This is question that engages all religious thoughts.
Surrender sloka kayen vacha
Do we have Free Will to do anything?
Or everything is preordained?
In the latter case, one does not accumulate sins because everything is determined.
Equally baffling is the application of Free Will.
Simple analysis of the operation of Free Will in our Lives, without engaging ourselves about Free Will in philosophical terms, would show we are not free.
When we perform an action, choices presented to us are limited.
We do not have access to ALL options.
We act on the basis of choices presented to us at a given point of time.
Hence we have Free Will as well as we are Limited.
kāyena vācā manasendriyair vā
buddhyātmanā vānusṛta-svabhāvāt
karoti yad yat sakalaṁ parasmai
nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayet tat
Word for word:
kāyena — with the body; vācā — speech; manasā — mind; indriyaiḥ — senses; vā — or; buddhyā — with the intelligence; ātmanā — the purified consciousness; vā — or; anus ta — followed; svabhāvāt — according to one’s conditioned nature; karoti — one does; yat yat — whatever; sakalam — all; parasmai — to the Supreme;nārāyaṇāya iti — thinking, “This is for Nārāyaṇa”; samarpayet — he should offer; tat — that.
Translation:
In accordance with the particular nature one has acquired in conditioned life, whatever one does with body, words, mind, senses, intelligence or purified consciousness one should offer to the Supreme, thinking, “This is for the pleasure of Lord Nārāyaṇa.”
( Srimad Bhagvtham 11.2.36) explained by Rishaba to Nimi of Rama’s dynasty’
Sri Vaishnava sect (of which I’m a member) uses another verse called the Sattvika Tyaga for much the same purpose:
bhagavan eva svaniyamya sva-śeṣa-bhūtena maya
sva-ārādhana-eka-prayojanāya idam (name of the karma)
svasmai svaprītyai svayam eva karayati |
The auspicious deity, exerting control on himself, using me (his other part) as an instrument, himself effects , with his pleasure/ worship being the only purpose.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna tells Krishna,
‘You assert that the cycle of birth and death is because of one’s action and its repurcussions thereof.
If one were to desist from performing action, is he not freed from the results of action and its reactionKarma Phala?
Krishna replies,
‘ There is nothing in the world that is not Mine nor does anything take place withiut Me.
There is nothing I desire for everything is Mine.
Yet I am here performing Duties?
Why?
It is because of Swabhava, one’s disposition.
Once born , he is impelled by his disposition.
He can not escape from action, it may even be breathing.
Even that is an action and it attracts karma phala’ reaction.
So one is not free.
YET one is endowed with Buddhi, power of discrimination to choose from options available to him’
That’s it.
One has freedom to express himself , impelled by his disposition, which he can not avoid yet he has the choice to perform righteously.
As is the case with all Perception, be it sight,touch or smell.
Whether they have their existence other than being perceived by us is a great philosophical question and this issue is the reason for various ‘isms’
Idealism, Empiricism,Rationalism,Pragmatism and Logical Positivism.
For more on this please read my post Perception.
Now to Sound.
It exists in Nature and some sounds instill Fear, some serenity.
Thunder instils fearvwhile the slapping of the waves soothes.
Sounds by Nature has qualities inherent in them.
Sound, ,according to Science,is produced because of Vibration/Resonance.
There is also a view that Sound produces Resonance..
One may never know.
Hinduism assigns important position to Sound.
Universe is in Constant Motion and consequently Sound is present since The Universe was born.
In Hindu thought, the Universe is Eternal and so is Sound.
Sound coexists with Universe.
Sound has Rhythm and Scale.
Nadha is Sound and its Rhythm is Nature.
It is described as an Attribute of Reality in the Upanishads.
Reality is described as Nadha Brahman.
Sound is different from Ether or Akasa
Akasa is the carrier of Energy including Sound.
Akasa is the energy source.
Article on Akasa, Energy source, Hinduism and Quantum follows.
Sound is grasped intuitively and remembered mentally.
Sound as grasped from Ehter directly by the Rishis are known as Mantra.
These are mystical.
When we attempt to write the sound, it may not convey the sound grasped.
Language is born of Sound and not the other way.
Hence Mantras, including the Vedas, were transmitted orally.
Vedas, the Scripture of Hindus are to be leant bt Hearning and not by writing or Reading.
The intonation is to be perfect.
When people started using the method of writing the grasped sounds, Mantras, were expressed through alphabets,in Hinduism Sanskrit.
Sanskrit produces the near perfect intonaton of the sound, as an attribute of Reality and hence Sanskrit is called the language of Gods, Deva Basha.
There are different types of Mantras.
1. Mantras one follows as enjoined in the Vedas and by Family traditions as a part of daily activity.
2. This type is to ward off or tide over or get relief from a specific problem.
3. The Mantra for spiritual development.
The first one is mandatory, without which all the other Mantras would not yield better results.That is the reason it is insisted that at least Sandhyavandan is performed daily for the Mantras to deliver results
The second one that is the one used for a specific issue becomes of no use once the problem is resolved.
