A mantra is a special sound or word. By mentalizing (manana) the sound by which one finds salvation is a mantra. The right meaning in the mantra is the guru. The meaningful perception or feeling in it is consciousness (caitanya) or the deity (iSta). Putting this mantra, guru and deity together makes the consciousness of mantra emerge. Let me explain this with an example. Let us say, that ‘tamarind’[1] is a word. This word is like a mantra. As long as one does not know the meaning of the word, so long it is a dead word. Repeating it a thousand times will not bring any knowledge about it. Then someone comes and explains the shape and taste etc. of tamarind. Then one learns the meaning of the word; this meaning is the guru. Now, pronouncing the word ‘tamarind’, the knowledge about its acidity appears. Then, when you see that on reciting that word, the perception of it appears, that is, on saying ‘tamarind’, your tongue waters, then you will understand that the word has gained consciousness. Similarly in other cases. You say ‘kind Mother'. Immediately, your heart is filled by the feeling of kindness. When this happens, you will know that the word ‘kind’ has been pronounced right. You are saying ‘Mother’, but you do not know who it is, you do not know the meaning of the word; as long as you say ‘Mother’ in this fashion, it will remain a dead mantra. Then, someone explains to you, that the word Mother means ‘source of complete affection, an universal consciousness, which is your Self’. When one understands this, by the grace of the teacher, then, on saying ‘Mother’, one arouses the perception of a condensation of affection, an universal consciousness. Then one will know that the mantra ‘Mother’ has acquired consciousness. Without understanding the meaning, without feeling and perceiving the mantra according to its meaning, only by reciting them, do not bring proper results. Only because of the lack of mantra consciousness, the spiritual quest looks difficult and dark. So, reciting any hymns or repeating any mantras, or chanting the holy names, should be done by understanding the meaning and being aroused by that feeling; only then will the results be perceived quickly.
Monday, August 16, 2010
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