukhikaran (presenting)
6. Sakalikaran (unification)
7. Avagunthana (veiling)
8. Amartikaran (immortalizing)
9. Paramikaran (supremifying)

Perspective shift. The path of mantra yoga involves living a morally, physically, and emotionally pure life, refraining from harmful actions, and maintaining unwavering faith in your deity. This process transforms your perspective, granting you the strength to navigate life's challenges.

11. Preliminary Practices: Ganesha and Guru Sadhanas

The tradition of mantra yoga requires that Lord Ganesha be invoked before every major prayer.

Ganesha Sadhana:

• Clears obstacles
• Requires 125,000 mantra repetitions
• Should be done before any other mantra sadhana

Guru Sadhana:

• Awakens the inner guru
• Provides guidance and protection
• Can be done by anyone, with or without a human guru

Tradition and lineage. Mantra yoga is a tradition that requires honoring its precepts. By following these preliminary practices, you align yourself with the lineage and increase your chances of success.

Last updated: February 26, 2025