Preferable one learns Mantras through hearing.
However there are also written forms.
The letters in Sanskrit are called Aksharas, meaning limitless.
The combination of letters, Aksharas locked mystically become Mantras.
There are two types of Aksharas.
One is the letters is a Mantra and the other is
the Root letter to which are bound the other letters of a Mantra.
This Root letter is called Beejakshara and it is held as a secret.
For Mantras to be efective one need not know the Beejaksharas.
Powerful slokascand Mantras deliver results because the Beejaksharas are embedded in them.
Soundaryalahari by Adi Shankaracharya contains 51 Aksharas of Devi embedded secretly in the slokas.
Mantrass should be initiated by a Guru.
In exceptional cases one can take the Mantra worshipping Family Deity and keepingShiva/Subrahmanya/Krishna as Guru.
Mantras are not to be translated.
Nor should one divulge the Mantra or thecreason for reciting it to others.
‘The bija mantras of the main chakras are given in the following table:
———————————————————
Mantras Chakra Physical location
—————————————–
Lam Mooladhara Perineum
Vam Swadhisthana Base of the spine
Ram Manipura Navel centre
Yam Anahata Heart centre
Ham Vishudhi Throat
Om Ajna Eyebrow centre
———————————————————–
Chakra Beej Mantras
A, Aa, E, Ee, O, Oo etc are all vowels and are spoken with sounds that come from within i.e: stomach, buzzing in the ear, nasal tones, tongue rolling etc. each of which stimulates one part of the body or other thereby corresponding to a chakra.
Chakras have different tones and move and different frequencies, the root being the slowest and most dense to Ajna or third eye chakra being the fastest . The beej mantra or single seed syllable of the chakra balances the chakra and thereby purifies it.
I have been writing on Mantras for solving problems, like Finance, delayed marriage, for begetting children,health issues,Psychological disorders,warding off the effects of Black magic……
I have also written on Mantras for spiritual progress.
On daily pooja Mantras , Anushtans, special Poojas ,Veda Mantras and Sukthas .
Readers who follow these mantras report that these have worked and they are getting the desired results.
Especially Sashti vrata for begetting children.
As on date six people out of seven have conceived.
Another is cure for Autism.
Readers report marked improvement in the afflicted.
Results of these mantras for financial issues and insomnia are encouraging.
However there is an aspect to be mentioned here.
Some reported seeing images. Hearing sounds,the mantra running at the back of their minds constantly.
One has reported that he was able to cure fever if he touches the patient during the period he was chanting the Mantra.
These need some explanation.
All mantras are to be performed in the manner prescribed and no deviation is allowed.
If the mantras are being followed as per laid down procedure, one may hear sounds, have visions.If one follows Devi Mantra one is likely to hear the tinkling of Anklet bells or bell. These symptoms are indicative that the Mantra procedure is being followed correctly. And during this period one may develop some powers like the ability to cure.One should not be taken in by these, but concentrate in continuing the .Mantra. These are the side effects of the Mantra.
One should not be side tracked by these.
This will hamper spiritual growth.
Mantras have kavchas, Angnnyas, Karanyas.
Recite them before proceeding to Mantra.
Mantras are mystically locked sounds and as such are to be followed carefully.
The other one is the result of chanting the mantra incorrectly or not following the procedure.
The symptoms may be head ache, back pain, burning sensation in the body.
In such cases one must ensure the procedures for the Mantra and everything will become alright. No use in going to a Doctor.
Many people who follow Yoga and Meditation suffer from head ache, neck pain, Spondulitis, back pain and at times,breathing difficulty.
The reason is Yoga is not a physical exercise and it is a spiritual effort.
There are Yogis who took 15 years to practice it.
There are eight steps in Yoga.
Jumping to Pranayama, Asanas and meditation are harmful.
I shall be writing on this based on Patanjali.
Do not be taken In the self styled Yogis and Gurus, who, if the have realized or perfected Yoga would not advertise the fact and charge you.
For Mantras one is to offer Dakshina which is voluntary as Vidya is not to be taken free of cost.
Nor Guru should demand.
*Please read my articles on Japa, Stotr, Parayana.
And there is this accusation that Tantra is basically sex oriented and many indulge in it for Orgies.
I have been meaning to write on Tantra as Password protected , paid articles to restrict access.
I shall do so some time in future.
In the mean while I was worried about some youngsters(Male and Female) asking me whether they can perform Yoni/Linga Pooja.
I have decided to out line what Tantra is.
Do not practice Tantra unless initiated by a Guru .
As I have indicated in many of my articles a real Guru will find you if you are ardent enough.
There are various ways to realize Self/God.
There are,
Gnana Yoga, Path of Knowledge,at the mental level,
Bhakti Yoga,Surrendering to God, emotional Level,
Karma Yoga,path of action, Physical and mental level and
Raja Yoga, reaching the mental discipline through Physical control/regulation.
