All religions have mantras, which is the language for communicating with God by using his name in comnunction with mystical syllables. The mantra is essentially a mysterious code that unlocks the pathways to god’s grace. Its not just through concentration this is achieved, but the eventual total surrender to God while chanting. Tat japah jadarthabhavanah – the chanter should be aware of the meaning and importance of the mantra while doing japa. According to Patanjali, japa is not just about the mechanical chanting of God’s name, it’s also the contemplation on the meaning of the mantra. There are two kinds of japa: internal and external. The repetition of a mantra produces vibrations in the entire system. A mantra is born out of a sage’s vision of a particular deity which manifests itself. It is then given to the world. Systematic chanting using proper intonation creates harmony between both worlds by creating a resonance in the chanter’s nervous system. Doing a japa correctly is the key to attaining the full power of the mantra. Here are some pointers.
1. The mantra should ideally be given by a guru. Chant it 108 or 1,080 times daily.
2. The Guru Mantra should be kept a secret. Preferably, chant the same mantra always. Bathe in the morning before starting japa or wash hands, feet, face and mouth. Do japa at the time of three transitions: morning, noon and evening and before sleeping.
Start by joining both palms in namaskara to the deity and bow low. Namaskara is indicative of the feeling of union of oneself with the other—“I and you are one”. In this spirit of surrender and oneness, the internal atmosphere needed for contemplation of the diety is born.
3 It’s best to do japa at dawn (Brahmamuhurta) and dusk—the time of Sattva (purity).
4. Face east or north during japa.
5. Chant sitting on a deer skin or a rug. Spread a piece of cloth over it. Japa should be done in a meditation room or in a temple, beside a river or under a banyan or peepul tree.
6. Hold your pose steady and gain mastery of the posture. Strive to sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana for an uninterrupted three hours. Chanting prayers before starting the japa takes the mind to a religious sphere. Start by deciding the number of malas to complete before ending japa.
7. Use a mala made of 108 rudrakshas or tulsi beads. It should not go below the navel. Keep it near the heart or the nose. It should not be visible to you or to others when kept away; cover it with a clean piece of cloth which must be washed every day. Roll the beads with the middle finger and the right thumb . Never use the index finger. Once you reach the knot, start counting in reverse.
8. Break the routine by chanting internally without a mala. If the mind wanders, chant aloud and return to doing japa in the mind after a while.
9. While doing japa, visualise the deity seated in your heart, and divine purity flowing from the god into your mind. Visualise the mantra purifying your heart.
10. Do not do japa in a haste. Chant slowly, by focussing the mind and devotional energy. Create a rythm of chanting, not too slow not too fast. When the mind starts wandering, pick up speed. Be alert. Stand up and chant if you feel sleepy..
11. Attempt to harmonise the rythm of the japa with that of your breath. Keep a picture or idol of the God in front as you chant. Keep in mind the meaning of the Mantra as you chant. Its important to do the japa in a regular fashion to achieve success. Sit in the same place and at the same time every day. You should not ask the diety for anything during japa. The power of the mantra will purify your heart and steady the mind.
12. Observe silence while doing japa. No distractions, phone calls and engagements should interrupt the japa. Do not leave your place once the japa is over and plunge into worldly affairs. Continue to sit in silence for at least ten minutes, reciting a prayer of your choice under your breath, contemplating God. Then, prostrate in front of the picture or idol, and afterwards leave to start your daily routine. This way, the spiritual vibrations of the mantra will not be dissipated. Do japa during your daily activity as well.