Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab

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INTRODUCTION
but they some times are only symbolic apparently having no meaning as in case of Mantrabījas but signifying something only by convention. A question naturally arises whether it is merely the Thought Force that brings about the result in a Mantra or whether the words and syllables comprising it also have, apart from the Thought Force, any effect and contribute towards the desired result. If the words or syllables of a Mantra had no particular effect, any words or syllablesor for the matter of that Thought Force alone-should be able to bring about the desired result. Before discussing the matter further we would state what some of the Western writers think about it and also what Tantra Shastra has to say in the matter.
Arthur Lowell in his book "Imagination and its Wonders" says as follows about Spells, Runes, and Mantras: "Spells, Runes, Incantations, Conjurations, Charms, and Mantras are based upon the latent potency of sound when violently set in motion by the living Will and vivid Imagination. There being no hard and fast line between the various forces of Nature, one mode of motion is convertible into another mode. Under certain conditions, a form can be "heard" and a sound can be "seen"; for sound, like everything else in Nature, is a mode of motion of the subtle ether. Cosmic Ether itself is primarily divided into five modes of vibration by the action of the Great Breath. The mode with which the sound is connected is the Akas'a, which is said by the ancient Sanskrit authors to be the first differentiation of Primordial Matter.
"The influence of sound must therefore be exceedingly powerful in bringing about magical results, for it is directly connected with the most subtle of the five kinds of Cosmic Ether. 'Almost all charms,' said an old writer, are impotent without words, because words are the speech of the writer and the imag; of the thing sig rified or spoken of. Therefore, whatever wonderful effect is intended, let the same be performed with the addition of words significative of the will or desire of the operator; for words are a kind of occult vehicle of the image conceived or begotten, and sent out of the body by the soul, therefore all the forcible power of the spirit ought to be breathed out with vehemency and an arduous and intent desire." p. 115
The author, however, says: "The real efficacy of Living Word is not in the actual sound or its pronunciation, but in the Imagination and Will of the individual who invokes. I do not want it to be meant that I attribute no potency at all to the words as combination of sounds,