When to do Japa
Question:
Can japa be done anywhere, at anytime?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, japa can be done any time, any place.
Break in Japa
Question:
If one is mentally repeating the mantra and someone disturbs, should they start the count all over again? Or just continue where you left off?
Swamiji Says:
If you are disturbed while sitting in an asana, then perform achaman and start the mala again. If you are in another place, you can continue from where you left off.
Chanting loudly or silently
Question:
Is it more effective to chant out loud or silently?
Swamiji Says:
There are three ways to recite mantras. The first is sabda, meaning aloud. The second is pumsa, meaning only mouthing the words with no sound coming out. The third is called manas, meaning only reciting the mantras mentally with no movement or sound. Manas is the deepest form of pronunciation and leads to intense meditation.
Question:
Can a stotra (devotional hymn) be recited silently as well as outloud?
Swamiji Says:
A stotram can be recited either silently or loudly, but as it has musical qualities, a stotram is most frequently sung outloud.
Japa with fingers or mala
Question:
Which is more efficacious- doing japa with fingers or doing japa with mala?
Swamiji Says:
If you are at the fire, the mala is more efficient. If you are performing japa, then counting on the fingers will be sufficient.
Question:
Is it ok to do japa without a mala? Am I missing out on some intangible power by not using a mala?
Swamiji Says:
It is OK to perform japa without a mala. We often use a kara mala, counting on the digits of the fingers. There are many situations where a mala will be necessary, and many where it is not. So you will find what works for you, and that is how you may decide.
Mantra and deity
Question:
All mantras, from Om to the Chandi Pathah have a deity and the mantra embodies the deity. To what extent does a given mantra embody the deity?
Swamiji Says:
It varies according to the intensity of focus of the devotee.
Mantras when taking dip in Holy river
Question:
During Kumbha Mela and other festivals, we observe the practice of taking a dip in the holy river and often immerse ourselves three times while holding the nose. What is the proper methodology of taking a dip in the holy river and what are the accompanying mantras? Is offering of arghya and reciting Ganga Stotram done in this process as well?
Swamiji Says:
The most important is the Gayatri mantra.
Sam and Aim Bijas
Question:
A simple mantric invocation of Saraswati is “Om Aing Saraswatyai Namah.” This uses the Seed of Wisdom, “Aing,” which is also used to invoke the Guru. “Sang” is an unfamiliar Bija to me. What is it called, and how does it differ from “Aing”?
Swamiji Says:
Sang or sam
Sa akshara Saraswati
akara shrishti arambha
anusvara iti sampurnam
Sam bijam iti jnanprakash
The letter “sa” is Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and the embodiment of one’s own ocean of experience. The letter “a” means the commencement of creation. The meaning of anusvara is full and complete and perfect. The bija “sam” means the illumination of wisdom.
Question:
Isn’t Kubera’s bija of “Sam” also used for Saraswati? What is the nature of the relationship between the Treasurer of the Gods and the Shakti of Creativity?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, they share the same bija. “S” means equilibrium, “A” is creation, “M” is perfection. She who grants knowledge brings perfect equilibrium to creation. He who accounts for all progress towards the attainment of our goals brings perfect equilibrium to creation.
Prasvapa
Question:
What is “prasvapa” mantra?
Swamiji Says:
It is a mantra by which you can put others to sleep.
Brahmarpanam – replacing Brahma with Chandi
Question:
In the verse, “Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah” Is it permissible to change the name “Brahma” in this prayer to “Chandi?”
Swamiji Says:
Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity. While it is a good idea to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable that we keep to the verses that have been originated by Rishis. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.
Order in mantra japa
Question:
I do Mantra japa in the following order: 1. Sankalpa, 2. Nyasams, 3. Dhyanam, 4. Upachara, 5. Mantra. Does it differ in other Sampradhyas?
Swamiji Says:
We do the Dhyanam before the Nyas and the Mantra before and after the upachara or offering. It does differ in various sampradayas and gurukuls.
Mantra for Bhumi Devi
Question:
Who is Bhumi Devi?
