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Philosophical Writings
is a word-symbol or symbols, known as seed-words. The word Mantra has come from ‘manana' which means.reflections, 'tra' indicates its ability to save the person who repeatedly meditates upon it"??. A Mantra is significantly important in Tantra system because, “it (mantra) exerts its power, not so much through expressing the meaning as we understand it, but more deeply through its sound-vibrations. The power of a mantra consists in the effect of its pattern of sound - waves... seers of ancient times who knew the secret of the power of sound composed the mantras by Joining symbolic syllables in accordance with certain laws laid down in Tantric texts."18 Mantra is at once a symbol, an instrument, and a sound body for the divine manifestation. “The function of a Mantra is to create vibration in the inner consciousness that will prepare it for the realization of what mantra symbolizes and is supposed indeed to carry within itself.”19 For this and for the desired result what is needed for the mantra is its purity; correct intonation, pronunciation and pause; and complete faith. Each mantra relates to the particular devi or devata revealing itself in that sound form. In order to have mantra to be effective, must be actually heard from the mouth of a guru, the spiritual preceptor.
Yantrais essentially a geometrical composition. “Mantra gives formula and equation; Yantra diagrams and patterns; and what correlates both systems of relations is Tantra."20 To understand true nature of Yantra, one has to go beyond the notion of geometry, into those of dynamics. Yantra is not an arbitrary invention but a revealed image of an aspect of cosmic structure.” 21 The invisible central point of a yantra which has existence, but no magnitude; for magnitude proceeds from the feminine power (sakti) or Bindu. "All creation, according to Tantra, is preceded by a focal tension, which is the center of every creation. Bindu carries within itself the seeds of its future and its multiple potentialities. "22 In Tantra binduillustrates the vital impetus in all things to multiply and reproduce. There is no place in the phenomenal world where the one bindu will not be found. Thus bindu is the ultimate point of power' beyond which a thing or energy can not be contracted or condensed. “Bindu contains within itself the two poles (zero and infinite) and all that lies between."23
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