On the Structure and Effects of Mantras Part - 5

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Dear ALL,

 

 

As the practice of the mantra involves devoted meditation upon the devata

along with the specified (according to the chhanda) rhythmic enunciation or

chanting, the rishis had assigned visible forms to different devatas –

representing different manifestations and subliminal expressions of the One,

Eternal, Consciousness…. Some of the rishis also recommended worshipping the

idols – of these forms of the devata – in sacred environment before

commencing the japa of the mantras.

 

The bija represents the origin of the mantra. It may be understood as a

group of those syllables that contain, in compact coded form, the gist

(tatva) of the mantra and thereby imply the latent existence of the specific

power of shabda in that mantra. The japa of the bija generates the 'energy'

essential for initiating the activation of the shakti (sonic power) of the

associated mantra.

 

*Possibilities of Scientific Studies:*

 

It may not be feasible to verify or analyze the role of the subtle

components like 'devata' in the structure of a mantra by scientific methods.

Nevertheless, scientific investigations – along the lines of that in the

field of musical ragas – could begin with the other components, namely the

bija and tatva and the chanda, as these directly pertain respectively to the

symbolic patterns, sonic configurations and phonological characteristics.

 

It is a well known scientific principle that continuous movement of any kind

ultimately results in a circular motion. The orbits and shapes of all the

planets in the universe are almost round (or elliptical closed contours) due

to this simple principle. It is by the same principle that continuous

(non-stop) japa of a mantra creates a circular domain. The 'Taila Dharavat

Sutra' describes that – 'If oil is dropped at constant speed for some time

continuously, its flow forms a steady stream. Similarly, the repeated

rhythmic enunciation of the same word (or a string of words) forms a

continuous (without an end or boundary) segment of words'. A popular story

in the Ramayana also gives a simple supportive example here. It describes

that rishis Valmiki's non-stop chanting of the word mara mara... bestowed

upon him the sanctifying effect of the japa of the name of the God –– " rama

rama " ....

 

 

..... To be Continued .....

 

Source : www.awgp.org www.awgpsouth.org

Author : Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya