JAPA YOGA

JAPA YOGA
A COMPREHENSIVE TREATISE ON
MANTRA-SASTRA

Sri Swami Sivananda

Published by
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR-- 249192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India
www.sivanandaonline.org, www.dlshq.org
 Second Edition: 1942
Fifteenth Edition: 2014
[ 3,000 Copies ]

The Divine Life Trust Society

ISBN 81-7052-018-5
ES69

PRICE: 120/-

Published by Swami Padmanabhananda for

The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar, and printed by
him at the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press,
P.O. Shivanandanagar, Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand,
Himalayas, India
For online orders and Catalogue visit : dlsbooks.org
 Dedicated
To
Devarshi Nrarada, Dhruva, Prahlada,
Valmiki, Tukaram, Ramdas,
Sri Ramakrishna and all Yogis
who realised God through the
Divine Name
 PREFACE

The present edition of this immensely useful work Japa

Yoga by His Holiness Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj is brought out
in response to several requests that we have received from
devotees everywhere. We need not emphasise the importance of
this work as its subject-matter forms the foundation of spiritual
Sadhana. Yajnanam Japayajnosmi- I am the sacrifice of Japa
among all sacrifices, says the Lord in the Gita. It is the continuous
recitation of the Divine Name that forms the first rung in the
ladder of Yoga, as also the undercurrent that flows beneath the
different processes of Yoga.
The subject of this book is such that it will become a vade
mecum for all seekers on the path. We cannot of another book on
the subject so handy and exhaustive to be placed in the hands of
Sadhakas. The chapters are methodically arranged to suit the
conveniences of readers and provide a graduated series of lessons
on this significant aspect of Bhakti Yoga.
We have no doubt that this incomparable treatise will be
received by one and all with the rich approbation and the
commendation that it deserves. May the Grace of Almighty be
upon us all.

- The Divine Life Society

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 Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................ 5
Satguru Stotram .............................................................................................. 9
Dhyana Slokas .............................................................................................. 10
Prayers to the Lord........................................................................................ 14
Universal Prayer ........................................................................................... 17
Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra ............................................................................ 20
Prayer to the Sun ........................................................................................... 21
Prayer to Hari................................................................................................ 24
Introduction .................................................................................................. 27
Chapter One
PHILOSOPHY OF JAPA

What is Japa? ................................................................................................ 35

Mantra Yoga ................................................................................................. 36
Sound and Image .......................................................................................... 38
Chapter Two
GLORY OF THE NAME

Nama Mahima .............................................................................................. 40

Benefits of Japa............................................................................................. 43
Chapter Three
MANTRAS

Pranava ......................................................................................................... 48
Hari Nama..................................................................................................... 48
Kali-Santarana Upanishad ............................................................................ 50
Japa Vidhana................................................................................................. 51
Mantras for Japa ........................................................................................... 54
Glory of Mantras........................................................................................... 67
Practical Aids to Japa.................................................................................... 69
Rules for Japa ............................................................................................... 71
Gayatri Mantra .............................................................................................. 72
Chapter Four
SADHANA

Need for a Guru ............................................................................................ 78

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Meditation room ........................................................................................... 78
Brahmamuhurta ............................................................................................ 79
Selection of Ishta Devata .............................................................................. 79
Asana for Japa............................................................................................... 80
Where to Concentrate ................................................................................... 81
Three Sittings for Doing Japa ....................................................................... 81
Need for a Maala .......................................................................................... 83
How to Use a Japa Maala ............................................................................. 84
How to Count Japa........................................................................................ 84
Three Varieties of Japa ................................................................................. 84
Mulabandha and Kumbhaka in Japa ............................................................. 86
Japa Plus Karma Yoga .................................................................................. 86
Likhita Japa .................................................................................................. 87
Number of Japas ........................................................................................... 91
Akhanda Japa ............................................................................................... 93
Time-Table for Japa ..................................................................................... 95
Power of Sound and Name ........................................................................... 96
Bija-Akshara ................................................................................................ 96
Hints on Japa Yoga Sadhana ..................................................................... 100
The Glory of Mantra-Diksha ..................................................................... 105
Anushthana ................................................................................................ 107
Method of Mantra-Purascharana ................................................................ 110
Chapter Five
STORIES OF JAPA-YOGINS

Dhruva ....................................................................................................... 116

Ajamila ...................................................................................................... 118
A Disciple .................................................................................................. 119
The Milk-Maid and the Pandit .................................................................... 120
Faith: Its Import in the Bhakti Cult of Religion .......................................... 121
APPENDIX

Divine Namapathy ...................................................................................... 123

Nama-Aparadhas ....................................................................................... 124
Gods Name Is All-Powerful ..................................................................... 124
Essence of Japa Yoga ................................................................................ 126
Questions and Answers ............................................................................... 130
Glory of Gods Name ................................................................................ 135

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Glory of Rama Nama ................................................................................. 139
Change the Drishti ..................................................................................... 141
Concentration and Meditation ................................................................... 142
Twenty Hints on Meditation ...................................................................... 143
Mantra Writing .......................................................................................... 147
Instructions of aspirants ............................................................................. 148
Mantras for Fulfilment of Wishes and for Cure ......................................... 148

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 ln~xq#Lrks=ke~
czkuUna ijelq[kna dsoya Kkuewfr
}U}krhra xxuln`'ka roeL;kfny{;e~ A
,da fuR;a foeyepya loZ/hlkf{kHkwra
Hkkokrhra f=kxq.kjfgra ln~xq#a ra uekfe AA1AA
1. I prostrate myself before that Sat-Guru, the Brahman, who is Bliss, who
is the giver of Supreme happiness, who is the Absolute, who is the Form
of Knowledge, who is beyond the pairs of opposites, who is (vast) like
either, who is attainable through assertions like Tat Tvam Asi, who is
one, eternal, pure and changeless, who is the witness of all the states of
the mind, who transcends modifications, who is devoid of the three
modes (of Prakriti).

pSrU;a 'kk'ora 'kkUra O;ksekrhra fujtue~ A

uknfcUnqdykrhra rLeS Jhxqjos ue% AA2AA
2. Prostrations to that Sri-Guru, who is consciousness, eternal, peaceful,
beyond either, spotless and beyond Nada, Bindu and Kala.

xq#czZk xq#foZ".kqxqZ#nsZoksa egs'oj% A

xq#% lk{kkr~ ija cz rLeS Jhxqjos ue% AA3AA
3. Prostrations to that Sri-Guru, who is himself the gods Brahma, Vishnu
and Mahesvara, and who is verily the supreme Absolute itself.

ue% f'kok; xqjos lfPpnkuUnewrZ;s A

fu"izik; 'kkUrk; fujkyEck; rstls AA4AA
4. Om! Prostration to the Guru, who, is Siva (bliss and auspiciousness),
who is the embodiment of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss, who is free from
world-consciousness, who is peaceful, without (any other) support, and
self-effulgent.

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 DHYANA SLOKAS

dkjLrks=ke~
dkja fuxeSdos|efu'ka osnkUrrokLina
pksRifkfLFkfruk'kgsrqeeya fo'oL; f'okRede~ A
fo'o=kk.kijk;.ka Jqfr'krS% laizksP;ekua foHkaq
lR;KkueuUrewfrZeeya 'kqkReda ra Hkts AA
I always contemplate upon the ever-pure, all-pervading Omkara
(Pranava), which can be known only through the Vedas, which is the essence
and the support of the Vedanta, which is taintless, which is the cause of the
creations, preservation and destruction of the universe, which includes the
whole universe within itself, which is the saviour of the universe, which is
proclaimed by countless Srutis, and which is the pure truth, knowledge and
infinity in one.

x.kifrLrks=ke~
xtkuua Hkwrx.kkfnlsfora dfiRFktEcwQylkjHk{k.ke~ A
meklqra 'kksdfouk'kdkj.ka uekfe fo?us'ojiknite~ AA
I prostrate myself before the lotus-feet of Vighnesvara, the son of Uma,
the cause of the destruction of sorrow, who is served by the host of Bhuta-
Ganas, etc., who has the face of an elephant, who partakes of the essence of
Kapittha and Jambu fruits.

fo".kqLrks=ke~
'kkUrkdkja Hkqtx'k;ua iukHka lqjs'ka
fo'ok/kja xxuln`'ka es?ko.k 'kqHkkae~ A
y{ehdkUra deyu;ua ;ksfxfHk/;kZuxE;a
oUns fo".kqa HkoHk;gja loZyksdSdukFke~ AA
I adore Vishnu, the embodiment of Peace, who sleeps on the serpent,
whose navel is the lotus (of the universe), who is the Lord of gods, who is
the support of the universe, who is of the form of (the omnipresent) ether,
whose colour resembles that of clouds, whose body is auspicious, who is the
Lord of Lakshmi, whose eyes are like lotuses, who is attainable by Yogis
through meditation, who is the destroyer of the fear of birth and death, and
who is the One Lord of all the worlds.

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 f'koLrks=ke~
'kkUra ikluLFka 'k'k/jedqVa ioD=ka f=kus=ka
'kwya otza p [kM~xa ij'kqeHk;na n{kHkkxs ogUre~ A
ukxa ik'ka p ?k.Vka Me#dlfgra lkq'ka okeHkkxs
ukukyjnhIra LQfVdef.kfuHka ikoZrh'ka uekfe AA
I prostrate myself, before the Lord of Parvati, who is peaceful, who is
seated in the Lotus-pose, whose crown is adorned with moon, who has five
faces, who has three eyes, who holds the trident, bolt, sword and the
fearlessness-giving axe on the right side, who holds the serpent, noose, bell,
Damaru and spear on the left side, who shines with various ornaments, and
who is luminous like the crystal-jewel.

nsohLrks=ke~
fo|qkeleizHkka e`xifrLdU/kfLFkrka Hkh"k.kke~
dU;kfHk% djoky[ksVfoylLrkfHkjklsforke~ A
gLrS'pnjkfy[ksVfof'k[kkakia xq.ka rtZuhe~
fcHkzk.kkeuykfRedka 'kf'k/jka nqxk f=kus=kka Hkts AA
I worship the three-eyed Durga, whose lustre is like that of a streak of
lightning, who is seated on the lord of animals (lion), who is the dreadful,
who is served by maidens holding weapons and clubs in their hands, who
holds with her hands discus, conch, liquor, clubs, arrows, bow with its string
drawn in with the fingers, who is blazing like fire and who wears the moon
(on the crown).

y{ehLrks=ke~
y{eha {khjleqjktru;ka Jhj/kes'ojha
nklhHkwrleLrnsoofurka yksdSdnhikqjke~ A
JheUeUndVk{kyC/kfoHkoczgksUxk/jka
Roka =kSyksD;dqVqfEcuha ljfltka oUns eqdqUnfiz;ke~ AA
I worship that Lakshmi, the daughter of the king of the milk-ocean, the
queen of the abode of Lord Vishnu, whose servants are the wives of all the
gods, who is the one light and the sprout of the universe, through a side
glance of whose benign grace Brahma, Indra and Siva have attained their

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high positions, who is the mother of the three worlds, who is called Kamala,
and who is the consort of Bhagavan Vishnu.
ljLorhLrks=ke~
;k dqUnsUnqrq"kjgkj/oyk ;k 'kqHkzkoo`rk
;k oh.kkojn.M ef.Mrdjk ;ksrikluk A
;k czkP;qr'kjizHk`frfHknsZoSLlnk iwftrk
lk eka ikrq ljLorh Hkxorh fu%'ks"ktkMkigk AA
May that goddess Sarasvati, who wears a garland white like the Kunda-
flower or the moon or the snow, who is adorned with pure white clothes,
whose hands are ornamented with the Vina and the gesture of blessings, who
is seated on a white lotus, who is always worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu,
Siva and other gods, who is the remover of all inertness and laziness protect
me.

jkeLrks=ke~
/;k;snktkuqckgqa /`r'kj/uq"ka cikluLFka
ihra oklks olkua uodeynyLif/Zus=ka izle~ A
okekk:<lhrkeq[kdeyfeykspua uhjnkHka
ukukykjnhIra n/req#tVke.Mya jkepUe~ AA
One should meditate upon Sri Ramachandra, with hands reaching the
knees, holding the bow and the arrows, seated in the locked-up lotus-posture,
wearing a yellow cloth, with eyes vying with the newly blossomed lotus-
petals, with a pleasant gait, with his eyes mixing with the lotus-face of Sita
seated on his left thigh, who is blue like the clouds, who is shining with
various kinds of ornaments, and who has a big circle of Jata on the head.

".kLrks=ke~
oa'khfoHkwf"krdjkouhjnkHkkr~
ihrkEcjkn#.kfcEcQyk/kjks"Bkr~ A
iw.ksZUnqlqUnjeq[kkjnfoUnus=kkr~
".kkRija fdefi roega u tkus AA

(12)
 I have not any other reality than the lotus-eyed Krishna, with hands
adorned with the flute, looking like a newly laden cloud in lustre, wearing a
yellow silk garment, with his lips like a ruddy Bimba- fruit, and with his face
beautiful like the full-moon.
lqcz.;Lrks=ke~
"kMkuua dqqeDro.k
egkefra fnO;e;wjokgue~ A
#L; lwuaq lqjlSU;ukFka
xqga lnkga 'kj.ka izi|s AA
I always take refuge in Guha of six faces, who is of deep red colour like
Kumkuma, who is possessed of great knowledge, who has the divine
peacock to ride on, who is the son of Rudra, and who is the leader of the
army of gods.

HkxoRLrks=ke~
;a czko#.ksU#e#r% LrqUofUr fnO;S% LroS&
osnS% lkineksifu"knSxkZ;fUr ;a lkexk% A
/;kukofLFkrrn~xrsu eulk i';fUr ;a ;ksfxuks
;L;kUra u fonq% lqjklqjx.kk nsok; rLeS ue% AA
Salutations to that God whom Brahma, Varuna, Indra, Rudra, and the
Maruts praise with divine hymns, whom the Sama-chanters sing by Vedas
with their Angas and in the Pada and Krama methods and by the Upanishads,
whom Yogis see with their minds absorbed in Him through meditation, and
whose end the hosts of Devas and Asuras know not.

(13)
 PRAYERS TO THE LORD
I
O Adorable Lord of Compassion! Salutations unto Thee. Give me inner
spiritual strength to resist temptation and melt in Thee this ego which is
harder than granite or diamond. Let me always to Thy chosen playmate in the
wonderful game You play in all the worlds. Let me understand Thy
mysterious Lila or sporting. Let me be a perennial channel of Thy sweet love
to all Thy children. Utilise my body, the senses and the mind for Thy
unhampered play. O hidden Love! O undecaying beauty! Let my soul rest
peacefully in Thee for ever and ever.
O Light of lights! O shining One! I live for Thee. I behold Thee in the
smiles of children, in the tears of the afflicted, in my thoughts, emotions,
sentiments, in the morning dew of the Himalayan landscape and in the rays
of the sun. My room is filled with Thy sweet Presence. I eat Thy benign
grace in my daily food. I taste Thy radiant love in my daily drink. Thou art
the ocean of love and compassion. Let my love for Thee become a roaring
flame. Withdraw from me whatever evil there is. Fill my heart with purity,
goodness, love and sublime virtues. Make me Immortal.
O Lord! Reveal unto me Thy enchanting Form. Make me feel Thy living
Presence. Fill my heart with love. Let me merge myself in Thee. Let me walk
in the path of righteousness. Cleanse my mind of all evil thoughts. Help me
to concentrate my mind on Thy lotus-feet. Embrace me and make me pure.
Teach me to be still and enjoy Thy magnificent Vision. Illumine my mind
with the light of true Knowledge. Make my stony heart melt and flow
towards Thee.
II
Thou art, O Lord, the creator of this universe. Thou art the protector of
this world. Thou art in the grass and in the rose. Thou art in the sun and the
start. Salutations unto Thee. O Bestower of joy and bliss!
Sweet Lord! Let me be free from the clutches of death. Let me be able to
look upon all beings with equal vision. Let me be free from impurity and sin.
Give me strength to control the mind. Give me strength to serve Thee and the
humanity untiringly. Make me Thy fit instrument for Thy work. Make me
pure and strong.

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 I bow to Thee, O Indweller of all heart! O Secret of secrets! Remove my
weaknesses, defect and evil thoughts. Make me pure, so that I may be able to
receive Thy grace and blessing. O Lord! Thou art the thread-soul that
connects all beings. Thou pervadest all, permeatest and interpenetratest all
things of this Universe.
Thou art the Light Divine. Thou art the Dispeller of ignorance. Thou art
the All-merciful Lord. Give me al life without disease. Let me remember
Thee always. Let me develop all the sublime virtues.
Thou art self-luminous. Thou art my Father, Mother, Brother, Friend,
Relative and Guide. Let me realise the Truth. Let me be free from greed, lust,
egoism, jealousy and hatred. Prepare me as Thy sweet messenger on this
earth, so that I may radiate joy; peace and bliss to the whole world. Let me
utilise my body, mind and senses the Thy service and in the service of Thy
creatures. Breathe into me Thy breath of Immortality. Let me recognise the
Universal Brotherhood of Man. Let me love all as my own Self. Salutations
unto Thee! O Lord of Compassion!
III
O Adorable Lord of Compassion! Salutations unto Thee! Thou art
Infinite Beauty, Joy, Bliss and Peace! Thou art Perfect, Independent and ever
Free! Give me the spirit of sacrifice, strength and indomitable will to serve
humanity! Vouchsafe to me Thy grace and mercy!
O Almighty! Thou art my Redeemer and Saviour. Fee me from the
bondage of this body and round of births and deaths. Make me drink the
nectar of Immortality!
O Supreme Being! Fill my heart with unflinching devotion unto Thee.
Let the flame of devotion to Thee grow brighter every day!
O Infinity! O Eternity! O Immortality! Free me from all sorrows,
dependence, delusion, weakness and defects! Grant me equal vision,
balanced mind, divine virtues, such as courage, tolerance, forbearance,
humility, mercy, purity, cosmic love, etc.
O Omnipotent Lord! Strengthen my resolve to stick to the spiritual path
and to do my daily spiritual routine vigorously and regularly. Forgive my
sins. Free me from the obstacles in the path and from all temptations. Give
me inner strength to resist temptations!

(15)
 O Indwelling Presence! Thou art my sole prop, support, refuge and
solace! Thou art the Life of my life. Thou art the Soul of my soul. Thou art
Transcendental Bliss, Peace and Joy. Thou art the one homogeneous essence.
Let me be established in Nonviolence, Truthfulness, Devotion and Purity.
Teach me to be steadfast in my devotion unto Thee. Give me Light and
Wisdom.
O Supreme Love! Salutations unto Thee! Thou art the Indweller of my
heart. Give me the inner third eye of intuition or wisdom. May Self-
realisation be my inexhaustible spiritual wealth, dispassion my crown,
virtuous deeds my asset in the divine bank, and renunciation the jewel of my
heart! Crores of prostrations unto Thee, O Lord, I am Thine. Save me,
protect me, guide me and enlighten me. Make me pure, perfect and free!
Through Thy grace may all attain health, long life, prosperity and Self-
realisation!

(16)
 UNIVERSAL PRAYER

O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love!

Salutations and prostrations unto Thee.
Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient;
Thou art Satchidananda.
Thou art the Indweller of all beings.

Grant us an understanding heart,

Equal vision, balanced mind,
Faith, devotion and wisdom.
Grant us inner spiritual strength
To resist temptations and to control the mind.
Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy.
Fill our hearts with divine virtues.

Let us behold thee in all these names and forms.

Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms.
Let us ever remember Thee.
Let us ever sing Thy Glories.
Let Thy Name be ever on our lips.
Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.

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 fo'oizkFkZuk
(Sanskrit)
gs oUnuh; izsek/kj gs ikfu/s
ueksLrq rs lk"Vka ueksLrq rsA
Hkxoku~ loZO;kih loZ'kfrQeku~ loZK%
Hkxoku~ lfPpnkuUn% lokZUr;kZehA
foosda p len'kZua eulLleRoa p

vFk Jka p HkfakQ p Kkua p nsfg u%

vk;kfRedkUr% 'kfrQefi nsfg ua%
;suksik;su ek;ka fogk; euks o'ka dqeZgsA
dkeks/yksHkkgadkjsH;ks eksp;kLeku~
nSohlaifjLekda n;kfu iwj;A

loZuke:is"kq Roka bZ{kkegs

rs"kq uke:is"kq Roka bZ{kkegss
rs"kq uke:is"kq Roka lsokegss
loZnk Rokeso Lejke%A
loZnk ro efgEuka xkua djokegSA
vLekda vks"Bs"kq ro ukeSo Hkw;kr`A
loZnk HkoRizk.kk ,o Hkw;kLeA

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 fo'oizkFkZuk
(Hindi)
gs Lusg vkSj d#.kk ds vkjk; nso!
rqEgsa ueLdkj gS] ueLdkj gSA
rqe loZO;kid] loZ'kfkQeku~ vkSj loZK gksA
rqe lfPpnkuUn?ku gksA
rqe lcds vRuokZlh gksA

gesa mnkjrk] lenf'kZrk vkSj eu dk leRo iznku djksA

Jk] HkfkQ vkSj izKk ls rkFkZ djksA
gesa vk;kfRed vUr%'kfkQ dk oj nks]
ftlls ge oklukvksa dk neu dj euks; dks izkIr gksaA
ge vgadkj] dke] yksHk] ?k`.kk] ks/ vkSj }s"k ls jfgr gksaA
gekjk n; fnO; xq.kksa ls ifjiwfjr djksA

ge lc uke&:iksa eas rqEgkjk n'kZu djsaA

rqEgkjh vpZuk ds gh :i eas bu uke&:iksa dh lsok djsaA
lnk rqEgkjk gh Lej.k djsaA
ln rqEgkjh gh efgek dk xku djsaA
rqEgkjk gh dfydYe"kgkjh uke gekjs v/j&iqV ij gksA
ln ge rqeesa gh fuokl djsasA

& Lokeh f'kokuUn

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 AA egke`R;qt;eU=k%AA
MAHA-MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA

=;acda ;tkegs lqxfU/a iqf"Vo/Zue~ A

mokZ#dfeo cU/ukUe`R;kseqZ{kh; eke`rkr~ AA

Om Tryambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushtivardhanam;
Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan-
Mrityormuksheeya maamritaat.

"We worship the thee-eyed One (Lord Siva) who is fragrant and who
nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, for the sake of
Immortality, even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (of the
creeper)."

1. This Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra is a life-giving Mantra. In these days,

when life is very complex, accidents are an everyday affair; this Mantra
wards off deaths by snake-bites, lightning, motor-accidents, cycle-
accidents, water-accidents, air-accidents and accidents all descriptions.
Besides, it has a great curative effect. Again diseases pronounced
incurable by doctors are cured by this Mantra, when chanted with
sincerity, faith and devotion. It is a weapon against all diseases. It is a
Mantra to conquer death.

2. It is also a Moksha-Mantra. It is Lord Siva's Mantra. It bestows health

(Arogya), long life (Deergha-Ayus), peace (Santi), wealth (Aisvarya),
prosperity (Pushti), satisfaction (Tushti) and Immortality (Moksha).

3. On your birthday, repeat this Mantra one lakh times, or at least 50,000
times, perform Havan and feed Sadhus, the poor and the sick. This will
bestow on you health, log life, peace, prosperity and Moksha.

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 PRAYER TO THE SUN

lw; lqUnjyksdukFkee`ra osnkUrlkja f'koa

Kkua cze;a lqjs'keeya yksdSdfpk Lo;e~ A
bUkfnR;ujkf/kfia lqjxq#a =kSyksD;pwMkef.ka
czkfo".kqf'koLo:in;a oUns lnk HkkLdje~ AA

"Om Suryam sundaraloknathamamritam vedantasaram sivam,

Jnanam brahmamayam suresamamalam lokaikachittam svayam;
Indradityanaradhipam suraguram trailokyachudamanim,
Brahmavishnusiva svarupa hridyam vande sada bhaskaram."

I always adore Surya, the sun, the beautiful Lord of the world, the
immortal, the quintessence of the Vendanta, the auspicious, the absolute
knowledge, of the form of Brahman, the Lord of the gods, ever-pure, the one
true consciousness of the world himself, the Lord of Indra, the gods and men,
the preceptor of the gods, the crest-jewel of the three worlds, the very heart
of the forms of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, the giver of light.

fgj.e;su ik=ks.k lR;L;kfifgra eq[ke~ A

roa iw"kkiko`.kq lR;/ekZ; n`"V;s AA
iw"ksd"ksZ ;e lw;Z izktkiR; O;wg j'ehu~ lewg A
rstks ;ks :ie dY;k.krea rks i';kfe
;kslkolkS iq#"k% lksgefLe AA

Om Hiranmayena patrena satyasyapihitam mukham,

Tattvam pushan apavrinu satyadharmaya drishtaye.
Pushan ekarshe yama surya prajapatya vyuha rasmin samuha,
Tejo yatte rupam kalyanatamam tatte pasyami
yosavasau purushah sohamasmi.

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 "The face of Truth is covered by a golden vessel. Remove Thou, O sun,
that covering, for the law of Truth to behold (It)."
"O Pushan (sun, nourisher), the only Seer (sole traveller of the heavens),
controller of all (Yama), Surya, son of Prajapati; disperse Thy rays and
gather up Thy burning light; I behold Thy glorious resplendent form; I am
He, the Purusha within Thee."

1. fe=kk; ue% (Om Mitraya Namah)

Prostration to Him who is affectionate to all.
2. jo;s ue% (Om Ravaye Namah)
Prostration to Him who is the cause for change.
3. lw;kZ; ue% (Om Suryaya Namah)
Prostration to Him who induces activity.
4. Hkkuos ue% (Om Bhanave Namah)
Prostration to Him who diffuses Light.
5. [kxk; ue% (Om Khagaya Namah)
Prostration to Him who moves in the sky.
6. iw".ks ue% (Om Pushne Namah)
Prostration to Him who nourishes all.
7. fgj.;xHkkZ; ue% (Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah)
Prostration to Him who contains everything.
8. ejhp;s ue% (Om Marichaye Namah)
Prostration to Him who possesses rays.
9. vkfnR;k; ue% (Om Adityaya Namah)
Prostration to Him who is God of gods.
10. lfo=ks ue% (Om Savitre Namah)
Prostration to Him who produces everything.
11. vdkZ; ue% (Om Arkaya Namah)
Prostration to Him who is fit to be worshipped.
12. HkkLdjk; ue% (Om Bhaskaraya Namah)
Prostration to Him who is the cause of lustre.

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 In the words of Yajurveda:
"O Sun! O Sun of suns! Thou art All-energy, give me energy; Thou art
All-strength, give me strength; Thou art All-powerful, give me power."
Repeat the above Mantras and Names of the Sun at sunrise. He who
repeats these before sunrise, early in the morning, will possess wonderful
health, vigour and vitality. He will be free from every kind of disease of the
eye. He will have wonderful eye-sight. Pray to the sun in the early morning,
before sunrise: "O Lord, Suryanarayana, the eye of the world, the eye of the
Virat-Purusha; give me health, strength, vigour and vitality." Offer Arghya to
the sun during the three Sandhyas (morning, noon and evening). Offer
prostrations to the sun, with these Mantras and Names.

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 PRAYER TO HARI

loZfLeu~ loZHkwrLRoa loZ% loZLo:i/`d~ A

l RokLrr Roesoa lokZReus ue% AA

lokZRedksfl losZ'k loZHkwrfLFkrks ;r% A

dFk;kfe rr% d rs lo osfRl fn fLFkre~ AA

Thou abidest in all. Thou hast become all beings. Thou art the all. Thou
assumest all forms; all are from Thee; hence Thou art the all, the Soul of all,
Glory unto Thee, the Self of all beings.
As Thou art the Soul of all, the Lord of all, and present in all beings,
what shall I speak unto Thee? Thou knowest everything in (my) mind (being
seated in the hearts of all beings).

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(26)
 INTRODUCTION
I
In this Kali Yuga (iron age) Japa alone is the easy way to the realisation
of God. The famous author of a commentary on the Gita and of the Advaita
Siddhi, Swami Madhusudana Saraswati, had direct Darsan of Lord Krishna
through Japa of the Mantra of Lord Krishna. The reputed Swami Vidyaranya,
the author of the Panchadasi had direct Darsan of Mother Gayatri through
Japa of Gayatri Mantra.
At the present moment many educated persons and college-students
have lost faith in the power of Mantra, owing to the morbid influence of the
study of science. They have entirely given up Japa. It is highly deplorable
indeed. When the blood is warm they become hot-headed, proud and
atheistic. Their brains and minds need a thorough overhauling and drastic
flushing.
Life is short. Time is fleeing. The world is full of miseries. Cut the knot
of Avidya, and drink the Nirvanic Bliss. That day on which you do not
perform any Japa is simply wasted. Those who simply eat, drink and sleep
and do not practise any Japa are horizontal beings only.
A Mantra, in the Hindu religion, has a Rishi who gave it to the world; a
metre which governs the inflection of the voice; and a Devata or a
supernatural being, higher or lower, as its informing power. The Bija, seed, is
a significant word, or series of words, which gives it a special power.
Sometimes this word is a sound which harmonises with the key-note of the
individual using it and varies it with individuals; sometimes this word
expresses the essence of the Mantra, and the result of the Mantra is the
flower springing from this seed. The Sakti is the energy of the form of the
Mantra, i.e., the vibration-forms set up by its sounds. These carry the man to
the Devata that is worshipped. The Kilaka, the pillar, is that which supports
and makes strong the Mantra, or the pin which fastens the Mantra together;
this is the ceasing of sorrow, by the freeing of oneself from imperfections.
Do not bother yourself about Matra, Para and Pasyanti, etc. Do Japa of
your Ishta Mantra mentally with its meaning and right Bhava. You will
realise the spiritual benefits. Why do you waste your time counting the
pebbles on the bank? Take a dip immediately in the Ganges and enjoy the
bath. Become wise.

