Swami Shivapadananda

Understanding and using mantra

 

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]

[now a Centre of the international Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission]

DAILY READINGS

Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.

Day 833

If you say the word and understand the meaning [of a mantra or scriptural sloka or verse] there and then something will happen. And when it happens then [spiritual] evolution will come quickly. Will come earlier. So if we look at the words AUM bhur bwah swaha, let's see what it means. AUM is the [universal] sound symbol [shabd].

There are two symbols; concrete symbol and sound symbol. Every word is a symbol. What you talk is a symbol. It keeps in mind certain ideas. And every word,[like] 'come', is a symbol, 'go', is a symbol. Similarly AUM is a symbol, but it is the highest symbol. It is the symbol of Satchidanand. Sat-chid-anand.

I agree when the Upanishad [Hindu philosophical treatises] says that the 'A' [in AUM] is for waking state, 'U' is for dream state and 'M' is for….not deep sleep….deep sleep there does not mean this ordinary sleep, it means sleep for good. [laughter] When it is withdrawn…when it is?......withdrawn. That's where we have a little bit off difference between duality ['dvaita'-where we perceive ourselves as one thing and God another] and monism ['advaita' - where everything is regarded as one consciousness] – where you say the whole world is one.

For instance, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu advocated 'duality' [or dualism] which is right for a certain stage of people [and spiritual development]. But what is the highest? They say [Adi] Shankaracharya was a fool. But Shankaracharya was not a fool.

You say that you do japa [the meditative repetition of a mantra or one of the many names attributed to God] or meditation. You sit with Krishna Bhagawan [Lord], Krishna Bhagawan will love you, Krishna Bhagawan will give you everything, huh? But the Advaitist [non-dualist or monist i.e. proponent of the One universal consciousness] asks you one simple question, that is: It's good what you say – that is right, if you have the desire to meet Krishna Bhagwan, Krishna Bhagwan must meet you because says in the Bhagavad Gita, 'Whatsoever you desire I shall fulfill.' But He [God] is perfect and positive everywhere. So the Advaitist asks you this [one] question: 'Where is Bhagwan [the Lord]?' He's in heaven' [you answer].

But then the Advaitist [monist - advaitin] says, 'Please tell me – who made heaven? Who made it?' You reply 'God made heaven.' 'Oh [says the Advaitist] , where was He before making heaven? Give me that answer.'

Swamiji: Where was He? If He made heaven and that is where He is 'living' – like [maybe] I built this house and I'm living in this house but before building this house, where was I? So they ask you a simple question. You can stay with Krishna Bhagwan alright, but where was He before making that heaven? He was One without a second - that is what we call Brahman [the One, indivisible consciousness]. We don't know what He is – He Himself knows what He is. [continues in post 834]

1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time. 

2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.

There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. 

Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.

For more about the Holy Trinity, and also the founding Swamis of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, please mouse over their names below:

Sri Ramakrishna    Sri Sarada Devi     Swami Vivekananda  

Swami Nischalananda  Swami Shivapadananda 

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - read online

Reference websites - please mouse over the name and click to connect:

Ramakrishna Math and Mission    Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa    Ramakrishna Dham

 

Swami Shivapadananda on the immediate power of mantra

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji

565

[Pictured: Paramahamsa Sri Ramakrishna 1836-1886]

   

So why does the mantra [sacred sound syllables or words or one of the may names of God] not work sometimes? Because we have come to think of it as an ordinary word, an ordinary mantra. We have no faith. Now is the time to awaken this faith. Sri Ramakrishna has awakened the mantras.

The gurus have told us that these are awakened mantras, they are mantras that will direct every force that you want directed. They must work.

Om hanumate namah, Om hanumate namah, Om hanumate namah. [A mantra to Sri Hanuman]. You say the mantra three times and you clap your hands each time. It is a sattvic mantra and it will protect the devotee. Now when you clap you may think that it is just an ordinary clap, it is not. As far as the sound travels, so far the vibration goes and no vice [evil] can enter that particular area.

Sri Ramakrishna's mantra: Om aim sarva deva devi swaroopaya Sri Ramakrishnaya namah [see footnote for meaning], is an awakened mantra. But every day we do it mechanically. You must put your faith in it and know that it is Master's mantra. Know that the Rishis have given it. Know that the gurus have told us that this is an awakened mantra. It must work.