Swamiji Says:
Bhumi is a name for Mother Earth. Mars is called Bhumi suta, the son of the Earth. There are so many stories about Her: like when She did tapasya for Vishnu to incarnate, because She could no longer bear the insensitive nature of humanity and the atrocities of Ravan.
Question:
What is the gayatri and the bija mantra for Bhumi?
Swamiji Says:
Bhumi Gayatri Mantra: Om Vasundharaya Vidmahe Bhutadhatraya Dhimahi Tanno Bhumih Prachodayat
Bija Mantra: Om Hrim Shrim Klim Vasundharayai Svaha
Mantras for Radha and Radha Krishna
Question:
What is the gayatri mantra for Radha?
Swamiji Says:
Om Hrim Radhikayai Vidhmahe Vrindaban Vasinyai Dhimahe Tanno Radhah Prachodayat.
Question:
What is the gayatri mantra for Radha and Krishna together?
Swamiji Says:
There is not a gayatri mantra for Radha Krishna together. We recite their individual Gayatris and then offer them each a flower, at the end of which comes Radha-Krishnabhyam namah, which is to both of them together.
Meaning of Damodara
Question:
What is the meaning of the name Damodara?
Swamiji Says:
Dama is a rope or something that binds; dara means who holds it. Damodara is a name for Mayapati, Holder of Maya or the Lord of Maya, for whom Maya is a servant which binds all upon His command.
Fire Sacrifice for Krishna
Question:
If I were to adapt the fire sacrifice for Krishna which mantra would I use and where would I substitute it?
Swamiji Says:
You would use the respective mantras:
Om Krishnaya vidhmahe Dhamodaraya dhi mahe Tanno Krishna prachodayat
Om Krim Krishnaya Swaha
Initiation into Mantra
Question:
I listened to your online class on the Lalita Trisati. Should one be initiated to use the Lalita mantra?
Swamiji Says:
No, practice the mantra according to the teachings. Initiation will follow when appropriate.
Mantras from other teachers
Question:
Some of us have had initiations from not-so-ethical ‘teachers’ and were given mantras by those teachers. I understand that those mantras actually call to that teacher and contain a link with a teacher that we no longer desire to have. Is it best to just not use it or can it be cleansed so it no longer links us with that person? Is there any other sadhana to do, to make sure that we have ended the inner relationship with that person, so they can no longer influence us or drain us?
Swamiji Says:
Read Chapter 12 of the Chandi both in Sanskrit and English, and offer appreciation to whoever gave you the first mantra which brought you closer to Her.
Gayatri Mantra
Question:
The Beginner Shiva Puja Workbook refers to the puja’s fourth verse (om bhur bhuvah svah …) as a gayatri mantra. This verse seems to have more than 24 syllables. Don’t Gayatri mantras typically have 24 syllables?
Swamiji Says:
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah are not counted in the meter. They are called Vyahritis – Beatitudes – and are used to designate the Infinite beyond conception, the gross body, subtle body, and causal body.
Question:
Do the Gayatri mantras which are specific for each god/goddess (e.g.Ganesh, Hanuman, Durga, Lakshmi, Shiva, Vishnu etc.) produce the same effect as the Gayatri Mahamantra?
Swamiji Says:
No. Each of the Gayatri mantras for each of the various individual deities is designed to produce a special effect, being the increase of the character of that deity. So the effect will not be the same. But it will be equally as potent.
Question:
When we chant the Gayatri we hold the rosary in our hand. Why do we do that?
Swamiji Says:
Watch and hear Swamiji’s answer by clicking on this icon: .
Nyasa of Mantra
Question:
When we do the nyasa for the Navarna mantra, we say, om aim angustabhyam namah, om hrim tarjanibhyam svah and so on. When we do the nyasa for the Durga puja, we say, om hram angustabhyam namah, om hrim tarjanibhyam svaha and so on. Why do some nysasas use the seed letters from the entire mantra, while the other’s use one seed letter alone, such as “hrim”?