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 All Mantras have equal potency or power. It is incorrect to say that Om
Namo Narayanaya is superior to Om Namah Sivaya or Radhesyam or Sri
Ram, and so on. You can attain God-realisation by doing Japa or any Mantra.
Valmiki attained God-consciousness by repeating even Mara-Mara. Some
people think that Om or Soham is superior to Om Namo Narayanaya, or vice
versa. This also is wrong. The state gained by doing Japa of Om or Soham
can be attained by doing Japa of Sri Ram or Radhesyam also.
You should not doubt the teachings of the scriptures. Flickering faith
will lead to downfall. A man of weak will, who has no faith in Japa, cannot
expect to have progress in the spiritual path. If he says, "I am practising 'who
am I' enquiry" - this is all wild imagination. Few are fit for "who am I"
enquiry.
You must have the Bhava that Atman, Isvara, Devata, Mantra are one.
With this Bhava you will have to repeat your Guru Mantra or Ishta Mantra.
Then alone you will have Mantra Siddhi or God-realisation quickly.
The Japa of a Mantra can bring to the practitioner realisation of his
highest goal though he may not possess knowledge of the meaning of the
Mantra. Such a mechanical Japa may take a little more time in realisation
than when it is practised with a knowledge of the meaning. There is an
indescribable power or Achintya Sakti in the Mantras. If you repeat the
Mantra with concentration on its meaning, you will attain God-consciousness
quickly.
Form a strong habit of repeating the Name of the Lord. Then only it will
be easy for you to remember Him at the time of death.
To define God is to deny God. You can give the definition of a finite
object. How can you define limitless or the Infinite Being who is the source
and ultimate cause for everything? If you define God you are limiting the
limitless one, you are confining Him with concepts of mind. God is beyond
the reach of the gross mind, but He can be realised through Japa and
meditation with a pure, subtle and one-pointed mind.
II
Manasika Puja (mental worship) is more powerful than external Puja
with flowers, etc. Arjuna thought that Bhima was not doing any kind or
worship. He was proud of his external worship of Lord Siva. He offered
plenty of Bael leaves. But Bhima offered to the Lord mentally the Bael

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leaves of all the Bael trees of the whole world. He was doing Manasika Puja
of Lord Siva. The attendants of Lord Siva were not able to remove from the
head of Lord Siva the Bael leaves offered by Bhima. Arjuna once saw a large
band of people carrying baskets of Bael leaves. He thought within himself
that the leaves must be those offered by him to Lord Siva and questioned
them thus: "Brothers, from where do you carry these Bael leaves?" They
replied: "O Arjuna, these leaves are offered to our Lord Siva by Bhima
through Manasika Puja." Arjuna was struck with wonder. He came to know
that Manasika Puja was more powerful than external worship and that Bhima
was a better devotee than he.
Manasika Puja can be done by advanced students. Beginners should
certainly do worship with flowers, sandal paste, incense, etc. You will have
more concentration when you do Manasika Puja. Mentally enthrone the Lord
in Simhasana set with diamonds, pearls, emeralds, etc. Offer Him a seat.
Apply sandal paste to His forehead and body. Offer Arghya, Madhuparka
and various sorts of flowers, clothes, etc. Burn incense. Wave lights. Burn
camphor. Offer various kinds of fruits, sweetmeats and Maha Naivedya.
Offer to the Lord the fruits of the whole world. Do not be miserly even in
Manasika Puja. In Manasika Puja one man offered only one stale plantain
fruit and a handful of gram. A miserable miserly man! Even in Manasika
Puja he cannot be very generous and liberal! This world abounds with such
deplorable misers! In the end mentally repeat: "Kayena vacha
manasendriyairya buddhyatmanava prakritessvabhavat, karomi yadyat
sakalam parasmai narayanayeti samarpayami - whatever action I do by the
body, by the speech, by the mind, by the senses, by the intellect or by my
own nature, I offer all of them to the supreme Lord Narayana." Also say in
the end, "Om Tat Sat Brahmarpanamastu." This will purify your heart and
remove the taint of expectation of reward.
III
Without love man's life is empty. Without love man lives in vain. Love
is vital. It is all-pervading. Love is a greater power. Love is the sap of life.
Give love. Cultivate this love through service, Japa, Satsanga and meditation.
God is always with you. He will protect and deliver you. Take refuge in
Him. His blessings overflow into your life and transform you mind and body.
Develop your consciousness of spiritual things. Make a special effort daily to
exercise control over you thoughts, words and actions. Feel His presence in
your room. Pray and meditate daily.

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 Prayer elevates the mind. It fills the mind with purity. It is associated
with praise of God. It keeps the mind in tune with God. Prayer can reach a
realm where reason does not dare to enter. Prayer can move mountains. It
can work miracles. It frees the devotee from the fear of death. It brings him
nearer to God and makes him feel the divine consciousness and his essential,
immortal and blissful nature.
Surrender everything to Him. Place your ego at His feet and be at ease.
He will take complete charge of you. Let Him mould you in any way Hi
likes. Let Him do exactly as He wills. He will remove all defects and
weaknesses. He will play beautifully on this body-flute. Hear this marvellous
music of His flute, the mysterious music of the Soul, and rejoice.
Make your offerings to the Lord with the same mental attitude as that of
Bhilini Sabari. Call the Lord with the same Bhava of Draupadi or with the
Bhava which Gajendra had when he called Lord Hari. You will surely meet
your Beloved. Develop this Bhava. You will have the Darsan of the Lord
immediately.
Feel His Presence everywhere. Strive ceaselessly to fix your mind on the
Lord. Try to constantly behold your Beloved in all these forms. Silently
repeat His Names. Sometimes sing His Names. Silently do Kirtan. Melt the
mind in Him. Rejoice in silence in Him.
If you get up at Brahmamuhurta, at 4 a.m., you will have a clear mind.
There is a spiritual influence and mysterious silence in the early morning
hours. All saints and Yogis practise meditation at this period and send their
spiritual vibrations to the whole world. You will be highly benefited by their
vibrations if you start your prayer, Japa and meditation at this period. You
need not exert much. The meditative state of mind will come by itself.
Gaze at the picture of the Lord, your Ishta-Devata, for a few minutes,
and close your eyes. Then try to visualise the picture mentally. You will have
a well-defined or clear-cut picture of the Lord. When it fades, open your eyes
and gaze. Repeat the process 5 or 6 times. You will be able to visualise
clearly your Ishta-Devata or tutelary deity mentally, after some months'
practice.
If you find it difficult to visualise the whole picture, try to visualise any
part of the picture. Try to produce at least a hazy picture. By repeated
practice the hazy picture will assume a well-defined, clear-cut form. If you

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find this to be difficult, fix the mind on the effulgent light in the heart and
take this as the form of the Lord or your Ishta.
The thoughts you create in your mind and the images you form in your
daily life help you in making what you are or what you would become. If you
constantly think of Lord Krishna, you will become identical with the Lord.
You will abide in Him for ever. You will become one with the Deity you
meditate upon.
In Bhava-Samadhi the mind of the devotee is highly elevated through
pure emotion and devotion. He forgets the body and the world. His mind is
wholly absorbed in the Lord.
Contentment, unruffled state of the mind, cheerfulness, patience,
decrease in excretions, sweet voice, eagerness and steadiness in the practice
of meditation, disgust for worldly prosperity and success and company,
desire to remain alone in a quiet room or in seclusion, desire for association
with Sadhus and Sannyasins, Ekagrata or one-pointedness of mind, are some
of the signs that indicate that you are growing in purity, that you are
progressing in the spiritual path.
When you enter the silence through deep meditation the world outside
and all your troubles will drop away. You will enjoy supreme peace. In the
silence is the Supreme Light of lights. In the silence is undecaying bliss. In
this silence is real strength and perennial joy.
Shut out the doors of the senses. Still the thoughts, emotions and
feelings. Sit motionless and clam in the early morning hours. Ignore the
visions and coloured lights. Have a receptive attitude. Go alone with God.
Commune with Him. Enjoy the abiding peace in silence.
In the Srimad Bhagavata The Lord Sri Krishna says to Uddhava, "I am
not so easily attainable by Yoga, Sankhya or discrimination, Dharma, study
of the Vedas, Tapas, renunciation, liberal gifts, charitable acts, rites such as
Agnihotra, fasts, vows secret Mantras, resort to pilgrimages, Yamas,
Niyamas (moral rules), as by Satsanga (company of Sadhus or the wise)
which puts an end to all attachment. It is only by association with the wise
and the righteous, that many who were of Rajasic or Tamasic nature - such as
Vritra, son of the sage Tvashtri; Prahlada, the Daityas, the Asuras and the
Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Siddhas, Charanas, Guhyakas and
Vidyadharas, many beasts and birds, and among mankind Vaisyas, Sudras,
women and outcasts who are of the lowest birth, have attained Me.

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Vrishaparva, Bali, Bana, Maya, Vibhishana, Sugriva, Hanuman; Jambavan,
the bear; Gajendra, the elephant; Jatayu, the vulture; Tuladhara, the
merchant; Dharmavyadha, the fowler; Kubja, the hunch-backed perfume-
seller; the Gopis in Vraja, the wives of the Brahmanas engaged in sacrifices
in Brindavana, and others - all these did not study the Vedas, did not sit at the
feet of great men of learning for the sake of knowledge. They did not observe
any vows or fasts. They did not perform Tapas but they attained Me through
association with saints and Sadhus. Through love alone, developed through
the company of saints, the Gopies and even the cow, trees, beasts, serpents
and others of dull-witted nature, became perfected and easily attained Me
whom one does not attain by making great endeavours through Yoga or
Sankhya, charity, vows, Tapas, sacrifices, teaching and study of the Vedas or
renunciation.
Satsanga or association with the sages removes the drakness of the heart.
It is a safe boat to cross the ocean of Samsara. Satsanga elevates the mind
and fills it with Sattva or purity. It eradicates vicious thoughts and
impressions in the heart. It leads one to the right path and causes the Sun of
Wisdom to shine upon one's mind.
You may do Japa of 'Om Namah Sivaya' Mantra, if you are a votary of
Lord Siva, or 'Om Namo Narayanaya' if you are a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
These are very powerful Mantras. None can explain the benefits of Japa,
Sadhana and Satsanga. Japa is the rod in the hands of the blind Sadhakas to
plot on the road to realisation. Japa is the philosopher's stone or divine elixir
that makes one God-like. Through Japa alone one can realise God in this life.
This book will throw much light on the important subject of Mantra
Yoga and the method of attaining perfection through Japa. The First Chapter
gives the definition of Japa. The Second Chapter deals with the glory and
importance of the Name of God. Different kinds of Mantras are given in the
Third Chapter. The Fourth Chapter contains many practical and useful
instructions on Sadhana. The Fifth Chapter gives a short sketch of the lives
of some of the saints who realised God through Japa.
May God give you inner strength to control the Indriyas and the mind
and to practise Japa Yoga and worship uninterruptedly! May you have
unshakable faith in the miraculous powers and marvellous benefits of Japa
Yoga! May you all realise the glory of Nama, the Name of God! May you all
spread the glory of Nama throughout the length and breadth of the land!
Victory to Hari and His Name! Glory to Hari Name! May the blessings of
Lord Siva, Hari, Rama and Krishna be upon you all!

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JAPA YOGA
 Chapter One
PHILOSOPHY OF JAPA
1. What Is Japa?
Japa is the repetition of any Mantra of Name of the Lord. In this Kali
Yuga or iron age when the physique of the vast majority of persons is not
good, rigid Hatha Yogic practices are very difficult. Japa is an easy way to
God-realisation. Tukaram of Deo, a Maharashtra saint, Dhruva, Prahlada,
Valmiki Rishi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa - all had attained salvation by
uttering the Name of God.
Japa is an important Anga of Yoga. In the Gita you will find "Yajnanam
Japa- Yajnosmi- Among Yajnas, I am Japa-Yajna." In Kali Yuga the practice
of Japa alone can give eternal Peace, Bliss and Immortality. Japa ultimately
results in Samadhi or communion with the Lord. Japa must become habitual
and must be attended with Sattvic or Divine Bhava, purity, Prema and
Sraddha. There is no Yoga greater than Japa Yoga. It can give you al Ishta-
Siddhis (whatever you want), Bhakti and Mukti.
Japa is repetition of the Mantra. Dhyana is meditation on the form of the
Lord with His attributes. This is the difference between Japa and Dhyana.
There is meditation or Dhyana with Japa (Japa-Sahita); there is meditation or
Dhyana without Japa (Japa-Rahita). In the beginning you should combine
Dhyana with Japa. As you advance the Japa drops by itself; meditation only
remains. It is advanced stage. You can then practice concentration separately.
You can do whatever you like best in this respect. Om is both Saguna and
Nirguna, manifested and unmanifested Brahman. If you are a devotee of
Rama you can repeat 'Om Ram' for worship of the manifested Brahman.
Name (Nama) and the object (Rupa) signified by the Name are
inseparable. Thought and word are inseparable. Whenever you think of the
name of your son, his figure stands before your mental eye, and vice versa.
Even so when you do Japa of Rama or Krishna, the picture of Rama or
Krishna will come before your mind. Therefore Japa and Dhyana go
together. They are inseparable.
While you are doing the Japa of any Mantra, think that you are really
praying to your Ishta Devata, that your Ishta Devata is really listening to you,
that He is looking at you with merciful or graceful eyes, and that He with
open hands is giving you full Abhaya-Dana (asking you to be free from all

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fears whatsoever) with a view to give you your desired object (Moksha).
Entertain the Bhava.
Do the Japa with feeling. Know the meaning of the Mantra. Feel His
presence in everything and everywhere. Draw closer and nearer to Him when
you repeat the Mantra. Think He is shining in the chambers of your heart. He
is witnessing your repetition of the Mantra as He is the witness of your mind.
One must take to Japa or Nama-Smarana (remembering the Name of the
Lord) very seriously and sincerely with full faith. The chanting of His Name
is but serving Him. You must have the same flow of love and respect
(devotion) in your heart at the time of thinking of or remembering His Name
as that you naturally may have in your heart at the time when you really see
Him. You should have full faith and belief in the eternity of the Name.
2. Mantra Yoga
Mantra Yoga is an exact science. "Mananat trayate iti mantrah- by the
Manana (constant thinking or recollection) of which one is protected or is
released from the round of births and deaths, is Mantra." That is called
Mantra by the meditation (Manana) on which the Jiva or the individual soul
attains freedom from sin, enjoyment in heaven and final liberation, and by
the aid of which it attains in full the fourfold fruit (Chaturvarga), i.e.,
Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. A Mantra is so called because it is
achieved by the mental process. The root 'Man' in the word Mantra comes
from the first syllable of that word, meaning 'to think' and 'Tra' from 'Trai'
meaning 'to protect' or 'free' from the bondage of Samsara or the phenomenal
world. By the combination of 'Man' and 'Tra' comes Mantra which calls forth
the four aims of being (Chaturvarga) viz., Dharma, Artha, Kama and
Moksha.
A Mantra is Divinity. It is divine power or Daivi Sakti Manifesting in a
sound body. The Mantra itself is Devata. The aspirant should try his level
best to realise his unity with the Mantra of the Divinity, and to the extent he
does so, the Mantra-power or the Mantra-Sakti supplements his worship-
power (Sadhana-Sakti). Just as a flame is strengthened by winds, so also the
aspirant's individual Sakti is strengthended by Mantra-Sakti, and then the
individual Sakti joins with the Mantra-Sakti to make it more powerful.
The Mantra is awakened from its sleep through the Sadhana-Sakti of the
aspirant. The Mantra of the Devata is that letter or combination of letters,
which reveals the Deity to the consciousness of the aspirant who has evoked

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it by the Sadhana-Sakti. The Mantra is a mass of radiant Tejas or energy.
Mantra awakens supernatural powers.
A Mantra accelerates, generates creative force. Spiritual life needs
harmony in all parts of our being. The whole being must be n perfect ease
and in tune with the Divine. Then only the spiritual Truth can be realised.
Mantra produces harmony. A Mantra has the power of releasing the cosmic
and the supercosmic consciousness. It bestows on the Sadhaka illumination,
freedom, supreme Peace, eternal Bliss and Immortality. A Mantra when
constantly repeated awakens the consciousness (Chit or Chaitanya).
Consciousness or Chaitanya is latent in a Mantra.
Sound exists in four fundamental states, viz., (1) Vaikhari or dense,
audible sound, sound in its maximum differentiation; (2) Madhyama or an
inner, subtle, more ethereal state at which it is inaudible to physical ear; (3)
Pasyanti, a still higher, inner, more ethereal state; (4) Para which represents
Isvara-Sakti and is the potential (Karana) state of the sound which is Avyakta
or undifferentiated. The Para sound is not, like the Vaikhari, different in
different languages. It is the unchanging primal substratum of them all, the
source of the universe.
The Japa of a Mantra can bring the practitioner realisation of his highest
goal even though he has no knowledge of the meaning of the Mantra. Only it
will take a little more time. There is an indescribable power or Achintya
Sakti in the Name of God or Mantra. If you repeat the Mantra with
concentration on its meaning you will attain God-consciousness quickly.
The repetition of the Mantra removes the dirt of the mind such as lust,
anger, greed, etc. Just as time mirror acquires the power of reflection when
the dirt covering it is removed, even so the mind from which the impurities
have been removed, acquires the capacity to reflect the higher spiritual Truth.
Just as soap cleanses the cloth of its impurities, so also, the Mantra is a
spiritual soap cleansing the mind. Just as fire cleanses gold of its impurities,
so also Mantra cleanses the mind of its impurities. Even a little recitation of a
Mantra with Sraddha, Bhava and concentration on its meaning with one-
pointed mind, destroys all impurities of the mind. You should utter the Name
of God or any Mantra regularly every day. The recital of a Mantra destroys
your sins and brings everlasting peace, infinite bliss, prosperity and
immortality. There is not the least doubt about this.

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 3. Sound and Image
Sound are vibrations. They give rise3 to definite forms. Each sound
produces a form in the invisible world, and combinations of sound create
complicated shapes. The text-books of science describe certain experiments
which show that notes produced by certain instruments trace out on a bed of
sand definite geometrical figures. It is thus demonstrated that rhythmical
vibrations give rise to regular geometrical figures The Hindu books on music
tell us that the various musical tunes, 'Ragas' and 'Raginis', have each a
particular shape, which these books graphically describe. For instance, the
Megha-Raga is said to be a majestic figure seated on an elephant. The
Vasanta-Raga is described as a beautiful youth decked with flowers. All this
means that a particular Raga or Ragini, when accurately sung, produces
serial etheric vibrations which create the particular shape, said to be the
characteristic of it. This view has recently received corroborations from the
experiments carried on by Mrs. Watts Hughes, the gifted author of "Voice
Figure". She delivered an illustrated lecture before a select audience in Lord
Leighton's studio to demonstrate the beautiful scientific discoveries on which
she has alighted, as the result of many years' patient labour. Mrs. Hughes
sings into a simple instrument called an 'Eidophone' which consists of a tube,
a receiver and a flexible membrance, and she find that each note assumes a
definite and constant shape, as revealed through a sensitive and mobile
medium. At the outset of her lecture, she placed tiny seeds upon the flexible
membrance and the air-vibrations set up by the notes she sounded danced
them into definite geometric patterns. Afterwards she used dusts of various
kinds, copodium dust being found particularly suitable. A reporter,
describing the shape of the notes, speaks of them as remarkable revelations
of geometry, perspective and shading: "Stars, spirals, snakes and
imaginations rioting in a wealth of captivating methodical design."Such were
what were first shown. Once when Mrs. Hughes was singing a note, a daisy
appeared and disappeared and "I tried," She said, "to sing it back for weeks
before; at last I succeeded." Now she knows that precise inflections of the
particular note that is a daisy, and it is made constant and definite by a
strange method of coaxing an alternation of crescendo and diminuendo. After
the audience had gazed enraptured a series of daisies, some with succeeding
rows of petals, delicately viewed, they were shown other notes and these
were daisies of great beauty. "How wonderful! How lovely!" were the
audible exclamations that arose from the late Lord Leighton's studio, and
exquisite form succeeded exquisite forms on the screen! The flowers were

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followed by sea-monsters, serpentine forms of swelling rotundity, full of
light and shade and details, feeding in miles of perspective. After these notes
came there forms of other trees, trees with fruits falling, trees with a
foreground of rocks, trees with sea behind. "Why", exclaimed the people in
the audience, "they are just like Japanese landscapes."
While in France, Madame Finlang's singing of a hymn to Virgin Mary
"O Ave Marium" brought out the form of Mary with child Jesus on her lap
and again the singing of a hymn to 'Bhairava' by a Bengali student of
Varanasi studying in France, gave rise to the formation of the figure of
Bhairava with his vehicle, the dog.
Thus, repeated singing of the Name of the Lord builds up gradually the
form of the Devata or the special manifestation of the Deity whom you seek
to worship, and this acts as a focus to concentrate the benign influence of the
Divine Being, which radiating from the centre, penetrates the worshipper.
When one enters the state of meditation, the flow of the inner Vritti is
greatly intensified. The deeper one goes into meditation the more marked is
the effect. The concentration of the mind upwards sends a rush of this force
through the top of the head and the response comes in a fine rain of soft
magnetism. The feeling arising from the downward power sends a wonderful
glow through the body, and one feels as if he is bathed in a soft kind of
electricity.
The above experiments demonstrate the following facts:
1. Sounds produce shapes.
2. Particular notes give rise to particular forms.
3. If you want to generate a particular form, you must produce a definite
note in a particular pitch.
The repetition of the Panchakshara Mantra, 'Om Namah Sivaya'
produces the form of Lord Siva. The repetition of 'Om Namo Narayanaya,'
the Ashtakshara Mantra of Vishnu, produces the form of Vishnu. Ina Mantra,
the vibrations to be produced by the notes are all important. Much emphasis
is laid on the pitch (Svara) as well as form (Varna) of a Mantra. Varna
literally means colour. In the invisible world all sound are accompanied by
colour, so that they give rise to many-hued shapes. In the same way colours
are accompanied by sounds. A particular note has to be used to produce a
particular form. Different notes in different pitches give rise to different
shapes. In the science of Mantras, we use different Mantras for the purpose

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of invoking different gods. If you worship Lord Siva you use 'Om Namah
Sivaya,' but in worshipping Vishnu or Sakti you will have to change the
Mantra. What happens when a Mantra is recited? The repeated recitation of
the Mantra produces in the mind the form of the Devata or the Deity
connected with the Mantra which is your Ishta, and this form becomes the
centre of your consciousness when you directly realise it. It is, therefore, said
that the Mantra of the Deva is the Deva himself. This may explain the much
misunderstood dictum of the Mimamsa philosophers that the gods do not
exist apart from the Mantras (Mantratmako Devah). This really means that
when a particular Mantra appropriated to a particular god is properly recited,
the vibrations so set up, create in the higher planes a special form which that
god ensouls for the time being.

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 Chapter Two
GLORY OF THE NAME
1. Nama Mahima
What a lot of joy the repetition of His Name brings! What a lot of power
it infuses into man! How it changes the human nature marvellously! How it
exalts a man to the status of divinity! How it destroys old sins, Vasanas,
Sankalpas, whims, fancies, depressing moods, sex-impulses and various
Samskaras!
How sweet is God's Name! What a tremendous power it possesses! How
it transforms quickly the Asuric, diabolical nature into Sattvic, Divine nature!
How it brings you face to face with the Lord and makes you realise your
oneness with Him (Para Bhakti- Supreme Love)!
The Name of God chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or
unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, is sure to give the desired result. The
Glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning and
intellect. It can certainly be experienced or realised only through devotion,
faith and constant repetition of the Name. Every Name is filled with
countless potencies or Saktis. The power of the Name is ineffable. Its Glory
is indescribable. The efficacy and inherent Sakti of the Name of God in
unfathomable.
Just as fire has the natural property of burning inflammable things, so
also the Name of God has the power of burning sins, Samskaras and Vasanas
and bestowing Eternal Bliss and everlasting peace on those who repeat it.
Just as burning quality is natural to and inherent in fire, so also the power of
destroying sins with their very root and branch, and bringing the aspirant into
blissful union with the Lord through Bhava-Samadhi is natural to and
inherent in the Name of God.
O Man! Take refuge in the Name, Nami and Nama are inseparable. Sing
the Lord's Name incessantly, Remember the Name of the Lord with every
incoming and outgoing breath. In this iron age Nama-Smarana or Japa is the
easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to reach god and attain immortality
and perennial Joy. Glory to the Lord! Glory to His Name!
It was the utterance of the Name of God alone that caused the salvation
of a great sinner of the type of Ajamila. Ajamila was a righteous Brahmin in
the beginning. He fell in love with a low-caste girl and committed many

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atrocious crimes. It was at the time of death he uttered the name of his son
'Narayana' and there came the Parshadas of Narayana Himself to his rescue,
and he (Ajamila) was released from this world for ever. Mark here the
extraordinary power of the Name.
You may be aware how the Ganika (prostitute) Pingala was
mysteriously transformed into a saintly lady by the power of the Name
(repeating the Name of Sri Rama) through her Guru, the parrot which she
obtained as a lovely present from a thief, and how she easily obtained
salvation, the parrot was trained to utter the Name "Sri Rama, Sri Rama".
Pingala knew nothing of Rama-Name. She heard the sound Rama-Rama
through the mouth of the parrot. It was very melodious and charming.
Pingala was very much attracted. She fixed her mind on Rama-Nama, uttered
by the parrot, and mysteriously entered into Bhava Samadhi (union with
Rama). Such is the power of the Name of the Lord. It is a pity that the
present-day people who have studied science and who brag of their worthless
secular learning have n faith in Nama-Smarana. It is highly deplorable.
Just hear the glory of Rama-Nama. You must learn to take the Name of
Rama with full devotion and faith. When you study the Ramayana of
Tulasidas you will learn how great the Divine Power of that blessed Name is.
Gandhiji writes: "You might ask me why I tell you to use the word
Rama and not one of the many other Names of the Creator. True His Names
are as many as and more than the leaves on a tree, and I might, for instance,
ask you to use the word God. But what meaning, what associations, would it
have for you here? In order to enable you to feel anything when repeating the
word God, I should have to teach you some English. I should have to explain
to you foreign people's thoughts and associations.
"But in telling you to repeat the Name of Rama, I am giving you a Name
worshipped since countless generations by the people of this land- an Name
familiar to the very animals and birds, the very trees and stones of
Hindusthan, through many thousand years. You will learn from Ramayana
how a stone by the roadside sprang to life at the touch of Rama's foot as he
passed by. You must learn to repeat the blessed Name of Rama with
sweetness and such devotion that the birds will pause in their singing to
listen to you, that the very trees will bend their leaves towards you, stirred by
the divine melody of that Name."

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 Kamal got a severe scolding from his father Kabir for prescribing to a
rich merchant Rama-Nama to be repeated twice for curing leprosy. Kamal
asked the merchant to repeat Rama-Nama twice and yet he was not cured of
the disease. Kamal reported to his father this incidence. Kabir was very much
annoyed and told Kamal: "You have brought disgrace on me by asking the
merchant to repeat Rama-Nama twice. Repetition of Rama-Nama once is
quite sufficient. Now beat the merchant severely with a stick on his head.
Ask him to stand in the Ganga and repeat Rama-Nama once from the bottom
of his heart." Kamal followed the instruction on his father. He gave a good
thrashing on the head of the merchant. The merchant repeated Rama-Nama
once only with Bhava, from the bottom of his heart. He was completely
cured of leprosy.
Kabir sent Kamal to Tulasidas. In the presence of Kamal, Tulasidas
wrote Rama-Nama on a Tulasi-leaf and sprinkled the juice over 50 lepers.
All were cured. Kamal was quite astonished. Then Kabir sent Kamal to blind
Sur Das. Sur Das asked Kamal to bring the corpse that was floating in the
river. The corpse was brought. Sur Das repeated 'Ram' only once (not the full
Name Rama) in one ear of the corpse, and it was brought back to life.
Kamal's heart was filled with awe and wonder. Such is the power of God's
Name. My dear friends! My educated college youths! My dear Barristers
Professors, Doctors and Judges! Don't be puffed up with Bhava false secular
learning. Repeat the Name of the Lord with Bhava and Prema from the
bottom of your heart and realise the Supreme Bliss, Knowledge, Peace and
Immortality right now in this very birth, nay, this very second.
Kabir says: "If anyone utters 'Rama' 'Rama' even in dream, I would like
to make for his daily use a pair of shoes out of my skin." Who can describe
the glory of God's sacred Name? Who can really comprehend the greatness
and splendour of the holy Names of God? Even Parvati, the consort of Lord
Siva, failed to describe in adequate terms the grandeur and true significance
of God's Name. When one sings His Name or hears it sung, he is
unconsciously raised to sublime Spiritual heights. He loses his body-
consciousness. He is immersed in joy. He drinks the divine nectar of
Immortality. He gets Divine intoxication. Repetition of God's Name enables
the devotee to feel the Divine Presence, the Divine glory, the Divine
consciousness within himself and also everywhere. How sweet is Hari's
Name! How powerful is the Name of the Lord! How much joy, peace and
strength His Name brings to one who repeats it! Blessed indeed are those

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who God's Name, for they will be free from the wheel of birth and death and
will attain Immortality!
The Pandavas were never burnt to death, though the Lakshagriha (house
of lac) in which they lived was burnt, because of their immense faith in the
Name of Hari; the Gopalakas were not harmed by fire, when the wild fire
broke out, because of their immense faith in the Lord's Name; Hanuman was
never burnt though his tail was set fire to by the Rakshasas, on account of his
immense faith in Rama's Name; Prahlada was not burnt by fire because he
had taken refuge in the Name of Hari; Sita was not harmed through fire
though she had to undergo the fire-trial for testing her chastity, because she
had Rama's Name as her sole refuge; the palace of Vibhishana was not burnt
when the whole of Lanka was burnt to ashes, because of his immense faith in
the Name of Sri Rama. Such is the glory of the Lord's Name.
2. Benefits of Japa
I
Japa checks the force of the thought-current moving towards objects. It
forces the mind to move toward God, toward the attainment of eternal bliss.
It eventually helps to have Darsana of God. The Mantra Chaitanya is hidden
in every Mantra, Whenever the Sadhaka or spiritual aspirant shows lack of
vigour in his Sadhana, the Mantra-Sakti or power of the Mantra reinforces
the Sadhana-Sakti of the Sadhaka. Constant and prolonged repetition for
some months cuts new grooves in the mind and the brain.
During Japa all the divine qualities steadily flow into your mind from
the Lord, just as oil flows from one vessel to another vessel. Japa transforms
the nature of the mind. It fills the mind with Sattva.
Japa changes the mental substance from passion to purity, from Rajas to
Sattva. It calms and strengthens the mind. It makes the mind introspective. It
checks the out-going tendencies of the mind. It eradicates all kinds of evil
thoughts and inclinations. It induces determination and austerity. Eventually
it leads to the direct Darsana of God, the Ishta Devata, or tutelary Deity, or to
God-realisation.
The mind is purified by constant Japa and worship. It is filled with good
and pure thoughts. Repetition of Mantra and worship strengthen the good
Samskaras. "As a man thinks, so he becomes." This is the psychological law.
The mind of a man who trains himself in thinking good, holy thoughts,

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develops a tendency to think of good thoughts. His character is moulded and
transformed by continued good thoughts. When the mind thinks of the image
of the Lord during Japa and worship, the mental substance actually assumes
the form of the image. The impression of the object is left in the mind. This
is called Samskara. When the act is repeated every often, the Samskaras gain
strength by repetition and a tendency or habit is formed in the mind. He who
entertains thoughts of Divinity becomes transformed actually into Divinity
itself by constant thinking and meditation. His Bhava or disposition is
purified and divinised. The meditator and the meditated, the worshipper and
the worshipped, the thinker and the thought, become one and the same. This
is Samadhi. This is the fruit of worship or Upasana or doing Japa.
Silent repetition of God's Name, HARI OM or SRI RAMA, is a
tremendous tonic and potent specific for all diseases. it should never be
stopped even for a day under any circumstances. It is like food. It is a
spiritual food for the hungry soul. Lord Jesus says: "You can hardly live on
bread alone; but you can live on the Name of God alone." You can drink and
live on the nectar that flows during Japa and meditation. Even simple
mechanical repetition of a Mantra has got very great effect. It purifies the
mind. It serves as a gate-keeper. It gives intimations to you whenever some
worldly thoughts enter the mind. At once you can drive those thoughts and
do Smarana of the Mantra. Even during mechanical repetition, a portion of
the mind is there at work with it.
If you utter the word 'excreta' or 'urine' when your friend is taking his
meals, he may at once vomit his food. If you think of 'Garam Pakoda', 'hot
Pakoda', your tongue will get salivation. There is a Sakti in every word.
When such is the case with ordinary words, how much more power or Sakti
should there be in the Name of God- HARI, RAMA, SIVA or KRISHNA?
Repetition or thinking of His Name produces a tremendous influence on the
mind. It transforms the mental substance, 'Chitta', overhauls the vicious old
Samskaras in the mind, transmutes the Asuric or diabolical nature and bring
the devotee face to face with God. There is no doubt about this. O sceptics
and scientific atheists! Wake up! Open your eyes. Chant His Name always.
Sing. Do Kirtan.
It is only 'Name-Smarana' that is free from difficulties and troubles. It is
easy, comfort-giving and simple. It is therefore said to be the 'head', the
'King' of all Sadhanas (means to God-realisation).

