Sadhana : The Right Way

Every Sadhak tries his best to accomplish daily worship and use special Mantra rituals. But every Sadhana has a particular procedure and every deity or the Guru is worshipped in a particular manner. Presenting some important rules is this wonderfully enlightening article.

In every Sadhana, Upchaar or special worship of deity has an important place. Upchaar eans devotedly making some offerings to deity in order to win his or her grace.

There is no fixed rule for Upchaar but including this worship procedure in Sadhana assures quicker success. There are different types of Upchaars ranging from Ekopchaar to Sahastropachar. Our article shall focus only on Shodashopchaar, Dashopchaar and Panchopchaar forms of worship in which 16,10 and 5 articles are offered respectively. In each age, forms of worship have been different but in the present age of hustle and bustle performing a Sadhana itself is a great fortunate achievement and the shorter the procedure the better.

It is best to do Shodashopchaar worship in which 16 articles are offered but in daily Sadhana Panchopchaar worship would suffice and in it five articles namely fragrance, flowers, incense, ghee lamp and sweets are offered.

Shodashopchaar
This includes 1. Aavaahan 2. Aasan 3. Paadya 4. Arghya 5. Aachamaniya 6. Snaan 7. Vastra 8. Madhupark 9. Tilak 10. Akshat 11. Pushp 12. Dhoop 13. Deep 14. Neivedya 15. Taambool 16. Naariyal

Aavaahan
Many do not count this in the procedure and instead just offer prayers to the deity. It means inviting the deity concerned to come and bless Sadhak. For this hands are joined and the following Mantra is chanted.

Aavaahayaami Devesh Sarvashakti Shakti Samanvite, Naaraaynnaay Bhadraay Gururoopaayate Namah. Guru Brhama Gur Vishnuh Gurudevo Maheshwarah. Guru Saakshaat Parabrahma Tasmei Shree Gurave Naah.

Aasan
A worship mat is used in order to ake the physical body free of ailments, the soul pure and gain divine powers. Basically a mat acts as a bad conductor and does not allow energy of Mantra chanting fro being earthed. Torn, burnt and used mats are prohibited. Deer skin, tiger skin, grass, silk, cotton and wood mats are best. Deer skin for gain of knowldge, tiger skin for spiritual progress and wealth and wool for riddance from sorrows and poverty are prescribed. Deities are offered a mat of flowers and then the following Mantra is chanted.

Ramyam Shubhanam Divyam Sarva Soukhakaram Shubham. Aasanam Cha Mayaa Grihaann Parameshwar.

Paadya
Offering water in the feet of deity is called Paadya. For this two spoonfuls of water is offered chanting thus.

Yad Bhakti Lesh Samparkat Paramaanand Sambhavah, Tasmei Te Parameshaan Paadya Shuddhaay Kalpaye Arghya

Water offered to deities for washing their hands is called Arghya. Mix flowers and fragrance in water in a tumbler. Offer chanting thus.

Arghyam Grihaann Devesh Gandh Pushpaakshateih Sah. Karunnaam Kuru Me Dev! Grihaannarghya Namastu Te.

Aachamaniya
Water offered to deity for rinsing the mouth is called Aachamaniya. Offer water chanting -

Sarva Teerth Samaaneetaam Sugandhim Nirmalam Jalam. Aachamyataam Mayaadattam Grihaann Parameshwar.

Snaan
All  deities are present in the ocean of knowledge, still three spoonfuls of water is offered as mark of respect for a bath.

Gangaa Saraswatee Revaa Payoshanni Narmadaajaleih. Snaapitosi Mayaa Dev Tathaa Shaantim Kurushnna Me

Vastra

Clean & new clothes are offered. Offering old, torn clothes leads to losses. Mouli (holy red thread) can be offered instead chanting thus.

Sarva Bhooshaadi Ke Soumye Lok Lajjaanivaaranne. Mayopapaadite Tubhyam Grihaan. Parameshwar.

Tilak

For riddance from sins, afflictions and misfortune a mark is made on the forehead of the deity. Sandalwood paste is best otherwise Ashtagandh, Gorochan, samphor, saffron and musk can also be used. Mantra -

Shree Khaad Chandanam Divyam Gandhaaddyam Sumanoharam. Vilepanam Sursheshtth Chadanam Pratigrihyaataam.

Akshat

Akshat means unbroken rice grains which are offered to gain wealth and prosperity. Mix with vermilion and offer them chanting thus.

Akshataashcha Surshreshtth Kumkumaaktaah Sushobhitaah. Maayaa Niveditaa Bhaktyaa Grihaann Parameshwar.

Pushp

Offer flowers to the deity for comforts, good luck and health chanting thus

Maalyaadeeni Sugandheeni Maalatyaadeeni Veiprabho. Mayopaneetaani Pushpaanni Grihaann Paraeshwar.

Dhoop

Offer incense made from choicest and most fragrant herbs to the deity chanting thus.

Vaaspati Rasobhootah Gandhaadyah Sumanoharah. Aaghreyah Sarvasevaanaam Dhoopoyam Pratigrihayataam.

