Mantras
Mantras must be chanted or recited with unwavering devotion and motivation. Chanting them as a matter-of-course deprives them of power and is practically useless from the point of view of conscious growth, evolution and effect.
How to sit: Sitting in position which maximizes the total effect of mantras is desirable. According to the ancient systems, the lotus posture is the best asana for meditation and for mantras. Other asanas (postures) which are recommended in order of effect for meditation or the practice of mantras are:
1. Padma Asana
2. Vaira Asana
3. Siddha Asana or Vajra Asana.
Once you have decided upon the asana for a particular mantra, you must use the same mantra for the duration of the chanting. You can sit on the earth ( as distinct from floor), on a deer skin, a tiger skin, a wooden platform, a cotton or plant fibre mat. Synthetic materials should not be used.
Where to chant: Mantras should be chanted in a quiet place. Once a place has been chosen, it should become permanent for all practical purposes.
Best time: The best time for chanting mantras is the Brahmamahurta ( 4 a.m.). Other good times are the transition periods i.e. when night is turning into day ( dawn and sunrise), when day is turning into night (twilight and sunset). You can also choose the time before going to bed. Having chosen your time, you should be regular about the hours and duration of your chanting.
Position: If chanting mantras during the day time, you should sit facing the north or the east. If chanting mantras during the night, you should sit facing the north. Rosary: Generally, a mala or rosary of 108 Rudraksha or tulsi (basil) or sandalwood beads is used when chanting mantras. According to ancient texts, the following beads can be used for chanting specific mantras:
1. For obtaining wealth : Rosary of coral beads
2. For begetting children : Rosary of Putrajiva beads
3. For fulfillment of desires : Rosary of crystals
Preferably, your rosary should not be visible to others when you are using it. Covering your hand with a cloth or a specially made covering is a common practice. With the rosary hanging over the middle, ring and index finger of the right hand, the thumb and middle finger are generally used to roll the beads. You must not cross the ' head' of the rosary when rolling the beads and must revert to the head after completing a rosary. How often: The number of times a mantra has to be chanted is usually specified. Normally, it is considered auspicious to chant a mantra 11 times, or 108 times or in multiples of 108. Once you have fixed upon the number, you can increase it but cannot decrease it.
How to sit: Sitting in position which maximizes the total effect of mantras is desirable. According to the ancient systems, the lotus posture is the best asana for meditation and for mantras. Other asanas (postures) which are recommended in order of effect for meditation or the practice of mantras are:
1. Padma Asana
2. Vaira Asana
3. Siddha Asana or Vajra Asana.
Once you have decided upon the asana for a particular mantra, you must use the same mantra for the duration of the chanting. You can sit on the earth ( as distinct from floor), on a deer skin, a tiger skin, a wooden platform, a cotton or plant fibre mat. Synthetic materials should not be used.
Where to chant: Mantras should be chanted in a quiet place. Once a place has been chosen, it should become permanent for all practical purposes.
Best time: The best time for chanting mantras is the Brahmamahurta ( 4 a.m.). Other good times are the transition periods i.e. when night is turning into day ( dawn and sunrise), when day is turning into night (twilight and sunset). You can also choose the time before going to bed. Having chosen your time, you should be regular about the hours and duration of your chanting.
Position: If chanting mantras during the day time, you should sit facing the north or the east. If chanting mantras during the night, you should sit facing the north. Rosary: Generally, a mala or rosary of 108 Rudraksha or tulsi (basil) or sandalwood beads is used when chanting mantras. According to ancient texts, the following beads can be used for chanting specific mantras:
1. For obtaining wealth : Rosary of coral beads
2. For begetting children : Rosary of Putrajiva beads
3. For fulfillment of desires : Rosary of crystals
Preferably, your rosary should not be visible to others when you are using it. Covering your hand with a cloth or a specially made covering is a common practice. With the rosary hanging over the middle, ring and index finger of the right hand, the thumb and middle finger are generally used to roll the beads. You must not cross the ' head' of the rosary when rolling the beads and must revert to the head after completing a rosary. How often: The number of times a mantra has to be chanted is usually specified. Normally, it is considered auspicious to chant a mantra 11 times, or 108 times or in multiples of 108. Once you have fixed upon the number, you can increase it but cannot decrease it.
