Part -3

72000 nadis. Mantra japa works miraculously in opening of the six chakras. Chanting of Mantra helps tremendously in awakening our dormant Kundalini Shakti (Chit Shakti). Mantra japa can also change the nature of the individual.

THE content of this article is taken from the satsang (spiritual discourse) of H.H. Sant Shri Asharamji Bapu. Swami Vivekananda addressed the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in September 1893. A hundred years after him, Pujya Bapuji addressed the same Parliament in September 1993 and the whole parliament reverberated with the chanting of Hari Om. Both of these world-renowned spiritual leaders addressed the audience for a much longer period than the given time and the audience were absorbed in listening to them.

To save the youth who are being ruined due to the lustful festivals like valentine’s day, in 2007 Pujya Bapu ji-initiated celebrations of MatriPitri Pujan Diwas (Parents’ worship day) on 14th February. Pujya Bapu ji felt that, due to the blind imitation of Western culture there has been a steep rise in the incidences of alcoholism, suicide, and other immoral activities, especially among the youth during the last week of December. To rescue the youth from this debauchery and denigration, Pujya Bapu ji came up with the idea of worshipping a sacred Tulsi plant (holy basil). So, with a view to awaken the cultural pride of India and to save the countrymen from mental slavery, in 2014, he initiated celebration of Tulsi pujan on 25th December. Pujya Bapu ji has always emphasized the necessity to follow rich Indian culture and always said that it is only the Indian culture and Sanatana dharma which can give the world true happiness & peace.

Dear readers, in the last month’s article, we read about some yogic techniques and the power of mantras explained by Pujya Bapu ji. In this article, extolling the glory of Mantra and power of mantra, Pujya Bapuji says, “Who is weightier, Nami (God) or Nama (God's Name)?" God is seen as confined to that image (idol) but the Possessor of Name is not confined to an image. He is pervading countless universes. Therefore, Nama is weightier than Nami. Lord Rama had to build the Setu Bridge Rameshwar to cross the ocean, but the stones inscribed with His Name were floating. By the repetition of the divine Name, our mind crosses the ocean of samsara, hence it is called mantra. Or by the manan (constant thinking or recollection) of which one crosses the ocean of transmigration is called mantra.

Those Gurumukhas (who have completely surrendered themselves to the Guru), fortunate persons, and virtuous souls, who have received the Divine Name from a SatGuru; their minds keep becoming satisfied with divine joy. Thereafter, any worldly thing cannot allure them and pull the wool over their eyes. And then, they will never lose heart under the influence of any worldly thing. Their courage will keep increasing. The more they do Japa and the more consistently they keep obeying their SatGuru, the greater deal of nectarine Self-bliss will keep overflowing in their hearts.

The divine Name or Guru Mantra remains associated with the individual soul even after leaving the body. A pious soul who does japa of the divine Name is welcomed even by demigods. Such is the glory of japa of the divine Name.

Mantra Diksha is not any ordinary thing. One who has received mantra from a Guru and does japa regularly can never meet untimely death, lie cannot be possessed by any ghost, apparition or witch. A true disciple can accomplish his goal if he receives a Guru Mantra from a SatGuru and does japa and observes all rules of sadhana.

Just as the burning quality is natural and inherent in fire, so also the power of destroying sin and delusion of the world appearance is natural and inherent in the name of God. The name of God and God are the same. The Divine Name will do all action with its power and quality. Especially in this Kaliyuga (iron age) japa is the best way to reach God. Control of the mind is very difficult and making a successful effort for peace of mind is really difficult but the divine Name is an easy means to achieve it too.

‘Just by repeating the word ‘Roti\ hunger is not satisfied’, such kind of logical arguments bring delusion but believe that the divine Name is not insentient like roti. This word itself is Brahman. There is no difference between God and His Name. One can effortlessly cross this ocean of misery with the power of the divine Name and also attain love for God.

Mantra is a means that awakens dormant consciousness within us, manifests our greatness and develops dormant powers. Anything is possible with the chanting of mantra given by a SatGuru with a loving heart and in a proper method concentrating on its meaning. Just as by correctly dialling numbers on a telephone we can talk to a person anywhere in the world, in a similar way, by the chanting of a Mantra in a proper way one can get Siddhi. If by making proper use of a small dial of a telephone we can establish contact with a person anywhere in the world, then there is nothing surprising in establishing contact with the Lord of the Universe by properly using the inner dial (of heart). The telephone line of the world sometimes remains busy, but God’s communication line never remains busy and can be established anytime. He is omnipresent and ever ready to communicate with us. If you make a mistake in dialling you will get a wrong number. A call needs to be made to someone but is made somewhere else. In a similar way one can't get the desired results if one makes a change in the mantra by self-will. Nowadays, in spite of extensive huge propaganda of religion, the life of a common man is not filled with the contentment, joy and bliss which it should be. What could be the reason? People do not know the right method of dialling in order to establish contact with the Lord of the Universe. People don’t understand the meaning of the mantra; they do not know the proper method of performance of anushthan or even if they know it, they are careless and hence do not have Mantra Siddhi. We can develop our ability if we know the method of mantra Japa, syllables of mantra, meaning of mantra and method of performance of anushthan. We can become one with the Lord of the Universe; we can realize that we are the Lord of the Universe ourselves.

