Mantra Yoga

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"Mananat trayate iti mantrah"

Meaning: By reciting it repeatedly, a mantra protects one from troubles.

Mantras are infinite in number and consist of three aspects:

• Rishi - The one who prescribes the particular mantra
• Chandas - The grammatical structure of the mantra
• Devata - The object of the mantra

According to Sivayogadipika of Sadasiva Brahmendra Saraswathi, the four types of mantras are:

• Ekakshara - Om
• Dvyakshara - Soham
• Sadakshara - Om namasivaya
• Astakshara - Om namo narayanaya

Depending on the results for chanting, mantras are also divided into four types, they are:

• Sadhya Mantra: Mantras used to gain worldly desires
• Siddha Mantra: Used by siddhas, mantras which can give a result(s) immediately with minimal practice
• Sasiddha Mantra: Mantras used to achieve a long term goal(s)
• Ari Mantra: Mantras used to destroy enemies

The repetition of a mantra for a long duration is called mantra japa, which can be practiced at three levels:

• Vacika - Loud pronunciation with clarity
• Upamsu - Murmuring with lip movement
• Manasika - Uttering mentally (superior japa)

According to the Mantra Sastra, to attain a siddhi in mantra yoga, the aspirant should adhere to the following:

• Bhakti - Devotion
• Suddhi - Purity, both external and internal
• Asana - Posture, one should practice in the same asana regularly
• Pancanga Sevana - Maintenance of days and months according to the ancient Hindu calendar, which contains tithi, vara, nakshatra, karana and yoga
• Achara - Conduct, good behavior and the right attitude
• Dharana - Concentration of the mind on certain objects, both outward and inward
• Dhivya Deha Sevana - Worshiping God, going to temples etc.
• Pranakriya - Pranayama or controlling the vital breath
• Mudra - Each mantra with a particular mudra has a special effect
• Tarpana - Offering water, it may be devatarpana or pitrutarpana or rishi tarpana
• Havan - Offering havis to the God and Goddess
• Bali - Ritual sacrifice
• Yajna or Yaga - Ritual worship, it may be external or internal
• Japa - Repetition of a mantra while contemplating on a favorite God
• Dhyana - Contemplation, which is possible only after japa
• Samadhi - The final state after dhyana, where the mantra yogi becomes the mantra

By following the above sequence, one can attain the state of Samadhi .