Comparative Study of Mantrashastra

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

Page 92

TANTRIK SADHANA: JAPA
श्वेतं ध्यानं भवेच्छान्त्यै पीतं स्तम्भनकारकम् । वाकर्षणयो रक्तं क्षोभणार्थ प्रियावहम् || कृष्णं व मारणे प्रोक्तं धूम्रमुच्चाटनादिके ॥
- ज्ञानार्णवतन्त्रे २० पटले लो० १७०-१७१
Dhyana is again said to be of three kinds. 'Satvika', ‘Rājasa', and 'Tamasa' and employed for different objects.
शान्तिके सात्विकं देवि श्वेतवर्ण विचिन्तयेत् ॥ वये तु राजसं देवि रक्तवर्ण विचिन्तयेत् । तामसं क्रूरकार्येषु कृष्णवर्ण विचिन्तयेत् । आत्मरक्षां पुरा कृत्वा पश्चात् कर्माणि साधयेत् । योऽन्यथा कुरुते मोहात् स भवेद्देवपशुः ||
83
- कुलार्णवे, १७ उल्लासे श्लो० १२५-१२७
See also V. 6, Appendix 30 to the present work; V. 31 Chapter VIII Yogashastra by Hemachandracharya and VV. 40 and 47 XI Ullasa, Vivekavilāsa.
JAPA
Japa is of three kinds viz. Vāchika or Bhāṣya, Upāngshu and Manasa.* The first is the lowest and the last the highest form. In the first Mantra is distinctly and audibly recited. In the second which is less gross and therefore superior to the first the Mantra is not uttered. There is a movement of the lips and tongue without any articulate sound being heard. In the highest form which is mental utterance there is neither articulate sound nor movement. There is merely meditation on the letters of the Mantra.
"Certain conditions (See Nityotsava pages 171-172) are prescribed as those under which Japa should be done, relating to physical cleanliness the dressing of the hair, garments worn, the seated posture (Asana), the avoidance of certain states of mind and actions, and the nature of the recitation. Japa is done specified number of times, in lakhs by great Sadhakas. If the mind is really centred and not distracted throughout these long and repeated exercises the result must be successful."
* Nirvanakalika (page 4 B) also says so.