Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

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

Page 46

MANTRA-HOW IT ACTS: WRITER'S VIEW
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modaya Samiti edition. It is not, however, shown whether this group of deities acts independently or under the orders of a superior deity. According to a Jain tradition contained in S'ri Haribhadrasûri's commentary on Sri Avas'yaka Sūtra the said deities gave Prajnapti and other secret Mahavidyās to Nārada and Pațavidya to the famous Acharya S'ri Vajraswami. One must presume that at their instance the Mantra deity helps the person favoured by them.
The question naturally arises then, what is the importance of the Thought-Force and the intrinsic force of the sounds or syllables comprising the Mantra. To answer this question, one has to bear in mind the fact that Mantravada is principally Adhidaivika-vāda i. e. subject dealing with deities although ultimately it may merge into Adhyatmika-Vāda i. e. subject dealing with soul. In Ādhidaivika-vāda, Devata is the central figure through whose grace the Sadhaka obtains everything desired by him. The Mantravāda however goes further and says that even Mokṣa is obtained through Mantra. But here it really merges into Adhyātmika-vāda. A man whose soul-force is fully developed, a true Adhyatmavādi-a Yogi does not require the aid of any deity for performance of any occult operation. He is able to do so through his own power of meditation or what is usually called the soul-force. His thought-force is really his soul-force. In case of such persons, it can be said that without the aid of any particular Mantra, and without the aid of any deity whatsoever, through his own Soul Force, he can achieve anything he desires. In terms of NewPsychology he will be considered a person functioning on the highest plane.
As regards the Sadhakas who have not risen so high, aid of deity is necessary and the occult operations of such Sadhakas are carried out with such aid.
Seeing how the Thought Force-Soul force ultimately is able to
*Some attain these powers through worship (Upasana) of Patron Deity (Ishta-devatā). A higher state of development dispenses with all outer agents. See footnote 3, p. 97, The Serpent Power,