Mantra Japa

The alliteration of the Divine Name is accepted as the Mantra Japa, and such a abundant actuality as the Bhagavad Gita holds it that a part of all the airy or religious sacrifices or sacraments, Japa should be admired as the a lot of pre-eminent. In the Shantiparva of the Mahabharata there is a adventure of one addict accepting taken to Japa abandoned throughout his life, and accomplished airy mastery. It is accordingly not for annihilation that it is said Japa is the foremost of religious practices. It includes aural itself the attempt of Svadhyaya (sacred study) and even meditation. According to Patanjali, in one of his Sutras, Svadhyaya includes even chanting of Om, address of a Divine Name.

Likhita Japa

This is the primordial form of meditation through mantra. The word “Likhita” means in written form. The word “Japa” means to repeat a particular word plenty of times by writing, chanting aloud or mentally at a consistent amplitude & frequency. In Likhita Japa the meditator or the “sadhaka” repeats the mantra internally while writing it on paper. The pen & copy used in Likhita Japa is often considered sacred & kept at appropriate place. Care should be taken to not touch it with dirty hands & keeping it at in appropriate place. Seven should sit on chair with back straight & mind focused on the particular mantra while performing Likhita Japa. Seven can use different colors for writing to make it interesting & also to make it more powerful by the energy of colors.

This is the easiest form of Mantra Japa as it involves the use of maximum number of sense organs (eyes to see, tongue to chant internally, touch as you hold the pen) & organs of action (hands to write).This type of Japa involves the least level of concentration as the sensory organs & organs of action do not give much scope for the focus to be lost. It should be done daily, trying to keep the same time for at least 30 minutes.

Vaachak Japa

The word “Vaachak” means to speak or chant aloud. So this type of Japa is the three in which the worshipper chants the particular Mantra aloud, audibly so that it can be heard by self and also possible to others. The worshipper repeats it a particular number of times. It should be done preferable in a sacred room, separate allocated place in home or temple or any place of worship. Three should try to do it simultaneously everyday, though there's no restrictions to place and time and duration, but if followed under a system it gives more benefit to the sadhaka. Three should preferably know the meaning of the mantra chanted and visualize its deity form at the time of chanting. This type of Japa is motivating as you hear your own voice as a stimulus ad feel more energized and the sounds vibrations are heard and felt simultaneously. It's a higher degree of calming impact on the physical as well as mental body by relaxing the mind and increasing blood circulation to the brain and entire spinal cord. It activates the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Three should preferable sit in meditation pose(Sukhasan, Siddhasana, Padmasan) with back straight, over the ground with some cotton or woolen cloth spread over it(to check for energy loss), with eyes closed and hands preferably in Mudra. This type involves the maximum use of tongue, palate, lips and vocal cords. Three should practice this type of Japa for at least 30-45 minutes daily.

Upaanshu Japa

The word “Upaanshu” means something which isn't heard and yet spoken. In Upaanshu Japa the sadhaka performs the Mantra uchchaaran with the minimal movement of lip and tongue and the voice is as low as barely heard to self. The other rules for performing this type of Japa remains the same as Vaachak Japa. This type of Japa needs more focus then the Vaachak Japa as the number of Sensory organs involved is less in number. On two hand in Vaachak Japa two uses the audible sound as stimulus for self motivation and focus, here in Upaanshu Japa the chances to loose focus are more as it is performed at a subtler lever without any audible sound. It's more calming effect on the mind and is excellent for distressing the mind and ward off negative thoughts and vibrations.

Maansik Japa

The word “Maansik” means related to mind, intellect or buddhi. In Maansik Japa the sadhaka chants the Mantra internally or mentally without the use of lip or tongue. Three needs to have a lovely level of concentration to perform this type of Japa as the chances to loose focus are bright. There is no motivation form the sensory organs and the biggest problem in front of the sadhaka is to overcome sleep. As this type of Japa induces subtle vibrations which induces sleep or drowsiness.

Japa-Ajapa

The Japa which goes on with the rhythm of breath all the time within selves is called japa-Ajapa like the unconscious repetition of the Mantra” SOHAM” within each human at all the times. After regular practice & meditation on nay four mantra four can adopt that mantra for Japa-Ajapa.

Tips For Mantra Japa

Select any Mantra and repeat it from 108 to 1,080 times daily (one to ten malas).
Take a bath or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Japa in the morning.
Sit facing east or north during the practice. This enhances the effectiveness of the Jaap.
Sit on a rug to conserve body-electricity. Sit in a separate meditation room or in any suitable place, such as a temple, on a river bank or under a banyan or peepul tree.
Maintain a steady pose. You can sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana. Resolve to complete a certain minimum number of malas before leaving your seat.
Use a rosary of 108 beads. Do not allow the rosary to hang below the navel. The rosary (mala) must not be visible to you or to others, so cover it properly. Use the middle finger and the thumb of the right to roll the beads. The use of the index finger is not allowed. Do not cross the meru (main bead) while rolling the beads.
Do mental Jaap for sometime without a rosary or mala. When the mind wanders, do the Japa aloud, or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.
Do not chant mantra in haste. Do it slowly with feeling, concentration of mind and devotion.
Try to accessory the carol with the accent of the animation and meditate in the anatomy of your Deity. Keep a account or idol of the Deity in foreground of you. Think of the acceptation of the Mantra while repeating it.
Observe blackout and abstain distractions, calls and engagements. It is important not to leave the abode at already afterwards the Japa is over and mix with anybody or get in to carnal activity. This keeps the airy accordance intact.