Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

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

Page 44

MANTRA-HOW IT ACTS: WRITER'S VIEW
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forms of Sadhana work through from in the shape of the Yantra,* Ghata or Pratima."
"A Mantra is not the same thing as prayer or self-dedication (AtmaDivedana). Prayer is conveyed in what words the Sådhaka chooses. Any set of words or letters is not a Mantra. Only that Mantra in which the Devată has revealed His or Her particular aspects can reveal that aspect, and is therefore the Mantra of that one of His or Her particular aspects. The relations of the letters (Varna), whether vowel or consonants, Näda and Bindu, in a Mantra indicate the appearance of Devată in different forms. Certain Vibhūti or aspects of the Devată are inherent in certain Varpa but perfect Shakti does not appear in any but a whole Mantra."
Mantras are manifestations of Kulakundalini.
When, therefore, a Mantra is realised: when there is what is called in the Shāstra Mantra-Chaitanya, what happens is the union of the consciousness of the Sadhaka with that Consciousness which manifests in the form of the Mantra. It is this union which makes the Mantra "work". "It is the union of Sound and idea through a knowledge of the Mantra and its meaning. The recitation of a Mantra without such knowledge is practically fruitless; except that devotion though ignorant is not wholly void of fruit.
WRITER'S VIEW According to Sir John Woodroffe Indian magicians amongst others believe in the presence and aid of discarnate personalities (such as the unclean pishachas) given in the carrying out of occult operations. This is true, but it is not always the unclean pishachas who aid in the carrying out of occult operations. Every Mantra is presided over, sacred to, or identified with a particular deity. It is that deity generally and sometimes a member of his or her retinue acting under his or her order who carries out the occult operations. Whenever a Mantrasiddha, who has been definitely promised aid by the deity of a particular Mantra, on the completion of the prescribed
*यन्त्रं मन्त्रमयं प्रोक्त मन्त्रात्मा देवतव हि
देहात्मनोर्यथा भेदो यन्त्रदेवतयोस्तथा ।। -कोलावलीतन्त्रम् ॥ Some prayers bowever are called Mantras, as for instance the famous Gayatri Mantra. This is because great importance is attached to the particular words comprised in it. The words in the exact form and order are believed to possess particular merit and efficacy. These are not therefore simply prayers but also Mantras.