Swamiji Says:
There are literally hundreds of nyasas, and you can even make your own, or you can use the ones as they appear with scriptural references.
Shanti Mantras
Question:
From which Veda are the “shanti” verses beginning with, “om santa dyauh santa prthivi … and continuing until the end of the kushandika?
Swamiji Says:
Our Shanti Path emanates from Samaveda, but it contains a collection of other mantras, all compiled from Purohit Darpana.
Why does the shanti mantra bring so much noise inside and outside, like ringing the bell during the Shanti mantra?
Swamiji Says:
Watch and hear Swamiji’s answer by clicking on this icon: .
Mala to use for Kushandika
Question:
Swamiji Says:
Not improper, but just not as proper. But, it is no problem. The Rudri can be chanted for Vishnu as well as Shiva.
Types of Malas
Question:
Which is the superior “Shakti” mala (or mala for chanting Shakti mantras): red chandam mala, red coral mala, crystal mala, or are all? Also what is a red chandam mala?
Swamiji Says:
Actually we use rudraksha. You can use red chandan and coral malas for Kali. Crystal is used for Lakshmi. Shwet(white) chandan for Saraswati. Rudraksha for everyone. Chandan or Chandam means sandal wood.
Others Touching One’s Mala
Question:
I heard that it is not good for our mala to be touched by another person. What do we do when this happens?
Swamiji Says:
They are attracted to the mala because of the pure energy that you have been putting into it. The damage has already been done, so there is no need to make greater damage by getting angry. First thing to do is to politely explain that this is not only a beautiful piece of jewelry for adornment, but also it is a rosary of religious significance, and you prefer to keep its energy pure. Please don’t touch, but let me show it to you. When you get home in the evening puja, you can wash the mala in a small bowl with a little milk, and if you like to dip the mala in oil scented with sandal. Then make japa of your guru mantra or Chandi mantra 108 times. The mala will be cleansed and will shine, and fragrantly scented, and everything will be fine.
Wearing Japa Mala Around Neck
Question:
I have heard that the mala one uses for japa should not be worn around the neck, but used only for mantra repetition. I’ve never understood the reason why.
Swamiji Says:
I have never heard of such a prescription.
Transitioning from Secular World
Question:
Have you any thoughts on how a person who is living in our secular world and wishes to transition our hearts outwards accomplish this? Does it begin in a small way, like wearing a locket or 108 threaded beads under one’s shirt?
Swamiji Says:
The real change is within, after which we can wear any uniform. But in the beginning all the little ornaments, tokens, reminders, we can find, will be of help.
Rudraksha
Question:
Can a rudrakshs mala be used to do japa for more than on mantra, such as Shiva, Chandi, Ganesh, Vishnu mantras?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, absolutely.
Question:
I have collected a some individual rudraksha beads. Can I thread them all into one string, or should I keep them as separate threads?
Swamiji Says:
You can thread them all onto one string and wear it on your neck or your upper right arm. You can also use one for offering in your pujas, and wear the others.
Question:
A seven mukhi rudraksha represents Mahalakshmi and a four mukhi rudraksha represents Saraswati. Which mukhi represents Kali Maa?
Swamiji Says:
13 faces
Question:
Could Rudraksha beads be used for Narasimha mantras, and Ganesha/Lakshmi mantras?
Swamiji Says:
Yes. More traditional would be a tulasi mala, but followers of Shiva and Shakti can definitely use rudraksha.
Question:
Is it forbidden to eat meat when using Rudraksha?
Swamiji Says:
Is the question, “At the same time,” or “While wearing?” Generally, there are vegetarians and non-vegetarians. There is nothing “Forbidden.” It is just a question of the practices one observes. Vaishnavas forbid. Shaivites and Shaktis request us to use our discrimination.
Question:
Recently I started wearing a “Panchamukhi” Rudraksha in my neck. As I am not a brahmachari, I would like to know whether should I remove it during the ‘unholy time’.
Swamiji Says:
Make every action a holy offering. As such, there is nothing that you would want to do that you would not like Shiva to see.
