Hindu Ashrams/Organizations
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Hindu Ashrams/Organizations
-:Mantara Japa:-
What is Japa?
JAPA, OR RECITATION, IS THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICEof devotedly
repeating a mantra, generally a specified number of times, such as
108, often while counting on a strand of beads,called a japa mala,
while conscientiously concentrating on the meaning of the mantra.
The repetition should be dutifully slow. This brings punya, merit,
to the devotee. It should not be thought lessly mechanical or the
hurried, so-called rapid-fire or machine-gun japa, which
demonstrate ignorance of the tantras. Such casual, nonchalant
negligence and disregard for contemplative traditions brings papa,
demerit, to the devotee, creating internal strife, community
opposition and turmoil for all concerned.
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvat Gita
Of all the Vedas I am the Sama Veda!
Of all the Yagnas I am the Japa yagna!!
Thus highlighting the importance of japam.
Japa is a form of devotional worship, invocation, supplication,
praise, adoration, meditation and direct, experiential communion.
Unless we are actually in a state of samadhi (total absorption),
which is rare for most people, japa provides a means to disengage
from our racing thoughts and our memories of the past -- mostly
the bad ones. The repetition of positive, uplifting, spiritual
mantras over and over again lifts consciousness and causes the
muladhara chakra to spin clockwise. We feel uplifted. Life does
not look so bad, and neither does the past.A sense of forgiveness
comes and the future looms bright. The past is forgiven and
forgotten.Japam can be done by everyone. However for yagnas
certain conditions are mentioned.
There are three ways by which one can do
Japam
1. Ucchahi - loud recitation - less effective
2. Upamshu - soft recitation - more effective
3. Manasikam - within the mind - most effective.
OM is the basic vibration of the cosmic universe. Hence all
mantras begin with "OM".
Benefits of Japam
1. Physical - to energize the system (to tone up the
system)
2. Mental - to remove depression/obstacles/mental blocks.
3. Spiritual - Attaining Siddhi,self-development/specific
areas of growth(strengthening the inner-personality by projecting
positive powers inwards; over-coming/eliminating negative traits).