How is it that Sri Ramakrishna just touched a man's chest and said, 'Awake Mother, awake,' and the man got into an ecstatic mood? Christ just said, 'Behold' and the man could see the Lord's vision. God is there, but you and I can go on shouting 'Behold' from now until doomsday, nothing happens. Why? Because we have not got that faith, we are treating it as an ordinary thing.

The same words can have tremendous power when you say the mantra with faith, belief and purity. It must happen, it has to happen.

Sometimes we say the mantra while we are thinking about other things, or while we are looking at other people; that is why it does not work. If you want to do it properly, close your eyes, see the Deity [Ishta Deva] and say the mantra to that particular Deity. That Deity is the embodiment of all the things that the scriptures talk of. It is a Veda [scripture] on its own. Your Deity's body is made out of Satchidananda [Existence, Knowledge, Bliss Absolute].

Footnote: Meaning of the Sri Ramakrishna Mantra

Om aim sarva deva devi swaroopaya Sri Ramakrishnaya namah. - I prostrate to Sri Ramakrishna who is the consciousness of all the gods and goddesses.

1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time.

2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.

There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.

 

Swami Shivapadananda on the protective power of mantra

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji

564

[Pictured: Sri Hanuman, the great brahmachari devotee of Lord Rama]

   

[At a Yoga Camp]

The wife should look at the husband as veritable spirit. The husband should look at the wife as veritable spirit.

At least for these three days at this Yoga Camp you have to go about with your mind pure, with your heart as a shrine of God and not as a shrine of the ego. Sri Ramakrishna's 'solitude' became a Yoga Camp, and today many take refuge in it and fashion their lives on it.

I want to warn you that I am not here to intellectualise you; because everything intellectual will externalise you. I am here to tell you the simple truth, the homely truth. And if this homely truth can do something to your heart, then we have succeeded.

To you I say, 'Blessed art thou. In thy presence I am blessed. May you inspire me and may I inspire you.' Om Tat Sat.

The power of your sadhana [spiritual practice] must make every word you utter come true. When you say, 'God protect the teacher,' there must be immediate protection which, though invisible, will protect the teacher. Similarly when you say, 'Protect me,' the purity and power of your sadhana will protect you. There is a kind of a force, a kind of a vibration, that protects you. These mantras are not mere words, they are sacred words that were heard in the depths of the hearts of the Rishis [Seer-Saint-Sages]. Therefore they are not ordinary words. They have in them the metre [rhythm], the force of purity, the force of faith, the force of the Rishi himself. Have faith in the mantra. It will work because the guru [spiritual preceptor] has given it to you. And if you have faith that the mantra will work, it must work.

From a young age I used the [Hanuman] mantra: Om hanumate namah - may no danger befall you. If these words have that power, then every mantra of the Vedas [ancient Hindu scriptures] has the same power.

1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time.

2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.

There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.

   

 

Swami Shivapadananda on Japa power

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 412

   

Don't compare yourself with anybody else. If you are doing one mala [rosary or prayer beads] with patience and perseverance, now try to do five malas in the morning and in the evening. You will find a difference in your own self. By now you should know that your japa [repetition of a mantra or God's names] is very little. Others who are doing ten malas, keep it to ten - but do it sincerely. Do not run like a racehorse. After all, your telling [moving the beads on] a mala does not make you a holy man. But it can purify you, to capture the holiness of God Himself.

Brahman [the indivisible universal conscousness] cannot be experienced in thought, word and deed.

As you do sadhana [spiritual practice], think only of God and one's [higher] Self.

You must love a particular aspect of God intensely - not [in a] lukewarm [manner]. Then see the Cosmic Being behind that, and then see the Absolute behind that. Go step by step.

From a jnana [yoga of knowledge] point of view there is no man, no object or subject - but know that God manifests through all names and forms. I must manipulate my own mind - but most people want to manipulate the mind of others.

During an Upanishad [Hindu philosophical treatises] class: Once you identify yourself with the deity, you become the deity itself.

Upanishad commentary: The devotee's mind will be stuck on the Lord.

Swamiji: That is a very good thing. You prostrate to the guru's feet, not the head. Ishwara becomes the Ishta Devata [personal deity]: Ramakrishna. 

Swami Shivapadananda on Mantra meaning

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 400

   

The mantra [sacred word, sound syllable or God's names] should not be automatic, mechanical. If the habit of japa [repetition of the mantra] grows from within, unfolds from within, it blossoms from within like a lotus [flower]. Only then is there intelligent, meaningful living.