Index Finger Touching Mala
Question:
Is it true that the index fingers are not to touch the mala when doing japa?
Swamiji Says:
The important thing is not which finger you use, but that you do the japa. So many people waste so much time debating which finger to use, that they do not perform the practices.
Benefit of Deity Name vs. 1000 or 108 Names
Question:
How is chanting 1000 names or 108 names (of a deity) different from repeating the deity’s name again and again?
Swamiji Says:
Watch and hear Swamiji’s answer by clicking on this icon: .
Mantra for Protection from Black Magic
Question:
Is there a mantra which i can chant to protect my self from black magic and my enemies? If there is then what is the procedure i.e. time for chanting, what to eat,where, when, how etc.
Swamiji Says:
Yes, there is: the nine letter mantra of Chandi, Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche. Morning and evening is the time to chant. Eat pure vegetarian meals. How: with all the devotion of your heart. You have to believe in it sincerely.
When to Start Chanting
Question:
Which day should a person start the recitation of Durga mantra – full moon or new moon?
Swamiji Says:
Today. You will catch up to the lunar cycle, so don’t worry about it.
Mantra to Remove Sins
Question:
Is there an assured method through which one can remove the sins committed by during the present life or previous lives?
Swamiji Says:
Yes, the daily recitation of the Chandi Path.
Initiation into Mantra
Question:
Does one need to be initiated by Sri Swamiji or Shreemaa to be able to “effectively” chant any of the mantras that were recently posted on these pages? (referring to the Devi Mandir Yahoo Forum)
Swamiji Says:
First, we cultivate the soil and then we plant the seeds. Use the mantras given in order to prepare yourself so that you will know if this is the example you wish to follow. If you decide that this is the example you wish to follow, then we can discuss what you can expect to achieve by following that example. When we have a clear understanding, then we can talk about the meaning of initiation.
Special Purpose Mantras
Question:
How does one treat special mantras, such as the guru mantra? Does one get “obligated” to a Deity after mantra takes effect? How does one safely thank the Deity of the mantra and continue with the Guru Mantra. Is there a process?
Swamiji Says:
There is only One God. Some times we call Him Creator, Protector, Transformer; He has many names, indicating the many functions He performs. Some times we call Him Her. She also has many names. So every name of God we call upon, is a name of the same God. Therefore, there is no higher God or lesser God. There is no obligation to one form of divinity or to another form.
The reason we cultivate a special relationship with one form or another, is to create greater intimacy in that union. There is no question of jealousy among the Gods.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra:
Question:
Can you please advise on how we can chant the Maha Mritunjaya Mantra with pranayama?
Swamiji Says:
Inhale for the length of “Om Namah Shivaya” or your Guru mantra if you have one. While exhaling, chant one or half or more verses of the MM mantra. Keep the number of verses chanted consistent for the duration of the chanting.
Question:
I would like to do the Maha Mrtyunjaya Japa with Nyasams and Dhyanam. Is this possible?
Swamiji Says:
You can do the Kara and Anga Nyasa with Na-ma-si-va-ya as described in the Shiva Puja books. You can meditate on “Dhyayen Nityam Mahesham …trinetram.” Do the meditation followed by the Nyasa and then 21 times (or your sankalpa) of the MM mantra.
Question:
When I have tried to “feel” the MM mantra, the impression I receive is one of letting go, or of the snake shedding its skin. How does the meaning of the Maha Mritunjaya mantra apply to situations and circumstances such as strength, healing, and devotion?
Swamiji Says:
Letting go and freeing ourselves from attachment is the greatest healing and brings about the greatest devotion. Every invocation for Lord Shiva to intercede in our lives is appropriate. There is never an inappropriate time to call upon God.
Question:
Why is this mantra (Mahamrityunjaya) so sweet? When death comes [not the fear of death only] should we remember this mantra? Is it the meaning of the cucumber falling off the stem or the sound that is so calming?
Swamiji Says:
The meaning, the meter, the tone, and the vibrations all make the mantra powerful.