Mantra Yoga
What is Mantra Yoga?
Mantra Yoga is a specific way to attain the ultimate truth through reciting Mantras. The yoga that is achieved by concentrating on the words and expressions conveyed by the letters and its forms is called Mantra Yoga, as explained in the Mantra Yoga Samhita — नामरूपात्मनोश्शब्दभावयोरवलम्बनात् | यो योग: साध्यते सोऽयं मन्त्रयोग: प्रकीर्तित: || (१.४)
A mantra is not just a combination of letters, it is a chord capable of producing a certain kind of power from the vibrations created by the pronunciation of the characters.
Maharshi Patanjali in the first sutra of Kaivalya Pada mentions Mantra as one of the five means of attaining Siddhi (realization) — जन्मौषधिमन्त्रतप:समाधिजा: सिद्धय: | In the Yoga Sutra, the practice of mantra-japa is explained through the sutra ‘तज्जपस्तदर्थभावनम्’ (१.२८). Samadhi is attained by chanting this fundamental mantra ‘Om’ and chanting other mantras with Ishwar Pranidhan (faith in the force being worshipped). Even the yogis who practice Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Laya Yoga produce inspiration in their respective yoga by performing occasional mantra-sadhana. For this reason, mantras are added to asana and pranayama in Hatha Yoga.
Every living and non-living object in the universe produces subtle waves. Our five bodily senses can only experience a limited spectrum of the sounds and light waves in it. However, the purpose of the mantra tool is to create vibrations that coincide with these unobserved vibrations that fill the universe. The Yogatatvopanishad Samhita states that such vibrations align the seeker’s body, mind and surroundings, giving the seeker peace of mind, contentment, willpower, and the enjoyment of material and supernatural pleasures. Modern sound therapy underlines similar research. Mantra Yoga places special emphasis on the correct pronunciation and tone of mantras so that the vibrations of the mantras come out accurately. For this, it is necessary to officially learn mantras from a learned guru.
Just as the Upanishads state that the whole world originates from Brahma-tattva, Yoga shastra also believes that all the characters, vowels and sounds originate from Om. Therefore, Omkar is considered as the fundamental mantra in Mantra Sadhana.
According to Yogashikhopanishada (1.130–132) the sound of ‘ham’ is produced while inhaling and ‘s’ when exhaling. So every creature is unknowingly chanting ‘Hans Hans’; But with the Guru’s teachings, it switches the order of the letters and this chanting becomes ‘Soham Soham’. Then Mantra Yoga is attained.
How should one go for Mantra Yoga Sadhana?
According to Mantra Yoga, recitation of mantras can be done in three ways — if the mantra is recited aloud, it is called expressed or verbal sadhana. If the mantra is muttered in such a way that it cannot be heard by others, it is called Upanshu Sadhana. When the mantra is chanted quietly in the mind, it is called Manas Jap.
Verbal sadhana destroys the physical, Upanshu destroys the supernatural, and Manas Japa destroys the spiritual constraints hindering one’s spiritual growth. Expressed chanting is Vaikhari, Upanshu chanting is Madhyama, Manas chanting is done through Pashyanti voice and even more subtle chanting is done through Para voice through which the yogi attains self-realization.
There are two types of Mantra Yoga — Shaktyupaya-Yoga and Shambhavopaya-Yoga. In first, the symbols of a deity are mainly worshiped, while in later, Nirguna worship (worship of the supreme without an idol) is given importance. In both the instruments, 16 elements such as Bhakti, Shuddhi, Asana, Sukta, Stotra, Kavach, Achar, Dharana, Mudra, Havan, Japa, Agni Upasana, Mantra Dhyana etc. are involved. When the mind of the seeker is focused on the target form of the deity, then the seeker attains Samadhi. Samadhi obtained through Mantra Yoga is called Mahabhav Samadhi. Mahabhav Samadhi is the ultimate goal of Mantra Yoga.
Five types of sadhana performed in Mantra Yoga
There are five types of sadhana performed in Mantra Yoga, based on the instrument of the Mantra Yoga. hence Mantra Yoga is called Panchopasana —
- Study (Adhyayan) — The instrument of studying mantra is guru. Learning to pronounce the mantra requires exquisite attention to pronunciation and tone. This process is also called `santha`. Knowledge of these tones is extremely important for proper vibration of the mantra. The Vedic schools have preserved these rules of vowels for thousands of years using many complex methods of learning. A mantra must only be learnt from a learned and worthy guru for its effectiveness.
- Repetition (Avartan) — The instrument of Repetition is shuchi (purification for auspiciousness). The recitation asks you to focus your attention on pronunciation and tone.
- Worship (Archan) — The tool of the worship is the religious ritual of the deity or a symbol. It emphasizes attention on your preferred deity or symbol and upcharas towards it.
- Fire Ritual or Homa (Havan) — The instrument of havan is fire and sacrificial element such as butter or wood. In Havana, the focus is on fire.
- Chanting (Japa) — The instrument of chanting is mind. The focus is on atman or a deity or a symbol.
Any ordinary seeker can practice Mantra Yoga through daily chanting, pooja, recitation. Adding occasional pooja and havana or yagna can expedite progress in mantra sadhana. However, a priest is required to perform such occasional poojas and havana.
When does a casual recitation becomes Mantra Yoga?
कुशल चितैकाग्रता योगः। According to the Buddha’s philosophy, the skill of concentrating the attention is Yoga.
When the focus of the mind shifts to concentrate on the pronunciation of sounds and its philosophy, then a casual recital becomes Yoga
फळश्रुतीवीण प्रयोग| ज्ञानेंवीण नुस्ता योग |
उगाच शरीरें भोगिजे भोग| या नांव भ्रम || श्री दासबोध १०.६.३३||
If he just practices ‘yoga’ without looking at ‘philosophy’ … then he is not purifying his heart … such a yoga practice will only increase the ‘enjoyment’ of the body shape and pleasures. And then, ‘I do yoga’ will just be an illusion.
That is why the ‘philosophy’ of the mantra should be understood. And at the same time the instruments (‘upchara, fire, deity, purification, pranayama’) should be honoured. (meaning — why to do? And what to do — both!). That is, focusing on the mantra, its instrument and tattva while reciting means that it is mantra sadhana.
