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Saguna Mantra |
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Mantras used by spiritual aspirants to achieve God- Realization
are called deity Mantras. They are saguna, with qualities
or form producing, and aid the conceptualization process,
just as do visual symbols. In time, recitation gives rise
to the actual form of the particular deity.
As
a specialized sound body of consciousness, the Mantra is
the deity itself. The form of the deity manifests as the
visible portion of the sound. The Mantra, therefore, must
be repeated in the proper way, with attention to the syllables
and rhythm. If translated, it ceases to be a Mantra because
sound vibrations newly created in translation cannot evoke
it. Only the rhythmical vibrations of the Sanskrit syllables
properly recited can regulate the unsteady vibrations of
the worshipper and permit the form of the deity to arise.
Westerners
are prone to think that the various Mantras refer to different
gods, and that there is a wide diversity in the culminating
experience. It must never be forgotten that the deities
are aspects of the one Divinity whose grandeur is too vast
for the mind to comprehend at the beginning of spiritual
practice. To use again the analogy of the hill, the many
paths to the top can be viewed as the worship of the various
aspects of the God. The hill itself is the one hill, and
the summit is the same. After reaching the pinnacle, one
will have the vision to encompass the totality.
Every true Mantra fulfills six conditions. 1) It
was originally revealed to the sage, who achieved Self-Realization
through it and passed it down to others. 2) It has a presiding
deity and 3) a specific meter. 4) It possesses a bija, or
seed, investing it with a special power that is the essence
of the Mantra. 5) It also has dynamic divine power, or shakti.
6) Lastly, there is a plug that conceals the pure consciousness
hidden in the Mantra. As soon as the plug is removed by
constant prolonged repetition, pure consciousness is revealed,
and the devotee receives the vision of his deity.
All devotees are really worshipping the same Supreme Atman.
Differences are only the differences in worshippers. These
differences arise from the need for multiplicity in approach to
Godhead. Various temperaments are attracted to particular
manifestations of the Divine. Some people are drawn by silence,
others by activity; some lose themselves in nature, others in
intellectual abstractions. One can approach God more easily if there
is a compatible relationship with the most suitable manifestation.
Harmony between aspirant and chosen deity is essential. However, the
goal will be reached only when one can see his chosen deity in all
deities and in all beings.
At the time of initiation by a guru, one’s deity or ishta devata is
chosen. Every person has worshipped some deity in previous lives;
the impression of this worship is imprinted in the subconscious
mind. These impressions have influenced the mental vibrations and
have helped to form the particular mentality. Worship of Lord Siva
in a previous birth would incline one to Siva worship in this life
also; it would impart certain mental characteristics, such as
stoicism and love of solitude. One who chooses Siva, as his ishta
devata would be most drawn to abstract forms of thought and
meditation as his method of worship.
The householder to whom family, responsibility, order and ideals are
important is drawn to Rama, the ideal son, husband and lawgiver.
Krishna attracts most people, particularly devotional types and
active, balanced extroverts who are concerned with the welfare of
others. As the mischievous baby, a young man engaged in divine play
in the fields and forests of Vrindavan, and inspired giver of the
wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, his range is all-inclusive. Those who
feel reverence for the Mother aspect as divine universal energy
might worship Durga. If one cannot discover his own natural
inclination, the guru will choose the deity in accordance with his
insight.
Once
the deity and appropriate Mantra have been selected, and
the aspirant has received initiation, he works with the
Mantra until reaching enlightenment. The Mantra becomes
his theme song, so to speak. He makes his vibrations his
own, and to the extent that he can do this, he is drawn
closer to God.
Other deity Mantras can also be used in a supplementary
way, such as foe acquiring particular attributes. Repetition
of OM Aim Saraswatyai Namah bestows wisdom, intelligence
and creative achievement. OM Sri Maha Lakshmyai Namah confers
wealth and prosperity. The Ganesha Mantra removes obstacles
in any undertaking.
The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra prevents accidents, incurable disease
and calamities, and bestows longevity and immortality. It is also a
moksha Mantra, bringing liberation. Those who do japa of it daily
will enjoy health, long life and ultimate enlightenment. The
translation of this powerful Mantra is: “We bow to the three- eyed
Lord (Siva) who is full of sweet fragrance, who nourishes human
being. May he free me from the bondage of births and deaths, just as
the ripe cucumber is separated from the vine, and may I be fixed in
immortality.”
The Gayatri Mantra is the supreme Mantra of the Vedas. It is the one
Mantra that can be commonly prescribed for all, for Gayatri is the
Mother of the universe, Shakti herself, and there is nothing she
cannot do. Her Mantra purifies the mind; destroys pain, sin and
ignorance; brings liberation; and bestows health, beauty, strength,
vitality, power, intelligence and magnetic aura.
Repetition of the Gayatri Mantra, OM Namah Sivaya, OM Namo
Narayanaya, or OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya 125000 times, with
feeling, faith, and devotion secures for the devotee the grace of
the presiding deity. OM Sri Ramaya Namah and OM Namo Bhagavate
Vasudevaya enable one to attain realization of God with attributes
first, and subsequently realization without attributes.
| Mantras
for JAPA... |
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OM Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah
Prostrations to the great Lord Ganesha
OM is the original, most powerful Mantra sound. It is a part of
almost every other Mantra, and serves to invoke pure supreme
vibrations. Sri is a title of reverent respect. Maha means
great. Ganapati is another name of Ganesha who is symbolized as
the elephant headed god, representing strength and fortitude. He
is the remover of obstacles and bestower of success
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