Gurudev [Swamiji's Guru, Swami Nischalananda Puri] said to me, 'Repeat the mantra.' Later he asked me, 'How is it going?' I said, 'Okay, Swamiji.' 'And how is the concentration?' 'Okay, Swamiji.' A few weeks later, Gurudev asked me the same question and I gave the same answer. One day I looked at the meaning of the mantra and suddenly thought, 'Ah.' Next day Gurudev asked me the same question again and I just smiled at him. Gurudev smiled too and turned away.

Yoga [from the Sanskrit root word 'Yuk' – to unite] is when one's whole life is one. But our life is in bits. One part is yoga and one part is money, business etc.

When you see anger arising try to hold it back. Then you have control of the senses.

God wants your love. He does not want your flowers, your garlands, your Prasad [sacramental food offerings], He wants your love. If you give God the cheapest [items, but with love], He will give you the same, ten times over.

Never lie to the guru otherwise he will feel he cannot trust you ever again.

When you are really yearning you will go inside, you will stop looking outside.

Swami Shivapadananda with mantras

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 396

   

You wake [up] at night? Ask for peace, without motivation. Repeat these [mantra] words:

Om saha naavavatu sahanau bhunaktu saha veeryam karavavahai

Tejasvi navadhitamastu ma vidhvishavahai

Om shantih! Om shantih! Om shantih! 

Meaning:

May He protect us both (the teacher and the taught) together (by revealing knowledge).

May He protect us both (by vouchsafing [give or allow] the results of knowledge).

May we attain vigour together. Let what we study be invigorating. May we not cavil [bicker with, find fault, argue] at each other.

Om Peace! Peace! Peace!

Say it over and over and over.

If you offer your love to God, He becomes your slave. What does God want? Nothing worldly. But He wants your love.

Krishna drove Radha mad [with devotion], till she went singing and dancing in the streets for the love of Krishna. Can we be like that for God?

The guru is in all, everywhere, but we cannot see that. We only see his manifestation in one place. Later we will see the guru in all. Till then concentrate on the guru and become egoless.

Desirelessness leads to non-attachment and contentment. This itself is the middle path. This means not to desire to do something; and not to desire not to do something.

Om Namah Shivaya [Shiva]. Say it and Shiva is standing there, all of Cosmic Consciousness is there now.

Swami Shivapadananda on mantra power

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha's notes, written at Swamiji's feet.

Day 378

A mantra's [sacred word, sound syllable, name of God] effect depends on the faith you put into it. If you think it is a blessing, it is. If you think it is not a blessing, it is not. If you think the mantra will give liberation, it will.

Only go to one guru [spiritual Preceptor] for instructions in spiritual matters. Never doubt the guru's word. If he tells you one thing today and something else tomorrow, [it's] okay, have absolute faith in his words.

Krishna indicated to Arjuna [his disciple]: 'Live in the world and fight.'

A devotee only needs devotion, love for the feet of the guru.

God and His name are the same.

Soham [the mantra: I am That] is without form. It is a prayer to turn within all the time. 'I am,' is God manifested as life. Repeat it constantly.

The Light of all lights shows us the darkness of ignorance within. Go within, within, within.

At one time Sri Sarada Devi [the nun wife of Sri Ramakrishna] prayed to God, 'Even the moon has a stain, let me not have even that.' Sri Ramakrishna came, in answer to her prayer, and said, 'That is good but thought, word and deed must all be the same - you must say what you think.' That is a great secret, watch your thoughts.

Gurudev [Swamiji's Guru, Swami Nischalananda Puri] told me: "Be content with what comes your way. Welcome what comes, do not go after what does not come."

What is desire? Get rid of it.

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Swami Shivapadananda on the healing power of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY

READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 343

 

The guru is One - is light. I go to the guru when I realise I am ignorant, and that this ignorance is dreadful, is causing all this unhappiness. The guru helps to dispel the darkness. The light must be there, but unless I am awake it will not do anything for me.

 

Craving is caused by contact with the senses. Meditation breaks the contact.

 

From sensation comes thought and ideas. And these lead to desire.

 

If the past worries you ask [the Divine] Mother to bury it. Live in the present. Be attached to God’s feet, not to the past.

 

To be an instrument of peace, I must be peace myself. To become love, we must be rid of all other qualities.