Shiva Kalpa
Shiva Mantras for quick spiritual development typically invoked during the pious Shiva Ratri period (few days before and after)
This is typically conducted during Magh Purnima prior to ShivRatri till Phalgun Shukla Or Any months Pradosh
Gaurishwar Shiva Sadhana Hreem Om Namah Shivaay Hreeng This is for Complete prosperity, beauty and peace at home Face Uttar Disha
Indrayshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Hroum Hreem Namah Shivay Paaapmukti - to free yourself from sins
Shiddheswar Shiva Sadhaana Om Shreem Monvaaanchhitam Dehi Om Om Namah Shivay Manokaaaamna Poorti Haytu - to fulfill desires (uttar Disha)
Brihaspatishwar Shiva Sadhana Om Shreem Namah Shivaaay Om Shreem Addhyatmik Unnatii, Moksha Praptee, Shastra Gyan, Shiva Darshan (only morning, uttar ya Purva)
Pingaleshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Hreem Gloum Namah Shivaaay Illness
MahaKaleshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Joom Sah Paalay Paalay Sah Joom Om For Self protection and victory
Pushpadantayshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Hreem Hroum Kaarya Siddhim Namah Shivay Sarva Karya Siddhu Haytu (for success in your ventures)
(Translation of Directions/DISHA: UTTAR is NORTH, DAKSHIN SOUTH, PURAV EAST, PASCHIM WEST) Thanks, SHIVA BHAKTA
This is typically conducted during Magh Purnima prior to ShivRatri till Phalgun Shukla Or Any months Pradosh
Gaurishwar Shiva Sadhana Hreem Om Namah Shivaay Hreeng This is for Complete prosperity, beauty and peace at home Face Uttar Disha
Indrayshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Hroum Hreem Namah Shivay Paaapmukti - to free yourself from sins
Shiddheswar Shiva Sadhaana Om Shreem Monvaaanchhitam Dehi Om Om Namah Shivay Manokaaaamna Poorti Haytu - to fulfill desires (uttar Disha)
Brihaspatishwar Shiva Sadhana Om Shreem Namah Shivaaay Om Shreem Addhyatmik Unnatii, Moksha Praptee, Shastra Gyan, Shiva Darshan (only morning, uttar ya Purva)
Pingaleshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Hreem Gloum Namah Shivaaay Illness
MahaKaleshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Joom Sah Paalay Paalay Sah Joom Om For Self protection and victory
Pushpadantayshwar Shiva Sadhana Om Hreem Hroum Kaarya Siddhim Namah Shivay Sarva Karya Siddhu Haytu (for success in your ventures)
(Translation of Directions/DISHA: UTTAR is NORTH, DAKSHIN SOUTH, PURAV EAST, PASCHIM WEST) Thanks, SHIVA BHAKTA
PANCHAVAKTRA MANTRA
Mantra: AUM PANCAHVAKTRAYE VIDMAHE MAHADEVAYE DHI-MAHI TAN NO RUDRA PRACHODAYAT Translation: We contemplate on Mahadeva, may Rudra deirect our minds.
The presiding deighty of Visshudi Chakra is Panchavaktra Shiva. He has a camphor-blue skin and five heads, representing the spectrum of smell, taste, sight, touch and sound, as well as the union of all five elements in their purest forms. He holds a mala (rosary), a drum which drones continually, manifesting the sound AUM, and a trident. The fourth hand is in Abhaya mudra, the gesture of dispelling fear.
The presiding deighty of Visshudi Chakra is Panchavaktra Shiva. He has a camphor-blue skin and five heads, representing the spectrum of smell, taste, sight, touch and sound, as well as the union of all five elements in their purest forms. He holds a mala (rosary), a drum which drones continually, manifesting the sound AUM, and a trident. The fourth hand is in Abhaya mudra, the gesture of dispelling fear.