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 When you repeat His Name, you must evince from the bottom of your
heart Ananya Bhakti (unflinching devotion to God without love for any other
object). You must drive off all other worldly thoughts from your mind. Fill
the mind with thoughts of God and God alone. You must struggle. You must
exert hard. Remain absorbed in Him. You must have Avyabhicharini Bhakti.
To love Lord Krishna for 3 months, Rama for another 3 months, Sakti
for 6 months, Hanuman for some time, Lord Siva for some time, is not good.
This is Vyabhicharini Bhakti. If you love Krishna, Love Him alone till the
end. Just as you see wood alone at the back of chair, table, bench, stick,
almirah, cup-board, etc., see the Antaratman, Avyakta (hidden) Krishna
alone in a flower, tree, fruits, tumbler, and all objects. This is Ananya Bhakti,
This is Para Bhakti.
Just as you remember all the qualities of your son when you think of his
name, e.g., Visvanathan, you should remember the qualities of God as
Omnipotence, Omniscience, etc., when you think of His Name.
When you repeat the Mantra, have Sattvic Bhava or Suddha Bhava
(right mental Attitude, Sattvic feeling). The Bhava comes slowly when the
purification-process goes on. Even mere mechanical repetition has very great
effect. The vibration in the mind set up by the repetition purifies the Chitta
(mind-stuff), brings Chitta-Suddhi.
A beginner should have a Japa-Maala or rosary. Later on he can take
recourse to Manasika Japa (mental repetition). If a man repeats the Mantra
for 6 hours daily, his heart will be purified quickly. He can feel the purity.
You must have great faith in you Guru-Mantra. You must keep it a secret,
also.
The shorter the Mantra you use, the greater will be your power of
concentration. Of all Mantras Rama-Nama is the best. It is easy to repeat
also.
II
Japa purifies the heart.
Japa steadies the mind.
Japa destroys the Shadripus (six enemies).
Japa destroys birth and death.
Japa burns sins.
Japa scorches Samskaras.
Japa annihilates attachment.

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Japa induces Vairagya.
Japa roots out all desires.
Japa makes one fearless.
Japa removes delusion.
Japa gives supreme Peace.
Japa develops Prema.
Japa unites the devotee with the Lord.
Japa gives health, wealth, strength and long life.
Japa brings God-consciousness.
Japa bestows Eternal Bliss.
Japa awakens the Kundalini.
III
Japa gives a nice, refreshing, exhilarating, spiritual bath.
It wonderfully washes the subtle body or Linga Sarira or astral body.
Japa is a marvellous divine soap for the mind.
It cleanses it of its various kinds of impurities.
If you are not able to form the image of your Ishta Devata,
If you are not able to fix the mind on your tutelary Deity,
You may try to hear the sound of the Mantra repeated by you,
Or think of the letters of the Mantra in order.
This will stop mind-wandering.
IV
At any moment death will snatch you away.
For eating and drinking this life is not meant.
Very difficult it is to get a human birth,
O friend, wake up, do Japa of Hari Om or Sri Rama.
There is no better healer in this iron age
Than the Japa of the Mantra of God.
Japa keeps Lord Yama away.
Japa destroys the five afflictions and three Taapas.
Just as fire burns cotton,
So does Japa burn all Karmas,
Just as the Ganga purifies a dirty cloth,
So does Japa purify the dirty mind.
The eager aspirant thirsting for God's Darsana
Punctually gets up at Brahmamuhurta,
With crossed legs in Padmasana he sits.
With Bhava and Prema the beads he rolls,
Silent Japa does he sometimes,

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Whispers or hums he at other times,
Though near, his neighbour can't hear.
Sometimes loud Japa does he when the mind wanders.
Anushthana he performs on the banks of the Ganga,
Lives on milk and fruits or fasts sometimes,
Finishes Purascharana of Japa of lakhs,
Gets peace of mind and divine experiences.
Havan he does when Purascharana is over,
The Brahmins, the Sadhus, the poor he feeds.
Thus pleases he the Lord and gets His Grace,
And attains Bliss, Perfection and immortality!
The fire of Japa imparts divine splendour to his face.
The Japa-Yogi now shines more resplendent than the Sun,
Through Japa alone all Siddhis and Riddhis he attains,
Even Adi-Sesha cannot now describe his splendour and glory.

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 Chapter Three
MANTRAS
1. Pranava
Om (Aum) is everything. Om is the Name or symbol of God, Isvara,
Brahman. Om is your real name. Om covers the whole threefold experience
of man. Om stands for all the phenomenal worlds. From Om this sense-
universe has been projected. The world exists in Om and dissolves in Om. 'A'
represents the physical plane. 'U' represents the mental and astral plane, the
world of intelligent spirits, all heavens. 'M' represents the whole deep sleep
state, and all that is unknown even in your wakeful state, all that is beyond
the reach of the intellect. Om represents all. Om is the basis of your life,
thought and intelligence. Om is everything. All words which denote objects
are centred in Om. Hence the whole world has come from Om, rests in Om,
and dissolves in Om. As soon as you sit for meditation, chant Om loudly 3 or
6 or12 times. This will drive away all worldly thoughts from the mind and
remove Vikshepa (tossing of mind). Then take to mental repetition of Om.

The Japa of Om (Pranava Japa) has a tremendous influence on the mind.

The pronunciation of the sacred syllable Om, is one which had engaged the
attention of all Europeans devoted to Eastern studies. The vibrations set up
by this word are so powerful that, if one persists in taking recourse to them,
they would bring the largest building to the ground. This seems difficult to
believe in until one has tried the practice; but once having tried it one can
easily understand how the above statement may be true and perfectly correct.
I have tested the power of the vibrations and can quite believe that the effect
would be as stated. Pronounced as spelt, it will have a certain effect upon the
student; but pronounced in its correct method, it arouses and transforms
every atom in his physical body, setting up new vibrations and conditions,
and awakening the sleeping power of the body.

2. Hari Nama

Every Mantra has the following six parts: It has got a Rishi who had
Self-realisation for the first time through this Mantra and who gave this
Mantra to others. He is the Seer for this Mantra. Saga Visvamitra is the Rishi
or Gayatri. It has a Metre also. There is a particular Devata or presiding
Deity of the Mantra. It has got a Bija or seed. This gives a special power to
the Mantra. This is the essence of the Mantra. Every Mantra has got a Sakti.
Lastly it has a Kilaka (Pillar or pin). This plugs the Mantra-Chaitanya that is

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hidden in the Mantra. As soon as the plug is removed by constant and
prolonged repetition of the Name, the Chitanya that is hidden is revealed.
The devotee gets Darsana of the Ishta Devata.

"Mananat trayate iti mantrah"-- By the Manana (constant thinking or

recollection) or which one is protected or is released is Mantra. It is Mantra
that leads to the realisation of one's own Ishta Devata. And also, practically
speaking, the Ishta Devata and the Mantra are one and the same thing.

The mere remembrance of Hari's Name destroys all the accumulated sins
of various births.

"Harer-Nama Harer-Nama Harer-Namaiva Kevalam; Kalau Nastyeva

Nastyeva Nastyeva Gatiranyatha." In this Kali Yuga, there exists only the
Name of Hari, Hari. In this Kali Yuga, there is on other means, no other way,
and no other method for attaining salvation. Even the sins of the greatest of
the sinners are brought to nothing by the utterance of Hari's Name (Name of
God). Not only this, but by doing so, we get eternal safety, Self-realisation
and eternal happiness. This is the importance of Hari-Nama.
"Rama Na Sakahim Nama Gun Gai- Even Rama, God Himself, cannot
describe the greatness of Nama." Then what to speak of us? It is all the more
needed at this present age of ours. Because in this Kali Yuga (iron age):
"Kali Yuga Kevala Nama Adhara- The only support in this iron age or Kali
Yuga is nothing but the Name of God." There is no other means, simpler and
easier than this, to obtain eternal happiness and peace.
"Rama Nama Manideep Dharu Jiha Dehari Dwar,
Tulsi Bhitar Baher Hun Jo Chahasi Ujiyar."
Put this jewel, light of Rama-Nama (the Name of Rama) at the gate of
your door, tongue, if you want to illuminated yourself, both inside and
outside ('in' and 'out' of your own self).
"Ulta Naam Japat Jag Jana,
Valmiki Bhaye Brahma Samana."

All the world knows that by uttering the Name even in its opposite form,
by saying Mara-Mara instead of Rama-Rama, the great saint Valmiki became
Brahman Himself.
When such is the effect of Ulta Nama, then who can speak of the glory
of the right and the proper Nama (Name)?
"Gafil Tu Hai Ghadyal Yah Deta Hai Munadi,
Gardoon ne Ghadi Umar Ki Teri Aur Ghata di."

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 O careless one! The bell is reminding you again and again, The time has
but brought you near the limit of your lifetime. And therefore:
"Ram Naam ki Loot Hai, Loot Sake To Loot,
Anta Kaal Pachtayega Jab Pran Jayenge Choot."

You must take for yourself in abundance the Name of Sri Rama.
Otherwise, at the last moment of your life, when death approaches you, and
when Prana (life) will cease to remain in this body of yours, you will but
grieve and lament for it.
"Ram Naam Aaradhano Tulsi Britha Na Jay,
Larkayi Ko Pairibo Aage Hot Sahay;
Tulsi Apne Ram Ko Reejh Bhajo Ya Kheej,
Ulta Seedha Jaamihain Khet Pare Te Beej."

The well-known poet Goswami Tulsidasji says: "The worshipping of the

Name of Rama never goes in vain, just as the practice of swimming in one's
boyhood is of great help at some future time." He says that whether you
remember Rama in your pleasant mood, or unpleasant mood, it is sure to
give its good effect, just as the seeds in the fields thrown either rightly or
wrongly give good results.

Those who do not believe in this may do this for the sake of examination
or test and then do as they like or think proper. It is not at all wise to while
away the time in arguments or vain discussions merely. Life is short. Time is
fleeting. The body is continually decaying. There is nothing but gain and
gain only in doing Japa or Nama-Smarana.

3. Kali-Santarana Upanishad

At the end of Dvapara Yuga Narada Rishi approached Braham, the

Creator, and asked: "O Lord! How shall I be able to cross Kali, wandering in
this world?" Brahma replied: "Hearken that which the Srutis keep as secret
and hidden, by which one may cross the Samsara in Kali Yuga. One can
shake off the evil effects of Kali through mere uttering of the Name of Lord
Narayana." Again Narada asked: "May I know the Name, my Lord?" Brahma
replied:
"Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare."

These 16 Names destroy, doubtless, the evil effects of Kali. They

remove the Avarana or veil of ignorance of the Jiva surrounded by 16 Kalas

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(rays). Then, like the sun which shines in full effulgence after the clouds are
dispersed, Para Brahman alone shines in full splendour.

Narada asked: "O Lord! May I know the rules to be observed in the
repetition of the Mantras?" Brahma replied: "There are no rules. Whoever in
a pure or in an impure state utters these always, attains Salokya (the same
world of), Samipya (proximity with), Sarupya (the same from of) or Sayujya
(absorption into) Brahman."

Whoever utters 3 crores (35 millions) of times this Mantra composed

of 16 Names gets rid even of the sin of the murder of a Brahmin. He
becomes purified from the sin of thefts of gold. He becomes purified from
the sin of cohabitation with a woman of a low caste. He is purified of the sins
of wrong done to Pitris, Devas and men. Having given up all Dharmas, he
becomes freed at once from all sins. He is at once released from all bondages
and gets Mukti. This is the Kali-Santarana Upanishad of the Krishna-Yajur-
Veda. In Bengal this Mantra is repeated by a large number of people. It is the
favourite Mantra of the Vaishnavites of Bengal.

4. Japa Vidhana

Japa is the repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord with Bhava and
feeling.

Japa removes the impurities of the mind, destroys sins and brings the
devotee face to face with the Lord.

Every Name is filled with countless powers. Just as fire has the natural
property of burning things, so also the Name of God has the power of
burning sins and desires.

Sweeter than all sweet things, more auspicious than all good things,
purer than all pure things, is the Name of the Lord.

The Name of the Lord is a boat to cross this Samsara. It is a weapon to

destroy the mind.

The repetition of a Mantra again and again generates great spiritual force
and momentum and intensifies the spiritual Samskaras or impressions.

Repetition of a Mantra raises vibrations. Vibrations give rise to definite

forms. Repetition of 'Om Namah Sivaya' gives rise to the form of Lord Siva

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in the mind; repetition of 'Om Namo Narayanaya' gives rise to the form of
Lord Hari.

The glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning

and intellect. It can certainly be experienced or realised, only through
devotion, faith and constant repetition.

Japa is of three kinds, viz., Manasika Japa or mental Japa, Upamsu Japa
or Japa with humming, and Vaikhari Japa or loud audible Japa.

Mental repetition or Japa or Manasika Japa is more powerful than loud

Japa.

Get up at 4 a.m., and do the Japa for two hours. Brahmamuhurta is most
favourable for Japa and meditation.

If you cannot take bath, wash your hands, feet, face and body, and sit for
Japa.

Face the North or the East when sitting. This enhances the efficacy of
the Japa.

Sit on Kusa-grass or deer-skin or rug. Spread a sheet of cloth over it.

This conserves body-electricity.

Do some prayer before starting the Japa.

Have a steady pose. Have Asana-Japa or conquest over Asana. You must
be able to sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for three hours at a stretch.

When you repeat the Mantra, have the feeling or mental attitude that the
Lord is seated in your heart, that Sattva or purity is flowing from the Lord to
your mind, that the Mantra purifies your heart, destroys desires and cravings
and evil thoughts.

Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner, as a contractor tries to finish his

work in a hurried way. Do it slowly with Bhava, one-pointedness of mind
and single-minded devotion.

Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without mistakes. Do not repeat it

too fast or too slow.

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 Use not the index finger while rolling the beads. Use the thumb, the
middle and the ring fingers. When counting of one Maala is over, revert it
and come back again. Cross not the Meru. Cover your hand with a towel.

Be vigilant. Keep an alert attention during Japa. Stand up and do the

Japa when sleep tries to overpower you.

Resolve to finish a certain minimum number of Maalas before leaving

the seat.

Maala or rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God.

Sometimes do the Japa without Maala. Go by the watch.

Practice meditation also along with Japa. This is Japa-Sahita-Dhyana.

Gradually Japa will drop and meditation alone will continue. This is Japa-
Rahita-Dhyana.

Have four sittings for Japa daily-early morning, noon, evening and night.

A devotee of Lord Vishnu should repeat 'Om Namo Narayanaya'; a

devotee of Lord Siva 'Om Namah Sivaya'; a devotee of Lord Krishna 'Om
Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya'; a devotee of Lord Rama 'Om Sri Ramaya
Namah' or 'Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama'; a devotee of Devi,
Gayatri Mantra or Durga Mantra.

It is better to stick to one Mantra alone. See the Lord Krishna in Rama,
Siva, Durga, Gayatri, and everyone.

Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential. Sit in the same place and at
the same time.

Purascharana is repetition of the Mantra Akshara-Laksha, one lakh times

for each letter.

Japa must become habitual. Even in dream you must be doing Japa.

Japa Yoga is the easiest, quickest, safest, surest, and cheapest way for
attaining God-realisation. Glory to the Lord! Glory, glory to His Name!

O Man! Take refuge in the Name. Nama and Nami are inseparable.

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 5. Mantras for Japa
1- Jhegkx.kir;s ue%
2- ue% f'kok;
3- ueks ukjk;.kk;
4- gfj%
5- gfj% rr~ lr~
6- gjs jke gjs jke jke jke gjs gjs
gjs ".k gjs ".k ".k ".k gjs gjs
7- ueks Hkxors oklqnsok;
8- Jh".kk; xksfoUnk; xksihtuoYyHkk; ue%
9- ".kk; ue%
10- Jhjke t; jke t; t; jke
11- Jhjkek; ue%
12- JhlhrkjkepUkH;ka ue%
13- Jhjke jke jkesfr jes jkes euksjesA
lguke rkqY;a jke uke ojkuusAA
14- vkinkeigrkZja nkrkja loZlEinke~A
yksdkfHkjkea Jhjkea Hkw;ks Hkw;ks uekE;ge~AA
15- vkrkZukefrZgUrkja Hkhrkuka Hkhfruk'kue~A
f}"krka dkyn.Ma ra jkepUa uekE;ge~AA
16- jkek; jkeHkk; jkepUk; cs/lsA
j?kqukFkk; ukFkk; lhrk;k% ir;s ue%AA
17- lhrkjke AA jk/s';ke AA jk/s".k AA
18- Jhjke% 'kj.ka ee
19- Jh".k% 'kj.ka ee

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20- Jhlhrkjke% 'kj.ka ee
21- JhjkepUpj.kkS 'kj.ka izi|s
22- Jhekjk;.kpj.kkS 'kj.k izi|s
23- lnso izuk; rokLehfr p ;kprsA
vHk;a loZHkwrsH;ks nnkE;srn! ozra eeAA
24- Jh guqers ue%
25- JhljLoR;S ue%
26- Jh dkfydk;S ue%
27- Jh nqxkZ;S ue%
28- Jheky{E;S ue%
29- Jh'kjo.kHkok; ue%
30- Jhf=kiqjlqUn;SZ ue%
31- Jhckykijes ;SZ ue%
32- lksge~
33- vga czkfLe
34- roefl
35- =;acda ;tkegs lqxfU/a iqf"Vo/Zue~ A
mokZ#dfeo cU/ukUe`R;kseqZ{kh; eke`rkr~ AA

* * *

(55)
 vFk v"Vk{kjeU=k%
ueks ukjk;.kk;
vL; Jhekjk;.kk"Vk{kjh egkeU=kL; lk;ukjk;.k f"k% A nsohxk;=kh NUn%
A Jhekjk;.kks nsork AA tis fofu;ksx% AA
qksYdk; Lokgk vaxq"BkH;ka ue%
egksYdk; Lokgk rtZuhH;ka ue%
ohjksYdk; Lokgk e/;ekH;ka ue%
}qYdk; Lokgk vukfedkH;ka ue%
KkuksYdk; Lokgk dfuf"BdkH;ka ue%
lgksYdk; Lokgk djrydjiq"BkH;ka ue%

bfr djU;kl%
qksYdk; Lokgk n;k; ue%
egksYdk; Lokgk f'kjls Lokgk
ohjksYdk; Lokgk f'k[kk;S o"kV~
}qYdk; Lokgk dopk; gq
KkuksYdk; Lokgk us=k=k;k; okS"kV~
lgksYdk; Lokgk vLk; QV~

bR;U;kl%
m|dksfVfnokdjkHkefu'ka 'ka xnka ita
pa foHkzrfefUnjkolqerhla'kksfHkik Z};e~ A
dksVhjkngkjdq.My/ja ihrkEcja dkSLrqHkkshIra
fo /ja Loo{kfla ylPNhoRlfpa Hkts AA

bfr ;kue~

* * *

(56)
 vFk }kn'kk{kjeU=k%
ueks Hkxors oklqnsok;
vL; Jh}kn'kk{kjh egkeU=kL; iztkifr f"k% A xk;=kh NUn% oklqnso%
ijekRek nsork AA tis fofu;ksx% AA
ueks ueksM~xq"BkH;ka ue%
Hkxors ueLrtZuhH;ka ue%
oklqnsok; e/;ekH;ka ue%
ueks ueksukfedkH;ka ue%
Hkxors ue% dfuf"BdkH;ka ue%
oklqnsok; ue% djrydjiq"BkH;ka ue%

bfr djU;kl%
ueks ueks n;k; ue%
Hkxors ue% f'kjls Lokgk
oklqnsok; ue% f'k[kk;S o"kV~
ueks ue% dopk; gq
Hkxors ue% us=k=k;k; okS"kV~
oklqnsok; ueksk; QV~

bR;U;kl%
fo".kqa 'kkjnpUdksln`'ka 'ka jFkka xnk&
eaHkksta n/ra flrkCtfuy;a dkUR;k txUeksgue~ A
vkckngkjdq.MyegkekSfya LQqjRd.ka
JhoRlkadeqnkjdkSLrqHk/ja oUns equhUS% Lrqre~ AA

bfr ;kue~

* * *

(57)
 vFk f'koik{kjeU=k%
ue% f'kok;
vL; Jhf'kok{kjh egkeU=kL; okenso f"k% A iafrQ'NUn% A bZ'kkuks
(okensoks) nsork AA chte~ A ue% 'kfrQ% A f'kok;sfr dhyde~ A tis
fofu;ksx% AA
vaxq"BkH;ka ue%
ua rtZuhH;ka ue%
ea e/;ekH;ka ue%
f'ka vukfedkH;ka ue%
oka dfuf"BdkH;ka ue%
;a djrydjiq"BkH;ka ue%

bfr djU;kl%
n;k; ue%
ua f'kjls Lokgk
ea f'k[kk;S o"kV~
f'ka dopk; gq
oka us=k=k;k; okS"kV~
;a vLk; QV~

bR;U;kl%
;k;sfR;a egs'ka jtrfxfjfuHka pk#pUkorala
jRukdYiksTToyka ij'kqe`xojkHkhfrgLra izle~ A
iklhua leUrkr~ Lrqreejx.kSO;kZ?kzfka olkua
fo k|a fo chta fuf[kyHk;gja i oD=ka f=kus=ke~ AA

bfr ;kue~

* * *

(58)
 Transliteration
No. Mantras Devata
1. Om Sri Maha-Ganapataya Namah Lord Ganapati
2. Om Namassivaya (Panchakshara Mantra) Lord Siva
3. Om Namo Narayanaya (Ashtakshara Mantra) Lord Hari
4. Harih Om Lord Hari
5. Harih Om Tat Sat Lord Hari
6. Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare;
Hari Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Maha Mantra
7. Om Namo Bhagavate Vssudevaya Lord Krishna
8. Om Sri Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijana Vallabhaya Namah Lord Krishna
9. Om Sri Krishnaya Namah Lord Krishna
10. Om Sri Rama, Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama Lord Rama
11. Om Sri Ramaya Namah Lord Rama
12. Om Sri Sita-Ramachandrabhyam Namah Lord Rama
13. Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Rame Rame Manorame,
Sahasranama Tattulyam Rama Nama Varanane Lord Rama
14. Apadamapaharttram Dataram Sarvasampadam;
Lokabhiramam Sri Ramam Bhuyo Bhuyo Namamyaham Lord Rama
15. Artanamartihantaram Bhitanam Bhitinasanam;
Dvishatam Kaladandam Tam Ramachandram Namamyaham Lord Rama
16. Ramaya Ramabhadraya Ramachandraya Vedhase;
Raghunathaya Nathaya Sitayah Pataye Namah Lord Rama
17. Sita Ram; Radhe Shyam; Radhe Krishna Jugal Mantra
18. Om Sri Ramah Saranam Mama Saranagati Mantra
19. Om Sri Krishnah Saranam Mama Saranagati Mantra
20. Om Sri Sita-Ramah Saranam Mama Saranagati Mantra
21. Om Sri Ramachandra Charanau Saranam Prapadye Saranagati Mantra
22. Om Sriman Narayana Charanau Saranam Prapadye Saranagati Mantra
23. Sakrideva Prapannaya Tavasmiti Cha Yachate;
Abhayam Sarvabhutebhyo Dadamyeytad Vratam Mama Saranagati Mantra
24. Om Sri Hanumate Namah Sri Hamuman
25. Om Sri Sarasvatyai Namah Sri Sarasvati
26. Om Kaalikayai Namah Sri Kaalika
27. Om Sri Durgayai Namah Sri Devi
28. Om Sri Maha-Lakshmyai Namah Sri Lakshmi
29. Om Sri Saravanabhavaya Namah Lord Subrahmanya
or Karttikeya
30. Om Sri Tripura-Sundaryai Namah Tripura Sundari
31. Om Sri Bala-Parameshvaryai Namah Sarada
32. Om Soham Vedantic Formula
33. Om Aham Brahma Asmi Vedantic Formula

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34. Om Tat Tvam Asi Vedantic Formula
35. Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam,
Urvarukamiva Bandhanam-Mrityormukshiya Maamritat
Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra

GAYATRIS OF DIFFERENT DEVATAS

Ganesa-Gayatri A
1. ,dnUrk; fogs orq.Mk; /hefg A
rks nUrh izpksn;kr~ AA
Ganesa-Gayatri AA
2. rRiq#"kk; fogs orq.Mk; /hefg A
rks nUrh izpksn;kr~ AA
Brahma-Gayatri A
3. osnkReus fogs fgj.;xHkkZ; /hefg A
rks czk izpksn;kr~ AA
Brahma-Gayatri AA
4. prqeqZ[kk; fogs de.Myq/jk; /hefg A
rks czk izpksn;kr~ AA
Vishnu-Gayatri
5. ukjk;.kk; fogs oklqnsok; /hefg A
rks fo".kq% izpksn;kr~ AA
Nrisimha-Gayatri A
6. otzu[kk; fogs rh{.ka"Vk; /hefg A
rks u`flag% izpksn;kr~ AA
Nrisimha-Gayatri AA
7. u`flagk; fogs otzu[kk; /hefg A
r% flag% izpksn;kr~ AA
Garuda-Gayatri
8. rRiq#"kk; fogs lqo.kZi{kk; /hefg A
rks x#M% izpksn;kr~ AA

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 Rudra-Gayatri A
9. rRiq#"kk; fogs egknsok; /hefg A
rks #% izpksn;kr~ AA
Rudra-Gayatri AA
10. rRiq#"kk; fogs lgk{kk; egknsok; /hefg A
rks #% izpksn;kr~ AA
Nandikesvara-Gayatri
11. rRiq#"kk; fogs ufUnds jk; /hefg A
rks o`"kHk% izpksn;kr~ AA
Shanmukha-Gayatri A
12. rRiq#"kk; fogs egklsuk; /hefg A
r% LdUn% izpksn;kr~ AA
Shanmukha-Gayatri AA
13. "k.eq[kk; fogs egklsuk; /hefg A
r% "k"B% izpksn;kr~ AA
Surya-Gayatri A
14. HkkLdjk; fogs egk|qfrdjk; /hefg A
r% vkfnR;% izpksn;kr~ AA
Surya-Gayatri AA
15. vkfnR;k; fogs lgfdj.kk; /hefg A
rks Hkkuq% izpksn;kr~ AA
Surya-Gayatri AAA
16. izHkkdjk; fogs fnokdjk; /hefg A
r% lw;Z% izpksn;kr~ AA
Durga-Gayatri A
17. dkR;k;U;S fogs dU;kdqek;SZ /hefg A
rks nqxkZ izpksn;kr~ AA
Durga-Gayatri AA
18. egk'kwfyU;S fogs egknqxkZ;S /hefg A
rks Hkxorh izpksn;kr~ AA

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 Rama-Gayatri
19. nk'kjFk;s fogs lhrkoYyHkk; /hefg A
rks jke% izpksn;kr~ AA
Hanumad-Gayatri
20. vktus;k; fogs ok;qiq=kk; /hefg A
rks guqeku~ izpksn;kr~ AA
Krishna-Gayatri
21. nsodhuUnuk; fogs oklqnsok; /hefg A
r% ".k% izpksn;kr~ AA
Gopal-Gayatri
22. xksikyk; fogs xksihtuoYyHkk; /hefg A
rks xksiky% izpksn;kr~ AA
Parasurama-Gayatri
23. tkenXuk; fogs egkohjk; /hefg A
r% ij'kqjke% izpksn;kr~ AA
Dakshinamuri-Gayatri
24. nf{k.kkewrZ;s fogs ;kuLFkk; /hefg A
rks /h'k% izpksn;kr~ AA
Guru-Gayatri
25. xq#nsok; fogs ijcz.ks /hefg A
rks xq#% izpksn;kr~ AA
Hamsa-Gayatri A
26. galk; fogs ijegalk; /hefg A
rks gal% izpksn;kr~ AA
Hamsa-Gayatri AA
27. ijegalk; fogs egkrok; /hefg A
rks gal% izpksn;kr~ AA
Hayagriva-Gayatri
28. okxh'ojk; fogs g;xzhok; /hefg A
rks gal% izpksn;kr~ AA

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 Tantrika- (Brahma)-Gayatri
29. ijes jk; fogs ijrok; /hefg A
rks cz izpksn;kr~ AA
Sarasvati-Gayatri
30. okXnsO;S p fogs dkejktk; /hefg A
rks nsoh izpksn;kr~ AA
Lakshmi-Gayatri
31. egknsO;S p fogs fo".kqiRU;S p /hefg A
rks y{eh% izpksn;kr~ AA
Sakti-Gayatri
32. loZlaeksfgU;S fogs fo tuU;S /hefg A
r% 'kfkQ% izpksn;kr~ AA
Annapurna-Gayatri
33. HkxoR;S p fogs egs ;SZ p /hefg A
rksiw.kkZ izpksn;kr~ AA
Kaalika-Gayatri
34. dkfydk;S p fogs 'e'kkuokflU;S /hefg A
rks?kksjk izpksn;kr~ AA

Transliteration
1. Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dheemahi, Tanno Danti
Prachodayat.
2. Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dheemahi, Tanno Danti
Prachodaya.
3. Om Vedatmane Vidmahe Hiranyagarbhaya Dheemahi, Tanno Brahma
Prachodayat.
4. Om Chaturmukhaya Vidmahe Kamandaludharaya Dheemahi, Tanno
Brahma Prachodayat.
5. Om Narayanaya Vidmahe Vaasudevaya Dheemahi, Tanno Vishnuh
Prachodayat.

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6. Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe Tikshnadamshtraya Dheemahi, Tanno
Nrishimha Prachodayat.
7. Om Nrishimha Vidmahe Vajranakhaya Dheemahi, Tannah Simhah
Prachodayat.
8. Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Suvarnapakshaya Dheemahi, Tanno
Garudah Prachodayat.
9. Om Tatapurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dheemahi, Tanno Rudrah
Prachodayat.
10. Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Shasrakshaya Mahadevaya Dheemahi,
Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat.
11. Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Nandikesvaraya Dheemahi, Tanno
Vrishabhah Prachodayat.
12. Om Tatpusushaya Vidmahe Mahasenaya Dheemahi, Tannah Skandah
Prachodayat.
13. Om Shanmukhaya Vidmahe Mahasenaya Dheemahi, Tannah Shashthah
Prachodayat.
14. Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Mahadyutikaraya Dheemahi, Tannah Adityah
Prachodayat.
15. OmAdityaya Vidmahe Sahasrakiranaya Dheemahi, Tanno Bhanuh
Prachodayat.
16. Om Prabhakaraya Vidmahe Divakaraya Dheemahi, Tannah Suryah
Prachodayat.
17. Om Katyayanyani Vidmahe Kanyakumaryai Dheemahi, Tanno Durga
Prachodayat.
18. Om Mahasulinyai Vidmahe Mahadurgayai Dheemahi, Tanno
Bhagavatee Prachodayat.
19. Om Daasarathaye Vidmahe Sitavallabhaya Dheemahi, Tanno Ramah
Prachodayat.
20. OmAnjaneyaya vidmahe Vayuputraya Dheemahi, Tanno Hanuman
Prachodayat.
21. Om Devakinandanaya Vidmahe Vaasudevaya Dheemahi, Tannah
Krishnah Prachodayat.

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22. Om Gpalaya Vidmahe Gopijanavallabhaya Dheemahi, Tanno Gopalah
Prachodayat.
23. Om Jaamadagnaya Vidmahe Mahaviraya Dheemahi, Tannah Parasu-
ramah Prachodayat.
24. Om Dakshinamurtaye Vidmahe Dhyanasthaya Dheemahi, Tanno
Dheesah Prachodayat.
25. Om Gurudevaya Vidmahe Parabrahmane Dheemahi, Tanno Guruh
Prachodayat.
26. Om Hamsaya Vidmahe Paramahamsaya Dheemahi, Tanno Hamsah
Prachodayat.
27. Om Paramahamsaya Vidmahe Mahatattvaya Dheemahi, Tanno Hamsah
Prachodayat.
28. Om Vagisvaraya VAidmahe Hayagrivaya Dheemahi, Tanno Hamsah
Prachodayat.
29. Om Parameshvaraya Vidmahe Paratattvaya Dheemahi, Tanno Brahma
Prachodayat.
30. Om Vagdevyai Cha Vidmahe Kamarajaya Dheemahi, Tanno Devi
Prachodayat.
31. Om Mahadevyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnupatnayi Cha Dheemahi, Tanno
Lakshmih Prachodayat.
32. Om Sarvasammohinyai Vidmahe Visvajananyai Dheemahi, Tannah
Saktih Prachodayat.
33. Om Bhagavatyai Cha Vidmahe Maheshvaryai Cha Dheemahi, Tanno
Annapurna Prachodayat.
34. Om Kaalikayai Cha Vidmahe Smasanavasinyai Dheemahi, Tanno
Aghora Prachodayat.