Deep

Lighting a lamp before a deity signifies dispelling of darkness of ignorance from the Sadhak's life. Mantra-

Suprakaasho Mahaadeepah Sarvatah Timiraapahaah. Sa Baahyaamyaram Jyotih Deepoyam Pratigrihyataam.

Neivedya

Neivedya means elixir. While offering sweets or food articles chant thus.

Neivedyam Grihyataam Dev Bhaktim Me Hychalaam Kuru. Eepsitam Me Varam Dehi, Sarvasoubhaagya Kaarakam.

Taambool

Offer a betel nut containing betel nuts, cloves and cardamom. A betel leaf is symbolic of the six-teen Kalas or divine virtues. Mantra-

Poongifalam Mahad Divyam Naagvalee-rdaleirutam. Elaadi Choornna Sanyuktam Taamboolam Pratigrihyataam.

Neeranjan Aarati

Sing the Aarti (special hymn) of the diety whom you are worshipping. For Aarti use a lamp with one or five wicks. Mantra

Aanand Mantra Makaraandam Anant Gandh Yogineedndraa Susthir Malindam Apaastabandham Vedaant Karannek Vikaash-sheelam Naaraaynnasya Charannambuj.

With this the worship is over. If one is not able to do Shodashopchaar worship one should do Panchopachaar worship while chanting the Mantra with full devotion.

One should daily offer prayers to one's deity and Guru.

MANTRA YOGA SADHANA

Mantra Yoga is an exact science. “Mananat trayate iti mantrah”—by the Manana (constant thinking or recollection) of which one is released from the round of births and deaths, is Mantra.

Every Mantra has a Rishi who gave it to the world; a Mantra, a Devata, the Bija or seed which gives it a special power, the Shakti and the Kilakam or the pillar.

A Mantra is Divinity. Mantra and its presiding Devata are one. The Mantra itself is Devata. Mantra is divine power, Daivi Sakti, manifesting in a sound body. Constant repetition of a Mantra with faith, devotion and purity augments the Shakti or power of the aspirant, purifies and awakens the Mantra Chaitanya latent in the Mantra and bestows on the Sadhaka Mantra Siddhi, illumination, freedom, peace, eternal bliss, immortality.

By constant repetition of the Mantra the Sadhaka imbibes the virtues and power of the Deity that presides over the Mantra. Repetition of Surya Mantra bestows health, long life, vigour, vitality, Tejas or brilliance. It removes all diseases of the body and the diseases of the eye. No enemy can do any harm. Repetition of Aditya-hridayam in the early morning, is highly beneficial. Lord Rama conquered Ravana through the  repetition of Aditya-hridayam imparted by Agastya Rishi.

Mantras are in the form of praise and appeal to the deities, craving for help and mercy. Some Mantras control and command the evil spirits. Rhythmical vibrations of sound give rise to forms.Recitation of Mantras gives rise to the formation of the particular figure of the deity.

Repetition of Sarasvati Mantra OM Sarasvatyai Namah will bestow on you wisdom and good intelligence. You will get inspiration and compose poems. Repetition of ‘Om Sri Mahalakshmyai Namah’ will confer wealth and remove poverty. Ganesha Mantra will remove any obstacle in any undertaking. Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra will remove accidents, incurable diseases and bestow long life and immortality. It is a Moksha Mantra too.

Repetition of Subramanya Matra ‘Om Saravanabhavaya Namah’ will give you success in any undertaking and make you glorious. It will drive off the evil influences and evil spirits. Repetition of Sri Hanuman Mantra, ‘Om Hanumanthaya Namah’ will bestow victory and strength.

Repetition of Panchakshara and Shodasakshara (Sri Vidya) will give you whatever you want. You must learn this Vidya from a Guru alone.

Repetition of Gayatri or Pranava, ‘Om Namah Sivaya’, ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’, ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’, one and a quarter lakh of times with Bhava, faith and devotion will confer on you Mantra Siddhi.

‘Om’, ‘Soham’, ‘Sivoham’, ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ are Moksha Mantras. They will help you to attain Self-realisation. ‘Om Sri Ramaya Namah’, ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ are Saguna Mantras which will enable you to attain Saguna realisation first and then Nirguna realisation in the end. 

Mantra for curing scorpion stings and cobra bites should be repeated on eclipse days for getting Mantra Siddhi quickly. You should stand in water and repeat Mantras. This is more powerful and effective. These can be recited on ordinary days also for attaining Mantra Siddhi.

Mantra Siddhi for curing scorpion sting, cobra bites, etc., can be attained within 40 days. Repeat the Mantra with faith and devotion regularly. Have a sitting in the early morning after taking bath. Observe Brahmacharya and live on milk and fruits for 40 days or take restricted diet.

Chronic diseases can be cured by Mantras. Chanting of Mantras generate potent spiritual waves or divine vibrations. They penetrate the physical and astral bodies of the patients and remove the root causes of  sufferings. They fill the cells with pure Sattva or divine energy. They destroy the microbes and vivify the cells and tissues. They are best, most potent antiseptics and germicides. They are more potent than ultra-violet rays or Rountgen rays.

Mantra Siddhi should not be misused for the destruction of others. Those who misuse Mantra power for destroying others are themselves destroyed in the end.

