“Japa Sadhana” by Swami
Krishnananda
Yoga, Meditation and
Japa Sadhana by Swami Krishnananda
The
world of experience may be said to be constituted of three important factors:
'thought', 'name' and 'form'. These three are internally connected with one
another and is a very important aspect of spiritual practice, or sadhana,
known as Japa Yoga (the yoga of japa). In the Bhagavadgita, the Lord has referred to this aspect of
spiritual sadhana as perhaps the best among the known methods of
approach to God. Yajnanam japayajnosmi: "Among all the sacrifices, sadhanas,
austerities or forms of tapas, I am represented by japa,"
says Bhagavan Sri Krishna.
In a famous system of
spiritual thought known as tantra or agama sastra, it is said
that the expression of a particular name in a recognised manner automatically
projects a particular form, usually known as the yantra. The yantra
is not merely a geometrical drawing or a formation, but a shape that a name is
supposed to take when it is made manifest through expression.
For instance a 'tree'
is a name, a sound symbol that is supposed to indicate or point to a form which
we know as the physical existence of the object known as the tree. And our
scriptures tell us that as we can evoke a particular form in our consciousness
by the utterance of a corresponding name, we can also invoke in our mind, in
our consciousness, the form of God, the Supreme Being Himself, by the
recitation of the Name which is the sacred expression of that ultimate form of
Reality or Existence, God Almighty.
What is meant by japa
sadhana? The contemplation of the implied meaning of a particular symbolic
expression, the utterance of a Name - that is japa. The Name of God is
compared to fire that burns. The recitation of a mantra, therefore,
accelerates the process of the revelation of the Sattva(equilibrium) in
us, transforming the rajas(Inertia) and the tamas(distraction) in
our nature.
In fact, japa
involves three important elements, or shaktis, or powers, viz., mantra-shakti,
devata-shakti and sadhana-shakti. The sadhana-shakti is
the power that is within our own selves; the mantra-shakti is the power
that is hidden in the peculiar combination or juxtaposition of the letters of
the formula; and the devata-shakti is, again, the power of the immanence
of a higher principle in the mantra.
The mantra-shastra
is a secret which tells us that every letter of the alphabet is a condensed
form of energy. Sounds are really energy manifest. An aura is produced around
that sadhaka who takes to japa sadhana honestly and sincerely. We
purify not only our nature inwardly but we also purify the atmosphere outside.
We become a source of inspiration to people when we actually take to japa
sadhana with concentration of mind and with real faith in the efficacy of the
practice.
And in japa
sadhana, we try to attune ourselves(our inner psychological constitution) with
that Omnipresent structure of the cosmos which is Ishvara-shakti, or
Divine Will operating.
God will hear your
prayers through His All-pervading ears. Sarvatah panipadam tat
sarvatokshi-siromukham: "Everywhere It has ears, everywhere It has
eyes." Your prayers will be heard, and this will be a service that you do
to your own Atman, your soul, for its salvation. Not only that, it will be a
great service that you do to humanity itself. May I request you to take to this sadhana honestly,
with intense faith, and you will see wonders, miracles manifesting themselves.
Continue to read:
Yoga, Meditation and
Japa Sadhana by Swami Krishnananda
What
is Japa? By Swami Sivananda
Gurudev’s
Sadhana by Swami Devananda
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