* * *

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 Anushtubha Mantra
Narasimha-Mantra
1. mxza ohja egkfo".kqa ToyUra fo rkseq[ke~ A
u`flaga Hkh"k.ka Hka e`R;qe`R;qa uekE;ge~ AA
Rama-Mantra
2. jkeHk egs"okl j?kqohj u`ikske A
Hkks n'kkL;kUrdkLekda j{kka dq# fJ;a p es AA
Krishna-Mantra
I
3. ".kk; oklqnsok; gj;s ijekReus A
iz.krDys'kuk'kk; xksfoUnk; ueks ue% AA
II
4. ".kk; oklqnsok; nsodhuUnuk; p A
uUnxksikydqkjk; xksfoUnk; ueks ue% AA
III
5. ".kk; ;knosUk; Kkueqk; ;ksfxus A
ukFkk; #fDe.kh'kk; ueks osnkUrosfnua AA
IV
6. olqnsolqra nsoa dalpk.kwjenZue~ A
nsodhijekuUna ".ka oUns txn~xq#e~ AA
Hayagriva-Mantra
7. X;tq% lke:ik; osnkagj.kdeZ.ks A
iz.kokshroiq"ks egk f'kjls ue% AA

Tansliteration
1. Om Ugram Viram Mahavishnum Jvalantam Visvatomukham,
Nrishimham Bhishanam Bhadram Mrityumrityum Namamyaham.
2. Om Ramabhadra Maheshvasa Raghuvira Nripottama, Bho
Dasasyantakasmakam Raksham Kuru Sriyam Cha Me.
3. Om Krishnaya Vaasudevaya Haraye Paramatmane, Pranatakleshanasaya
Govindaya Namo Namah.

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4. Om Krishnaya Vaasudevaya Devakinandanaya Cha,
Nandagopakumaraya Govindaya Namo Namah.
5. Om Krishnaya Yadavendraya Jnanamudraya Yogine, Nathaya
Rukminisaya Namo Vedantavedine.
6. Om Vasudevasutam Devam Kamsachanuramardanam,
Devakiparamanandam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum.
7. Om Rigyajussamarupaya Vedaaharanakaramane, Pranavodgitavapushe,
Mahasvasirase Namah.

Mantra for Self-Surrender

ueksrq rs egk;ksfxu~ izieuq'kkf/ eke~ A
;Fkk RoPPj.kkEHkksts jfr% L;knuikf;uh AA

"Salutations to Thee, O great Yogin! Pray, direct me that have fallen at

Thy Feet, so that I may find unfailing delight in Thy Lotus-feet."

6. Glory of Mantra
A Mantra is Divinity. The Mantra and its presiding Devata are one. The
Mantra itself is Devata. Mantra is divine power, Daivi Sakti, manifesting in a
sound-body. Constant repetition of the Mantra with faith, devotion and purity
augments the Sakti or power of the aspirant, purifies and awakens the
Mantra-Chaitanya latent in the Mantra and bestows on the Sadhaka Mantra-
Siddhi, illumination, freedom, peace, eternal bliss and immortality.
By constant repetition of the Mantra, the Sadhaka imbibes the virtues
and powers of the Deity that presides over the Mantra. Repetition of Surya-
Mantra bestows health, long life, vigour, vitality, Tejas or brilliance. It
removes all diseases of the body and the diseases of the eye. No enemy can
do any harm. Repetition of Aditya-Hridaya in the early morning is highly
beneficial. Lord Rama conquered Ravana through the repetition of Aditya-
Hridaya imparted by Agastya-Rishi.
Mantras are in the form of praise and appeal to the Deities, craving for
help and mercy. Some Mantras control and command the evil spirits.
Rhythmical vibrations of sound give rise to forms. Recitation on the Mantra
gives rise to the formation of the particular figure of the Deity.

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 Repetition of Sarasvati-Mantra 'Om Sri Sarasvatyai Namah' will bestow
on you wisdom and intelligence and make you a learned person. You will get
inspiration and compose poems. You will become a great scholar. Repetition
of 'Om Sri Mahalakshmyai Namah' will confer on you wealth and remove
poverty. Ganesh-Mantra will remove any obstacle in any undertaking. It
bestows wisdom on you, as also Siddhi, wealth, etc. Maha-Mrityunjaya
Mantra will remove accidents, incurable diseases and calamities and bestows
long life and immortality. It is a Moksha-Mantra too. Those who do Japa of
this Mantra daily will enjoy good health and long life, and attain Moksha in
the end. "I bow to that three-eyed Lord (Siva), who is full of sweet fragrance,
who nourishes the human beings (always). May He free me from the
bondage of Samsara and death, just as a ripe cucumber fruit is separated from
the stalk, and may I be fixed in immortality." This is the meaning of the
Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra.
Repetition of Subrahmanya-Mantra 'Om Sri Saravanabhavaya Namah'
will give you success in any under taking and make you glorious. It will
drive off evil influences and evil spirits. Repetition of Sri Hanuman-Mantra.
'Om Sri Hanumate Namah' will bestow victory and strength. Repetition of
Panchadasakshara and Shodasakshara (Sri Vidya) will give you wealth,
power, freedom, etc. It will give you whatever you want. You must learn this
Vidya from a Guru alone.
Repetition of Gayatri or Pranava or Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo
Narayanaya, or Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya, one and a quarter lakh
times, with Bhava, faith and devotion will confer on you Mantra-Siddhi.
Om, Soham, Sivoham, Aham Brahmasmi are Moksha-Mantras. They
will help to attain Self-realisation. Om Sri Ramaya Namah, Om Namo
Bhagavate Vaasudevaya are Saguna Mantras which will enable you to attain
Saguna-realisation first, and then Nirguna-realisation in the end.
Mantra for curing scorpion-stings and cobra-bites should be repeated on
days of eclipse for getting Mantra-Siddhi quickly. You should stand in water
and repeat the Mantra. This is more powerful and effective. This can be
recited on ordinary days also for attaining Mantra-Siddhi.
Mantra-Siddhi for curing scorpion-stings, cobra-bites, etc., can be
attained within 40 days. Repeat the Mantra with faith and devotion regularly.
Have a sitting in the early morning after taking bath. Observe Brahmacharya
and live on milk and fruits for 40 days or take restricted diet.

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 Chronic diseases can be cured by Mantras. Chanting of Mantras
generates potent spiritual waves or divine vibrations. Mantras penetrate the
physical and astral bodies of the patients and remove the root-causes of
sufferings. They fill the cells with pure Sattva or divine energy. They destroy
the microbes and vivify the cells and tissues. They are best, most potent
antiseptics and germicides. They are more potent then ultra-violet rays or
Rontgen rays.
Mantra-Siddhi should not be misused for the destruction of others.
Those who misuse the Mantra-power for destroying others are themselves
destroyed in the end.
Those who utilise the Mantra-power in curing snake-bites, scorpion-
stings and chronic diseases should not accept any kind of presents or money.
They must be absolutely unselfish. They should not accept even fruits or
clothes. They will lose the power if they utilise the power for selfish
purposes. If they are absolutely unselfish, if they serve the humanity with
Sarvatma-Bhava, their power will increases through the grace of the Lord.
He who has attained Mantra-Siddhi can cure cobra-bite or scorpion-sting
or any chronic disease by mere touch on the affected part. When a man is
bitten by a cobra a telegram is sent to the Mantra-Siddha. The Mantra-Siddha
recites the Mantra and the man who is bitten by the cobra is cured. What a
grand marvel! Does this not prove the tremendous power of Mantra?
Get the Mantra-initiation from your Guru. Or pray to your Ishta Devata
and start doing Japa of the particular Mantra, if you find it difficult to get a
Guru.
May you all become Mantra-Yogis with Mantra-Siddhi! May you all
become real benefactors of the world by becoming divine healers through
Mantra-cure! May Mantra-cure-divine-healing centres by started all over the
world!
7. Practical Aids to Japa
You have now a thorough knowledge of Japa Yoga and the glory of the
Name. Now start real Sadhana from this minute. I have given below a
number of practical hints of great use for your daily Sadhana. Note and
follow them carefully.
Fixed Hours
The most effective time is early dawn (Brahmamuhurta) and dusk, when
Sattva is predominant. Regularity and being systematic are very essential.

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 Definite Place
It is highly advantageous to sit in the same place every day. Do not
change it now and them.
A Steady Pose
A comfortable Asana helps to make the mind also steady, controls Rajas
and aids concentration.
Face the North or East
This exercises a subtle influence and enhances the efficacy of Japa.
A Seat
Deer-skin or Kusa-mat or a rug should be used. This helps to conserve
body-electricity.
Repeat Elevated Prayer
Invoking the aids of the Ishta Devata with appropriate prayer induces
proper Sattvic Bhava.
Clear Articulation
Now start the Japa pronouncing the Mantra distinctly and without
mistakes.
Vigilance and Alert Attitude
This is a very important point. You will be fresh and alert when you
commence. After a time the mind will unconsciously begin to wander, and
drowsiness will overcome you. Keep widely alert throughout.
Japa Maala (Rosary)
Using a Maala helps alertness and acts as an incentive to carry on the
Japa continuously. Resolve to finish certain minimum number of Maalas
before leaving the seat.
Variety in Japa
This is necessary to sustain interest, avoid fatigue and counteract
monotony. Repeat aloud for a time, then hum the Mantra and repeat mentally
sometimes.
Meditation
Side by side with Japa think of the Lord as present before you and
picture His entrancing beautiful form. This practice adds tremendously to the
efficacy or power of your Sadhana.

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 Concluding Prayer and Rest
This is important. After Japa is over, do not immediately leave the place,
mix with everyone or plunge into worldly activity. Sit very quietly for about
10 minutes at least, humming some prayer, remembering the Lord or
reflecting upon His Infinite Love. Then, after devout prostration, leave the
place and commence your routine duties. Spiritual vibrations will be intact.
Carry on your Sadhana with perseverance and tenacity, without break,
and realise the glorious Godl of Life and enjoy the Supreme Bliss.

8. Rules for Japa

1. Select any Mantra or Name of God (preferable that given by your Guru)
and repeat it from 108 to 1080 times daily (one to ten Maalas).
2. Use a Rudraksha or Tulasi Maala of 108 beads.
3. Use only the middle finger and thumb of the right hand for rolling the
beads. The index finger is prohibited.
4. Do not allow the Maala to hang below the navel. Keep the hand near the
heart or the nose.
5. The Maala must not be visible to you or others. Cover it with a towel or
kerchief, which must be pure and washed daily.
6. Do not cross the Meru (crown or head) of the Maala while rolling the
beads. Turn back when you come up to it.
7. Do mental Japa for some time. If the mind wanders, take to labial Japa
(whispering or muttering) for some time, or loud Japa, by rotation, and
come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.
8. Take a bath, or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for
Japa in the morning. At other times this is not absolutely necessary. Do
Japa whenever you have leisure, specially during the Sandhyas or the
junctions of the day (morning, noon and evening) and before going to
bed.
9. Associate the Japa with rhythmic breathing or Pranayama and meditate
on the form of your Deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front.
Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it.

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10. Pronounce each letter of the Mantra correctly and distinctly. Do not
repeat it too fast or too slow. Increase the speed only when the mind
wanders.
11. Observe Mouna and avoid distractions, calls or engagements.
12. Face the East or the North and sit in a separate meditation-room or any
good place, such as temple, river-bank, under a banyan tree or a peepal
tree. etc.
13. Do not beg of God any worldly objects while doing Japa. Feel that you
heart is being purified and the mind is becoming steady by the power of
the Mantra with the Grace of God.
14. Keep your Guru-Mantra a secret. Never disclose it to anyone.
15. Carry on the current of Japa mentally even at other times, in whatever
works you may be engaged.

9. Gayatri Mantra
HkwHkqZo% Lo% rr~ lforqoZjs.;e~ A
HkxksZ nsoL; /hefg A f/;ks ;ks u% izpksn;kr~ AA
--------------------- Symbol of the Para Brahman
Hkw% -------------------- Bhu-Loka (Physical Plane)
Hkqo% ----------------- Antariksha Loka (Astral Plane)
Lo% ------------------ Svarga-Loka (Celestial Plane)
rr~ ------------------- That, Transcendent, Paramatman
lforq% ------------- Isvara or Creator
ojs.;e~ ------------ Fit to be Worshipped or Adored
HkxZ ------------------ Remover of sins and ignorance; Glory, Effulgence
nsoL; -------------- Resplendent (Jnana-Svarupa); Shining
/hefg ------------- We meditate
f/;% --------------- Buddhis, intellects, understandings
;% ------------------- Which, Who
u% ------------------- Our
izpksn;kr~ --------- Enlighten, guide, impel

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 "We meditate on that Isvara's Glory who has created the Universe, who
is fit to be worshipped, who is the embodiment of Knowledge and Light,
who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May He enlighten our
intellects."
What is that enlightenment? Now you have Deha-Atmabuddhi, a Buddhi
that makes you to identify yourself with the body, to mistake the body for
Soul. Now you are praying to the blessed Mother of the Vedas- Gayatri, to
bestow on you a Suddha-Sattva-Buddhi which will help you to realise "Aham
Brahma Asmi"- "I am Brahma." This is an Advaitic meaning of Gayatri.
Advanced students of Yoga may take up this meaning: "I am That Supreme
Light of lights which gives light to the Buddhi or intellect."
In the Gayatri Mantra there are 9 names, viz., 1. Om. 2. Bhuh, 3.
Bhuvah, 4. Svah, 5. Tat, 6. Savituh, 7. Varenyam, 8. Bhargah and 9.
Devasya. Through these nine names the Lord is praised. 'Dheemahi' signifies
worship of or meditation on the Lord. 'Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat' is a
prayer. Herein there are five halts or stops, viz., 'Om' is the first stop; 'Bhur
Bhuvaha Svah' the second; 'Tat Savitur Varenyam' the third; 'Bhargo devasya
Dheemahi' the fourth; and 'Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat' the fifth. While
chanting and doing Japa of the Mantra, you should stop a little at every stop
or halt.
Savita is the presiding Deity of the Gayatri Mantra, Fire (Agni) is the
mouth, Visvamitra is the Rishi and Gayatri is the metre. This is recited
during the investiture of sacred thread, practice of Pranayama and Japa, etc.
What Gayatri is, the same is Sandhya, and what Sandhya is, the same is
Gayatri, Sandhya and Gayatri are identical. He who meditates on Gayatri,
meditates on Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Lord of the Universe.
A man can repeat the Gayatri Mantra mentally, in all states, even while
lying, sitting, walking, etc. There is no sin of commission or omission of any
short in its repetition. One should thus perform Sandhya-Vandana with this
Gayatri Mantra three times every day, in the morning, noon and evening. It is
the Gayatri Mantra alone that can be commonly prescribed for all the
Hindus. The Lord commands in the Vedas: "Let (one) Mantra be common to
all" - "Samano Mantrah." Hence the Gayatri should be the one Mantra for all
the Hindus. "The secret lore of the Upanishads is the essence of the four
Vedas, while Gayatri with the three Vyahritis is the essence of the
Upanishads." He is the real Brahmana who knows and understands thus the

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Gayatri. Without its knowledge he is a Sudra, though he may be well-versed
in the four Vedas.
Benefits of Gayatri Japa
Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas and is the destroyer of sins. There is
nothing more purifying, on the earth as well as in the heaven, than the
Gayatri. The Japa of Gayatri brings the same fruit as the recitation of all the
four Vedas together with the Angas. This single Mantra repeated three times
a day brings great good (Kalyana or Moksha). It is the supreme Mantra of the
Vedas. It destroys all sins. It bestows splendid health, beauty, strength,
vigour, vitality and magnetic aura in the face (Brahmic effulgence).
Gayatri destroys the three kinds of Taapa or pain. Gayatri bestows on
one the four kinds of Purushartha, viz., Dharma (righteousness), Artha
(wealth), Kama (desired object) and Moksha (Liberation or freedom). It
destroys the three Granthis or knots of ignorance, Avidya, Kama and Karma.
Gayatri purifies the mind. Gayatri bestows on the Upasaka Ashta-Siddhis.
Gayatri makes a man powerful and highly intelligent. Gayatri eventually
gives Liberation or emancipation from the wheel of birth and death.
The repetition or Japa of Gayatri brings the Darsana of Gayatri and
finally leads to the realisation of the Advaitic Brahman or Unity of
Consciousness (Tanmayata, Talleenata, Tadrupata, Tadakarata) and the
aspirant who asked for light from Gayatri, in the beginning, sings now in
exuberant joy: "I am that Light of lights that gives light to be Buddhi."
May Gayatri, the Blessed Mother of the Vedas, bestow on us right
understanding, pure intellect, right conduct and right thinking! May She
guide us in all our actions! May She deliver us from the Samsaric wheel of
birth and death! Glory! Glory unto Gayatri, the Creatress, the Generatrix of
this Universe!
Glory of Gayatri
(Manu Smriti, Chapter II)

Brahman milked out, as it were, from the three Vedas, the letter A, the
letter U, and the letter M, formed b their coalition the triliteral monosyllable,
together with the three mysterious expressions, Bhuh, Bhuvah and Svah, or
earth, sky and heaven.

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 From the three Vedas, again, the Lord of creatures, incomprehensibly
exalted, successfully milked out the three measures (feet) of that ineffable
text, beginning with the word Tat, and entitled Savitri or Gayatri.
And a twice-born man, who being away from the multitude, shall repeat
1000 times those three (i.e., OM, the Vyahritis and the Gayatri) shall be
released in a month even from a great offence, as a snake from its slough.
The three great immutable words, preceded by the triliteral syllable and
followed by the Gayatri which consists of three measures, must be
considered as the mouth or the principal part of the Veda.
Whoever shall repeat day by day for three years without negligence, that
sacred text, shall hereafter approach the divine essence, move as freely as air
and assume an ethereal form.
The triliteral monosyllable is an emblem of the supreme; the suppression
of breath with the mind fixed on God is the highest devotion; nothing s more
exalted than the Gayatri; a declaration of truth is more excellent than silence.
All rites ordained in the Veda, oblations to fire, and solemn sacrifices
pass away; but that which does not pass away, is declared to be the syllable
OM, thence called Akshara Brahman. All the words should be repeated
slowly without mutilation and with Akshara-Suddhi. You must not be hasty
in the performance of Japa. You can make as many Purascharanas as you
like, but do them slowly and steadily.
The four domestic sacraments which are accompanied with the
appointed sacrifice are not equal, though all be united, to a sixteenth part of
the sacrifice performed by a repetition of the Gayatri.
By the sole repetition of the Gayatri a Brahmana attains beatitude, let
him perfom or not perform any other religious act.
Chhandogya Upanishad
"Verily, all this creation is Gayatri. Speech is Gayatri; by speech is all
this creation preserved. The Gayatri is verily composed of four feet, and
possesseth six characteristics. The creations constitule the glories of Gayatri.
The Brahman, i.e., the being indicated in the Gayatri, is verily the space
which surroundeth man. This space is the same as the one within man"
(Chap. III Sec. XII).

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 "Verily, man is Yajna (sacrifice). The first twenty-four years of his life
constitute the morning ritual, for the Gayatri includes 24 letters and it is the
Gayatri through which the morning ritual is performed" (Chap. III, Sec.
XVI).

Gayatri-Purascharana

The Brahma-Gayatri Mantra has twenty-four Aksharas. So, one Gayatri-

Purascharana constitutes the repetition or Japa of Gayatri Mantra 24 lakh
times. There are various rules for Purascharana. If you repeat the Mantra
3,000 times daily, you should keep up the number daily all throughout till
you finish the full 24 lakhs. Cleanse the mirror of the Manas (mind) of its
Mala (impurities) and prepare the ground for the sowing of the spiritual seed.

The Maharashtrians are very fond of Gayatri-Purascharana. There are in

Poona and other places persons who have performed Purascharana several
times. Sri Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviyaji is a votary of Gayatri-
Purascharana. The success in his life and the establishment of a grand Hindu
University at Banaras is all attributable to his Gayatri-Japa and the benign
grace of the Blessed Mother Gayatri.

Swami Vidyaranya, the reputed author of the celebrated Panchadasi,

performed Gayatri-Purascharana. The Mother gave him Darsana and granted
him a boon. Swami Vidyaranya asked: "O Mother! There is great famine in
the Deccan. Let there be a shower of gold to relieve the immense distress of
the people." Accordingly, there was a shower of gold. Such is the power of
Sakti of the Gayatri-Mantra.

Only Yoga-Bhrashtas and pure-minded persons can have Darsana of

Gayatri by doing only one Purascharana. As the minds of the vast majority of
persons in this Kali Yuga are filled with various sorts of impurities, one has
to do more than one Purascharana according to the degree of impurity of the
mind. The more the impurities, the greater is the number of Purascharanas.
The famous Swami Madhusudana Saraswati did Seventeen Purascharanas of
Krishna-Mantra. He did not get Darsana of the Lord Sri Krishna, on account
of the sins committed in killing 17 Brahmins in his previous births. But he
had Darsana of the Lord when he was on the half way of the eighteenth
Purascharana. The same rule applies to Gayatri-Purascharana also.

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 Hints on Gayatri Japa
1. After the Purascharana is over perform Havan and feed Brahmins,
Sadhus and poor people to propitiate the Goddess.
2. Those who wish to do Purascharana may live on milk and fruits. This
makes the mind Sattvic. One will derive great spiritual benefits.
3. There are no restrictions of any kind when you repeat a Mantra with
Nishkama Bhava for attaining Moksha. Restrictions or Vidhis come in
only when you want to get worldly gains, when you do the Japa with
Sakama Bhava.
4. When a Purascharana of Gayatri is done on the banks of the Ganga,
underneath and Asvattha tree or the Panchavrikshas, Mantra-Siddhi
comes in rapidly.
5. If you repeat Gayatri 4000 times daily, you can finish the Purascharana
in one year, seven months and twenty-five days. If you do the Japa
slowly it will lake at least 10 hours to finish 4000 daily. Anyhow, the
same number should be repeated daily.
6. You must observe strict Brahmacharya when you do Purascharana. Then
you can have Darsana of Gayatri easily.
7. The practice of Akhanda Mouna (unbroken silence) during Purascharana
is highly beneficial. Those who are not able to practise this, can observe
full Mouna for a week in a month, or only on Sundays.
8. Those who practise Purascharana should not get up from the Asana or
the pose till they finish the fixed number. Also, they should not change
the pose.
9. Counting can be done through Maala, fingers or watch. Count the exact
number that you can do in one hour. Suppose you can repeat the
Gayatri-Mantra 400 times in one hour, then Japa for ten hours means 10
400 = 4000. There is more concentration in counting the number
through watch.
There are three varieties of the forms of Gayatri, for meditation in
the morning, noon and evening. But many meditate on the five-faced Gayatri
alone throughout the day.

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 Chapter Four
SADHANA
1. Need for a Guru
A Guru is necessary. The spiritual path is beset with many obstacles.
The Guru will guide the aspirants safely and remove all sorts of obstacles
and difficulties.
Guru, Isvara, Brahman, Truth and OM are one Serve the Guru with
intense Bhakti (Guru Seva). Please him in all possible ways. Have the mind
fixed on Guru as Atman (Atma-Lakshya). Obey him implicitly. His words
must be gospel truths for you. Then only you will improve. You will get His
Grace. There is no other way.
You will have to deify your Guru. You must superimpose all the
attributes of Isvara and Brahman on him. You must take him as an actual
God incarnate. You must never look into his Doshas or defects. You should
see only the Divinity in him. Then only you will realise Brahman in and
through the Guru.
The physical form of the Guru will slowly vanish. You will realise the
Vyapaka (all-pervading) Atman in and through him. You will see your Guru
in all forms, animate and inanimate.
There is no other way for overhauling the vicious worldly Samskaras
and the passionate nature of raw, worldly-minded persons than the personal
contact with and service of the Guru.
An aspirant who, with great devotion, attends on his Guru in his
personal services, quickly purifies his heart. This is the surest and easiest
way for self-purification; I assure you boldly.
It is better if you get your Mantra from your Guru. This has a
tremendous effect on the disciple. The Guru imparts his Sakti along with the
Mantra. If you cannot get a Guru, you can select any Mantra according to
your own liking and taste and repeat it mentally, daily, with Sraddha and
Bhava. This also has a great purificatory effect. You will attain the
realisation of God.
2. Meditation Room
Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. Do not allow
anybody to enter the room. Burn incense there in the morning and in the

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evening. Keep a picture of Lord Krishna, Lord Siva or Sri Rama or Devi in
the room. Place you Asana in front of the picture. When you repeat the
Mantra, the powerful vibrations set up by it will be lodged in the ether of the
room (Akasic records). In six months' time you will feel peace and purity in
the atmosphere of the room. There will be a peculiar magnetic aura in the
room. You will actually feel this if you are sincere in your practice.
Whenever your mind is much disturbed by antagonistic worldly
influences, sit in the room and repeat the Name of the Lord for a least half an
hour. Then immediately you will find an entire change in your mind. Practise
this, and feel the soothing spiritual influence, yourself. Nothing is so great as
spiritual Sadhana. You will find, as a result of this, a local Mussoorie (a hill-
station) in your own house without any expense.
Repeat the Name of the Lord with devotion in your heart. You will
realise God quickly. This is the easiest method in this age. There must be
Niyama (rule) in Sadhana. You must systematically and regularly do this.
God does not want precious presents. Many people spend milions of rupees
in opening hospitals and reading houses. But they do not give their hearts. A
Bhakta (devotee) should have in his heart the all-pervading Rama, though he
may see outside the concrete form of Rama with bow and arrows. Rama, like
OM, is all-pervading. God is Dhyana-Gamya (obtainable through meditation)
and Anubhava-Gamya (can be realised by spiritual experience or direct
perception or realisation). He is Japa-Gamya (obtainable through Japa).
3. Brahmamuhurta
Get up at 4 O'clock in the morning, at Brahmamuhurta, which is very
favourable for spiritual contemplation, and start doing Japa. In the early
morning, after slumber, the mind is clam, pure and quite refreshed. The mind
is like a blank sheet of paper and comparatively free from worldly Samskaras
(impressions of Vyavahara) then. It can be moulded very easily at this time.
The atmosphere also is charged with more Sattva at this particular time.
Wash your hands, feet and face with cold or warm water, if you find it
difficult to take a bath. This will suffice. Now, start doing Japa.
4. Selection of Ishta Devata

You can select your Ishta Devata- Siva, Krishna, Rama, Vishnu,
Dattatreya, Gayatri, Durga or Kaali- according to the advice of your own
inclination or on consultation with a good astrologer who will select the
Deity according to the nature of your planet and sign of the zodiac. Every

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one of us has done worship of some Devata in our previous births. The
Samskaras are in the subconscious mind. So naturally, everyone of us has an
inclination towards a particular Devata. If you had worshipped Lord Krishna
in your previous birth, naturally you will have an inclination to Lord Krishna
in this birth also.

When you are in great agony and distress you will naturally utter a
certain Name of God. This will give you the clue to find out your Ishta
Devata. If a scorpion ha stung you severely, you may utter 'Hey Rama';
another may utter 'Hey Krishna'; while a third may utter 'Hey Narayana'; and
a fourth may utter 'Hey Siva'. The calling of a particular Name is due to
Purva Samskaras. If you had worshipped Rama in the previous birth,
naturally you will utter 'Hey Rama' when you are stung by a scorpion, and so
on.

5. Asana for Japa

Sit on Padam, Siddha, Svastika or Sukha Asana for half an hour to start
with. Then gradually increase the period to three hours. In one year you can
have Asana-Siddhi (perfection in posture). Any easy and comfortable posture
is Asana.

Keep the head, neck and trunk in one straight line. Spread a fourfold
blanket on the ground, and over this spread a piece of solft, white cloth. This
will be quite enough. If you can get a good tiger-skin, complete with claws,
etc., it is all the more better. A tiger-skin has got its own advantages. It
generates electricity in the body quickly and does not allow leakage of
electric current from the body. It is full of magnetism.

Face the East or the North while you are on the Asana. A spiritual
neophyte should observe this rule. By facing the North you will be in
communion with the Rishis of the Himalayas and will be mysteriously
benefited by their spiritual currents.

Padmasana

Sit on your seat. Keep the left foot over the right thigh and the right foot
over the left thigh. Keep the hands on teh knees. Sit erect. This is Padmasana,
highly suitable for Japa and Dhyana.

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 6. Where to Concentrate
Concentrate gently either on the lotus of the heart (Anahata-Chakra) or
on the space between the two eyebrows (Ajna-Chakra). Ajna-Chakra is the
seat of the mind, according to the Hatha Yogic school. The mind can be
controlled easily if anyone concentrates on this Ajna-Chakra. Sit on your
seat, close your eyes and begin to the Japa and meditation.
Fixing one's eyes between the eyebrows is called Bhrumadhya-Drishti.
Sit on padmasana, Siddhasana or Svastikasana, in you meditation room and
practise this gaze gently from half a minute to half an hour. There must not
be even the least violence in this practice. Gradually increase the period. This
Yogic Kriya removes Vikshepa or tossing of mind and develops
concentration. Lord Krishna prescribes this practice in Chapter V-27 of the
Bhagavadgita; "Having external contacts excluded, and with gaze fixed
between the eyebrows", etc. This is known as the "Frontal Gaze", because
here the eyes are directed towards the frontal bone or the bone of the
forehead.
Sit on your seat and fix the gaze on the tip of hte nose, from half a
munute to half hour. Do this practice gently. Do not strain the eyes.
Gradually increase the period. This is Nasal Gaze or nasikagra-Drishti. You
can select for yourself either the Frontal or the Nasal Gaze. Even when you
pass along the road, practise the gaze. You will have wonderful
concentration. The Japa can go nicely even while you are walking.
Some students like to concentrate with open eyes, while someothers with
closed eyes, and again some ohter with half opened eyes. If you meditate
with closed eyes, dust or foreign particles will not fall into your eyes. Some
students whom lights and jerks trouble, prefer concentration with open eyes.
Some, who meditate with closed eyes are overpowered by sleep within a
short time. If beginners start concentrating with open eyes, the mind will
wander to objects. Use your common-sense and adopt that method which
suits you best. Overcome other obstacles by suitable intelligent methods.
Remember the story of "Bruce and the Spider." Be patient and persevering.
Struggle hard, and win the spiritual battle. Become a spiritual hero, and wear
the spiritual laures round your nectk.
7. Three Sittings for Doing Japa
There is a special, mysterious spiritual force or wonderful magnetic
power at hte Sandhi or jnction of time, at sunrise and sunset. The mind then

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will be elevated quickly and filled with Sattva. Concentration at this will
come by itself without any effort. Japa should be done at the Sandhis. Now
the mind is quite clam and refreshed. You should catch the meditative wave
now; meditation is more important than anything else. After this, you can
take up the Asanas and Pranayama and finish up the full course by another
short sitting for doing Japa and metitation. Asthere is always some sort of
drowsiness when you start the practice, it is desirable to do some Asanas and
a little Pranayama, at least for five minutes, just to drive off this drowsiness,
and to make you fit for Japa and meditation.
The mind acquires one-pointedness after the practice of Pranayama.
Therefore you will have to take to Japa and meditation after Pranayama is
over. Pranayama, though it is concerned with the breath, give good exercise
to the various internal organs, and the whole body. It is the best form of
physical excercise every known.
If you are tired of repeating the Mantra at one stroke, have 3 or more
sittings, say, in the morning from 4 O'clock to 7, in the evening from 4 to 5,
and at night from 6 to 8. Repeat the Mantra very, very quickly for sometime,
when you find that the mind is wandering much. The golden rule is to repeat
th Mantra neither too slow nor too quick. Observe the happy medium. The
Aksharas of the Mantra should be pronounced properly. And also, the
Mantra should be repeated Akshara-Laksha. If there are 5 Aksharas or letter
in the Mantra it should be repeated 5 lakh times. This is Akshara-Laksha
repetition.
If you sit by th side of a river, lake or well, in a temple, at the foot or top
of a mountain, in a lovely garden or solitary room, the mind will be focused
quite easily, without much effort. If you repeat the Mantra, when the stomach
is overloaded, you will feel drowsy. Take light Sattvic food. Repeat any
prayer and then sit for Japa. The mind will then be elevated. You will find it
pleasant to rotate the beads easily. You must use yoiur common-sense
throughout your spiritual practice. For sometime you can visit holy places
like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi, etc., and there you can do Japa on the
banks of holy rivers like the Ganga. You will find marked improvement. As
the mind, while in such sacred places, is free from business, worries and
family-anxieties, you can have an efficient turn of Japa owing to good
concentration there. Record the Japa in your spiritual diary.
Keep a diary to record the number of Japa daily. When you roll the
beads do not use the index finger. Use the righ thumb and the middle finger.

