Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab

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such, for instance, as the sound 'Om.' Giving due allowance for the effect of the sound in itself, every thinker must come to the conclusion that in the Divine Power asleep within man lies the real force. Otherwise, how can identical results be produced by uttering different names." p. 119.
MANTRA-HOW IT ACTS: TANTRIK VIEW
"When the imagination is not vivid and the will is not powerful, then no amount of invocation of the Ineffable Name will produce the desired effect. " p. 120 TANTRIK VIEW
We shall now cite what Tantra Shastra has to say in the
matter:
"Now, to-day many people, through ignorance of Shastric principles, think that Mantra is the name of the words by which one. expresses what one has to say to the supreme Divinity. It therefore follows that I may submit my prayer to Him in whatever language I choose. What, then, is the necessity of my using the ever-ancient words of the Shastra? In reply to this we would at the very start point out that the definition which has been given to Mantra by those who hold this view is contrary to Shastric principles, and consequently incorrect. In defining Mantra, Shastra says: "That is called Mantra,' from Manana or meditation of which arises the Universal special knowledge (that is, special knowledge embracing the whole universe) or realization of the Monistic truth that the substance of the Brahmanda2 is not different from that of the Brahman, Man of Mantra comes from Manana which leads to Trana, or liberation from the bondage of Sangsära3 (tra of Mantra comes from träna), and which calls forth (amantrana) Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and produces Moksha.*
1. Derived from the combination of man and tra.
2. Universe or "egg of Brahma".
3. The Sangsåra is the coming and going, the cycle of birth, action, death and rebirth; the world in which all live who have not by knowledge of the self (atmajnana) and the extinction of the will to separate life attained liberation or moksha. 4. Literally, Svarupa, of the Devatā. Svarūpa literally means "baving its own form", as opposed to the existence or appearance of the same thing in another form.