Shiva Mahimna Stotra
The 'Siva-Mahimna Stotra' composed by Pushpadanta is the most popular hymn on Siva in North India. Sri Ramakirshna certainly knew it by heart. One day he was reciting this hymn in one of the twelve Siva temples at Dakshineswar when he came to the following verse:
"Asitagirisamam(were the mountain) syat(ink) kaijalam(ocean) sindhupatre (inkpot) Surataruvarasakha(longest branch) lekhani(write) patramurvi(pen); Likhati yadi grihitva Sarada sarvakalam Tadapi tava gunanamisa param na yati."
which means: "Oh Lord, if the blue mountian be the ink, the ocean the ink-pot, the biggest branch of the heavenly tree be the pen, the earth the writing leaf and taking these if Sarada, the goddess of learning, writes for eternity, even then the limit of Your virtues will not be reached." Reciting the aforesaid verse, Sri Ramakrishna entered into an ecstatic mood and cried out again and again, "O Great God, how can I express your great glory?" All came running towards that spot hearing the cries of Thakur. Mathur Babu was in the temple at that time. Hearing the uproar, he also came and prevented others from removing Sri Ramakrishna forcibly from the Siva temple. Mathur had already formed a high opinion about Sri Ramakrishna by that time. When Thakur came down to normal consciousness and saw the crowd, he asked Mathur whether he had done anything wrong. Mathur saluted him and said, "No, Ba Ba (father), you were reciting a hymn: I stood here lest some one should disturb you unthinkingly." Thus Mathur Babu protected and served Thakur in all possible ways for fourteen years like Nandi who eternally serves Lord Siva. Truly Mathur Babu and Hriday were to Sri Ramakrishna, what Nandi and Bhringi are to Siva. At another time, Mathur Babu actually saw Sri Ramakrishna as Siva and Kali alternately, as Thakur was pacing up and down.
"Asitagirisamam(were the mountain) syat(ink) kaijalam(ocean) sindhupatre (inkpot) Surataruvarasakha(longest branch) lekhani(write) patramurvi(pen); Likhati yadi grihitva Sarada sarvakalam Tadapi tava gunanamisa param na yati."
which means: "Oh Lord, if the blue mountian be the ink, the ocean the ink-pot, the biggest branch of the heavenly tree be the pen, the earth the writing leaf and taking these if Sarada, the goddess of learning, writes for eternity, even then the limit of Your virtues will not be reached." Reciting the aforesaid verse, Sri Ramakrishna entered into an ecstatic mood and cried out again and again, "O Great God, how can I express your great glory?" All came running towards that spot hearing the cries of Thakur. Mathur Babu was in the temple at that time. Hearing the uproar, he also came and prevented others from removing Sri Ramakrishna forcibly from the Siva temple. Mathur had already formed a high opinion about Sri Ramakrishna by that time. When Thakur came down to normal consciousness and saw the crowd, he asked Mathur whether he had done anything wrong. Mathur saluted him and said, "No, Ba Ba (father), you were reciting a hymn: I stood here lest some one should disturb you unthinkingly." Thus Mathur Babu protected and served Thakur in all possible ways for fourteen years like Nandi who eternally serves Lord Siva. Truly Mathur Babu and Hriday were to Sri Ramakrishna, what Nandi and Bhringi are to Siva. At another time, Mathur Babu actually saw Sri Ramakrishna as Siva and Kali alternately, as Thakur was pacing up and down.
Shri adi shankaracharya's famous Nirvana Shatakam!
Na punyam na papam na saukhyam na dukham
Na mantro na tirtham na veda na yagnaha
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham .
I am not attached to any righteousness) or sin; I have neither pleasure nor sorrow; I have no need for any Mantra; I have no need for pilgrimages ; I have no need for any sacred scriptures; Nor will I perform any sacred rituals; I am neither the subject nor the object nor the doer; I am a fortunate, joyful, supreme being as the emblem of truth, knowledge and eternal bliss. I am the self spiritual joy of pure consciousness Shiva, Shivoham, Shivoham.
Na mantro na tirtham na veda na yagnaha
Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhokta
Chidananda rupah shivoham shivoham .
I am not attached to any righteousness) or sin; I have neither pleasure nor sorrow; I have no need for any Mantra; I have no need for pilgrimages ; I have no need for any sacred scriptures; Nor will I perform any sacred rituals; I am neither the subject nor the object nor the doer; I am a fortunate, joyful, supreme being as the emblem of truth, knowledge and eternal bliss. I am the self spiritual joy of pure consciousness Shiva, Shivoham, Shivoham.