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Cover your fingers with a pieces of cloth of a towel or a specially made cap.
Others shoiuld not see you rolling the beads.
Introspect. Look within. Watch the mind and its Vrittis (thought-waves)
carefully. Sit in a solitary room for sometimes. Just as the mind wants variety
in eating, it wants variety in Japa also. When it gets tired of Manasika Japa,
when you notice that it has begun to wander about, take to loud repetition.
The ears also will hear the Mantra. There will be more concentration now for
sometimes. One disadvantage in loud repetition is that you get tired of it after
about an hour. You will have to combine the three methods, viz., Manasika
Japa, Upamsu Japa and Vaikhari Japa to the best advantage. Use you
common-sense. A beginner with a coarse and gross mind (Sthula-Buddhi)
will find it difficult to do Manasika Japa to start with.
Manasika Japa of Rama-Mantra can be associated with the breath as in
"Soham" Japa or Ajapa-Japa. A Japa that is done without moving the lips is
Ajapa. When you inhale the air repeat mentally 'Ra'; when you exhale repeat
mentally 'Ma'. Keep up the practice even during walking. For sometime, this
method would appear easy. During meditation inside the room you can have
this practice. This is the Ajapa way of doing Rama-Mantra-Japa.
8. Need for a Maala
You must have a rosary or Japa-Maala always in your pocket or neck
and underneath your pillow at night when you go to sleep. It will remind you
of God when you forget Him owing to the force of Maya or Avidya
(ignorance). At night when you get up for micturition, the Maala will
remaind you to roll it once or twice. A Maala is a strong weapon, as it were,
to annihilate the mind. It is a powerful whip to goad the mind towards God or
Brahman. A Rudraksha-Maala or A Tulasi-Maala of 108 beads can be used
while doing Japa.
Just as the ideas of courts, cases, documements and clients get associated
with your mind when you see or think of a lawyer, just as the ideas of
dispensary, patients, drugs, chemicals, diseases and hospitals get associated
when you see or think of a doctor, so also the ideas of Sanctity, Purity,
Divinity, Divine Glory, Divine Splendour, Divine Wisdom, Divine Power,
Divine Love, Omnipotence, and all such Divine attributes get associated with
the mind when you see or think of a Maala. Therefore wear the Maala always
round your neck and do Japa with it. Do not feel shy to wear this, O educated
persons! This will always remind you of God and God-realisation. This is

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more valuable than a golden necklace bedecked with nine kinds of precious
stones, because this fills your mind with Divine thoughts, and is the
instrument to take you to the Goal and liberate you from the Samsaric wheel
of birth and death.
9. How to Use a Japa-Maala
Generally a Japa-Maala or rosary contains 108 beads. One bead among
these will be slightly bigger than the rest. This is called the Meru. This is the
guiding bead to indicate that you have done 108 times Japa of a particular
Mantra. In doing Japa with the Maala you should note that you do nto cross
the Meru bead. When you come to this bead you should turn your fingers
back and begin the next Maala of Japa from the last bead of the previous
Maala. Thus you should turn your fingers whenever you finish a Maala of
Japa, but should not cross the Meru.
While doing Japa with the Maala, the index finger (the finger next to the
thumb) should not be used. The thumb and the third finger shoiuld roll the
beads.
10. How to Count Japa
If you have no Maala, you can for counting the number of Japa done,
use the fingers of you right hand. The left thumb can dexterously count the
number of Japa along the three lines in each finger. After you have finished
one Maala of Japa put your left thumb on the first line of the little finger.
Then raise it to the line above, and so on. When you finish all the lines of the
five fingers it will come to 15 Maalas. You can repeat this again. Or you can
use small pieces of stones for each Maala or for every 15 Maalas. Or there is
another method. Mark with the help of a watch placed in front of you how
much Japa you are able to do in 2 hours. If within 2 hours you are able to do
12,600 times Rama-Japa or OM-Japa, repeat thus for 2 hours on the
following days also. You have now an easy ready reckoner with you Japa of
OM or Rama for a period of 2 hours means repetition of the same 12,600
times.
11. ThreeVarieties of Japa
Repeat the Mantra verbally for sometime, ina whisper for sometime, and
mentally for sometime. The mind wants variety. It gets disgusted with any
monotonous practice. The mental repetition is very powerful. It is termed
Manasika Japa. The varbal repetition is called Vaikhari Japa. Repetition in a

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whisper or humming is termed Upamsu Japa. Even mechanical repetition of
Japa without any Bhava has a great purifying effect on the heart or the mind.
The feeling will come later on when the process of mental purification goes
on.
The loud Japa shuts out all worldly sounds. There is no break of Japa
here. This is one advantage in loud Japa. Manasika Japa is difficult for
ordinary people, and break may come in the mind after a while. Whenever
sleep tries to overpower you when doing Japa at night, take the Maala in
your hand and roll the beads. This will put a check to sleep. This is another
advantage in loud Japa. Repeat the Mantra loudly. Give up Manasika Japa at
this time. The Maala will remind you of the stoppage of Japa. When sleep
comes in, stand up and do the Japa.
Sandilya says in Sandilya Upanishad: "The Vaikhari Japa (loud
pronunciation) gives the reward as stated in the Vedas; while the Upamsu
Japa, whispering or humming, which cannot be heard by anyone, gives a
reward a thousand times more than the Vaikhari; the Manasika Japa (mental
Japa) gives a reward a crore times more than the Vaikhari Japa."
Do Japa in the throat of Kantha for one year. This is verbal Japa or
Vaikhari Japa in a loud tone. Do it in the heart or Hridaya for two years. This
is mental or Manasika Japa. Do it in the Nabhi or navel for one year. This
kind of Japa associated with the breath.
When you advance in practice, every pore in the skin, every hair on the
body, will repeat the Mantra forcibly. The whole system will be charged with
the powerful vibrations of the Mantra. You will be even in the Prema or
Love of the Lord. You will experience muscular twitchings and will shed
profuse tears of Ananda. You will be in an exalted Divine mood. You will
get inspiration, revelation, ecstasy, insight, intuition and Parama-Ananda.
You will compose inspiring poems. you will have various Siddhis, Divine
Aisvarya, treasures of Heaven.
Repeat the Name of the Lord constantly. This will lead quite easily to
the control of mind. Do it with absolute Sraddha (faith). Do it with Antarika
Prema (love from the bottom of your heart)and Anuraga (intense affection).
You must intensely feel for the long, painful separation from Him. Thear
must flow profusely from your eyes. This is Virahagni. When you repeat His
Name, remember that He is dwelling in the chambers of your heart, in the
Anahata-Chakra, with conch, disc, mace and lotus in His hands, in the midst

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of a blazing light, dressed in yellow silken robe, with Srivatsa and Kaustubha
gem on His chest.
12. Mulabandha and Kumbhaka in Japa
When you sit on the Asana for doing Japa, press the genitals (Yoni) with
the left heel (if you are sitting in Siddhasana) and contract the anus (Guda),
the terminal opening of the alimentary canal. This is termed Mulabandha in
Hatha Yogic practice. This helps concentration. The practice prevents the
Apana-Vayu from moving downwards. If you are seated in Padmasana you
can do Mulabandha without pressing the genitals with the heel.
Retain the breath also as long as you can comfortabley. This is
Kumbhaka. This will steady the mind considerably and increase the power of
concentration. You will feel an intense spiritual bliss.
When you repeat the Mantra, do it remembering the meaning of the
Mantra-Rama, Siva, Krishna, Narayana- all these mean ultimately Sat-Chit-
Ananda, purity, perfection, all-light, eternity and immortality.
13. Japa Plus Karma Yoga
Even when you do manual work, give you hands alone to work, but give
the mind to God (do mental Japa of the Mantra), like the typist or the
harmonium-player who types or plays and talks to you, or like the lady who
knits clothes and talks and jokes with her comrades while she is walking
along the road. you will be able to do twothings at a time by practice. The
manual work will become automatic, mechanical or instinctive. You will
have two minds, as it were, for the time being. A portion of the mind will be
in the service of the Lord, in meditation, in Japa, even while working. Repeat
the Name of the LOrd while at work also. Ashtavadhanis do eight things at a
time. They play at cards, move teh man in Chaturanga-play (chess play),
dictate some passages to a third man, talk to a fourth man in order and
continuation, and so on. This is a question of training the mind. Even so, you
can so train the mind that you can work with the hands and also remember
God at the same time. This is Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga combined. The
Lord Krishna says:
"Tasmat Sarveshu Kaleshu Mamanusmara Yodhya Cha,
Mayyarita-manobuddhir Mamevaishyasyasamsayam."

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 "Therefore at all times think of Me and fight; with mind and reason set
on Me, without doubt, thou shalt come unto Me alone" (Gita, VIII-7).
Though the cow grazes on the pasture, having been separated from the calf,
her mind is always fixed on the calf alone. Similarly, you should fix the mind
on God when you do Japa, and give you hands to work which is only
worship of the Lord.
14. Likhita Japa
Write down daily in a notebook your Ishta Mantra or Guru-Mantra, for
half an hour. When yoiu write the Mantra, observe Mouna. Write the Mantra
clearly in ink. On Sundays and holidays, write this for one hour. In a
common place collect your friends also and let them write the Mantras. This
is Likhita Japa. you can develop a wonderful power of concentration.
Prescribe this to all of your family-members. Incalculable spiritual benefits
are derived from Likhita Japa (Mantra-writing).
Of the various methods of Japa described in the scriptures, viz.,
Vaikhari, Upamsu and Manasika, etc., Likhita Japa is very efficacious. It
helps the Sadhaka in concentration of te mind and gradually leads to
meditation.
An aspirant should select the Mantra of his tutelary deity, or Ishta,
according to his liking or inclination. Repetition of the same Mantra with
meaning and Bhava should be practised both orally and in writing. For oral
Japa, the help of a Maala or rosary is required. For Likhita Japa a notebook
and a pen should be used. In Mantra-writing there is no restriction about any
particular script. It may be written in any language. The following rules may
be observed while practising Mantra-writing:-
1. Regularity and punctuality of time should be observed. This would itself
bring the requisite help and be of the utmost benefit to the Sadhaka.
2. Physical and mental purity should be observed. Before sitting for
Mantra-writing, the face, hand and feet should be washed. Effort should
be made to keep the mind pure during Mantra-writing. Drive out all
worldly thoughts while writing Mantra.
3. Continue to sit in one pose as long as possible. Frequent change of a
pose or Asana should be avoided. Sitting in one Asana would increase
your power of endureance and also considerable energy will be
preserved.

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4. Observe silence during the practice.
Too much of speaking result in waste
of energy and waste of time. Silence
helps in an increased outturn of work.

5. Avoid looking hither and thither. Fix

your eyes on the notebook. This
would help concentration of mind
during the practice.

6. Repeat the Mantra mentally also

while writing it in the notebook. This
will make a threefold impression in
you mind. Gradually your whole being will be involved and engrossed
in the Mantra.

7. Fix a particular number of Mantras of one sitting. This will keep your
practice intact and you will never get out of touch with the Mantra.

8. When you have once started the practice, do not leave it till you have
finished the daily quote of one sitting. Do not allow your mind to be
diverted to other engagements, as this would be an obstruction in the
Sadhana. Have at least half an hour's writing at on sitting.

9. To help concentration, one uniform system of writing from top to

bottom or from left to right, may be maintained during a particular
sitting. The whole Mantra should be written at once in continuity. Do
not break the Mantra in the middle when you come to the end of a line.

10. When a Mantra is selected by you, try to stick to it tenaciously. Frequent

change of Mantra is not advisable.

The above rules if strictly observed, will help you much in your quick
evolution. You will develop concentration wonderfully. By prolonged and
constant practice the inherent power of the Manra (Mantra-Sakti) will be
awakened, which will fill your very existence with the Divinity of the
Mantra.

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 The notebook should be well kept and treated with respect and purity.
When completed, it should be stocked in a box and kept in your meditation
room in front of the Lord's picture. The very presence of these Mantra-
notebooks will create favourable vibrations requisite for your Sadhana.

The benefits of Mantra-writing or Likhita Japa cannot be adequately

described. Besides bringing about purity of heart and concentration of mind,
Mantra-writing givesyou control of Asana, control of Indriyas, particularly
the sight and the tongue, and fills you with the power of endurance. You
attain peace of mind quickly. You approach nearer to God through Mantra-
Sakti. These benefits can be experienced only through regular and incessant
practice of Likhita Japa. Those who are not conversant with this Yoga should
start the practice immediately and even if they take to this practice for half an
hour daily, they will realise its benefits within six months.

15. Number of Japa

Every man is unconsciously repeating the "Soham" Mantra 21,600 times

daily within 24 hours. You should repeat your Ishta Mantra at least 21,600
times daily to correspond to the 21,600 natural (Soham) breaths that every
living being takes in and exhales. Then the efficacy of the Mantra is great.
The mind will be purified quickly.

You must increase the number of Japa from 200 to 500 Maala (each
Maala contains 108 beads). Just as you are very keen in you taking food
twice daily, tea in teh morning and cocoa in the evening, etc., you must
evince extreme keenness in doing Japa also 4 times, in the morning, noon,
evening and night. Death may come at any moment, without a second's
notice. Prepare yourself to meet it with a smile, uttering Sri Rama, Sri Rama
and merging in Rama, in Eternal Bliss, Infinite Glory, Ananda and Self-
knowledge. Even on your tours you must do Japa and reading of Gita. Do
you not eat and drink on your tour? Do not become ungratful to the Inner
Rules (Antaryamin) who gives you daily bread and looks after you in every
way. you can do Japa even in the latrine. But do it there mentally. Ladies can
do Japa mentally even during their monthly periods. There are no restrictions
of any kind in Mantra-Japa for those who do it with Nishkama-Bhava, for the
attainment of Moksha. Restrictions or Vidhis come only when people repeat
any Mantra with Sakama-Bhava, to get fruits, such as wealth, Svarga, son,

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and so on. You can wear Maalas around your neck even while answering the
calls of nature.

Manasika Japa takes more time than the two other kinds of Japa. But
some can do Manasika Japa more quickely. The mind becomes dull after
some hours. It cannot turn out the work of Japa efficiently. The speed
becomes lessened. Those who calculate the number of Maalas of Japa
according to the watch should take recourse to rolling beads if there be any
such dullness. If there be any pain in rolling the beads you can use a 'Japa
Thaili' or a bag for covering the fingers.

It is always better to take to medium speed in Japa. It is not the speed but
the Bhava and mental concentration that bring about the maximum benefits
through Japa. There must be Akshara-Suddhi in repetition. Every word must
be pronounced very clearly. There must not be mutilation of any word. This
is very, very important. Some people finish one lakh of Japa daily, within 7
hours, in a hurried manner, just as a hired carpenter or mason or contractor
does the work hastily in order to get his wages in the evening. Do not have
any contract work with God. There cannot be any real devotion in having any
contract with God. Of course there is one advantage in doing Japa with
electric speed. If the mind is dull, if the mind is wandering wildly in sensual
objects, you can keep a very high speed in doing Japa, for 15 or 30 minutes.
the high-speed-Japa will stimulate the dull mind and bring it back quickly to
the Lakshaya or the focussing point.

Those who take recourse to Purascharana and keeping up of daily

spiritual diary should be very exact and accurate in keeping the record. There
must be mathematical or scientific accuracy. They should watch the mind
very carefully and, if it becomes dull during Japa, they should do more Japa
to allow it a free margin. Immediately they should resort to Japa by Maala till
dullness vanishes. It is better to take into consideration their number of Japa
that is done when the mind is in full spirits and to omit that which is done
when the mind is lethargic. Let whatever you do be genuine.

In 14 hours you can do 3,000 Maalas of 'Hari Om'. Japa will stimulate
the dull mind and bring it back to 'Sri Rama' Mantra. In half an hour you can
do 10,000 times 'Sri Rama' Japa. If you do Japa of a Mantra 13 crore times
you will have Darsana of its Adi-Devata in physical form. If you are sincere
and earnest you can do this within four years.

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 Those who wish to do Purascharana may live on milk and fruits.This
makes the mind Sattvic. One will derive great spiritual benefits by living on
pure Sattvic diet alone. The practice of Akhanda-Mouna (unbroken silence)
during Purascharana is highly beneficial. Those who are not able to practice
this, can observe full Mouna for a week in a month or only on Sundays.
Those who practise Purascharana should not get up from the Asana till they
finish the fixed number. They should not change the pose also. Counting can
be through Maala, fingers or watch.

The Brahma-Gayatri Mantra has twenty-four Aksharas or letters. So, one

Gayatri-Purascharana constitutes the Japa of Gayatri Mantra 24 lakh times.
There are various rules for Purascharana. If you repeat Mantra 4,000 times
daily, you should keep up that number daily, all throughout, till you finish te
full 24 lakhs. Cleanse the mirror of the Manas of Mala (impurities) and
prepare the ground for the sowing of the spiritual seed.

As Omkara or Pranava is for Sannyasins, so is Gayatri for

Brahamacharis and Grihasthas (householders). The fruits that are attained by
meditation on Omkara can be attained by meditation on Gayatri also. The
same goal tha tis reached by a Paramahamsa Sannyasin, can be reached by a
Brahmachari or a householder by meditating on Gayatri.

Get up at 4 a.m., at Brahmamuhurta, and start Japa and meditation. If

you find this difficult, get up at least before sunrise.

It is better if you do Japa of Gayatri 3,000 to 4,000 times daily. Your

heart will be repidly purified. If you are not able to do this number of Japa,
do it at least 108 times daily-36 times at sunrise, 36 times at noon, and 36
times at sunset.

16. Akhanda Japa

Akhanda Japa of any Mantra can be done. The Akhanda Japa can be
conducted for 12 hours or more according to convenience. This can be done
on Sundays and other holidays when more leisure is at the disposal of the
members. Any number of people can take in Akhanda Japa. Even three, four,
twelve or more emembers can conduct Akhanda Japa. Each member should
be allotted at least one hour's time. Arrangement can be made previously
regarding the hour of each particular member, when he will do the Japa.

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 Start the Japa at 6 a.m. and continue it up to 6 p.m. One memer will do
Japa for one hour, say from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. The next member is required to
be present at least 5 minutes prior to his fixed times. He will wash his hands
and feet, do Achamana and sit near the preceding member, take up his Maala
and start repeating the Mantra in a slightly audible tone. Thus the sitting
member will know that his successor has taken up to Japa, and he may get up
as soon as he finishes the Maala. Keep the eyes closed while doing Japa and
seat yourself in the usual pose or Asana which you are accustomed to sit on.
It is not absolutely necessary that the previous memeber should get up
immediately when his successor relieves him. He may, if he so wishes,
continue the Japa as before.

The number of Maalas may be recorded against each member's name.

Towards the close of the Akhanda Japa all the member can assemble together
and repeat the Mantra. At 6 p.m. have Arati before the Lord's picture and
afterwards distribute the sacred Prasad.

The members should not be allowed to talk and disturb others. It would
be highly beneficial if, along with the Japa, the member can fast, or observe
at least partial fast by taking milk and fruits. Ladies also can take part in
Akhanda Japa.

Collective Japa is highly beneficial. The Mantra-Sakti is awakened

quickly. The Rajasic and Tamasic forces will be soon destroyed. More Sattva
and harmony will pervade the place where Akhanda Japa is done.

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 THE TABLE FOR JAPA
Time required for completion of
No. of Japa that can
Speed per minute one Purascharana, devoting 6
No. Mantras be done in one hour
hours daily
Low Med. High Low Med. High Months Days Hours Mins.
1. OM 140 250 400 8400 15000 24000 Low . . . . 11 54
Med. . . . . 6 40
High . . . . 4 10
2. Hari OM or Sri Rama 120 200 300 7200 12000 18000 Low . . 1 3 47
Med. . . . . 16 40
High . . . . 11 7
3. OM Namah Sivaya 80 120 150 4800 7200 9000 Low . . 17 2 10
Med. . . 11 3 30
High . . 9 1 35
4. OM Namo Narayana 60 80 120 3600 4800 7200 Low 1 7 0 16
Med. . . 27 4 45
High . . 18 3 15
5. OM Namo Bhagavate 40 60 90 2400 3600 5400 Low 2 23 2 0
Vaasudevaya Med. 1 25 3 30
High 1 7 0 15
6. Gayatri Mantra 6 8 10 360 480 600 Low 36 16 0 45
Med. 29 8 5 30
High 19 15 3 35
7. Maha-Mantra or Hare 8 10 15 480 600 900 Low 36 16 0 45
Rama Mantra Med. 29 8 5 30
High 19 17 3 35

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 17. Power of Sound and Name

The power of sounds is tremendous. Ideas ar egenerated in the mind by

the mere hearing of sounds. Every name has a from correspoinding to it.
Sabda and Artha are inseparable. The form related to a name is at once
manifested in the mind the moment that name is heard by the ears and
transmitted to the mental consiousness. There are names denoting forms
which are abhorred and there are also names denoting form which are much
desired. Pains and pleasures become the experiences in the mind when it is
aware of hateful and delightful objects, respectively, through hearing of
them. When anyone suddenly shouts: "Scorpion! scorpion!" "Snake! snake!"
you at once apprehend the scorpion or the snake and jump in fright. When
anyoine calles you a "donkey" or an "ass" you are annoyed and you show
anger. Why do you do this? Because there is created in you mind the
consciousness of your supposed contact or identity with something which
you think is very dangerous or far inferior to you. So you get terrified or feel
that you are depreciated. That is why you jump in fear when you hear of the
presence of a scorpion or a snake near you, and do not tolelrate you being
addressed as a donkey or an ass. Through anger you wish to show that you
are not a donkey.

When such is the power of the name of an ordinary thing of this world,
what a tremendous power should there be in the Name of God! God is the
completion or the fullness of existence. Hence, the Name which denotes
Him, too, is full and perfect. Therefore, the power of the Name of God is
incalculable, for it is the height or the zenith of power. The Name of God can
achieve anything. There is nothing impossible for it. It is the means to the
realisation of God Himself. Even as the name of a thing in this world
generates the consciousness of that thing in the mind, the Name of God
generates God-consciousness in the purified mind and becomes the direct
cause of the realisation of the Highest Perfection, i.e., God, Freedom and
Immortality.

18. Bija-Akshara

A Bija-Akshara is a seed-letter. It is a very powerful Mantra. Every

Devatas has his or her own Bija-Akshara. The greatest of Bija-Akshara is
Om or Pranava, for it is the sysbol of the Para-Brahman or the Paramatman
Himself. OM contains within itself all the other Bija-Aksharas. OM is the

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general sound or the common seed from which all the particular sounds or
secondary seeds proceed. The letters of the alphabet are only emanations
from OM which is the root of all sounds and letters. There is no Mantra
superior to or greater than OM. OM, as pronounced ordinarily, is an outward
gross form of athe real subtle inaudible state of sound which is called the
Amatra or the immeasurable fourth transendental state. As the various
Devatas are the aspects or forms of the One Supreme Being, so the various
Bija-Aksharas or Bija-Mantras are so many aspects or forms of the Supreme
Bija or Mantra, viz., OM. Even the letters 'A', 'U' and 'M' do not really give
the transcendental or original state of sound. Even this triliteral sound is only
an expression or manifestation of the highest primeal Dhvani or Vibration.
The transcendental sound of OM is heard only by Yogins and not by the
ordinary ear. In the correct pronunciation of OM the sound proceeds from the
navel, with a deep and harmonious vibrations, and gradually manifests itself
by stages at the upper part of the nostrils where the Anusvara or the
Chandrabindu is sounded.

Generally a Bija-mantra consists of a single letter. sometimes it

constitutes several syllables. For example the Bija-Mantra 'Kam' has a single
letter with the Anusvara or the Chandrabindu which forms termination of all
Bija-Mantras. In the Chandrabindu, Nada and Bindu are blended together.
Some Bija-Mantras are made up of compound letters, such as the Mantra
'Hreem'. The Bija-Mantras have a significant inner meaning and often do not
convey any meaning on their face. Their meaning is subtle, mystic. The form
of the Bija-Mantra is the form of the Devata signified by it.

The Bijas of the five Mahabhutas or great elements, i.e., of the Devatas
or the presiding intelligences of the elements, viz., Ether, Air, Fire, Water
and Earth, are respectively Ham, Yam, Ram, Vam and Lam. The meanings
of a few Bija-Mantras are given here, to serve as examples.

Om ()

OM consists of three letters: 'A', 'U' and 'M'. It signifies the three periods
of times, the three states of consciousness, the entire existence. 'A' is the
waking state or Virat and Visva. 'U' is the dreaming state or Hiranyagarbha
and Taijas. 'M' is the sleeping state or Isvara and Prajan. Study the
Mandukyopanishad in detail in order to understand the meaning of OM.

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 Haum (gkSa)

In this Mantra, Ha is Siva. Au is Sadasiva. The Nada and Bindu mean

that which dispels sorrow. With this Mantra Lord Siva should be
worshipped.
Dum (nqa)

Here Da means Durga. U means to protect. Nada means the mother of

the universe. Bindu signifies action (worship or prayer). This is the Mantra of
Durga.
Kreem (ha)

With this Mantra Kaalika should be worshipped. Ka is Kaali. Ra is

Brahman. Ee is Mahamaya. Nada is the mother of the universe. Bindu is te
dispellerof sorrow.
Hreem (ha)

This is the Mantra of Mahamaya or Bhuvaneshvari. Ha means Siva. Ra

is Prakriti. Ee means Mahamaya. Nada is the mother of the universe. Bindu
means the dispeller of sorrow.
Shreem (Jha)

This is the Mantra of Mahalakshmi. Sa is Mahalakshmi. Ra means

wealth. Ee means satisfaction or contentment. Nada is Apara or the
menifested Brahman or Isvara. Bindu means the dispeller of sorrow.
Aim (,sa)

This is the Bija-Mantra of Sarasvati. Ai means Sarasvati. Bindu means

the dispeller of sorrow.
Kleem (Dyha)

This is the Kamabija. Ka means the Lord of desire (Kamadeva). Ka may

also mean Krishna. La means Indra. Ee means contentment constentment or
satisfaction. Nada and Bindu mean that which brings happiness and sorrow.
Hoom (gw)

In this Mantra, Ha is Siva. U is Bhairava. Naga is the Supreme. Bindu

means the dispeller of sorrow. Thisis the three-fold Bija of Varma or armour
(coat of nail).

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 Gam (x)

This is the Ganesha-Bija. Ga means Ganesha. Bindu means the dispeller

of sorrow.
Glaum (XykSa)

This also is a Mantra of Ganesha. Ga means Ganesha. La means that

which pervades. Au means lustre or brilliance Bindu means the dispeller of
sorrow.
Kshraum ({kkSa)

This is the Bija of Narasimha. Ksha is Narashimha. Ra is Brahma. Au

means with teeth pointing upwards. Bindu means the dispeller of sorrow.
There are, like these, many other Bija-Mantras which signify various
Devatas. 'Vyaam' is the Bija of Vyasa-Mantra, 'Brim' of Brihaspati-Mantra
and 'Raam' of Rama-Mantra.
Sri Vidya
Sri-Vidya si the great Mantra of Tripurasundari or Bhuvanesvari or
Mahamaya. It is also called the Panchadasi or the Panchadasakshari, for it is
formed of fifteen letters. In its developed form it consists of sixteen letters
and is called Shodasi or the Shodasakshari. The aspirant should directly get
initiation of this Mantra from a Guru, and should not start reading it for
himself or doing Japa of it, of his own accord. This is a very powerful
Mantra and, when it is not properly repeated, it may harm the Upasaka. So it
is imperative that it should be got directly from a Guru who has got Siddhi of
this Mantra.
The general rule is that this Mantra (Sri-Vidya) should be repeated after
one's passing through certain stages of self-purification through other
Mantras. In the beginning a Purascharana of Ganesa-Mantra should be done.
Then Purascharanas of Gayatri-Mantra, Maha-Mrityunjaya-Mantra and
Durga-Mantra (Vaidika or Tantrika) havae to be done. After this the
Panchadasakshari and the Shodasakshari have to be taken up for Japa.
The Bija-Mantras and te Sri-Vidya should not be repeated by those who
are not well acquainted with them. Only those who have a very good
knowledge of the Sanskrit language and who have been directly initiated by a
Guru (who has Mantra-Siddhi) can take up the Japa of Bija-Mantras and the

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Sri-Vidya. Others should not approach these Mantras and should do only
their own Ishta-Mantras which are easy to pronounce and remember.
19. Hints on Japa-Yoga Sadhana
1. Need for Japa Sadhana
1. Man cannot live by bread alone; but he can live repeating the Name of
the Lord alone.
2. A Yogi crosses the ocean of Samsara by his Chittavritti-Nirodha,
controlling the modifications that arise in the mind; a Jnani by his
Brahmakara-Vritti (by raising the pure thought of Infinity); and a Bhakta
by doing Nama-Smarana. The Name of the Lord has a very great power.
It gives eternal bliss. it bestows immortality (Amritatva). Through its
power you can have direct vision of the Lord. It brings you face to face
with the Supreme Being and makes you realise your oneness with the
Infinite and the whole at large. What a wonderfu, magnetic, electrifying
influence the Name of the Lord possesses! Feel it, my dear friends, by
chanting His Name and rolling the beads. One who does not do Smarana
of Hari is a Neecha (low-born). The day spent without the remembrance
of His Name is a mere waste.
3. It was by the glory of Rama-Nama that the stories floated in water, and
the bridge, the Sethu over the sea, was built by Sugriva and his
companions, at Ramesvara. It was Hari-Nama that cooled Prahlada,
when he was thrown into a confiagration of fire.
4. Any Name of the Lord is nectar. It is sweeter than suger-candy. It gives
immortality to the Jivas. It is the essence of the Vedas. Amrita came out,
in days of yore, during hte process of te churning of the ocean by the
Devas and the Asuras. By churning the four Vedas, the Name of Rama,
the nectar, was brought out to quench the three kinds of Taapas of the
ignorant Jivas. Drink it again and again by constant repetition, just as
Valmiki did in days long gone by.
5. That bungalow or palace or a place in which or where no Hari-Sankirtan
or worship is done is only a burial ground, even though it is furnished
with sofas, electric lights and electric fans, fine gardens, and such other
things.
6. Renounce everything. Live on alms. Live in alms. Repeat 'Om Namo
Narayanaya' fourteen crore gimes. This can be done within four years.