These were developed by Rishis by personal experience.
It is not mandatory that that all of them suit an individual.
As there are as many dispositions among people there are many paths.
So they differ and what suits one may not suit another.
There is no blanket solution.
One’s mental capacity and wisdom level is to be understood and dispositions analysed before any of the procedures are recommended.
Hence a Guru is needed.
Who is a Guru?
A realized soul who dispassionately analyses you and offer solutions and he does not advertise himself nor does he seek any thing in return.
For more on this read my post who is a Guru.
Self realization is a personal goal and can be attained only by personal experience.
So when one practices any of the methods of Yoga mentioned above, one comes across some practices which have been productive and they are handed down to us.
It need not be conducive to our disposition.
One such practice is Tantra.
There are various practices, Sadhanas in following in any of the four Yogas.
They are,
Mantra, mystically locked Sounds,
Yantra. Geometric images to concentrate with the aid of the Mantras, and Tantras.
Apart from these, which come under Raja yoga and Karma yoga, there are slokas and Stuthis.
Slokas and Stuthis may be followed by any one.
Not Mantra, Yantra and Tantra.
A severe discipline is needed.
These need Guru Upadesa.
However there are some Mantras that can be used without a Guru but by taking Subrahmanya, Dakshinamurthy or Krishna as Guru.
I have posted such Mantras.
Tantra does not find a place in Vedas.
They are found in Agamas and even this is not confirmed.
As stated earlier, these are individual tools obtained while performing any of the four yogas.
Second-hand knowledge of the self gathered from books or gurus can never emancipate a man until its truth is rightly investigated and applied; only direct realisation will do that. Realise yourself, turning the mind inward. – Tripura Rahasya, 18: 89
Tantra (Sanskrit: तन्त्र), also called Tantrism and Tantric religion, is an ancient Indian tradition of beliefs and meditation and ritual practices that seeks to channel the divine energy of the macrocosm or godhead into the human microcosm, to attain siddhis and moksha. It arose no later than the 5th century CE, and it had a strong influence on both Hinduism and Buddhism.
According to David N. Lorenzen, two different kind of definitions of Tantra exist, a “narrow definition” and a “broad definition.” According to the narrow definition, Tantrism, or “Tantric religion,” refers only to the traditions which are based on the Tantras, Samhitas and Agamas. This definition refers primarily to a tradition which is primarily based in the higher social classes, which were literate, and lived in or close by urban centers.
According to the broad definition, Tantra refers to a broad range of religious traditions with a “magical” orientation. This includes the upper class texts and traditions, but also practices and rituals from lower social classes, which were less educated, and lived more in the rural areas.
According to David Gordon White,
Tantra is that Asian body of beliefs and practices which, working from the principle that the universe we experience is nothing other than the concrete manifestation of the divine energy of the godhead that creates and maintains that universe, seeks to ritually appropriate and channel that energy, within the human microcosm, in creative and emancipatory ways
Characteristics of Tantra.
Centrality of ritual, especially the worship of deities
Centrality of mantras
Visualisation of and identification with a deity
Need for initiation, esotericism and secrecy
Importance of a teacher (guru, acharya)
Ritual use of mandalas (maṇḍala)
Transgressive or antinomian acts
Revaluation of the body
Revaluation of the status and role of women
Analogical thinking (including microcosmic or macrocosmic correlation)
Revaluation of negative mental states
Purpose of Tantra.
Tantric ritual seeks to access the supra-mundane through the mundane, identifying the microcosm with the macrocosm.The Tantric aim is to sublimate (rather than negate) reality.The Tantric practitioner seeks to use prana (energy flowing through the universe, including one’s body) to attain goals which may be spiritual, material or both
Tantric teachings are passed on orally in a teacher-student relationship Initiation by a teacher is necessary for the practice to be successful.
Tantra Technics.
Dakshina: Donation or gift to one’s teacher
Diksha: Initiation ritual which may include shaktipat
Yoga, including breathing techniques (pranayama) and postures (asana), is employed to balance the energies in the body/mind.
Mudras, or hand gestures
Mantras: reciting syllables, words, and phrases
Singing of hymns of praise (stava)
Mandalas
Yantras: symbolic diagrams of forces at work in the universe
Visualization of deities and Identification with deities, Dhyana, Dharna
Puja (worship ritual)
Animal sacrifice
Use of taboo substances such as alcohol, cannabis, meat and other entheogens.
Prayashcitta – an expiation ritual performed if a puja has been performed wrongly
Nyasa
Ritual purification (of idols, of one’s body, etc.)
Guru bhakti (devotion) and puja
Yatra: pilgrimage, processions
Vrata: vows, sometimes to do ascetic practices like fasting
The acquisition and use of siddhis or supernormal powers. Associated with the left hand path tantra.
Ganachakra: A ritual feast during which a sacramental meal is offered.
Ritual Music and Dance.
Maithuna: ritual sexual union (visualized or with an actual physical consort).
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