Sanaathana Saaradaa – 2 : Effect of mantras in a Pooja

SRI SAARADAA DAYAA CHANDRIKAA :
21–07–2017, Friday.

SANAATANA SAARADAA—2.

Today we try to know of some basic information about the “Effect of mantras in a Pooja”, as expressed by U in Ur message, within the limitations this social medium. I try to avoid the technical jargon as much as possible in order to make the writeup reader-friendly. The subject we are going to deal with is fully abstract. To understand such abstract subject we’ve to awaken our subtler intelligence-faculties that can help us go through this with fully sustained interest and enthusiasm.

In simple words, Theism believes rationalistically that the source of all creation is purely Conscious Intelligence-Source while Atheism believes, with its own rationalism, that the existence of the universe is the result of mere mechanistic principles. The Upanishadic Philosophy declares and demonstrates that there is inherent intelligence in the system of the universe. Consequently, this universal intelligence that permeates the entire creation which has been functioning with the fundamental trait of constant change. That which constantly changes, logically, requires a permanent or immutable support which is everlasting. These two conditions presuppose a unique Source-Entity which is beyond the dimensions of space and time. This Eternal and Ubiquitous Entity is experienced by our Upanishadic Rishis after an intense and enduring “tapas”. This is called by them with different names such as AUM, BRAHMAN, PARAMAATMAN, BHOOMA, SAT-CHIT-AANANDA and so on. From this Eternal Reality every thing takes shape.

Taittireeya Upanishad reveals that the entire universe is brought about from the Aatman/Brahman, following His own will. From Him first came out the Space with the fundamental property of “Sound”(Sabda). From Space(Aakaasa) came out Air(Vaayu) with “Touch” (Sparsa) property. From Air came out Fire(Agni) with “Form”(Roopa) property. From Fire came out Water(Ap or Jala) with “Taste”(Ruchi) property.From water came out the Earth (Prithivi or Bhoomi) which is endowed with “Smell”(Gandha) property.

Of all these Sabda, Sparsa, Roopa, Rasa, & Gandha, Sabda is of utmost importance to us here both in spiritual & all worldly endeavours. Here, in Vedic culture, Sabda or Sound is classified into:
1. Vaak or Word &
2. Naada which is untranslatable into any other language in the world. Now and here, we enter into our topical subject. Our mystical Rishis who are gifted with yogic vision could experience this Naada phenomenon and defined it like this:

“Nakaaram praananaamaanam
Dakaaram analo viduh |
Praanenaanala samyogaat
Naada naamaabhidheeyate”|| 

It means, in Naada, “Na” implies praana vaayu in us and “Da” signifies agni tatwa in us. When the spiritual seeker or saadhaka invokes these two potential subtle energy-sources with the help of of a Mantra of his chosen Deity, then the Saatvic vibrations generated within the subtle body (the combination of mind, intellect, ego and the accumulated memory-repository) purge all negative tendencies (pratikoola or nakaaraatmaka sanskaaras). This helps the saadhaka to remain fit to receive the Grace of the Lord.The Science of Naada declares:

“Naadena vyajate varnah
Padam varnaat padaat vachah|
Vachaso vyavahharo’yam
Naadaadheenam atah jagat”||

“All syllables are the products of Naada. All words are produced by syllables. All sentences are composed of  words.  Sentences are the very source of all human communication, whether worldly or spiritual. Hence the entire human world is governed by the Naada”.

This Naada is the cardinal component for both Mantra and  Music. So Mantra Upaasana and/or Sangeeta Upaasana are/is nothing but Naada Upaasana. But Music has a slight edge over Mantra by the

way of edifying even the ardent listeners of Music as declared by Sri Naaraayana Teertha at the end of his magnum opus “Sri Krishnaleelaa Tarangini“:

“Kaamadaa kaaminaamesha
Mumukshoonaam cha moksadaa|
Srunvataam gaayataam bhaktyaa
KrishnaleelaaTaranginee”||

Here it is said that either worldly desires or salvation can be obtained by either singing or  listening to Krishnaleelaa Tarangini with dedicated devotion.

Thank you.