The Ancient Science of Mantras

There are 16 critical factors that will ensure your success on the path of mantra yoga. All 16 requisites, however, depend on the singular most important element — grace. Without divine grace, it is impossible to attain siddhi (success).

1. Bhakti (devotion) 2. Shudhi (purification) 3. Asana (seat)

2. Panchang Sevan (five types of food) 5. Achara (conduct)

3. Dharana (concentration) 7. Divyadesh Sevan (self-identification)

4. Prana Kriya (breath regulation) 9. Mudra (hand locks)

5. Tarpana (libations) 11. Havan (fire offerings) 12. Bali (sacrifice)

6. Yaag (contemplation and inner worship) 14. Japa (chanting)

7. Dhyana (meditation) and 16. Samadhi (absorption)

Editorial Note

A mantra, as we’ve read above, is not just a set of phonetic sounds but a powerful sonic science. If you hold faith in a deity, the path of mantra yoga will help you progress in meditation. And a vital tool in mantra yoga is mantra meditation.

The questions below elaborate on mantra meditation practice, including its specifics, technicalities and benefits.

• 0:20 – 1:08: Uses of the common types of chanting beads

• 1:08 – 2:18: Types of beads in mantra sadhana and tantra sadhana

• 2:19 – 4:25: The ultimate chanting beads

• 4:26 - 6:48: Types of mantras in mantra sadhana

• 6:49 – 10:49: Becoming one with a mantra

• 0:44 – 5:27: How the Gayatri Mantra meditation boosts the brain

• 5:28 – 6:25: Why the Gayatri Mantra was earlier chanted while standing in running water

• 6:26 – 10:26: How the pattern of breathing and deep breathing helps the Gayatri Mantra meditation

• 0:48 – 3:03: The sadhak who broke process in mantra siddhi and suffered the consequences

• 3:04 – 7:02: The different levels of siddhis

• 7:03 – 11:49: Meditation in a cremation ground

• 0:10 – 2:42: Meditating at home

• 2:42 – 8:07: The different systems of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu

• 8:08 – 9:41: Where to meditate for attainment of siddhis

• 9:42 – 12:08: The story of the Rudranath saint

• 0:10 – 1:38: Is it better to chant mantras loudly or internally?

• 1:39 – 2:40: For a purascharana, is it necessary for the sadhak to take the mantra from an enlightened guru?

• 2:41 – 8:45: The different aspects of mantra chanting