However, there are many defects and faults of Kaliyuga but it has one good quality, that a person can easily attain God by repeating the divine Name. If a sadhak receives that divine Name as Guru Mantra from a Self-realized saint and he becomes engaged in sadhana with faith, concentration, diligence and selfrestraint he can get emancipation quickly.

WHAT IS MANTRA?

'By the Manana (constant thinking or recollection) of which one is protected or released from the rounds of births and deaths is mantra.’

Any specific word or a group of words, which on repetition, concentrates the mind, protects the life and gives the desired fruit is called mantra. Mantra is secret knowledge encased within a secret word. Upon chanting, it generates such energy within the person doing japa that he can fulfil the desire of his mind. For treading on the path of spiritual elevation, mantra sadhana is most necessary. Mantra Japa gathers up scattered mental energy and thereby develops the subtle body.

PERFORMANCE OF MANTRA DEPENDS UPON FOUR FACTORS:

The first factor is the structure of mantra in terms of the configuration of syllables and vowels (sonic pattern of the mantra). There are sometimes some words in a mantra, apparently having no special meaning, but still, they produce tremendous influence on our dormant consciousness and undeveloped chakras. For example zero doesn’t have any value but when it is written after other digits their value is increased and we can write huge numbers like millions and billions. In a similar way even when a word does not seem to have any specific meaning, it plays a great role in producing the effect of the mantra.

Mantra japa is for obtaining special powers. Mantra is also required in Yajna (fire sacrifice), rituals, meditation, worship, and pious activities etc.

Second factor is faith of the sadhaka in Mantra chanting.

Third factor is one-pointedness of the mind of the sadhaka doing japa.

Fourth factor is continence of the sadhaka doing japa and cooperation of the mantra giver.

If all these factors are there with a sadhaka he becomes capable of unlocking the hidden treasure.

Vibrations produced by mantra japa exercise a great influence on

It would be nice if you do japa with clear pronunciation of mantra, whi1e contemplating on its meaning in a quiet place. The present age is the age of tumultuous noise. And if you are living in a big city, where will you find a quiet place? So go to sleep when all the people are awake.

Nowadays, people rise late. Go to sleep at 9.00 pm and earn the wealth of japa from 4.00 am to 7.00 am. Japa can be done at all times, though it is better to do japa in good, peaceful environment. It does not mean that ‘I shall not do japa because there is no quiet place.’

The meaning of the mantra and feeling of divine grace help greatly in japa. ‘OM' is a mantra related with Self-knowledge. One should contemplate: “OM stands for Self, I am That Consciousness, Immortal Atman.” The feeling that: “I am God's and God is mine, He is my Master, 1 am His slave, and I am not, He alone is" also helps the person who does japa. If the mantra is given by Guru, pray to Him before doing japa, “Oh Gurudev, please remove my ignorance. Remove my attachment. Give me divine love." Do japa of the mantra after contemplating in this way. Do japa after praying to God or Guru for receiving His love, removing your ignorance and attaining Self-knowledge. After doing japa fill your heart with gratitude saying: “O giver of Love, O Giver of knowledge, O Giver of joy, my Lord, Victory to You!" And be engrossed in Him.

Dr. Diamond has proved »through research study in bio kinesiology that the Life Energy is diminished by hearing rock music, but by chanting the divine Name, it increases.

Please read more about mantra japa benefits in the next issue of Brisbane Indian Times,

To listen Vedic/knowledge stories or to listen 24X7 live divine Satsang, please search “Mangalmay live” on google, visit http://www.ashram.org/ live or search “THE SBM STUDIO” on you tube. By the Divine Inspiration of Bapu ji, the weekly sessions of Bal Sanskar and yoga are held in Brisbane, Melbourne and in Sydney. The kids are trained to learn yogic mudras, techniques, yogasnas and pranayamas. These yogic techniques along with jap and meditation help kids in attaining virtues like righteousness and self-restraint. The kids learn precious keys to develop intelligence and take advantage of chanting and meditation while playing and laughing. Please read more about our Vedic culture in the next issue of “The Brisbane Indian Times.” https://bit.ly/2uZvJuN

To know more about His Divine Holiness Bapu ji, please watch this video.

For more info about Bal Sanskar and yoga sessions, to get a free copy of monthly spiritual magazine Rishi-Prasad in your mailbox in Australia or to get free online subscription of Rishi -Prasad, please contact by email at bskamd@ gmail.com or by WhatsApp/phone to Shri yoga Vedanta Seva Samiti Au & NZ Inc. at +61 426 834 434 & +61 405 277 802.