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 Do one lakh times Japa daily. You can see Hari face to face. Can you not
undergo a little suffering for a short period when you ca thereby get the
fruit of immortality, infinite peace and eternal happiness?
7. Japa is a very great purifier. It checks the force of the throught-current
moving towards objects. It forces the mind to move towards God,
towards the attainment of eternal bliss.
8. Japa eventually helps in obtaining Darsana of God. The Mantra-
Chaitanya is hidden in every Mantra.
9. Japa reinforces the Sadhana-Sakti of the Sadhaka. It makes him morally
and spiritually strong.
10. The vibration produced by the chanting of a Mantra correspoonds to the
original vibration that arose from Hiranyagarbha.
11. The rhythmical vibration produced through Japa regulates the unsteady
vibrations of the five sheaths.
12. Japa changes the mind-stuff from worldliness to spirituality, from Rajas
and activity to Sattva and illumination.
13. The Name of the Lord is an inexhaustible storehouse of spiritual
knowledge.
14. Even mechanical repetition of a Mantra plays a great part in the
evolution of the soul. Even a simple parrot-like gramophonic repetition
of a Mantra, too, is beneficial. It has got its own effect.
2. Practice of the Divine Name
15. In the Satya-Yuga meditation has been prescribed as the principal form
of discipline, as the minds of men were generally pure and free from
distractions.
16. In the Treta-Yuga sacrifices were prescribed, as materials for the
performance of Yajna were easily procurable then, and as people were
slightly Rajasic.
17. In the Dvapara-Yuga worship was recommended as the principla form
of Sadhana, as there was greater facility for direct worship of God, and
as there was greatermanifestation of the sportive energy of God.
18. In the Kali-Yuga, as the mind of men are naturally prone to greater
distractions, meditation, worship and performance of sacrifices are not

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 possible. Therefore, loud chanting of Divine Name of Kirtan or
Namasmarana (remembrance of Lord's Name) has been recommended
as the principal Sadhana for God-realisation.
19. God's Name is your boat, Sankirtan is your raft. Cross this ocean of
Samsara with this boat and raft.
20. No one obtains liberation without the Name of the Lord. Your highest
duty is to repeat His Name always. Name is the greatest Treasure of
treasures.
21. Rama-Nama is the true substance of the four Vedas. He who repeat
'Rama, Rama', pouring out tears of love, attains life eternal and
everlasting bliss. The Name 'Rama' will guide him on the path.
Therefore, say 'Rama, Rama'.
22. He who recites Sri Rama's Name can never come to grief. Lord Rama is
the bestower of blessedness. He has the power to liberate people from
the unceasing round of births and deaths.
23. The Name of Hari is, undoubtedly, the surest, safest and the easiest
means of expiating sins. This is a well-known fact.
24. The Name of the Lord is the unfailing source of strength. In the darkest
hour trial, only God's Name will save you.
25. Prahlada, Dhruva and Sanaka realised God through Namasmarana or
remembrance of the Lord's Name.
26. The greatest of sinners can attain God-realisation through the blessings
of the Name.
27. Meditate on God's Name with the belief that the Name and Named
(God) are identical.
28. Japa or recitation of the Lord's Name purges the mind of all impurities
and fills if with bliess. It attunes the soul with God and fills it with His
presence. It brings about perfect communion of the soul with God.
29. Take refuge in the Lord with all your being, and chant His Name with
devotion. This is the final verfict of the Sastras and the considerate
opinion of the saints.
30. Chanting of the Lord's Name brightens the mirror of mind, burns the
forest of desires and bathes the whole being in a flood of joy.

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31. Resist temptation by taking refuge in the Name of the Lord. Have love
for solitude and silence. Have the inward life. All miseries will
terminate. You will enjoy supreme felicity.
32. Strike the chords in your heart by chanting Om, by doing Japa of Om
Namah Sivaya, by singing Hare Rama, Hare Krishna; and hear the
thrilling, eternal superb music of the Soul.
33. Repeat constantly 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya', the Dvadasa-
Akshara or the twelve-lettered Mantra of Sri Krishna, the joy of Gokula,
the delight of Sri Radha, the darling of Nanda, and obtain His grace and
Darsana.
34. God is the one Doctor for al sicknesses. Rely on Him alone. The Names
of God are the most potent, unfailing tonics, sure panaceas, wel-tried
elixirs, soveregin specifics.
35. My rosary is my tongue, on which I repeat God's Name.
3. The Name Is the All
36. Name (Name of the Lord) and Nami (the Lord Himself) are one.
37. Name can bring you face to face with God.
38. Name is the way; Name is the Goal.
39. Name is a safe boat that can take you to the other shore of fearlessness,
freedom and bliss immortal.
40. Name is the supreme purifier and enlightener.
41. Name is the potent dispeller of the darkness of ignorance.
42. Name is the bestower of eternal bliss, perennial joy and everlasting
peace.
43. The glory and greatness of Name cannot be adequately described in
words.
44. Name is filled with countless powers and potencies.
45. Name is elixir, ambrosia and divine nectar.
46. Name is more precious than the wealth of the whole world.
47. Name is the bridge that connects the devotee with God.

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48. Namke is the master-key that opens the door of elysian bliss and
Moksha.
49. Name fills the heart with divine Prema, joy and bliss.
50. Name is your sole prop, support, refuge, solace, centre, ideal and goal.
51. Name is a potent antidote to all evile of this world. It will establish
peace, good-will and unity on this earth.
52. Take refuge in the Name and constantly recite it with feeling and Bhava
and single-minded devotion. All troubles, miseries, pains and sorrows
will come to an end.
4. Ajapa Japa
53. Ajapa means Japa without moving the lips. It is associated with the flow
of the breath, Generally 'Soham' Mantra is styled as Ajapa-Japa. The
human being is unconsciously doing this Japa 21,600 times daily, within
24 hours. Will you mark the breath now carefully? You will hear the
sound 'So' when you inhale and the sound 'Ham' when you exhale.
Simply note the breath every now and then, and for one hour daily sit in
a closed room and do 'Soham' Dhyana - 'I am He'. This is an easy
method for concentration and meditation.
54. Those who have retired from service should repeat the Rama Mantra at
least 50,000 times daily. They will derive immense benefit. They can do
it within six hours. They will get a great deal of peace of mind, purity,
strength, Ananda and Darsana of the Lord.
55. Those who have taste for music can sing the Rama Mantra, or any other
Mantra. The mind gets exaited quickly. Sit alone and sing His Name.
Bhava-Samadhi will ensure.
5. Bhaktas Who Realised God through Japa

56. Rouge RAtnaka became Saga Valmiki by repeating 'Mara, Mara' (the
inverted form of Rama) as advised by Sage Narada.

57. Tukaram, the Maharashtra saint, ahd direct Darsana of Lord Krishna,
several times, by repeating simply 'Vitthan', 'Vitthal' (another name for
Lord Krishna), the Name of the Deity at Pandharpur.

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58. Dhruva, that wonderful boy of devotion, repeated 'Om Namo Bhagavate
Vaasudevaya', the Dvadasa-Akshara Mantra of Lord Krishna, and had
His Darsana.
59. Prahlada uttered 'Narayana, Narayana', and saw Hari face to face.
60. Ram Das, the spiritual preceptor of Sivaji, repeated thirteen crore times
Rama-Mantra; "Sri Ram, Jaya Ram, Jaya Jaya Ram", by standing in
water in the Godavari, near the Takli village. He became a great saint.
61. Live alone for at least a few hours daily. Sit6 alone. Do not mix. Go to a
lonely place. Close your eyes. Repeat the Name f the Lord silently, and
mentally, too, with intense devotion. Continue this practice. You will
learn to live in God. You shall have His Darsana.
20. The Glory of Mantra-Diksha
Initiation into the Divine Name or the solemn Mantra-Diksha s one of
the holiest and mot significant of the sacred rituals inthe spiritual life. to
receive the Guru-Mantra from a realised saint and Sat-Guru is the rates to
good fortune and the most precious of the divine blessings that may be
bestowed upon the aspirant. The full glory of this Mantra-Diksha, specially
when it is done by a realised soul, can hardly be imagined even fractionally
by the initiated who has not yet a proper idea of what the Mantra and
Mantra-Diksha really imply. The process of Mantra-Diksha is one of the
most ancient in this sacred land and is the grandest jewel in the treasure of
our peerless culture. The sacred Mantra or the Divine is a vital symbol of the
Supreme Divinity directly revealed in the innermost depths of divine
communion to the sages of Self-realisation in the hoary Vedic and
Upanishadic times. These symbols are in the nature of unfailing keys to give
access into the transcendental realms of Absolute Experience. Mantras are
potent givers of direct experience of the hightest Reality, handed down to us
from those far off ancient times. Mantras have been carefully handed down
to us down the centuries, generation after generation, right up to the present
moden age of materialism, by the long succession of saints, through the
system of Guru-Parampara.
A most tremendous transformation begins to take place in the innermost
core of the conscience of the initiated or the receiver of the Mantra. The
initiated is himself unaware of this fact because of the veil of ignorance or
Mula-Ajnana that still covers him, even as a poor man sleeping soundly in
his humble cottage at night, carried silently and deposited upon a royal couch

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in the Emperor's Palace, remains completely unaware of his transfer,
because he is still in deep sleep. But nevertheless, this transformation start
with initiation, and like unto a seed that is sown in the earth, ultimately
culminates in the grand fruit of realisation or Atma-Jnana. To reach fruition,
even as the seed has to pass through a process of developing into a seeding, a
plant, a sapling and then a full-grown tree, even so the Sadhaka, after
receiving initiation, must make earnest and continuous effort in teh form of
spiritual Sadhana if the Diksha is to beocme blissfuly fruitful as Self-
realisation. This part is the Sadhaka's sole responsibility in which task he will
doubtless receive the help, guidance and grace of the Guru in th measure of
his firm faith and loyalty to him. As a pearl-oyster patiently and eaderly
awaits the drops of rain when the star Savati is in ascendancy, receives the
drop and converts it in itself, through its own efforts and processes, into a
very valuable pearl, the Sadhaka eagerly and devoutly awaits Mantra-
initiation from the Guru, receives the sacred Mantra from him on the rate
auspicious occasion, cherishes it and nurtures it in himself, and by his effort
or process of Sadhana transforms it into a tremendous spiritual power which
breaks the fort of Avidya or ignorance and opens the door to the blissful
immortal Experience.
How great a transformation and innermost purification take place from
the Mantra-Diksha can be gathered from the incident in which, after the
Divine Sage Narada had departed from Lord Narayana's Presence in
Vaikuntha, the Lord directs Lakshmi to spirnkle water on and clean the spot
occupied by Narada during his short stay. When Goddess Lakshmi enquires
in astonishment the reaosn for this strange procedure, the Lord explained that
this is because "Narada has not yet been initiated," meaning thereby that the
peculiar, mysterious inner purification that is bestowed by Mantra-Diksha
had not yet come to him. Such is the glory of initiation. The process of
initiation links you up directly with the Divine Being. Initiation or Mantra-
Diksha is at a one end of this golden chain and the Lord or the Highest
Transcendental Atmic Experience is at the other end of it. Now you know
what initiation means.
Initiation puts you in possession with the direct means of attaianing the
grandest and the highest thing which can be attained, attaining which you
obtain everything, knowing which you know everything, and gaining which
nothing more remains to be gained! Initiation leads you to the full knowledge
and experience that you are neither the mind nor the body, that you are
Satchidananda Atman, full of Light and full of the Highest Bliss. May the

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Grace of the Sat-Guru, the visible God, bestow upon you all the highest fruit
of Self-realisation.
21. Anushthana
Introductory
Anushthana is the practice of religious austerity. It is observance of
certain disciplines for the sake of obtaining some object or objects of desire.
The desire or the object may even be Final emancipation. Even that is a
desire, through it is generally not included among desires. One who performs
Anushthana has to be free worldly engagements until the end of the
Anushthana. He should be completely engrossed in one through concerned
with the austere performance of the observances prescribed by the Sastras or
scriptures. Such disciplines mould men and make them fit to realise the
higher objects of the their desires and ambitions.
Generally the highest form of Anushthana is unselfish worshiip of God
for the sake of self-purification and final emancipation. There is n
Anushthana better than this. Other Anushthanas done for the sake of petty
material ends are the outcome of ignorance and are not spiritual. Spiritual
Anushthana is based on discrimination and has for its ideal the liberation of
the sould from the round of births and deaths.
Anushthanas can be practised for a day, a week, a fortnight, a month,
forty-eight days, ninety-six days, three months, six months or one year. The
duration upon the ability and the liking of the performer. He can choose any
kind of Anushthana according to his circumstances.
Even the rigour of the Sadhana is dependent upon the constitution and
health of the individual. A sick man is not required to take cold bath thrice
daily. An unhalthy man with a very weak body is not required to observe
absolute fast. A person suffering from an acute disease is not required to
forego taking medicine. common-sense is the fundamental factor in all
Sadhanas. No rule is an eternal rule. Rules change from place to place, from
time to time and from one condition to another condition. A Sadhaka of
Madras may live only with a Langoti even in the dead winter. But a Sadhaka
living in the icy Gangotri cannot be expected to practice the same method
even in summer. The climate of the Himalayas is not like that of Trivandrum
or Madras. To hold an umbrella when it is raining heavily is not against ahte
practice of Anushthana. The objective of all Anushthanas is rigorous mental
discipline and not mere physicial mortification.

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 A pair of shoes used when walking over the glaciers of Kailas or
Manasasarovar will not prove detremental to Anushthana. Absolute
necessities of the body are not hindrances. Abnormal craving are against
Anushthana, not the normal requirements. Strict Brahmacharya is an absolute
necessity for all Anushthanas. Truth-speaking and non-injury are absolute
necessities; for these are mental disciplines.
Any action done against the feeling of the mind is not conducive to the
rigour of hte Anushthana. the actions of te mind alone are actions, not those
of the body. One who feels one thing and does another thing is a
Mithyachari. To him the fruit of Sadhana will not accrue. The mind is the
author of all actions. The body is only the instrument. Suppressing the effect
when the cause is vigorously working will not help in the annihilation of the
cause. The mind has to be calmed and for that all Sadhanas are done in one
way or the other.
Japa-Anushthana
An Ishta-Mantra is selected first. The object of Anushthana should be
within the limits of the Mantra chosen; e.g., one should not do Japa of
Hanuman in order to get a son. Foolish desires should not be ch erished when
performing Anushthana. One should not do Anushthana for destroying or
harming other beings. This is a great blunder. This will lead to the
destruction of the performer himself, in case the other party is more powerful
than the performer. Generally a subline spiritual desire should be kept in
view when any Anushthana is practised.
The Japa-Sadhaka should start his Anushthana in the early morning at
Brahmamuhurta on an auspicious day. He should take a bath in a river or
even in the water of a well if other water is not available. He should observe
Mouna all along until the completion of the day's Anushthana. The major
portion of the day should be utilised for Japa. The Sadhaka should offer
prayers to the sun and the Devata of the Mantra which he is going to take up
in Anushthana. He should offer his daily prayers and perform Sandhya. Then
he should sit on a clean place facing the east or the north with a Maala in his
hand. His mind should be concentrated on the deity of the Mantra. The
purpose of the Anushthana should be borne in mind all along. Complete
Mouna should be observed. The eyes should be shut. The senses should be
withdrawn. There should be no other thought except that of the idela before
him.

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 The Sadhaka should not approach his wife at any time until the whole of
the Anushthana is over for the prescribed period. There should not be any
thought of wife, children or property during the performance of the
Anushthana or even during rest at night. These are all hindrances in the
attainment of the object desired out of the Anushthana.
It is better to feed at least one person daily until the end of the
Anushthana. On the last day a Havana should be performed with Ahutis
euqal to one-tenth of the total number of Japa done. On the last day also
poor-feeding may be conducted for the satisfaction of one's own self. Water-
libations, equal in number to that done in Havana, may be given, or else (if it
is found to be inconvenient) the number of Japa may be increased by that
number.
To put it in a nutshell, Japa-Anushthana is performance of Japa for a
protracted period with concentration of mind and without any thought of the
external world. This leads to the achievement of the object of desire.
Generally as many lakhs of Japa as there are letters in the Mantra ar
done. But it is better to do more than this prescribed number if the actual fruit
of the Japa is to be acquired. The mind of man is generally very impure and
it requires much labour to purify it in order to make it fit for concentration on
the Mantra and its deity. Generally many Purascharanas are required to get at
the ideal in mind. One Purascharana does not bring the desired object,
becuase the human mind is ever distracted and is filled with Rajas-and
Tamas.
Svadhyaya-Anushthana
The Sadhaka takes up the study of the Vedas, the Mahabharata, the
Ramayana, or the Bhagavata for reading. In the case of the Bhagavata it si
called the Saptaha. In the case of the Vedas it is called Anushthana. In the
case of the other two it is called Parayana. The Anushthatri should observe
the same disciplines as detailed above. Arghya (libation), Havana, etc.,
should be performed as the Japa-Anushthana.
Other Anushthanas
AllAnushthanas can be performed on the same lines with slight changes
according to the necessity of the occasion. A woman-Anushthatri will have
slight changes in the rules regarding performances. She should not start the
Anushthana during the time of her menses. Nor should the menses occur in
the middle of the Anushthana.Generally it is better for them to take up

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Anushthana only for a period of less than a month. They should not suckle
their children during the time of Anushthana. Even women should observe
Brahmacharya during the performance of Anushthana. They also should take
daily bath as in the case of men. All other rules are just like those for men.
Women should not take up Anushthana of Gayatri-japa or Veda-Anushthana.
Generally by Anushthana the Sastras mean only Japa and Svadhyaya.
Meditation is not considered-as an Anushthana. It is a higher step where the
word Anushthana loses its meaning. Worship also can be considered as an
Anushthana, though it is not included in he orthodox conception. The rules
for all Anushthanas constitute the central idea that there should be exclusive
occupation in the performance of Anushthana to the total datachment from
all family engagements or worldly activities. Even worldly thoughts should
not enter the mind of the Anushthatri. Anushthana is a great Tapas of
austerity and should be performed with great reverence, faith and
carefulness.
Time limit for Anushthana
There is no time limit for Anushthana. It all depends upon the liking of
te individual. It can be done even for al single day. It has its own effect. But
better it is to practice for long periods, since the mind is well disciplined in
such practices. The longer the Anushthana, the gerater the power that the
Sadhaka gets. He becomes like a Yogi, possessed of health, wealth,
prosperity, knowledge and power. Whatever he wishes for, he
gets.Anushthana can be performed even in night-time. As a matter of fact the
practice at night is more powerful and brings quicker results than the
Anushthana done during day time. At night the mind is clam and free from
the world. That is why all practices at night have got a greater force or
Samskara.
Conclusion
Anushthana is a precursor to the practice of Yoga. It disciplines the mind
and prepares the mind for Yogic meditation. It is a severe Tapascharya which
if performed without any worldly desire,will lead the Sadhaka to the height
of spiritual illunination.
22. Method of Mantra-Purascharana
The mode of repetition of a Mantra with feeling and in a particular
mananer, a definite number of times, with right observances, until a fixed

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number of Japa is reached, in order to obtain substantial benefit out of the
Mantra, is called Purascharana.
The practitioner has to observe certain rules and regulations that have
been laid down in the Sastras in regard to Purascharana and has to undergo
perfect dietetic discipline also in accordance with those injunctions.
The Mantra, when it is mentally recited in this manner will bring to the
Sadhaka all that he desires within its jurisdiction. The following is a brief
description of 'Mantra-Purascharana-Vidhi'.
Diet
The practitioner of Purascharana of a Mantra should take the following
diet: vegetables, fruit, milk, roots and tubers, curd, barley, Havisya (rice
cooked along with ghee, suger and milk) and which has been offered to God;
or he may live on pure Bhiksha alone.
One who takes only milk-diet during the whole period of his Sadhana
will have Mantra-Siddhi by repeating the Mantra only a single lakh times.
But he who takes others of the prescribed diet will have Siddhi only after
finishing three lakh Japas.
Place for Japa
Any holy place f pilgrimage, any place on the banks of holy rivers,
caves, tops of hills and mountains, confluence of rivers, huge holy forests,
below the Asvattha tree, Tulasi gardens, Devata temples, seashore, solitary
places- all these are recommended as places fir for Japa. If none of these can
be easily found, one may perform the Mantra-Sadhana in his own house.
But Japa done in one's house will produce only as much effect as it
commonly will under ordinary circumstances. In holy places the effect will
be one hundred times more. On river-banks it will be one lakh times more.
But the effect produced by Japa performed in the presence of Maha-Vishnu
will be infinite.
Directions
The Sadhaka should sit facing either the East or the North, during Japa.
During the night-time, he may sit facing the North only.
Bath
One shold bathe three times a day, and if it is impossible, he may take
bath at least twice, or even once, according to his conveniences and
prevailing circumstances.

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 Padama, Siddha, Svastika, Sukha or Vira Asana is recommended for
Japa. Cotton cloth, blanket, silk or tiger-skin should be used as seat, which
will bring Saubhagya, Jnana and early Siddhi.
Japa done by sitting on Krishnajaina (skin of a particular kind of deer)
will give Jnana. Tiger's skin will bring the bliss of Moksha. When none of
these Asanas is available Darbha-Asana, i.e., Asana made of Kusa grass, will
do for the purpose.
Use of Maalas
Sphatika Maala, Tulasi Maala or Rudraksha Maala may be used for
counting during Japa. The Maala should be respected and worshipped, and
kept in all sacredness. After finishing Japa, it must be kept in a pure and
clean place. An advanced aspirant can use any Maala, or he may not use the
Maala at all. It all depends upon the stage of evolution in which one is.
How to Do Japa
Abstracting the mind from all worldly objects, being merged in the inner
meaning of the Mantra, one should repeat the Mantra, neither very quickly
nor too slowly. The Mantra shold be repeated as many lakhs of times as there
are letters contained in the Mantra. For example, the Japa of the
Panchakshara of Siva should be done five lakh times, the ashtakhara of
Narayana eight lakh times, and the Dvadasakshara of Krishna twelve lakh
times. In the case of impossibility, half of the required number may be done.
But n no case should it be less than a lakh.
In ancient days people's minds were very pure and powerful, and so
Akshara-Laksha-Japa used to bring to them Siddhi or Sakshatkara of the
Deity. In these days, however, people are of impure minds, and so they may
not have Darsana of the Divinity through Akshara-Laksha-Japa done only
once. Cinema-impurities, drama-imprities, and various other kinds of
impurities clog the minds of the people of these days, and they are not able to
achieve any tangible progress. They have to continue the Japa-Purascharana
until Sakshatkara. In the caseof some persons several Purascharanas may
have to be done even for effecting the preliminary purification of the mind,
itself. After this the Purascharana that is done will bring Sakshatkara or
realisation of the Deity.
If it is found that even after the purascharana Siddhi of the Mantra is not
got, due to some old evil Samskarasof the previous birth, one should not lag

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behing, but perform Purascharana once again. He shoiuld continue it again
and again until his mind is competely purified and ultimate Siddhi is gained.
It should also be borne in mind that Japa done during the time of solar or
lunar eclipse will produce a tremendous effect and hence this rare
opportunity should not be missed by anybody, whenever it offers itself.
During the six seasons of the year (like Vasanta, etc.), one should
perfom Japa, noon, at anoon, afternoon, at mid-night, in hte early morning
and in the evening, respectively.
Homa or Yajna
The number of Japa done during each day should be constant and should
not vary day by day. Everyday after finishing the Japa, Ahutis of ghee or
oblations of the Charu that are prescribed, equal in number to one-tenth of
the Japa done should be offered in the sacred fire. Or else, this may also be
done at the end of each lakh, according to convenience. the Havana or Home
should be performed strictly according to the rules laid down by the
Brahmana portions of the Vedas, the Kalpa-Sutras and the Smritis. In this
matter it is advisable to get the help of an experienced Purohits.
When the required number of Japa is over, oblations equal in number to
one-tenth of the total Japa done, should be offered in Yajna, uttering the
same Mantra with each offering or Ahuti.
In case one is unable to perform Homa and observe its restrictions, he
can worship the Deity; do, in addition to the total Japa already doe, further
Japa equal in number to one-tenth thereof, and feed Brahmins and Mahatmas
afterwards.
Rules to be Observed During Japa
Sleeping on the bare ground, celibacy, worship of the Deity three times a
day, prayer to the Deity, faith in the Mantra, bath three tiems, every day,
abandoning of oil-bath, are to be observed strictly as vows during the
Mantra-Sdhana period.
Absent-mindedness, laziness, spitting while doing Japa, anger,
relaxation of legs from the Asana, speaking of foreign language (all others
except Sanskrit and one's mother tongue are foreign languages), speaking
with people of the opposite sex and with unspiritual persons, chewing betel
leaves, sleeping during daytime, receiving figts, attending singing and

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dancing, mischief-making- all these should be rigidly shunned, if one wants
success in his Sadhana.
Salt, meat, pungent things, sweetmeats form Bazaar, pulses, speakig lies,
doing injustice, worshippeing other deities, applying sandal paste to the
body, wearing flowers, sexual intercourse or taling about sex-matters and
mixing with such people should be put an end to completely during Mantra-
Purascharana.
The Sadhaka should not sit placing one leg on the other, and he should
not touch his feet with hands. Concentration of the mind on the Mantra and
its meaning is very essential at all times. Japa should not be done when
walking here and there or looking this side and that side. The Upasaka should
never be engaged in other activities even in mind, and should not be
murmuring, grumbling, etc., or covering the face with and kind of garment.
Atonement for Break of Japa
On seeing or talking with immoral persons, sneezing through the nose,
passing wind through the anus, y awni ng, Japa should at once be stopped
and is to be continued only after getting oneself purified by Achamana,
Pranayama and Darsana of the Sun-God.
Conclusion
After finishing the required number of Maalas of Japa, Home with
Ahutis equal in number to one-tenth of Japa, Tarpana amounting to one-tenth
of Homa, Marjana or sprinkling oneself with water by means of a blade of
Usa grass, equal to one-tenth of Tarpana, and feeding of Brahmins counting
one-tenth of Marjana, are to be done regularly. Teh Mantra-Siddhi will then
be very quickly attained.
Brightness, clearness and tranquility of mind, contentment, dispassion
towards sense-objects, will dawn on Mantra-Siddhi, if the Purascharana is
done without any selfish desire or motive behind it. The sadhaka will see
effulgence everywhere and his own body will seem to be bright with light,
being completely divine in nature. He will see his Deity alone everywhere
and whatever he desires will be at his fingers' tips.
The aspirant, as a rule, should not do Purascdharana for any petty
selfish end. Sakama-Upasana will not bring to him real spiritual knowledge
and experience or inner strength. Japa should be done with an aspiration to
obtain the grace of God and realise God. There is nothing so great and noble

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as attaining God-consciousness. Therefore, let your Mantra-purascharana be
Nishkama, free from all mundane desires. Do not desire for even Svarga-
Loka only God and offer the Japa-Purascharana at His Feet. When He is
pleased nothing remains unachieved for you. The best purashcharana is that
which is done for self-purification and Atma-Sakshatkara, Brahma-
Sakshatkara or realisation of God.

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 Chapter Five
STORIES OF JAPA-YOGINS
Introductory
Tulasidas, Ramdas, Kabir, Mirabai, Bilvamanagal (Surdas), Lord
Gauranga (Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), Narasi Mehta of Gujarat, and several
others had realised God merely through Japa and intense devotion (Ananya-
Bhakti). Why not you also, my dear friend? Why not you also become great
spiritual personages? What one has done, another also can do. In this Kali
Yuga, God-realisation can be had in a short period. It is the grace of the
Lord. You need not do severe Tapas now. You need not stand on one leg for
several years, as people did in days of yore. You can realise God through
Japa, Kirtan and prayer.

I have to reiterate once more that the Japa of any Mantra has a
tremendous, purifying influence on the mind. All the Saktis are in the Name
of God. It makes the mind Antarmukha (introspective), turns the mind
inward. It thins out all Vasanas (Vasana-Kshaya). A Vasana is a subtle
desire. It is a latent desire. It is the propelling force that precedes the desire.
It is a latent tendency. The Japa of a Mantra reduces the force of Sankalpa. It
attenuates the mind. The mind becomes thread-like (state of Tanumanasi, the
third Bhumika or state of Jnana). It fills the mind with Sattva-Guna, peace,
purity and strength. It develops the will-force.

Read the book 'Garland of Letters' or 'Varnamala' by Justice Woodroffe.

You will realise the efficacy of Mantras.

1. Dhruva

Uttanapada was one of the sons of the First Manu. Uttanapada means
'with uplifted foot'. This perhaps refers to the period when the Jiva, having
still the spiritual element strong in him, was not fixed in the course of
material descent, but had one foot towards Mahar-Loka. Uttanapada had two
wives, Suruchi (with good graces) and Suniti (of good morals). Uttama or the
best was the son of Suruchi. Dhruva of the fixed was the son of Suniti. Once
upon a time, Dhruva found Uttama on his father's lap and wished to be there
himself. For fear of Suruchi, Uttanapada did not dare stretch his hands
towards Dhruva, while Suruchi hereself taunted the boy for his impudent
aspiration. Stung to the quick by the bitter words of his step-mother, Dhruva
forthwith left the place and went straight to his mother and related to her his

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grievances. Suniti advised her son, who was only five years old, to do Tapas.
Dhruva did not lose time but left home to do Tapas as directed by his mother.
Narada met him on the way. "Thou art a child, Dhruva!" said the great Rishi.
"How is it possible for thee to find out Him by Tapas, who is attainable by
intense Yoga, concentration and freedom from passion, practised for several
births? Desist from this attempt, my boy, for the present. Try, when thou hast
enjoyed all the things of the world, and has grown old." But Dhruva was
fixed in his resolve and he importuned Narad to teach him how to meditate.
Narada initiated Dhruva into the mysteries of the Mantra 'Om Namo
Bhagavate Vaasudevaya', told him how to meditate on Bhagavan Vassudeva,
and asked him to do Tapas at Mathura where Bhagavan permanently resides.
Dhruva passed his days in austere asceticism standing on one foot and living
on aid. The prince at last controlled his breath and with deep concentration
saw the Divine Light in the heart. Bhagavan withdrew that Light from the
heart and on the break of Samadhi, Dhruva found the same Divinity outside,
standing before him. Words he had none for a time. Bhagavan, addressing
him said: "O thos, Kshatriya boy! I know thy resolve. Doest thou ever
prosper. I give thee a place which is ever bright and where Nirvana is
constant. The planets and stars are attached to that place. Those that live for a
Kalpa will die, but that place shall never be destroyed. Dharama, Agni,
Kasyapa, Indra and the seven Rishis with all the luminaries of the sky, are
constantly revolving round that place. Thou shall succeed thy father on the
throne and reign for 36,000 years. Thy brother, Uttama shall disappear in a
forest. Thy step-mother, Suruchi, shall die in pursuit of her son. The place
where thou shalt finally go is my own Abode, higher than that of hte Rishis
and there is ro return from it.

Dhruva retunred to his parent and was placed by his father on the throne.
Dhruva marred Brahmi, the daughter of Simsumara, and had two sons by
her, Kalpa and Vatsara. He had another son Utkala bylla. Uttama was killed
by a powerful Yaksha, while out on a hunt. Dhruva went out to the North to
take revenge on the Yaksha, for his brother's death. He killed several
thousands of innocent Yakshas, and Kinnaras in battle Manu took pity on
them and asked his grandson to desist from fight. Dhruva bowed in
obedience to Manu and so Kubera, the king of Yakshas, became much
pleased with him and blessed him, too. After thirty-six thousand years,
Sananda and Nanda, two companions of Vishnu, came with a chariot, and
took Dhruva to the promised Abode.

