Friday, September 18, 2015

THE PRACTICE and BENEFITS of JAPA NAMA by Swami Sivananda


 THE PRACTICE and BENEFITS of JAPA NAMA
(repetition of a mantra of  the name of God)
by Swami Sivananda 

·         Japa purifies the heart.
·         Japa makes the mind steady.
·      Japa destroys the six enemies. ((The gluttony, lust, anger, attachment, pride, jealousy).
·         Japa burns the sins.
·         Japa uproots all desires.
·         Japa burns mental forms
·         Japa removes the attachment.
·         Japa brings dispassion.
·         Japa removes problems.
·         Japa gives health, prosperity, strength and longevity.
·         Japa makes you fearless.
·         Japa beyond birth and death.
·         Japa removes ignorance.
·         Japa gives the highest peace.
·         Japa gives liberation,
·         Japa develops love.
·         Japa unites the devotee with God.
·         Japa brings God consciousness.
·         Japa brings eternal bliss.

 WHAT IS JAPA ?

Repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord is known as Japa. Japa is an important Anga of Yoga. It is a spiritual food for the hungry soul. Japa is the rod in the hand of the blind Sadhakas (aspirants) to plod on the road to Realization. Japa is the philosopher's stone or divine elixir that makes one God-like. In this iron age, practice of Japa alone can give eternal Peace, Bliss and Immortality.

Japa is repetition of the Mantra. Dhyana is meditation on the form of the Lord with His attributes. There is meditation or Dhyana with Japa (Japa-Sahita-Dhyana); there is meditation or Dhyana without Japa (Japa-Rahita-Dhyana). In the beginning you should combine Dhyana with Japa. As you advance the Japa drops by itself; meditation only remains. It is an advanced stage. You can then practice concentration separately. You can do whatever you like best in this respect.

Name (Nama) and the object (Rupa) signified by the Name are inseparable. Thought and word are inseparable. Whenever you think of the name of your son, his figure stands before your mental eye, and vice versa. Even so when you do Japa of Rama, Krishna or Christ, the picture of Rama, Krishna or Christ will come before your mind. Therefore Japa and Dhyana go together. They are inseparable.

Do the Japa with feeling. Know the meaning of the Mantra. Feel God's presence in everything and everywhere. Draw closer and nearer to Him when you repeat the Japa. Think He is shining in the chambers of your heart. He is witnessing your repetition of the Mantra as He is the witness of your mind.

 PRACTICAL AIDS TO JAPA 
1. Select any Mantra or Name of God, preferably that given to you by your Guru, and repeat it from 108 to 1,080 times daily (one to ten malas).

2. Always keep your Guru-Mantra a secret. Never disclose it to anyone.

3. It is better to stick to one Mantra only. See Lord Krishna in Rama, Shiva, Durga, Gayatri and in everyone.

4. Get up at 4a.m. and do Japa for two hours. The early morning period (Brahmamuhurta) and dusk is the most favourable time for Japa and meditation. This is when Sattva (purity or steadiness) is predominant.

5. Take a bath or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Japa in the morning. At other times this is not necessary. Do Japa whenever you have leisure, at the three junctions of the day - morning, noon and evening - and before going to bed.

6. Face east or north during the practice. This enhances the efficacy of the Japa. Spread a piece of cloth over it. This conserves body-electricity. Sit in a separate meditation room or in any suitable place, such as a temple, on a river bank or under a banyan or peepul tree.

7. Maintain a steady pose. Attain mastery of the posture. You must be able to sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana for three hours at a strech.

8. Reslove to complete a certain minimum number of malas before leaving your seat.

9. Recite some prayers before starting the Japa.

10. A rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God. Use a rudraksha or tulsi mala of 108 beads.

11. Do not allow the mala to hang below the navel.

12. The mala must not be visible to you or to others. Cover it with a towel or handkerchief, which must be clean and washed daily.

13. Use the middle finger and the thumb of the right to roll the beads. The use of the index finger is prohibited.

14. Do not cross the meru while rolling the beads. Turn back when you come to it.

15. Sometimes do the Japa without a mala. Use a watch.

16. Do mental Japa for a time. When the mind wanders, do the Japa aloud, or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.

17. When you repeat the Mantra, have the feeling or mental attitude that the Lord is seated in your heart, that purity or Sattva is flowing from the Lord into your mind, that the Mantra is purifying your heart, destroying desires, cravings and evil thoughts.

18. Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner, like a contractor who tries to finish his work in a short time. Do it slowly with feeling, one-pointedness of mind and single-minded devotion.

19. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without any mistakes. Repeat it neither too slowly nor too fast. Increase the speed only when the mind wanders.

20. Be vigilant and alert during Japa. Stand up when sleep tries to overpower you.

21. Try to associate the Japa with the rhythm of the breath and meditate in the form of your Deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front of you. Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it.

22. Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential if success is to be achieved. Sit in the same place and at the same time every day.

23. Do not beg for any worldly objects from God while doing Japa. Feel that your heart is being purified and that the mind is becoming steady by the power of the Mantra and the Grace of the Lord.
24. Observe silence and avoid distractions, calls and engagements.

25. It is important not to leave the place at once after the Japa is over and mix with everyone or plunge into worldly activity. Sit very quietly for at least ten minutes, humming some prayer, remembering the Lord and reflecting upon His infinite love. Then, after devout prostration, leave the place and commence your routine duties and activities. In this way the spiritual vibrations will remain intact.

26. Continue the current of Japa mentally at all times, whatever be the activity in which you are engaged. Carry on your Sadhana with tenacity and perseverance, without a break. Realize the glorious goal of life and enjoy supreme bliss.

MANTRAS FOR JAPA
Lord Shiva:
Om Namah Shivaya (Panchakshara)

Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra:
Om tryambakam yajamahe
sugandhim pushtivardhanam
uurvarukamiva bandhanaan
mrityor mukshiya maamritaat.

Lord Krishna:
Maha-Mantra :
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Sri Krishnaya Namah
Divine Mother

Sri Devi:
Om Sri Durgayai Namah
Sri Kalika:
Om Sri Kalikayai Namah
Sri Lakshmi:
Om Sri Maha-Lakshmyai Namah

Lord Hari:
Om Namo Narayanaya (Ashtakshara)
Hari Om
Hari Om Tat Sat
Lord Rama:
Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram
Om Sri Ramaya Namah


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