What is the connection between Guru and Mantra?

Concept: Puri Peethadhishwar Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati Ji Maharaj

Credits: Padmashree Ji

Should ‘Mantra’ be taken from a Guru only?

Electricity was invented by some scientists. Electricity generated by nature perceived due to clouds is flighty, remains only for a moment. The electricity that is produced by nature, the process of its manifestation was pursued and studied by scientists in their own ways. Nowadays, electricity has got so many uses, the operation of light effects, etc. If somebody wants to be an expert in electricity which is worldly knowledge, he has to adopt prescribed procedures and mentors.

By some particular person, through modern technologies, electrical equipment was invented. To handle that machine, a Guru is needed otherwise one may get electrocuted and die. The trend of the construction of dams has a particular method, scientists developed it over time. What computers were 20 years ago and what they are today! It is very different. Mobile phones about 5–7 years back and today are different. So, the worldly art and knowledge a Guru is needed always.

So what about the Spiritual path? The name of Rama is recited for what? It is to find Rama only. In the serious path to find that ‘Bhagwat tattva’, in that serious path of spirituality, in that path to Moksha, how can one get knowledge without a Guru? The word ‘Sahaja’ needs to be understood. Who in his past life has recited more a particular name of Bhagwan, having addicted to that name naturally. In this life, his mind gets attracted to that particular name and that form. This is Sahaja, it doesn’t mean arbitrary.

If somebody starts reciting the ‘Mahamrityunjaya Mantra’ or starts reciting ‘AUM, he will get destroyed and it will lead to an explosion. A ‘Shakti Mantra’ has more power than an atom bomb. We can find it in our scriptures. So the common name of Bhagwan like Rama, Krishna, Shiva, is not deadly like Mantras but liberators. However, if one has formal Deeksha, which has been given by a ‘Guru’, its potent and also that Mantra will give fruits in our life rather quickly.

If we do it on our own, then recite it many times you want. One cannot get the ability to produce similar force and power on that Mantra/name. But if we take the name that is spoken and given by our Guru, then with the ascetic powers of Guru and proven vision, one will get the benefit of that name uchharana (chant). To tread on the path of spirituality, if not today then tomorrow an appropriate Guru is anyways needed.

For how long can we tread on this path without a Guru? It’s not an ordinary path. The Supreme Bhagwan is beyond the reach of this limited Chitta (mind and intellect). Paramatma is even beyond earth, water, light, air, sky. All the supreme elements, to reach him, eventually one needs a ‘Guru’.

Frequent names of Ishwara like Rama, Krishna, Shiva, or whichever Ishwara one is attracted to, it is said there is no harm in reciting these names.

Narayana !!!