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 2. Ajamila
Ajamila was the son of a Brahmana. He was dutiful, virtuous, modest,
truthful and regular in the performance of Vedic injunctions. One day in
obedience to his father he went into the forest and there collected fruits,
flowers, sacrificial wood and Kusa; on returning he saw a Sudra in company
with a slave girl. He tried much to subdue his passions but did not succeed.
He spent the whole of his patrimony to the love or that girl. He gave up his
own wife and kept company with that slave girl. He had, by her, several sons
of whom the youngest was Narayana. Ajamila lost all his good qualities in
low company and he forgot his daily practices. To support the woman and
her children, he had recourse to all sorts of vicious and unlawful acts.
Narayana was the favourite among his sons. He caressed him always. At last
Ajamila's end approached. He thought even then, of his youngest son who
was playing at a distance. Three fierce-looking messengers of Yama
appeared with ropes in hand. Terrified at the sight, Ajamila cried out:
"Narayana, Narayana." Instantly the messengers of Vishnu appeared. At the
time when the servants of Yama were drawing out the Jiva from the heart of
Ajamila, the attendants of Vishnu stopped them with a strong voice. "But
who are you" said they, "to interfere with the just sway of Yama?" The bright
attendants of Vishnu only smiled and asked: "What is Dharma? Does your
Lord Yama hold the sceptre of punishment against all who perform Karma?
Is there no distinction made?"
The astral messengers replied: "The performance of Vedic injunctions is
Dharma and their disregard is Adharma. This Ajamila in the earlier day duly
respected the Vedas. But in company with the slave girl he lost his
Brahmanism, disregarded the Vedas and did things which a aBrahmana
should not do. He justly comes to Yama for punishment."
The attendants of Vishnu expressed wonder at these words: "And you
are servants of him, who is called the king of Dharma, and you do not know
tha tthere is something above the Vedas, too. This Ajamila consciously or
unconsciously took the Name of Narayana and that saved him from your
clutches. It is nature of fire to consume fuel, and so it is in the nature of
Vishnu's Name to destroy all sins. If one unconsciously takes some powerful
medicine, does it not have effect? It matters not whether Ajamila meant his
youngest son or not; but he took the name of Narayana. So you must retire."
Wonder-struck, the servants of Yama left their hold over Ajamila. They
went away and complained to their Master: "There must be one law and one

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dispenser of that law. Otherwise some will be punished and others not. Why
should there be this difference? We know thee to be the sole dispenser of the
Law for the vicious. But just now the attendants of Vishnu came and wrested
from our hands a transgressor against the Vedas."
"True my sons." replied Yama. "there is some one above me, and it is
Vishnu. His ways are mysterious. The whole Universe is in Him. His
attendants always save His votaries. Only twelve of us know His Dharma,
which is Bhagavata, and no one else. These twelve are Brahma, Siva,
Sanatkumara, Narad, Kapila, Manu, Prahlada, Janaka, Bhishma, Bali, Suka
and myself."
Ajamila heard the conversation between the messengers of Yama and of
Vishnu. He bacame sorely penitent. He overcame his attachments, left the
house and went to Haridwar. There he meditated on Vishnu, with
concentrated mind. The former attendants of Vishnu appeared once more and
took him on a chariot to Vishnu-Loka.
3. A Disciple
Faith Can Work Miracles
A great Guru who lived in a temple on the bank of a broad river and had
many hundred of disciples all over, once summoned all the disciples saying
that he wanted to see them all before his death which was to take place soon.
The most favourite disciples of the great Guru, who always lived with him
grew anxious and always kept themselves close to him both day and night.
For they thought that the might disclose to them at last the great secret which
made him so great, and all of them fearing, lest they should miss the great
opoortunity. watchfully awaited the moment when the secret would be
revealed. For, though their Guru taught them many sacred Mantras they
acquired no powers and hence thought that the Guru still kept himself the
method which made him great. Disciples from everywhere arrived every
hour and waited with great expectation.
Now a humble disciple who lived far away on the opposite side of the
river also came. But the river which was in high flood was too turbulent even
to allow boats to pass. However, the humble disciple could not wait, as in the
meanwhile the Guru may pass away. He should not tarry; but what was to be
done? Ke knew that the Mantra which his Guru taught was all-powerful and
capable of doing anything. Such was his faith. So, chanting the Mantra with
faith and devotion he walked over the river. All the disciples who say this

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were surprised at his powers. And recognising him as the one who came long
ago to their Guru and stayed but one day and went away after being taught
something by him, all the disciples thought that the Guru gave him away the
secret. They sternly demanded of their Guru the reason why he decived them
thus, though they served him in every humble manner for many years, and
yielded the secret to a stranger who, by the way, came there for a day, long
ago.
The Guru, with a smile, waved them to be calm, and summoning the
humble disciple to his presence ordered him to tell the disciples what he was
taught by him long ago. The anxious group of disciples was taken aback with
amazement when they heard utter the name of 'Kudu-Kudu' with awe,
veneration and devotion, "Look", said the Guru,"In it he believed, and
thought that he got the clue to all. And even so is he rewarded for his faith,
concentration and devotion. But you always doubted that it was not all and
that something remained unrevealed still, though I told you Mantras of great
powers. This distracted your concentration, and the idea of a great secret was
in your mind. you were constantly thinking about the imperfection of the
Mantra. This unintentional and unnoticed concentration upon the
imperfection made you even imperfect."
4. The Milk-Maid and the Pandi
There was a milk-maid who was daily supplying milk to a Pandit. The
Pandit was a learned man and used to deliver lectures and conduct Kathas
and do preaching work. The milk-maid had to cross a small rivulet to come
to the house of the Pandit. One day she came to the Pandit a little late, on
account of flood in the rivulet, due to heavy rains. The Pandit questioned the
milk-maid as to why she was late that day. The milk-maid said that there was
flood in the rivulet and so she could not come early. The Pandit said,
"Thousands have easily crossed the ocean through a single Name of God.
Could you not cross this tiny stream?"
The milk-maid had great faith in the words of the Pandit. She was at
once transformed. The next day when she came there was flood again. But
she remembered the words of the Pandit and sincerely repeated the sacred
Name with feeling and Bhava, and crossed the stream which was in floods.
That day the Pandit asked her how she was able to come early in spite of the
floods. The milk-maid siad that she followed his advice and repeated the
Lord's Name and crossed the rivulet.

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 The Pandit was struck with surprise. He wanted to try this method
himself. But when he tried to cross the strem which was floods, he fell into it
and was on the point of drowning.
The Pandit had no faith. His was merely dry book-learning. So he was
not protected. The milk-maid had true faith. So she was saved. Therefore
repeat the Name of Lord with full faith and devotion. You will be ever
protected by the Name of the Lord.
5. Faith: Its Import in the Bhakti Cult of Religion
Religious faith is the primordial factor in the aspirant who is inclined to
follow the 'Bhakti Marga' t achieve God-realisation. One should have faith in
himself, faith in his own Guru who initiates him with the appropriate Mantra,
and faith in the Ishta Devata chosen by him. It is on the tripot of this faith
that the fulfilment of the aspirant's is resting. The more the Sadhaka puts
faith in his Guru in practising his teachings without the least vestige of doubt
the more miraculously God's unseen force will be helping him in all his
undertakings to a successful culmination. The glory of the Lord's Name and
the sincere chanting or remembering fo the same leads the Sadhaka towards
the highest goal in life with sanguine success at every stage of progress
during his Sadhana, and the utterance "Mukam karoti vachalam pangum
langhayate girim" will actually be realised in this very birth itself.
The following illustration culled out from the great epic, the Ramayana,
will amplify the above facts:
After defeating the ten-headed monster, Ravana, and redeemed Sita
Devi, the Lord Rama, with Vibhishana (Ravana's brother, but an ally of
Rama) and a few of the letter's followers returned to Ayodhya. The
coronation over, all the invitees and other dignitaries made their way back to
their respective janapadas. Vibhishana, according to the wishes of the Lord,
stayed for a few days more. Now the question cropped up as to how
Vibhishana's followers were to return to Lanka in the absence of the famous
bridge (Setu) which had already been dismantled. To Vibhishana the
problem was very easy to be solved. He procured a dry leaf of Asvattha tree
and scribbled the name of 'Sri Rama' thereon and secured the same under a
knot in a piece of cloth and handed it over to one of his men and told him:
"Hold fast to this knot and plunge into the ocean which will give you a safe
passage through". With implicit faith, the Rakshasa with the knot tight in his
hand, jumped into the ocean; and Lo! the Divine Miracle-there was only

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knee-deep of water in the ocean! The Rakshasa easily waded his way to the
other shore.
But when he reached the mid-ocean a sort of self-conceit and
faithlessness robbed him of the Lord's benediction. He thought, "What might
be in this knot of our master to work such wonders?" and instantly
inquisitiveness impelled him to untie the knot and see the contents inside.
The mere sight of a dry leaf itself made him laugh and scoff at it. Then when
he say the name 'Sri Rama' scribbled over it his contempt became so much
thathe doubted: "What? Can this name play such havoc with the ocean?" No
sooner this doubt entered his mind than he found for himself a watery grave
due to sudden deluge and waves of the rough sea.
The above is only one of the many instances which go to prove the
efficacy of the Lord's name for the faithful and the reverse to the faithless
and doubting. Let us therefore utter the Mahamantra: "Hare Rama Hare
Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna
Krishna Hare Hare;" with staunch faith and implicit belief and holding fast
to the same, cross the ocean of Samsara.
Faith is the primary factor in the path of Bhakti. There is no Bhakti
without faith. "Sraddhavan labhate jnanam"-"He who has faith attains to
wisdom". "Samsayatma vinasyati"- "He who has doubt in his mind perishes".
When themind is fixed in a particular object, state, condition or notion with
intense faith, that very thing is experienced by it. Faith is the peculiar power
of the consciousness which makes one take his resort in what is denoted by
it. The greatest thing in this world is faith. Without faith in the validity of
experience even the dualistic reason cannot function. Man lives by faith,
when faith is directed to God it becomes the cause of the liberation of the
individual.

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 APPENDIX
1. Divine Namapathy
When allopathy, homeopathy, chromopathy, naturopathy,
Ayurvedapathy and all other 'pathies' fail to cure a disease, the Divine
Namapathy alone can save you. The Name of the Lord is a sovereign
specific, a sheet-anchor, an infallible panacea and a cure-all for all diseases.
It is an ideal or supreme 'pick-me-up' in gloom and despair, in depressin and
sorrow, in the daily battle of life or the struggle for existence. There is a
mysterious power in the Name. There is an inscrutable Sakti in God's Name!
All the divine potencies are hidden in the Lord's Name. It is the cream or the
quintessence of Chyavanaprasa Makaradhvaja, almonds, Vasantakusumakara
or Svarna-Bhasma or gold oxide. It is a mysterious, ineffable, divine
injection '1910194'.
You can take this medicine of Nama-Japa yourself, for curing any
disease. You can administer this marvellous medicine to othe rpatients also
in your house or elsewhere. Sit by the side of the patient and repeat, with
sincere devotion and faith, the Name of the Lord, like 'Hari Om', 'Sri Ram',
'Om Namah Sivaya', and sing His Names also: "Hare Rama Hare Rama,
Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare." Pray for His mercy and grace. All maladies and agonies will come to
an end. Do the treatment of Nama-Japa for at least 2 hours in the morning
and evening. You will find the miraculous effect within a short time. Both
the doctor and the patient should have perfect faith in the Lord's Name, His
mercy and grace. The real doctor is only Lord Narayana. Lord Dhanvantari,
the physician of the three worlds (who expounded the Ayurvedic Medical
Science), had Himself declared: "By the medicine of the repetition of the
Names Achyuta, Ananta, Govinda, all diseases are cured-this is my definite
and honest declaration". In all treatmentys Lord Narayana is the real doctor.
You find that even the world's best doctors fail to cure a dying king. You
might have also heard of many instances where patients ailing from the worst
type of diseases are cured miraculously, where even the ablest doctors have
declared the case hopeless. This itself is clear proof that there is the Divine
Hand behind all cures.
The Divine Name will eradicate the disease of birth and death and
bestow on you Moksha, liberation or immortality.

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 The son of a landlord in Meerut was seriously ailing. Doctors announced
the case to be absolutely hopeless. Then the Bhaktas took the case in their
hands. They did continuous Kirtan, day and night, for seven days, around the
bed of the patient. The patient stood up and began to sing God's Name on the
seventh clay. He recovered completlely. Such is the miraculous power of
Sankirtan.
2. Nama-Aparadhas
(Offences Against the Divine Name)
It is true that the utterance of the Divine Name can absolve one from all
sins and enable one to attain salvation or love of God (both of which are so
difficult to get); but that is possible only when the Name is uttered with
faithand reverence and the practice is free from all taints of sin against the
Name, viz., the following ten offences;
1. Vilification of saints and devotees.
2. Differentation among (Divine) Names.
3. Irreverence towards preceptor (Guru).
4. Speaking lightly of the scriptures.
5. Treating the glory of Name as nothing but exaggerated praise.
6. Commission of sing under the cover of Name.
7. Ranking the Name with other virtues and practising fasting, charity,
sacrifices, etc., thinking that the Name by itself is insufficient.
8. Recommending the practice of Name to irreverent and ungodly persons
who are not prepared to hear such advice.
9. Want of love for the Name even after hearing its glory.
10. Emphasis of 'I' and 'mine' and attachment to objects of enjoyment.
If through inadvertence one lapses into any of the above ten sins, the
only way to be absolved from it is to repeat the Name again and repent for
the mistake.
The Name itself is the best atonement for sins committed against the
Name. Through constant Kirtan or Japa of the Name all the desires can be
fulfilled and Moksha attained ultimately.
3. God's Name Is All-Powerful
Lord Rama took birth in the house of Dasarath, as his son, To remove
the afflictions of His devotees the Lord underwent lots of difficulties. He
destroyed the suffering of His devotees and filled them with joy and bliss.

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But those who repeat His Names are freed from all afflictions. They attain to
the highest happiness and bliss. They become, as it were, the houses of joy
and bliss.
Lord Rama saved Ahalya and bestowed on her immortality by her mere
touch of His sacred Feet. But His Names have saved countless wicked men
of ervered intellects. For blessing Visvamitra Sri Rama killed the daughter of
Suketu, Tadakaby name. But His Name has, for the welfare of its devotees,
destroyed their countless evil desires, just as the sun destroys darkness. Lord
Rama, by His own effort, broke the bow of Lord Siva. But the glory of the
Name is such that it destroys all fears of Samsara. Lord Rama purified one
Dandaka forest. But the Name has purified innumerable minds, of their
impurities. Lord Rama killed the host of demons but the Name destroys all
the sins of the Kali-Yuga (iron age). Lord Rama saved and blessed Sabari,
Jatayu, etc., whereas Rama Nama has saved countless men filled iwth the
afflictions of Kali Yuga. Rama protected and gave shelter to Sugriva and
Vibhishana, but the Name has saved countless poor people. The glory of
Rama is clearly seen in the Vedas and is sung by all great men.
Lord Rama collected the monkeys and ghot ready a big army to bridge
the ocean. He underwent a lot of suffering. But by the mere repetition of His
Name, the ocean of Samsara is dried up. Rama killed, in battle, Ravana and
his followers. Then he returned to Ayodhya, with Sita. He was then crowned
as the emperor of Ayodhya. But devotees by the mere repetition of His Name
destroy the might army of ignorance. They are immersed in the ocean of
bliss. They go care-free. This is due to the power of the Name.
Rama-Nama-Our Only Saviour in Kali Yuga
Name is the bestower of powers, Siddhis, Riddhis, etc., on those who are
able to bless others, viz., gods and ssaints. Lord Siva, realised the glory of
Rama-Nama, has selected it out of crores of stories sung in praise of the
Lord. He is full of auspiciousness though His Form is outwardly fearful and
inauspicous. Suka, Sanaka and othe rperfected sages, endowed with great
powers of Yoga, enjoy Brahmananda (the bliss of the Supreme) only by the
power of Nama. Sage Narada knows well the glory of the Name. Hari is the
beloved of the entire creations. To Hari, Hara (Siva) is dear. Narada is dear
to both Hari and Hara. By the repetition of the Name, Prahlada became the
dearest of devotees of the Lord. Dhruva, ot the extreme sorrow and remorse,
took to the repetition of the Lord's Name. Within six months' time he attained
to an enviable position in the world, among the devotees fo the Lord. Sri

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Hanuman repeated with intense devotion the Name of the Lord and became
the pet of the Lord. Ajamila, Gajendra, Ganika, etc., attained Moksha by the
efficacy of the Divine Name. It will swell to pagaes after pages to give a
succinct account of all the devotees who attained to excellence by the
repetition of the Name of the Lord. Inthe Kali-Yuga God's Name is the wish-
yielding Kalpataru, and in the Name exists all auspiciousness. By repeating
the Name of the Lord, Sri Tulasidas himself attained to the highest eminence.
He bacame the pet of the Lord. Ramacharitmanas is itself the glory of Rama
Nama.
Not only in the Kali-Yuga but in all ages, at all times, in all the worlds,
by the repetition of the Name of the Lord, men have crossed the ocean of
Samsara and attained to the highest eminence. In Kali-yuga Nama-Japa is
particularly suited for one's emancipation, just as meditation, performance of
sacrifices and worship of the Lord were suited in the other three Yugas, for
the attainment of Moksha. In this most troublesome Kali-Yuga there is no
other Sadhana for emancipation. Rama Nama is the bestower of bliss and
immortality. Hare in this world is like unto one's own parents. A devotee of
Rama ends his cycle of birth and death here itself He takes no more births.
Those who have intense faith realise the infallible fruits of Rama Nama and
lead a happy, peaceful life here and attain immortality hereafter. May Lord
Rama bless all!
Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama

4. Essence of Japa Yoga

Japa Yoga is the easy path
To attain God-consciousness;
Japa is repetition of a Mantra
Or Name of the Lod.

There should be Bhava or feeling

When you repeat the Mantra;
The Bhava will come by itself
Do not bother in the beginning.

There are three kinds of Japa:

Mental, semi-verbal and vocal;
Mental japa is more powerful.
When the mind wanders,
Repeat the Mantra loudly.

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Sit in Padma or Siddha Asana,
Roll the beads, with closed eyes;
Loud repetition shuts out sounds.
Do alternately silent and loud Japa.

Hari Om, Sri Ram, Sitaram,

Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya,
Om Namo Narayanaya, Om Namah Sivaya,
Gayatri, Om and Soham,
Are all very good Mantras.

Select any Mantra you like,

Or get it froml your Satguru;
Repeat it regularly 21600 times.
Have faith in the Name.

You can do Japa with the breath.

This will be Ajapa-Japa of Soham;
Repeat mentally 'So' with inhalation,
And 'ham' with exhalation.

You can do Ajapa-Japa of Om,

Rama or any Name;
Split it into two;
Take 'O' or 'Ra' with inhalation;
'M' or 'Ma' with exhalation.

Name purifies the heart,

Name destroys Vasanas,
Name burns all sins,
Name gives you Moksha,
Name confers prosperity,
Name removes troubles.

Do Japa in Brahmamuhurta.
Brahmamuhurta is 4.00 a.m.
You will derive immense benefits,
If you practise at this hour.

Do not bother about bath.

A bath is good;
If you cannot take a bath,
Wash your face, feet and hands,

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And sit for Japa and meditation.

As soon as you wake up,

sit for Japa and meditation.
Practise Asana, Pranayama, later on.
Do not spend half and hour in cleaning the teeth;
Brahmamuhurta may pass away quickly.

If sleep overpowers you,

Stand up and do the Japa;
Or repeat it loudly.
Dash cold water on the face.

Or do Kirtan for ten minutes,

Or practise Pranayama and Asana,
Or stroll for a while, singing the Name
Or sit on Vajra-Asana.

If you finish your food at 7 p.m.

If you take milk and fruits at night,
If you avoid taking rice at night,
Sleep will not trouble you.

You can do Japa with Dhyana also;

This will be Japa-Sahita-Dhyana.
Meditate on the form of the Lord,
When you do Japa of a Mantra.
This is more beneficial.

You are roasted in the fire of Samsara;

The only remedy is Japa;
The only refuge is the Name of the Lord.
Can anyone live without the Name?

O man, whey do you waste your time in gossip?

You will have to repent in old age;
You will have to weep at the hour of death.
Have a rich crop of Japa now.

Do not argue, do not doubt.

Have full reverence and faith in Name.
Name is nectar, Name is your prop.
Cross this Samsara, with the Name.

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Ramadas, Tukaram and Narasi Mehta,
Jnana Dev, Nama Dev and Damaji,
Practised Japa and attained God-realisation.
Why not you also, O beloved Govind!

Name is an asset for you,

Name is real wealth for you.
If you repeat the Name one lakh times,
You will have immense spiritual wealth,
In the spiritual Bank of the Lord.

Glory to the Name; Glory to Japa!

Glory to God; Glory to Guru!
Glory to those who stick to the Name,
Who repeat daily the Name.

Song of the Glory of Name

Sita Ram, Sita Ram, Sita Ram Bol,
Radhe Shyam, Radhe Shyam, Radhe Shyam Bol.

1. Nam Prabhu kaa, hai sukhakari,

Pap katenge, chhin me bhari,
Pap ki Gathari de tu kho........ (Sita Ram......)
2. Prabhu ka Nam Ahalya tari,
Bhakta Bheelni ho gai pyari,
Nam ki mahima hai anmol........ (Sita Ram......)
3. Sua padhavat, Ganika tari,
Bade bade nishachar samhari,
Jin jin papi tare tol........ (Sita Ram......)
4. Jo jo sharan pade, prabhu tare,
Bhavasagar se, par utare,
Bande tera kya lagta mol........ (Sita Ram......)
5. Ram Bhajan bina, mukti na hove,
Moti sa janma tu, vyartha khove,
Rama Rasamrita pee le ghol........ (Sita Ram......)
6. Chakradhari bhaj Har Govindam,
Muktidayaka Paramanandam,
Hardam Krishna taraju tol........ (Sita Ram......)

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 Translation
1. Name of the Lord gives immense bliss,
All great sins in a moment vanish,
Untie the bundle of your sins.
2. Name of Prabhu liberated Ahalya,
Bheelni became dear by devotion,
Invaluable is glory of Name.
3. Ganika was liberated by the teaching of the parrot,
The great Rakshasas were slain one and all,
All sinners were freed, being counted and weighed.
4. All who surrendered to Him were freed,
And taken across the ocean of Samsara,
It costs you nothing to repeat His Name.
5. Moksha cannot be had without Bhajan of Rama,
Why are you wasting this pearl-like life, in vain?
Drink deep the nectar of Rama Nama.
6. Always remember Hari, the disc-bearer,
Absolute Bliss that gives liberation,
Ever weigh the scales of Krishna's Name.

5. Questions and Answers

Questions: What is the difference between Japa and Dhyana?
Answer: Japa is the respetition of the Mantra of a Devata. Dhyana is
meditation on His or Her form and attributes. It is the keeping up of
a continuous flow of one idea of God.
Q: What is Japa-Sahita-Dhyana and Japa-Rahita-Dhyana?
A: The aspirant is repeating the Mantra and at the same time he is
meditating on the form of his Ishta-Devata. A Krishna-Bhakta repeats
the Mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya' and at the same time he
visualises the picture of the Lord, Sri Krishna. This is Japa-Sahita-
Dhyana. In Japa-Rahita-Dhyana the devotee continues his Japa for
sometime along with the meditation and afterwards the Japa drops by
itself and he is established inmeditation only.
Q: Can Japa alone give Moksha?

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A: Yes, there is a mysterious power in the Mantra, and this Mantra-Sakti
brings meditation and Samadhi, and brings the devotee face to face with
God.
Q: Should an advanced aspirant use a rosary?
A: It is not necessary for an advanced aspirant. But when sleep overpowers
him he can take to rolling of the beads, and when the mind is tired of
Japa, by way of relaxation he can take to rolling of the beads.
Q: What is the use of repeating the Mantra again and again?
A: It gives force. It intensifies the spiritual Samskaras.
Q: Can I repeat two or three Mantras?
A: It is better to stick to one Mantra alone. If you are a devotee of the Lord
Krishna try to see Him alone ti Rama, Siva, Durga, Gayatri, etc., also.
All are forms of the one God or Ishvara. Worship of Krishna is worship
of Rama and Devi also, and vice versa.
Q: How to use the rosary?
A: You must not use the index finger while rolling the beads. You must use
the thumb and middle or the third finger. When counting of one Maala is
over, revert it and come back again. Do not cross the Meru. Cover your
hand with a towel, so that the Maala may not be visible.
Q: Can I do Japa while waking?
A: Yes; you can do it mentally. There is no restriction for Japa when it is
done with Nishkama-Bhava, i.e., for the sake of realising God alone.
Q: What should be the Bhava while repeating the Mantra?
A: Youl can take your Ishta-Devata as your Master or Guru or Father or
Friend or Beloved. You can have any Bhava which suits you best.
Q: After how many Purascharanas cna I realise God?
A: It is not the number of Japa but purity, concentration, Bhava and feeling
and one-pointedness of mind that help the asirant in the attainment of
God-consciousness. You should not do Japa in a hurried manner, as a
contractor tries to finish off work in a hurried way. You must do it with
Bhava, purity, one-piontedness of mind and single-minded devotion.
Q: How does Japa burn the old vicious Samskaras?

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A: Just as fire has got the property of burning, so also the Names of the
Lord have got the property of burning the sins and the old vicious
Samaskaras.
Q: Can we control the Indriyas by Japa?
A: Yes, Japa fills the mindl with Sattva. It destroys the Rajas and outgoing
tendencies of the mind and the Indriyas. Gradually the Indriyas are
withdrawn and controlled.
Q: Can a Grihasta do the Japa of Suddha-Pranava?
A: Yes; if he is equipped with the fourfold discipline or Sadhana-
Chatushtaya, if he is free from Mala and Vikshepa, and if he has got a
strong inclination to Jnana-Yoga-Sadhana, he can repeat Om.
Q: While doing Japa of Om, does it mean that I should become one with
that sound, by its constant repetition?
A: When you medite on Om or repeat Om mentally you should entertain
the Bhava or feeling: "I am the all-pervading, pure, Sat-Chit-Ananda
Atman". You need not be one with sound. What is wanted is feeling
with the meaning "I am Brahman".
Q: What is the meaning of the Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate
Vaasudevaya?"
A: The meaning is "Prostration to the Lord Krishna." Vaasudeva means
also: "All-pervading Intelligence."
Q: How to dwell on the form of the Lord Krishna as well as on the Divine
attributes?
A: First practise with open eyes Trataka on the picture. Place it in fron of
you. Then close the eyes and visualise the picture. Then meditate on the
attributes of the Lord, such as Omnipotence, Omniscience,
Omnipresence, Purity, Perfection, etc.
Q: I am not able to repeat the Mantra mentally, I have to open the lips.
Mental repetition of the Mantra takes for me much time and even the
letters are not clearly repeated. Kindly tell me what is this due to. While
doing Japa and meditation at a time, I am not able to fix or concentrate
the mind on the Lord. If I fix the mind on the Lord I forget to repeat the
Mantra and roll the beads. When I turn my mind to roll the beads, I
cannot concentrate on the Lord.

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A: You will have to first start with loud repetition of the Mantra and then
practise Upamsu-Japa (in a whisper). Only after practice of Upamsu-
Japa for at least three months, you will be in a position to do mental
Japa. Mental Japa is more difficult. Only when all other thoughts subside
there will be pleasure in mental Japa. Otherwise you mindl will be
brooding over sensual objects only and you will not be able to do mental
Japa.

You cannot do mental Japa and mental visualisaiton of the Lord's

form side by side. You will have to gaze at the picture of the Lord and
mentally repeat the Mantra. Rolling the beads is only an auxiliary to
concentration for beginners. The Maala also goads the mind to God. It
reminds you to do Japa. When you are well established in mental Japa,
rolling the beads is not necessary. Till that time you will have to roll the
beads and concentrate on the picture of the Lord. You need not mentally
visualise them.

Mental Japa prepares the mind for meditation on the Lod. When you
are able to meditate on the form of the Lord withoutfear of interruption
by other thoughts, you can do so aslong as you can. But the moment you
are assailed by other worldly thoughts once again take to mental Japa.
Meditation comes only as a result of long and sustained rigorous practice
for a number of years. Much patience is needed. Beginners get
disheartened if they are not able to meditate after a few days' practise.

Q: If we do Japa of a Mantra without understanding its meaning or in a

hurry, will it have any bad reaction on the person who does?

A: It cannot have any bad reaction but the spiritual progress will be slow
when the Mantra is repeated in a hurry-burry without Bhava or faith.
Even when any Mantra is repeated unconsciously or hurriedly without
Bhava, without understanding its meaning, it undoubtedly produced
beneficial results, just as fire burns inflammable objects when they are
brought near.

Q: What are the signs that indicate that the Mantra is really benefiting the
Sadhaka?

A: The Sadhaka who practises Mantra-Yoga will feel the Presence of the
Lord at all times. He will feel the Divine Ecstasy and holy thrill in the

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 heart. He will possess all Divine qualities. He will have a pure mind and
a pure heart. He will feel horripilation. He will shed tears of Prema. He
will have holy communion with the Lord.

Q: May i know if mental Japa is more powerful than the practice of

chanting of a Mantra loudly?

A: Mental japa is indeed more powerful. When mental Japa s successfully

practised all worldly extraneous thoughts drop off quickly. In Vaikhari
and Upamsu-Japa, there is scope for the mind to have its own ways. the
tongue may be repeating the Mantra but the mind may be busy with
other thoughts. Mental Japa closes the avenues, though worldly thoughts
may try to enter the mind. In other words, the trap-door through which
thoughts enter the mental factory is closed when the Mantra is being
repeated. The mind is filled with the power of the Mantra. But you
should be vigilant and prevent sleep from overpowering the mind.
Besires, sleep and various sensual thoughts obstruct the successful
performance of mental Japa. Regula practice, Sincere attempt, sleepless
vigilance and earnestness can bring complete success in mental Japa.

Q: Do I hold enough capacity to be enlightened by a Mantra?

A: Yes. Have perfect unshakable faith in the efficiency of a Mantra. A

Mantra is filled with countless divine potencies. Repeat it constantly.
You will be endowed with capacity, inner spiritual strength and will-
power. The Mantra-Chaitanya will be awakened by constant repetition.
You will get illumination.

Q: What is the meaning of feeling (Bhava) when one does Japa of a

Mantra?

A: He who repeats a Mantra should entertain either the Dasya-Bhava

(attitude of a servant) or Sishya-Bhava (attitude of a disciple) or Putra-
Bhava (attitude of a son) while doing Japa. He can also have the feeling
of a friend, and offspring or of a husband in regard to the Lord.

He should have also the feeling or mental attitude that the Lord is
seated n his heart, that Sattva or purity is flowing to him from the Lord,
that the Mantra purifies his heart, destroys desires, cravings and evil
thoughts, when he does Japa.

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 6. Glory of God's Name
(Gleanings)
Goswami Tulasidas has left nothing unsaid about the Glory of Divine
Name. There is not hte least doubt the all sacred formulae such as the
Dvadasakshara (consisting of twelve letters) and Ashtakshara (consisting of
eight letters) Mantras bring solace to those entangled in the meshes of
worldly attachment. Let every individual depend on the Mantra which may
have given him peace. For those, however, who have know no peace, and
who are in search of it, the Name of Rama can certainly work wonders. God
is said to possess a thousand Names; it means His names are infinite; His
glory is infinite. That is how God transcends both His Names and Glory. The
support of the Name, however, is absolutely necessary for people so long as
they are tied to their bodies. In the present age even ignorant and unlettered
people can take shelter under the monosyllabic Mantra. When pronounced,
the word 'Rama' makes a single sound, and truly speaking, there is no
difference between the sacred syllable 'Om' and the word 'Rama'.
The glory of the Divine Name cannot be established through reasoning
and intellect. It can be experienced only through reverence and faith.
- Sri Mahatma Gandhi
Once you have developed a taste and reverence for the Divine Name,
you no longer require to exercise your faculty of reasoning or undertake any
other form of spiritual discipline. All one's doubts are dispelled through the
Name; the heart is also purified through the Name; nay, God Himself is
realised through the Name.
Take the Name of Hari every morning and evening, clapping your hands
with the rhythm of the sound; all your sins and afflictions will disappear. The
forces of ignorance working in your heart will be driven away as soon as you
utter lthe Name of Hari with the clapping of hands.
The Name of God uttered consciously, unconsciously, or even through
mistake, will surely bring its own reward. A person who deliberately goes to
bthe in a river is in no way better than his friend who is pushed into the river
by some one else, so far as ablution as such is concerned; and a third man
who remains lying on his cot and on whom a bucket of water is thrown, also,
has his body washed.

