How to start mantra practice from traditional Vedic methods.

Learn from the origins for mantra japa and spiritual sadhana!

Mantra - the primordial vibrations of the universe, the sacred geometry that underlies all creation, and the sounds which make up our very body, mind and govern our reality. All of these things were perceived by the ancient Rishis directly from consciousness. Mantra is a Sanskrit word from Vedic Hindu traditions.

Sanskrit, known as Devabhasha or language of the Gods, is actually the cosmic structure of the universe and takes our consciousness to heightened states.

It is as old as time and space.

The Sanskrit alphabet or ‘Akshmala’ can be mapped to different parts of the body. Every single body part and organ has a governing energy and deity, each of the chakras in our body as it’s own resonant frequency and ‘beej’ (seed) mantra sound too.

There are many different Sanskrit mantras within the Vedic, Yogic and Tantric traditions. Most mantras require deeksha or initiation from a traditional Guru Parampara in order to be chanted safely. The reason for this is two-fold: firstly because many mantras have extremely strong energy and can backfire if not, and secondly because the Guru Parampara (from the Hindu traditions, not the new age) acts as a transmission of consciousness. However, there are simple procedures you can follow to do mantra practice (japa) on your own - by absolutely anyone!

In this article I will detail out a simple mantra practice method and how you can do ‘japa’ safely every day from the Hindu traditions

Before we start let’s first understand - what is ‘Parampara?’ You might have heard this word and might have not! The Guru Shishya Parampara tradition in Hindu civilisation can be traced back to Shiva, he provided knowledge to the Rishis who’s Gotras the indigenous Hindu lineages have across all the four varnas and their sub-jatis (ancestral lineage communities). There are many different traditional sects within Hindu dharma - what are termed as ‘Sampradayas.’

Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakta and Smartha are major traditional Sampradyas. There is also dakshinacharya (right hand path) and veeracharya (left hand path) which are the two hands of Vedic civilisation, both of these require initiation under a Guru. Tantra Vidya can fall under both of those categories. For example, Kashmir Shaivism is a lot of Tantra and Kaula is essentially left-hand or occult. All of these Sampradayas and Paramparas are entirely distinct from new age Hindu or modern Hindu organisations so be sure not to confuse them.

What are the benefits of doing Mantra Sadhana practice?

Let’s talk first about the benefits of doing Mantra Sadhana practice. Each deity in Sanatan Dharma is real - as much as they are a form of consciousness, they have particular characteristics. The simple mantras for deities essentially activate the consciousness of the deity within you. It awakens your dormant DNA and innate cosmic intelligence because the deities are contained inside you. The practice, when done in a systematic way, elevates your consciousness to new levels and clears karmic patterns. Hindu traditions prescribe specific methods going back thousands of years to do this safely and effectively with the innate wisdom of energies that govern the universe and the 5 elements - water, fire, earth, ether and air.

Worship of different deities will bring you different results and with the grace of the deity they will support your life. As mentioned, many mantras need to be taken only in the form of ‘deeksha’ from a traditional Guru Shishya Parampara. Without doing so, the energy can backfire and the same holds for Kundalini Yoga and tantra when it is twisted out of its indigenous origins. However, the mantras shared here you can practice by yourself with the given methods.

Remember that, despite the spiritual science of the deity being inside you, the deity is actually real and personal so there must be utmost respect for the deity. You are both repeating a mantra and worshiping the deity, because the deities respond most effectively to the pure love within your heart.

Over time, the benefits of doing consistent mantra practice day after day include:

• Purification of consciousness and clearing of karmic patterns

• Higher insights, inner strength and grounding

• Deeper connection with the deity

• Spiritual protection and higher guidance

• Specific results like wealth, spiritual strength etc. also depend on the deity

• More inner peace and stability

• Heightened manifestation abilities, intuition and further

• Higher perception and recognition of your true self

Mantra Practice: Simplest Routine

For basic mantra practice, these are some essential items that you need!

Get these items for your mantra practice!