 

Evil is turning from God. Good is turning towards God.

 

See the Murthi [sculpture, statue, picture or other representation] as living, as moving, as sitting. You think it has no life? It has. See it.

 

The seed mantra is the navel [umbilical] cord to the guru. He switches it on and so on. The guru takes the chela’s [disciple’s] karma, he absorbs it into himself. For example, cancer and so on, he can take it and plant it in his own skin, and watch it.

 

For healing do one mala [rosary of prayer beads] of the guru mantra [sacred sound syllable or God’s names] and one mala of Om Tryambakam. [See footnote].

 

Happiness and sadness - they are all in the mind. See this, and say, ‘I want only God, not the mind and senses, only God.’

Footnote: The transliterated 'Mahamrityunjaya Mantra' - to be recited in times of sickness, calamity, natural disasters and death, from the Ramakrishna Dham prayer book, with English meaning below, reads as follows:

Om tryambakam yajaamahe, sugandhim pushtivardhanam

Urvaarukamiva bandhanaat, mrityor mukshiya maamritaat

We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Shiva, destroyer of ignorance), who is fragrant and who nourishes all beings. May he liberate me/us from death, for the sake of immortality, even as the cucumber is severed from (its bondage of) the vine [pictured].

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Swami Shivapadananda on the healing power of the Guru mantra

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 337

 

When you become sannyasis [monks, or the female equivalent, sannyaninis- nuns] what do you want? Nothing. Renounce everything. Do you want heaven, hell, [psychic or occult] powers? No. If you get powers, you lose all. Powers lead to danger. Imitate the guru. Throw them out.

When there is pain and distress, repeat the guru mantra [sacred sound syllable or God’s names], visualise the deity, and bind yourself to His [or Her] feet. Feel His presence. Then either the problem goes or you get an answer.

Remember, the guru has neither name nor form. When you go to the guru why do you not ask yourself what you can give him? Why do you not give yourself? Every problem is caused by selfishness, so give yourself to the guru.

Get rid of selfishness. It is easy. Say the prayer which begins: ‘Mookam karoti vaacaalam . . .’ [see footnote] and hold his feet in your heart. Feel it. Bathe in the dust of the guru’s feet.

Give what Christ and Buddha gave.

Know this about your Real [higher] Self: The voice of my heart is silence, silence, silence. Love is the voice of my heart. ‘I’ goes nowhere, and comes nowhere. I am unchanging. I am still, I am the witness. ‘I am’ is being, not becoming. Detach, bless, serve those who hate you. Attain God, who never hurts or abuses.

Footnote: This is a prayer in the meditation on the Bhagavad Gita, which translated, means: I salute that Madhava [Godhead], the source of supreme bliss, whose grace makes the dumb [those without speech] eloquent, and the cripple to cross mountains.’

[Pictured in posting: Sri Yukteswar, the Guru of Paramahamsa Yogananda - and Yoganandaji].

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Swami Shivapadananda on mantra

SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA

DAILY READINGS

Taken from Mother Radha’s notes, written at Swamiji’s feet.

Day 214

Devotee: In intense concentration breathing may stop . . .
Swamiji: That will not lead to a problem.

Devotee: When it slowly stops on its own?
Swamiji: That is a subtle place in your mind.

Question: What should we do when we find fault?
Swamiji: You may be a teacher, but to find fault is outside you job. And gossip is bad because it means you have registered a fault in your mind and you gossip about it.

Spiritually, life without training is a stale bit of bread. The highest thing for a child is education. You must set the highest example and the child will automatically follow. But are you setting the example?

Question: If we do not pray in Sanskrit [the ancient Indian 'language of the gods'] do we derive the same benefit as those that do?
Swamiji: Ultimately you derive the same benefit from both. This is because the most important thing is the concept you have in your mind - and the faith and concept you have of your Deity.

At the same time the Vedas [Hindu philosophical treatises] stress the pronunciation of prayers, it is the very vitality of the Vedic religion. When the bhakti [devotional] cult came about they were not so good at reading and writing, but because of the faith and purity in their minds, it brought results. Only, one is slow and the other is quick.

With mantras [bija (seed) sacred-sound syllables or the names of God] pronunciation is more important because each sound in the alphabet represents a different nerve in your body. There are 72,000 nerves [nadis - pictured on ancient diagram] and each has a certain vibration according to your faith, intention and purity.