Monday, March 25, 2013

(March 25,2013) “Japa Sadhana” by Swami Krishnananda

“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

No comments:

Post a Comment