On the Structure and Effects of Mantras Part - 2

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Dear ALL,

 

 

 

*Implications of Ancient Theories:*

 

As per the scriptural descriptions, often the vision of the syllables for

subtle sounds (Nada) in the etheric ocean had been revealed to the rishis

(Indian sages of the vedic times) through an afflatus or intuition in their

inner selves or the mantras were just 'heard' by them in a state of trance.

This is the reason why most of these mantras are known as – shruti ('heard')

or as – 'conveyed by the cosmic voice'.... These depictions also signify

that mantras are compilations of sound-elements rather than linguistic

structures.

 

In his book " The Garland of Letters " Sir John Woodroffe elucidates some of

these aspects as – " The vaidik varnas (letters – sonic patterns - used in

mantras) are eternal and represent in themselves and their variations all

the possibilities of articulate speech in all languages. These varnas

represent both the vowels and the consonants. The vowels are continuous

sounds formed by varying the size of the mouth cavity. The consonants are

particular interruptions of those sounds. They cannot be sounded without

vowels; for this reason, the vowels are referred as shaktis (power streams)

of the consonants. The varnas are classified according to the 'natural

sound' of their pronunciation. The subject matter of varnas occupies an

important place in the " Tantra Shastra " in which it is sought to give a

practical application to every ancient doctrine concerning Shabda or the

Mantra<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2004/May-June/OnStructureEffects\

Mantras/>Shastra " .

Sir Woodroffe further discusses these in detail in the light of

foundational works on Sanskrit Grammar.

 

The scholarly works on these topics also refer to five different forms of

natural modes of pronunciation or expression of letters or words. A

combination of these together with the mention of the multiplicity of the

phonemes associated with the vaidik varnas, indeed makes it interesting to

investigate the science of mantras.

 

..... To be continued ....

 

Source : www.awgp.org

Author : Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya