EFFICACY OF A MANTRA

Om ityetat aksharam idam sarvam, tasyopavyakhyanam, bhutam

bhavad-bhavishyad-iti sarvam omkara eva,

yacchanyat trikalatitam tadapomkara eva ll

(Mandukyopanishad 1.1)

(This whole universe is Om only. The past, the present and the future – all are Omkara only and all that is -transcending- beyond time and space is Omkara only)

Om is the primordial sound. The Super Consciousness at the root level is the only Truth Eternal. In essence it is the energy that became vibrant and the genesis of the sound primordial OM.  All the creation ensued (manifested) as physical forms in the universe. The cyclic transformations from Energy to Matter and Matter into Energy was well discerned by the great rishis of the ancient times.  They realized the  inter-planetary vibrations-Om-with their intuitive powers.  NASA too has recorded (available in the YouTube) with a special device the clear vibrations of Om emanating from the Sun.  In one of the Upanishads it is mentioned that the Om is to be chanted in three syllables A-U-M similar to  ‘Ghanta nada’(Bell ringing) that is, in ascending  and descending order A and  M at normal level,  but U in the middle at higher level.  And not only that, it should be chanted like ‘Taila dhara’ (Oil pouring) that is incessant flowing down of oil, without dis-joint in between the syllables.  While chanting, one has to feel the A at the navel (manipura chakra) passing on to U at the neck region (visudha chakra)  and terminating with M at the crown of the head. (Sahasrara chakra).   As I chant deep within from my navel in this way daily at Yoga, I am  enthralled with mellifluous and  divine experience.

Our ancient rishis had profound knowledge about the power of the sound vibrations. They found that each bija-akshara (seed letter) when chanted in full devotion and concentration generated mystic powers.  They found that the ‘antar nada’ or the inner sound is also Om vibrating inside the living beings.  Patanjali Yoga Sutra (4.1) mentions ‘janma oushadhi mantra tapah samadhijah siddhayah’. That is,  miracle (psychic) powers accrue by any of the following means - birth, herbs, mantras, tapah (ascetism), Samadhi (highest plane in meditation).

A mantra is described as ‘manatat trayate ithi mantrah’ which means that a mantra is one which protects the beings by continuous chanting (repetion).  Vedic mantras dwell on subjugation of all the five basic Elements for the well being of the humanity.  We here about stories abounding in falling of rain, melting of stones, cooling effect of the Sun  and fire, flowering of dry withering plants by invoking of Gods through respective mantras. For, each mantra has a specific presiding God to be invoked. For many of the mantras, prefix of the primordial Om and a salutation ‘Namo’ is found as a mark of veneration – like ‘Om Namo Narayanaya ‘ Om Namah Sivayah’ etc. The astounding spiritual accomplishments of our great rishis who bequeathed  divine mantras to the posterity, reflect in time tested experiences even in  the recent centuries, is  exemplified in the following anecdote…

‘ Once two devotees of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi, Sri Chaganlal Yogi and Sri Jagadisha Sasti were walking on the  tar road of Bombay (Mumbai) under scorching  sun.  After awhile Chaganlal Yogi observed that Sastri was walking barefoot and that too with ease under the hot sun. He asked, “Sastriji,  I observe that you are walking barefoot.  Are your feet not burning in the scorching sun?”  For this Jagadisha Sastri replied, “ Certainly not.  I am protected by Ravi Raksha Mantra taught by Sri ‘Bhagavan’.  Way back when I was at the Ramanashram, it so happened that in the mid noon all of a sudden Bhagawan started for Skandhashram uphill (Arunachala). He insisted me to follow him.  I protested on the way that I could not bear the heat of the rocky path on barefoot.  Then he advised me to do japa (chanting) of Ravi Raksha Mantra, “ Aham Suryosmi” (I am the Sun Himself) with full conviction and concentration. I did as he said.  To my wonder, I felt the heat receding and becoming cool within my body while climbing on the rocks.  The effect of the Japa continued even after chanting stopped long way back !"

So divinity (Super Consciousness) in you takes care of it’s own manifest Self (your present avatar) in the face of various  vicissitudes and afflictions, by the vibrant and efficacious mantras, depending on your staunch conviction !

Aham Suryosmi (I am the Sun Himself)

Om Shanti !