Those who utilise Mantra power in curing snake bites, scorpion stings and chronic diseases should not accept any kind of presents or money. They must be absolutely unselfish. They should not accept even fruits or clothes. They will lose the power if they utilise the power for selfish purposes. If they are absolutely unselfish, if they serve humanity with Sarvatma Bhava, their power will increase through the grace of the Lord.

He who has attained Mantra Siddhi can cure cobra bite or scorpion sting or any chronic disease by a mere touch on the affected part. When a man is bitten by a cobra a telegram is sent to the Mantra Siddha. The Mantra Siddha recites the Mantra and the man who is bitten by a cobra is cured. What a grand marvel! Does this not prove the tremendous power of Mantra?

Get the Mantra initiation from your Guru or pray to your Ishta Devata and start doing Japa of the particular Mantra, if you find it difficult to get a Guru.

May you all become Mantra Yogis with Mantra Siddhi! May you all become real benefactors of the world by becoming divine healers through Mantra cure! May Mantra-Cure, divine healing centres be started all over the world!

- Sri Swami Sivananda

Japa Yoga

1. In this Iron Age, Japa Yoga is an easy way for attaining God-realisation.
2. Japa is the repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord with Bhava and feeling.
3. Japa removes the impurities of the mind, destroys sins and brings the devotee face to face with the Lord.
4. Every Name is filled with countless powers; just as fire has the natural property of burning things, so also the Name of God has the power of burning the sins and desires.
5. Sweeter than all sweet things, more auspicious than all good things, purer than all pure things, is the Name of the Lord.
6. Name of the Lord is a boat to cross this Samsara. It is a weapon to destroy the mind.
7. The repetition of the Mantra again and again generates great spiritual force and momentum and intensifies the spiritual Samskaras or impressions.
8. Mananaat Trayate iti Mantrah: By the Manana, constant thinking or recollection, one is released from the round of birth and death; so it is called Mantra.
9. Repetition of Mantra raises vibrations. Vibrations give rise to definite forms. Repetition of Om Namah Sivaya gives rise to the form of Lord Siva in the mind; repetition of Om Namo Narayanaya gives rise to the form of Lord Hari.
10. The glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can certainly be experienced or realised, only through devotion, faith and constant repetition.
11. Japa is of three kinds, viz., Manasic Japa, Upamsu Japa or humming, and Vaikhari Japa, loud and audible Japa.
12. Mental repetition of Japa, Manasic Japa, is more powerful than loud Japa.
13. Get up at 4 a.m. and do the Japa for two hours. Brahmamuhurtha is most favourable for Japa and meditation.
14. If you cannot take a bath, wash your hands, feet, face and body, and sit for Japa.
15. Face north or east when sitting. This enhances the efficacy of the Japa.
16. Sit on a Kusha-grass seat or deer-skin or rug. Spread a white cloth over it. This conserves body-electricity.
17. Do some prayer before starting the Japa.
18. Have a steady pose. Have Asana-Jaya or conquest over Asana. You must be able to sit in Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana for three hours at a stretch.
19. When you repeat the Mantra, have the feeling or mental attitude that the Lord is seated in your heart, that Sattva or purity is flowing from the Lord to your mind, that the Mantra purifies your heart, destroys desires and cravings and evil thoughts.
20. Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner, just as a contractor tries to finish his work in a hurried way. Do it slowly with Bhava, one-pointedness of mind and single-minded devotion.
21. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without mistakes. Do not repeat it too fast or too slow.
22. Use not the index finger while rolling the beads. Use the thumb, the middle and the ring fingers. When counting of one Mala is over, revert it and come back again. Cross not the Meru. Cover your hand with a towel.
23. Be vigilant. Keep an alert attention during Japa. Stand up and do the Japa when sleep tries to overpower you.
24. Resolve to finish a certain minimum number of Malas before leaving the seat.
25. Mala or rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God.
26. Sometimes do the Japa without a Mala. Go by the watch.
27. Practise meditation also along with Japa. This is Japa-Sahita-Dhyana. Gradually Japa will drop and meditation alone will continue. This is Japa-Rahita-Dhyana.
28. Have four sittings for Japa daily—early morning, noon, evening and night.
29. A devotee of Lord Vishnu should repeat “Om Namo Narayanaya”; a devotee of Lord Siva, “Om Namah Sivaya”; a devotee of Lord Krishna, “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”; a devotee of Lord Rama, “Om Sri Ramaya Namah” or “Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram”; a devotee of Devi, Gayatri Mantra or Durga Mantra.
30. It is better to stick to one Mantra alone. See Lord Krishna in Rama, Siva, Durga, Gayatri.
31. Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential. Sit in the same place and at the same time.
32. Purascharana is repetition of the Mantra Akshara-Laksha, one lakh of times for each letter.
33. Japa must become habitual. Even in dream you must be doing Japa.
34. Japa Yoga is the easiest, quickest, safest, surest, and cheapest, way for attaining God-realisation. Glory to the Lord! Glory, glory to His Name!
35. O man! Take refuge in the Name. Nama (Name) and Nami (Lord) are inseparable.