1. Asana or mat to sit on. It’s absolutely essential that you have a mat when you practice meditation, pranayama or mantra japa. The reason is that it creates insulation between you and the earth so that your energy can rise safely. The best material is woollen, you can choose any other cloth if that’s difficult.

2. Even though you can count the mantras on your fingers if you are starting with small daily counts like 11 or 21, the best is to purchase a JAPA MALA which as 108 beads. The best is panchmukhi rudraksh which is the most preferred for mantra japa especially for Shiva / Shakti also. Make sure you cleanse the mala with Gangajal before using it.

3. Get either a dupatta (scarf) or a JAPA MALA POUCH BAG (just search online). It is absolutely necessary that you cover your mala when you are doing the mantra practice or the energy just dissipates.

4. A small copper lota or any metal with water in it
   
   

In addition, if you can obtain these, this will make a complete practice:

1. Diya (ghee or oil lamp) to offer to the deity

2. Dhoop or agarbati (don’t use the one with bamboo as we are not meant to burn bamboo, just use the normal dhoop or incense cones)

Procedures for daily sadhana:

1. Light a Diya and keep it in front of you or in your temple. Light dhoop / incense and offer it to the deity. If you are not in your home temple, simply keep a Diya in front of you, that is enough. If you are don’t have a Diya, at least use a candle. It is good to have some fire there to stabilise. It’s the intention that matters, so remember Vishnu Bhagwan before you start your practice in your mind as if you are lighting for Vishnu.
   

2. Before starting any spiritual practice, first give prayers to Ganesh and Guru. These two forms of consciousness guide you from within and clear obstacles.
   
   Chant: Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah
   
   Chant any Guru shloka that you know, search fro Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu on YouTube if you are new, listen and repeat it. Pronunciation matters. I will write in the Sanskrit of this here too. You can remember Guru Dattatreya as your Guru or also Dakshinamurthy the Guru form of Shiva too.
   
   

3. Remember to be never facing south when you are doing any spiritual practice. It’s a good idea to keep deities on the East West axis and it’s good to face East when doing any spiritual practice.
   

4. Make sure you are sitting in your Asana. If you are simply going to do 11 counts or 21 counts small numbers to begin with and not using a mala, then that’s fine too.
   
   If you are using the Japa mala, then you must keep it in the pouch or under your scarf. When you use a japa mala, be sure that the mala rests between your third and fourth finger, never touch the mala with your second finger!
   
   This is why you see people holding japa pouches with their second finger through the hole. The japa mala that you are using must be covered by a dupatta or kept inside a pouch. The reason for this is to protect the energy otherwise all the energy of your practice will dissipate.
   
   Also with the mala, the very top bead is the 109th bead and is known as the Guru bead. When you reach the end of the mala which is 108, don’t touch the guru bead. You can flip the mala with your right hand and then start again from the first bead. If that is too confusing just remember to skip the 109th bead.

   
   Start with completing one round of 108 using the mala (one mala). You can increase your counts but aim to complete the SAME number of counts every day and gradually increase.
   

5. Choosing the same place at the same time is best but just make sure it is done every day. Even if you are in a public place, just put an asana down, using your vision offer a Diya and dhoop in your mind, close your eyes and do it. The point here is consistency and stick to the ritualistic aspect as much as possible unless it’s really very chaotic, just get it done nonetheless.
   

6. After finishing your mala practice, place some water on the earth or under your asana and touch Bhumi mata, or Mother Earth. This is necessary to close the practice so that all the energy you have generated comes to you.
   

7. Some mantras to start with include: Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah, which is for Ganesh who is the remover of obstacles and sits in the Muladhara Chakra. Aum Namah Shivaya is for Shiva and Aum Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is for Vishnu. You can also chant Aum Dum Durgaye Namah - please check the pronunciations on Youtube from a traditional Hindu acharya if in doubt. As mentioned earlier many mantras require initiation or deeksha so always check. Just pick one of the above mantras and start with either 33 counts on your finger or one round of mala if you are a beginner.

Blessings of Maa Durga guide your journey.

Aum Namah Shivaya

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