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 A plunge taken in a pool of nectar in any way makes one immortal. This
will happen both in the case of the person who takes the plunge after much
adoration and the person who, though unwilling, is forcibly pushed into the
pool. God's Name uttered consciously, unconsciously, or even through
mistake is bound to produce its effects.
Formerly people used to have simple cases of fever which were cured by
a decoction of ordinary ingredients, but now as malarial fever is the order of
the day the remedy also is strong. In days of yore people used to perform
sacrificial rites, Yogic practice and austere penances, but in this age of Kali,
life depends on food, and the mind of man is feeble. All sorts of wordly ills
are, therefore, cured by merely chanting the Name of Hari with one-pointed
attention.
- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Blessed be the pious soul who drinks uninterruptedly the nectar of Sri
Rama's Name which has been churned out of the ocean of the Vedas, which
removes the impurities of the iron age, which lives constantly on the tongue
of Lord Siva, which is a sovereign remedy of unfailing specific to cure the
disease of worldly existence, and is life itself to mother Janaki.
The Name is even superior to the Lord, because the Nirguna and Saguna
aspects of Brahman are tasted and realised by the power of the Name. Rama
delivered a single lady, Ahalya, whereas the Name has purified crores of
wicked men. Rama gave salvation to two of his faithful servants-Sabari and
Jatayu, but the Name has been the saviour of countless wicked persons. Live
on milk for six months in Chitrakuta, and repeat a Rama-Nama incessantly
with one-pointed mind and unshakable faith. You will get Darsana of Lord
Rama, liberation Siddhis and all auspicious blessings from the Lord.
Blessed is the son and blessed are his parents who remember Sri Rama
in whatsoever way it may be. Blessed is the outcaste or Chandala who repeat
the Name of Rama day and night. What is the use of high birth to one who
does not repeat Rama-Nama? The highest peaks of mountains give shelter
only to snakes. Blessed are the sugar-cane, the corn and betel leaves that
flourish in the plains and give delight to all.
The two sweet and fascinating letters RA and MA are like the two eyes
of the alphabet and the very life-breath of the devotees. They are easy to
remember and delightful to all. They are beneficial in this world and sustain
us in the other world.

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 Victory to Rama-Nama which blesses us for ever! Glory to Rama-Nama
which confers immortality, eternal peace and infinite bliss on those who
repeat it!
- Sri Tulasi Das.
"Oh, how amazing is the perversity of misguided people (inhabiting this
globe) that they do not remember the Name of Sri Rama, which has the
power to liberate them (from the unceasing round of births and deaths)! The
utterance of this Name does not involve any exertion, it rings supremely
melodious to the ear. Even then, misguided people do not take its
remembrance. What a pity! Mukti (freedom from birth and death) which is
exceedingly difficult for us, mortal men, to attain, is easily obtained through
the utterance of the Name of Sri Rama. Is there anything more important for
a man to do than to repeat this Name? O chief among the twice-born,
Jaimini! the person repeating the Name of Sri Rama at the time of death
attains salvation, even if he is the worst sinner. O chief among the
Brahmanas, the Name of Sri Rama wards off all evils, fulfils all desires and
bestows salvation; all men possessing wisdom should, therefore, constantly
remember this Name. Verily, I say unto thee, O Brahmana! the moment that
passes without the remembrance of the Name of Sri Rama goes in vain.
Sages who know the Truth declare only that tongue to possess the sense of
taste which relishes the flavour of the nectarine Name of Sri Rama. I declare
solemnly, again and again, that a person engaged in the remembrance of Sri
Rama's Name never comes to grief. Those who seek to destroy sins
accumulated through crores of births, or to possess untold riches in this
world, should constantly and devoutly remember the sweet Name of Sri
Rama, the bestower of blelssedness."
- Sri Vyasa
Though this age of Kali is full of vice, it possesses one great virtue that
during this period through mere chanting of the DIVINE NAME one can
obtain release from bondage and realise GOD. That which was attained
through meditation in Satyayuga, through performance of sacrifices in
Tretayuga and through personal service and worship of GOD in
Dvaparayuga can be obtained in Kaliyuga through mere chanting of SRI
HARI'S NAME.
- Srimad Bhagavata.

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 Ye mortals, do not be terrified by the huge fire of sins blazing before
you. It will be extinguished by the shower from the cloudlike Name of
GOVINDA.
- Garuda Purana.
By worship and meditation or Japa of Mantras the mind is actually
shaped into the form of the object of worship and is made pure for the time
being through the purity of the object (namely, Ishta-Devata) which is its
content. By continual practice (Abhyasa) the mind becomes full of the
object, to the exclusion of all else, steady in its purity, and does not stray into
impurity. So long as the mind exists it must have an object, and the object of
Sadhana is to present it with a pure one.
Japa or repetition of the Mantra is compared o the action of a man
shaking a sleeper to wake him up.
Sabda or sound exists only where there is motion or Spanda. If there is
no Spanda (vibration) there is no Sabda. If there is Sabda there is Spanda
(vibration).
'Sabda' which comes from the root Sabd, -"to make sound"- ordinarily
means sound in general, including that of the voice, word, speech and
lanaguage. It is either lettered sound (Varnatmaka Sabda) and has a meaning
(Artha); that is, it either denotes a thing or connotes the attributes and
relations of things; or it is unlettered sound, and is mere Dhvani
(Dhvanyatmaka Sabada) such as the sound of a rushing torrent, a clap of
thunder, and so forth.
The first vibration which took place at the commencement of creation,
that is, on the distrubance of equilibrium (Vaishamyavastha) was a general
movement (Samanya-Spanda) in the whole mass of Prakrity. This was the
Pranava Dhvani or Om sound. Om is only the approximate representation or
gross form of the subtle sound which is heard in Yoga-experience.
A Bija or Seed-Mantra is, strictly speaking, a Mantra of a single letter,
such as 'Kam', which is composed of the letter Ka (in Sanskrit) together with
the Chandrabindu ( ) which terminates all Mantras.

The Mantra of a Devata is the form of that Devata. the rhythmical

vibrations of its sounds not merely regulate the unsteady vibrations of the
sheaths of the worshipper, thus transforming him, but through the power of

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striving (Sadhanasakti) of the worshipper there arises the form of the Devata
which it is.
- Varnamala
Of the various kinds of penances in the form of actions or austerity, the
constant remembrance of Krishna is the best.
The singing of His Name is the best means for the dissolution of various
sins, as fire is the best dissolver of metals.
The most heinous sins of men disappear immediately if they remember
the Lord even for a moment.
- Vishu Purana.
7. Glory of Rama Name
(From Ramacharitamanas of Sri Tulasidasji)
canm uke jke j?kqoj dk AA gsrq lkuq Hkkuq fgedj dks AA
fcf/ gfj gje; csn izku lks A vxqu vuwie xqu fu/ku lks AA
1. I worship 'RAMA' the name of Sri Raghunatha. It consists of 'RA', 'AA'
and 'MA'. These constitute the roots of Fire, Sun and Moon. ('Ra' is the
Bija of fire, 'Aa' is the Bija of the sun and 'Ma' is the Bija of the moon).
It is the life-breath of the Vedas. It is formless, incomparable and is the
store-house of virtues. Thee roots ('Ra' 'aa' and 'ma') represent Brahma
(the Creator), Vishnu (the Protector) and Siva (the Destroyer) of the
world.

egkeU=k tksbZ tir egslw A dklh eqdqfr gSrq minslw AA

efgek tklq tku xujk A izFke iwftvr uke izHkk AA
2. This is the Mahamantra ever repeated by Lord Siva, who initiates with
this Mantra the Jivas who die at Kasi. Lord Ganesa knows the glory of
this Name. By the glory of this Name Lord Ganesa is worshipped as the
first God in every ceremony.

tku vkfndfc uke izrkiw A Hk;m lq dfj myVk tkiw AA

lgl uke le lqfu flc ckuh A tfi tsbZ fi; lax Hkokuh AA
3. Sage Valmiki knows the glory of Rama-Nama. He was purified by a
reverse repetition of the same. Parvati recites Rama-Nama along with

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 Siva, knowing that Rama-Nama is equal to 1000 names of the Lord.
Once Lord Siva narrated to Parvati the glory of Rama-Nama.

uj ukjk;.k lfjl lqHkzkrk A tx ikyd fclsf"k tu =kkrk AA

4. These two letters 'RA' and 'MA' are like unto Nara and Narayana. They
protect the world generally, and particularly the devotee.

jke uke efunhi /# thg nsgjha }kj A

rqylh Hkhrj ckgsjgq tkSa pkgfl mftvkj AA
5. If you want light both inside and outside keep this jewel of Rama-Nama
at the door-way of your tongue, says Tulasidasji. If you keep a light on
the door you get light both inside and outside. So also Rama-Nama
purifies the mind and bestows prosperity on the devotees.

tkuk pgfga xw<+ xfr ts A uke thg tfi tkufga rs AA

lk/d uke tifg y; yk, A gksfga fl vfuekfnd ik, AA

6. Those who are keen in knowing the supreme Truth, those aspirant after
Moksha can attain their objective by repeating Nama. Those who are
desirous of eightfold powers (Animadi-Aisarya) can do so by repeating
with earnestness the Names of the Lord.

tifg ukeq tu vkjr Hkkjh A feVfga dqladV gksfga lq[kkjh AA

7. The afflicted man repeats the Names of the Lord and he is freed from the
worst of sufferings.

jke Hkxr fgr uj ruq /kjh A lfg ladV fd, lk/q lq[kkjh AA
ukeq lizse tir vu;klk A Hkxr gksfg eqn eaxy cklk AA
8. Sri Rama incarnated Himself as a man, underwent untold sufferings to
make His devotees (the Devas) happy, But the devotees repeating His
Names with devotion cross this ocean of Samsara.

lqd ludkfn fl eqfu tksxh A uke izlkn czlq[k Hkksxh AA

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9. Rishis Suka and Sanaka, perfected sages, enjoy the bliss, Brahmananda,
by the power of the Divine Name.

ukjn tkus uke izrkiw A tx fiz; gfj gfj gj fiz; vkiw AA

10. "Narada knows the value of Divine Names. Hara (Siva) is dear to Hari.
And he (Narada) is dear both the Hara and Hari." The glory of Narada is
the glory of the Lord's Name.
8. Change the Drishti
Drishti means vision.
There are four ways of transforming evil into good. He who practises
this suseful Sadhana will never an evil Drishti. He will never complain of
bad environments. You m ust put these into practice daily.
1. No man is absolutely bad. Everyone has some good trait or the other.
Try to see the good in everyone. Develop the good-finding nature. This
will act as a powerful antidote against fault-finding habit.
2. Even a rogue of the first order is a potential saint. He is a saint of the
future. Remember this point well. He is not an eternal rogue. Place him
in the company of saints. In a moment his pilfering nature will be
changed. Hate rouery but not the rogue.
3. Remember that Lord Narayan Himself is acting the part of a rogue, thief
and a prostitute in the world's drama. This is His Lila (sporting)-
"Lokavat tu Lila Kaivalyam." The whole vision becomes changed at
once. Devotionarises in your heart immediately when you see a rogue.
4. Have Atma-Drishti everywhere. See Narayana everywhere. Feel His
presence. Vaasudevah Sarvamiti-Vaasudeva is the All (Gita: VII-19).
5. For a scientist a woman is a mass of electrons. For a Vaiseshika
philosopher of Kanada's school of thought, she is a conglomeration of
atoms, Paramanus, Dvyanus, Tryanus (two atoms, three atoms). For a
tiger she is an object to prey. For a passionate husband, she is an object
or enjoyment. For a crying child she is an affectionate mother who will
give milk sweets and other comforts. For a Viveki or a Vairagi, she is a
combination of flesh and bone, etc. For a full-blown Jnani, she is Sat-
Chit-Ananda Atman- "All is Brahman only."

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 Change the mental attitude. Then only jyou will find heaven on earth.
What is the earthly use of your reading the Upanishads and the Vedanta-
Sutras when you have an evil eye and a foul tongue, my dear comrades?
The first two methods are for beginners. The last three are for advanced
students of Yoga. Anyone can combine these five methods, at one time, to
his best advantage.
9. Concentration and Meditation
1. "Desabandhaschittasya dharana-concentration is fixing the mind on a
point external or internal." There can be no concentration without
something upon which the mind may rest. A definite purpose, interest,
attention will bring success in concentration.
2. The senses draw you out and perturb your peace of mind. If your mind is
restless, you cannot make any progress. When the rays of the mind are
collected by practice, the mind becomes concerntrated and you get
Ananda from within. Silence the bubbling thoughts and calm the
emotions.
3. You should have patience, adamantine will and untiring persistence.
You must be very regular in your practices. Otherwise laziness and
adverse forces will take you away from the Lakshaya. A well-trained
mind can be fixed, at will, upon any object, either inside or outside, to
the exclusion of all other thoughts.
4. Everybody possesses some ability to concentrate in some lines. But for
spiritual progress, concerntration should be developed to a very high
degree. A man with an appreciable degree of concerntration lhas more
earning capaicity and turns out more work in a shorter time. In
concerntration there should be no strain on the brain. You should not
fight or wrestle with the mind.
5. A man whose mind is filled with passion and all shorts of fantastic
desires can hardly concerntrate on any object even for a second.
Celibacy, Pranayama, reduction of wants and activities, renunciation of
sensual objects, solitude, silence, discipline of the senses, annihilation of
lust, greed, anger, non-mixing with undesirable persons, giving up of
newspaper reading and of visiting cinemas-all increase the power of
concentration.

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6. Concerntration is the only way to get ride of worldly miseries and
tribulations. The practitioner will have very good health and a cheerful
mental vision. He can get penetrative insight. He can do any work with
greater efficiency. Concerntration purifies and calms the surging
emotions, strengthens the current of thought and clarifies the ideas.
Purify the mind first through Yama and Niyama. Concerntration without
purity is of no use.
7. Japa of any Mantra, and Pranayama will steady the mind, remove
Vikshepa and increase the power of concentration. Concentration can be
done only if you are free from all distractions. Concentrate on any thing
that appeals to you as good or anything which the mind likes best. The
mind should be trained to concentrate on gross objects, in the beginning,
and later on you can successfully concentrate on subtle objects and
abstract ideas. Regularity in practices is of paramount importance.
8. Gross forms: Concentrate on a black dot on the wall, a candle-flame, a
bright star, moon, the picture of Om, Siva, Rama, Krishna, Devi or any
Devata which is your ishta, in front of you.
9. Subtle forms: Sit before the picture of your Ishta-Devata, and close your
eyes. Keep a mental picture of your Ishta-Devata at the space between
the two eyebrows or in the heart (Anahata-Chakra): concentrate on
Muladhara, Ajana or any other internal Chakra; concentrate on divine
qualities, such as love. mercy, or any other abstract idea.
10. Twenty Hints on Meditation
1. Have a separate meditation-room under lock and key. Never allow
anybody to enter the room. Burn incense there. Wash you feet and then
enter the room.
2. Retire to a quiet place or room where you do not fear interruption, so
that your mind may feel secure and at rest. Of course, the ideal condition
cannot always be obtained, in which case yo should do the best you can.
You should be alone, yourself, in communion with God or Brahman.
3. Get up a 4 a.m. (Brahmamuhurta) and meditate from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Have another sitting at night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
4. Keep a picture of your Ishta-Devata in the room, and also some religious
books, the Gita, the Upanishads, the Yoga-Vasishtha, the Bhagavata, etc.
Spread your Asana in front of the picture of your Ishta-Devata.

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5. Sit on Padma, Siddha, Sukha, or Svastika Asana. Keep the head, neck
and trunk in a straight line. Don't bend either forward or backward.
6. Close your eyes and concentrate gently on the Trikuti, the space between
the two eyebrows. Lcok the fingers.
7. Never wrestle with the mind. Do not use any violent effort in
concentration. Relax all the muscles and the nerves. Relax the brain.
Gently think of your Ishta-Devata. Slowly repeat yourl Guru-Mantra
with Bhava and meaning. Still the bubbling mind. Silence the thoughts.
8. Make no violent effort to control the mind, but rather allow it to run
along for a while, and exhaust its efforts. It will take advantage of the
opportunity and will jump around like an unchained monkey at first,
until it gradually slows down and looks to you for orders. It may take
some time to tame the mind, but each time you try it will come around to
you in a shorter time.
9. Saguna and Nirguna Dhyana: To meditate on a Name and a Form of the
Lord is Saguna-Dhyana. This is concrete meditation. Meditate on any
Form of God you like, and repeat His Name mentally. This is Saguna-
Dhyana. Or, repeat Om mentally and meditae on abstract ideas like
Infinity, Eternity, Purity, Consciousness, Truth, Bliss, etc., identifying
these with you Self. This is Nirguna-Dhyana. Stick to one method. In the
initial stages, Saguna-Dhyana alone is suitable for the vast majority of
persons.
10. Again and again withdraw the mind from worldly objects when it runs
away from the Lakshaya, and fix it there. This sort of combat will go on
for some months.
11. When you meditate on the Lord Vishnu; in the beginning, keep His
picture in front of you. Look at it with steady gazing, without winking
the eyelids. See His feet first, then the yellow silken robe, then the
ornaments around His neck, then His face, earrings, crown, the head, set
with diamonds, then His armlets on bracelets, then His conch, disc, mace
and lotus. Then come again to the feet. Now start again the same
process. Do this again and again for helf an hour. When you feel tired
look steadily on the face only. Do this practice for three months.
12. Then close your eyes and mentally visualise the picture and rotate the
mind in the different parts, as you did before.

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13. You can associate the attributes of God, as omnipotence, omniscience,
purity, perfection. etc., during the course of you meditation.

14. If evil thoughts enter your mind, do not use your will-force in driving
them. You will only lose your energy. You will only tax lyour will. You
will fatigue yourself. The greater the efforts you make, the more the evil
thoughts will return with redoubled force. They will return more
quickly, also. The thoughts will become more powerful. Be indifferent.
Keep quiet. They will pass away soon. Or, substitute good counter
thoughts (Pratipaksha-Bhavana method). Or think of the picture of God
and the Mantra, again and again, forcibly. Or pray.

15. Never let a day pass without meditation. Be regular and systematic. Take
Sattvic food. Fruits and milk will help mental focussing. Give up meat,
fish, eggs, smoking, liguors, etc.

16. Dash cold water on the face to drive off drowsiness. Stand up for 15
minutes. Tie the tuft of hair on the head, with a piece of string to a nail
above. As soon as you begin to doze, the string will put you up, will
wake you up. It will serve the part of a mother. Or lean upon an
improvises swing, for 10 minutes, and move yourself to and fro. Do 10
or 20 mild Kumbhakas (Pranayamas). Do Sirshasana and Mayurasana.
Take only milk and fruits and night. By these methods you can combat
sleep.

17. Be careful in the selection on your companions. Give up going to talkies.

Talk a little. Observe Mouna for two hours daily. Do not mix with
undesirable persons. Read good, inspiring, religious book. (This is
negative good company, if you do not get positive good company). Have
Satsanga. These are all auxiliaries to meditation.

18. Do not shake the body. Keep it as firm as a rock. Breathe slowly. Do not
stretch the body every now and then. Have the right mental attitude as
taught by yur Guru.

19. When the mind is tired, do not concentrate. Give it a little rest.

20. When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an

actual physical or mental state. Therefore if you keep the mind fully
occupied with the thought of God alone, you will get into Nirvikalpa
Samadhi very quickely. Therefore exert in right earnest.

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 Course of Sadhana
1. You must be able to sit in one Asana, with head erect, for a period of a
least 3 hours at a stretch.
2. Practice Pranayama for half an hour daily.
3. You must get up at 4 a.m. and start meditation first. Then you can have
the practice of Asana and Pranayama. Meditation is the most important
Sadhana.
4. Have concrete meditation at first. To begin with, meditate on any form
you like best. Feel the Indwelling Presence in that form and think of the
attributes-Purity, Perfection, All-pervading Intelligence, Absolute Bliss,
Omnipotence, etc. When the mind runs again and again, bring it to the
point. Have another sitting for meditation at night. Be regular in your
practice.
5. Develop right thinking, right feeling, right acting and right speaking.
6. Eradicate vicious qualities, such as anger, lust, greed, engoism, hatred,
etc.
7. Discipline the Indriyas. Observe the vow of silence for two hours daily.
8. Develop virtues- forgiveness, mercy, love, kindness, patience,
perseverance, courage, truthfulness, etc.
9. Keep a daily spiritual diary, regularly, and stick to you daily spiritual
routine at all costs.
10. Write you Ishta-Mantra 'Hari Om', 'Sri Rama', 'Om Namo Narayanaya',
'Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaya', 'Om Namah Sivaya', etc., in a
notebook, for one hour daily.
11. Be a pure vegetarian.

Mantras of Sri Dattareya

Jhnkk=ks;k; ue% A ueks Hkxors nkk=ks;k; A
Om Sri Dattareyana Namah. Om Namo Bhagavate Dattatreyaya

ka ue% Jhxq#nsok; ijeiq#"kk;

loZnsorko'khdjk; lokZfj"Vfouk'kk;

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 loZnqeZU=kPNsnuk; =kSyksD;a o'keku; Lokgk ka A
Om Draam Om Namah Sri Gurudevaya Paramapurushaya
Sarvadevatavaseekaraya Sarvarishtavinasanaya Sarvaodurmantrachhedanaya
Trailokyam Vasamanaya Svaha Om Draam Om.

11. Mantra-Writing
Mantra-Writing Leads to Meditation
Om the various methods of Japa described in the scriptures, Mantra-
writing is the most efficacious. It helps the aspirant in concentrating the mind
and gradually leads to metitation.
Benefits
1. Concentration- Distractions are minimised, as the mind, tongue, hands
and eyes are all engaged in the Mantra. This increases the power of
concentration and efficiency in work.
2. Control- The mind is controlled by the power of Mantra and it will work
better and quicker for you.
3. Evolution- Due to repeated innumerable impacts of the Mantra on the
subconscious mind, subtle, spiritual impressions are made, wich hasten
the soul's progress in evolution.
4. Peace- If you are disturbed due to worries or untoward incidents, the
mind will get calm and peaceful.
5. Force- A mighty spiritual force is generated in course of time, in the
atmosphere of the place where you write Mantras or keep notebooks. It
helps in secular and spiritual progress.
Conclusion- Begin today. Do not procrastinate. Give it a sincere traial.
Be a master of your mind, not its slave. Write the Mantra on one to three
pags a day. Follow the rules, as far as possible, if you want quicker spiritual
progress.
Rules for Mantra-Writing
1. Select a Mantra, or Name of God, and write it with ink in a notebook,
daily, in any script, on 1 to 3 pages.
2. Sit in the same place at the same time, daily. If it is a room, and if
possible, keep it under lock and key.

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3. Write after a bath or after washing hands, feet, face and mouth.
4. Sit in one lpose throughout. Do not nove till you complete the day's
writing.
5. Observe silence and avoid talks, engagements or calls.
6. Fix the eyes jon the notebook. Do not move till it is completed.
7. Repeat the Mantra or the Name mentally while writing.
8. Fix the mind on the form and attributes of the Lord, while writing the
Name or the Mantra.
9. Adopt one uniform system of writing, from top to bottom or from left to
right.
10. Write each Mantra or Name completely, at a time, and not in parts.
11. Do not change the Mantra or the Name. Select one and stick to it for life.
12. Preserve the completed Mantra-writing notebooks, near your place of
worship.
12. Instructions to Aspirants During Mantra-Intitiation
1. In this Kali Yuga God-realisation can easily be attained through Japa
and Kirtan. Have faith in this.
2. Remenber saints like Saga Narada, Lord Gauranga, Tukaram, Valmiki,
Mira Bai and others who attaianed the God-head through Nama-
Smarana.
3. To receive initiationi of the Bhagavan-Nama from a Guru a great
blessing. The Mantra-Chaitanya, the power hidden in the Mantra, is
easily awakened.
4. Have regular sittings for Japa-in the morning and evening.
Brahmamuhurta is the best period for Japa. Get up at 4 a.m. and do Japa
for two hours.
5. Make it a point to do at least three Maalas of Japa (1 Maala is 108
repetitions); gradually increase the number.
6. Repeat the Name mentally throughout the day.
7. Offer the Japa to God-Isvararpana.
13. Mantras for Fulfilment of Wishes and for Cure
Mantras for Attaining Success
".k ".k egk;ksfxu~ HkkQkukeHk;adj A
xksfoUn ijekuUn lo es o'keku; AA

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 O Krishna! O Krishna! O great Yogin! O bestower of fearlessness on
(Thy) devotees! O Govinda! O Supreme Bliss! Bring everything in my
favour (under my control).
Mantras for Attaining Success
vk;qnsZfg /ua nsfg fo|ka nsfg egs fj A
leLref[kya nsfg nsfg es ijes fj AA
Give me long life; give me wealth; give me knowledge. O Maheshvari!
Give me everything. O Paramesvari! Give all things in plenty.
Mantra for Getting a Son
(lUrkuxksikyeU=k%)
nsodhlq xksfoUn oklqnso txRi;s A
nsfg es ru;a ".k Rokega 'kj.ka xr%* AA
O son of Devaki! O Govinda! O Vaasudeva! O Lord of the Universe! O
Krishna! Give me a son; I have taken refuge in Thee.
Note: Repeat this Mantra 32 lakh times, or at least one lakh times. Do the
Japa after you morning ablution. After finishing the total number of
Japa, consult a Pandit and perform Havan. Feed Brahmins, Sadhus and
the poor, according to your means, and distribute clothes and give
Dakshina to them.
Mantra for Relief from Pain Caused by Scorpion-sting
nsonkuo;qs rq eF;ekus egksn/kS A
tkrksfl o`f jktLroa Lox`ga xPN egkfo"k AA
In the fight between the Devas and Danavas (Rakshasas), when the great
ocean was being churned, O Vrischikaraja (king of scorpions), thou
emanated (from it). O one with great poison! Go (back) to the own abode.
Note: Tie a piece of cloth where the pain of the sting is too much. Repeat the
above Mantra a number of times. Now untie the cloth and wave it
against the air (a gesture to show that the poison has gone away).
Continue this toutine 8 ro 10 times. He who repeats this Mantra at least
108 times a say or who as already attained Siddhi of this Mantra will
be endowed with the gift of cure.
* It is to be recited by the wife it will be xrk

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 A Panacea for Snake-bite
;ks tjRdk#.kk tkrks tjRdkjkS egk;'kk% A
vkLrhd% liZl=ks o% ixku~ ;ksH;j{kr A
ra LejUra egkHkkxk u eka fgaflrqegZFk AA
Yo jaratkaruna jato jaratkarua mahayasah;
Aastikah sarpasatre vah pannagan yoabhyarakshata;
Tam smarantam mahabhaga na mam himsitumarhata.
The glorious Aastika was born or Rishi Jaratkaru and Nagakanya
Jaratkaru. He protected you, serpents, from falling into the snake-sacrifice. O
great serpents! think of him. Do not bite me.

likZiliZ Hka rs xPN liZ egkfo"k A

tuest;;KkUrs vkLrhdopua Lej AA
Sarpapasarpa bhadram te gachha sarpa mahavisha;
Janamejaya-yajnante Aastikavachanam smara.
O serpent, having terrible poison, go away. May there be auspiciousness
unto you. Go away. Think over what Aastika said at the end of the snake-
sacrifice.

vkLrhdL; op% JqRok ;% liksZ u fuorZrs A

'kr/k fHk|rs ewfuZ f'ka'kko`{kQya ;Fkk AA
Aastikasya vachah srutva yah sarpo na nivartate;
Satadha bhidyate murdhani simsavriksha-phalam yatha.
The head of the serpent which does not return on hearing the people
mention the world Aastika will burst into a hundred pieces like the fruit of
the Simsa tree.
Any one who reads and does Japa of the above Slokas, either in the
morning or evening, will have no fear from snakes.
King Parikshit died being bitten by the serpent Takshaka. So, his
son, Janamejaya, performed a snake-sacrifice to destroy all snakes in the
world. Aastika was the son of Jaratkaru, the sister of Takshaka. He came and
stopped the snake-sacrifice in the middle. So the snakes are bound in duty to
respect his name. For fuller particulars please refer to Adiparva of the
Mahabharata.

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 SADHANA TATTVA
OR
THE SCIENCE OF SEVEN CULTURES
For Quick Evolution of the Human Soul
INTRODUCTION
(a) An ounce of practice is better than tone of theory. Practise Yoga,
religion and Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realisation.
(b) These thirty-two instructions give the essence of the Eternal Religion
(Sanatana Dharma) in its purest form. They are suitable for modern busy
householders with fixed hours of work. Modify them to suit your
convenience and increase the period gradually.
(c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolve which form a small
but definite advance over your present habits and character. In replace
your active Sadhana by frequent remembrance of God.
HEALTH CULTURE
1. Eat moderately. Take light and simple food. Offer it in God before you
eat. Have a balance diet.
2. Avoid chillies, garlic, onions, tamarind, etc., as far as possible. Give up
tea, coffee, smoking, betels, meat and wine entirely.
3. Fast on Ekadasi days. Take milk, fruits or roots only.
4. Practice Yoga Asanas or physical exercises for fifteen to thirty minutes
every day. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games daily.
ENERGY CULTURE
5. Observe silence (Mouna) for two hours daily and four to eight hours on
Sundays.
6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict the
indulgence to once a month. Decrease it gradually to once a year. Finally
take a vow of abstinence for whole life.
ETHICAL CULTURE
7. Speak th TRUTH. Speak little. Speak kindly. Speak sweetly.
8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all.
9. Be sincere, straightforward and open-hearted in you talks and dealings.

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10. Be honest. Earn by the sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money,
things or favour unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity.
11. Contnrol fits of anger by serenity, patience, love mercy and tolerance.
Forget and forgive. Adapt yourself to men and events.
WILL CULTURE
12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt on Sunday.
13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil company. Avoid
discussions with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no
faith in God or who criticise your Sadhana.
14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and high
thinking.
HEART CULTURE
15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do some selfless service for
a few hours every week, without egoism or expectation of reward. Do
your worldly duties in the same spirit. Work is worship. Dedicate it to
God.
16. Give two to ten per cent of your income in charity every month. Share
what you have with others. Let the world be your family. Remove
selfishness.
17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the Divine
Presence everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy.
18. Have unwavering faith the God, the Gita and your Guru. Make a total
self-surrender to God and pray: "Thy Will be done; I want noting."
Submit to the Divine Will in all events and happenings with equanimity.
19. See God in all beings and love them as your own Self. Do not hate
anyone.
20. Remember God at all times or, at least, on rising from bed, during a
pause in work and before going to bed. Keep a Maala in your pocket.
PSYCHIC CULTURE
21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty-five verses of the Gita with meaning,
daily. Learn Sanskrit, at least sufficient to understand the Gita in
original.

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22. Memorise the whole of the Gita, gradually. Keep it always in your
pocket.
23. Read the Ramayana, Bhagavata, Upnishads, Yoga-Vasishtha or other
religious books daily or on holidays.
24. Attend religious meeting, Kirtans and Satsanga of saints at every
opportunity Organise such functions on Sundays or holidays.
25. Visit a temple or place of worship at least once a week and arrange to
hold Kirtans or discourses there.
26. Spend holidays and leave-periods, when possible, in the company of
saints or practise Sadhana at a holy place in seclusion.
SPIRITUAL CULTURE
27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o'clock. Answer calls of nature, clean
your mouth and take a bath.
28. Racite some prayers and Kirtan Dhvanish. Practise Pranayama, Japa and
meditation from five to six o'clock. Sit on Padama, Sidha, or Sukha
Asana throughout, without movement, by gradual practice.
29. Perform your daily Sandhya, Gayatri Japa, Nityakarma and worship, if
any.
30. Write your favourite Mantra or Name of God in a Notebook for ten to
thirty minutes, daily.
31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan), prayers, Stotras and Bhajans for half to
one hour at night with family and friends.
32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and fixity
are essential. Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily. Review it
every month and correct your failures.

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