Nav Smarana

SR No.: 008333
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi
Total Pages: 224
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Devotion, Worship, Worship, J000, & J999
File Size: 922 KB

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Cleansing of ingredients, and finally Cleansing of the deity.
As regards cleansing oneself, one has to be clean spiritually, mentally and physically. A disturbed mind cannot concentrate and cannot achieve the desired result. One has to be pure both outside and inside. Outer purity is a simple procedure of bathing and wearing appropriate comfortable and clean clothes. Free your mind of all other things by reviewing any worries, and not allowing them to intrude your peace in the time you have set aside for mantra practice.
The clean area is also essential for achieving concentration. Mantra experts advise us to face East or North whilst chanting. Find a solitary place, if possible, where you won't be disturbed. Clean the area around you. Place a pure wool blanket or silk cloth to sit on. The place should be pleasant enough for practice. In olden times seers used to do this in mountains and on riverbanks. This may not be possible for daily practice but a quiet area with clean atmosphere is very helpful. It is also important that once the area is chosen, that same spot is used everyday. If you use the same area with the same seating arrangement and exactly same time everyday, you will notice a certain atmosphere and your concentration and devotion will reach new heights. It is also important how you sit whilst reciting the mantras. Sit cross-legged on the floor with the left leg over the right, or in one of the traditional yogic äsanas such as the Padmasana (lotus posture). The spine must be straight so that a certain current, which is created, can flow freely.
Before chanting make sure that the large muscles of your body are relaxed. Relax the neck and shoulders as well, then the muscles of the jaw, forehead and eyes. Focus the eyes gently on the space between your eyebrows (this centre is one of the Chakras). As you chant, pull the abdominal muscles in, thus forcing the air out of the lungs. And when the air is inhaled, let the chest widen by itself, not by lifting the shoulders. Use all the breath, all your energy. It is important to breath through your nose. Watch your breath and keep expelling it evenly.
The best time for chanting is from 5 am to 6 am in the morning according to Pandit D Shah, because the mind is calm and relaxed during this time. However a person can choose his own timing provided his mind is relaxed and he follows other cleansing methods.
As regards the 'cleansing' of the deity, the yantra or photograph or an idol has to be put on a proper stand or a small table (Indian bäjoth), a lamp (deepak) or incense (dhoop) can be used to create an atmosphere of a certain sacredness.
As regards the cleansing of the mantra, it is said that the mantra should be pronounced properly to receive the desired vibrations. Not many ingredients are required for mantra practice, but whatever you use must be clean and pure. Some worshippers keep yantras in front of them before chanting the mantras. They clean, wash and anoint the yantra before chanting mantras. Many ingredients like water, milk, yoghurt, ghee, sandalwood, flowers, incense, etc, are used to clean and anoint the yantra. All these should be pure and clean.
The practice of a mantra can be started on any auspicious day. The place, seat, rosary, etc, have to be chosen beforehand. Chanting should be done at a fixed time and place
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