Japa Yoga (Mantra Yoga) (Theory, Practice and Applications)

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Item Code: IDI613
Author: N. C. Panda
Publisher: D. K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Language: English
Edition: 2007
ISBN: 8124603898
Pages: 388 (Black & White Illus: 94, Figures: 28)
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.3"X 5.3
Weight 500 gm
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Shipped to 153 countries
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Book Description

Back of the Book

The repetition of God's name or of a mantra containing God's name, otherwise known as japa, is a religious ritual, generally meant for the emancipation of the self. The present book on japa-yoga has not neglected this aspect. But, it is more comprehensive and a broad-range book. That japa is a branch of yoga, an easily attainable one and simultaneously a very effective one, has been emphasized. The theory and methology of japa in Patanjala Yoga, in the Vedas, in the Vedanta and in the Tantra, in the perspective of knowledge and devotion, have clearly been outlined. The book ha been divided into three Chapters. Chapter 1 expounds the theory of japa based on classical scriptures. Chapter 2 presents the practice of japa in a clearly graspable style, easy to be followed by the practice of japa in a clearly graspable style, easy to be followed by the readers. Chapter 3 deals with the applications of japa for the uplift of human personality and spirituality, for attaining the liberation of the self, for mental peace and tranquility, and for physical health inclusive of the prevention and treatment of diseases, both physical and mental. The last part of this book tries to explain the effects of japa-applications on a scientific footing, a successful attempt made for the first time.

The approach to japa has been holistic - religious, spiritual, scientific, Vedic, Vedantic, Yogic and Tantric.

Nrusingh Charan Panda is the 1929-born scientist Emeritus - having retired from the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, from he post of the Dean of the Veterinary Faculty. He is essentially a versatile personality combining in him the endowment of a scientist, a Sanskritist, a philosopher, a psychologist, a litterateur (novelist, story-writer, poet, essayist) a yogi and a Tantrist. His achievement have been recognized, at different times, with a number of prestigious awards in both science and literature.

Professor Panda is internationally reputed for his scientific interpretations of the Vedas and the allied Vedic literature. He has also authored a number of widely acclaimed books. His approach is truly integral, synthetic and holistic.

Prologue

The yoga of devotion (bhakti-yoga) lays a great deal of importance of the japa (the repeated utterance - silent, whispering or vocal - of the name of God), Which appeals to the religious persons. The Bhagavad-Gita has eulogized the japa. As a matter of fact, all religions hold similar opinions on the benefits obtained from the repeated utterance of God's name. The philosophy related to bhakti yoga is mostly dualistic in some sense or other.

The yoga of the realization of the Reality (Jnana-yoga) uses the pranava-japa and the pranava-dhyana as a ladder to ascend the steps to reach the summit. Philosophically speaking, the Jnana-yoga is primarily non-dualistic. None the less, the onkara-japa plays a prominent role in the spiritual practices of non-dualism.

The Patanjala-yoga of eight limbs, otherwise known as the Astanga yoga or the raja-yoga, advocates the japa of the pranava, the om that designates Isvara (God). If properly done, the japa becomes dhyana, one of the higher limbs of the eightfold yoga.

Mantra-japa is vitally important in Tantra. Although Tantra-Yoga is an important branch of yoga, a few realize that Tantra has anything to do with yoga. The Kundalini Yoga is an exclusive branch of Tantra. One can hardly separate hatha-yoga and Tantra. Bandhas, mudras and nyasas are the contributions of Tantra-Yoga. A tantrika can hardly achieve anything without the purascarana japa. Notwithstanding these facts, any book on japa rarely deals with any tantrika japa.

It is heartening to note that yoga has been popularized throughout the world. Most yoga schools limit their activities to physical postures (yogasanas), sometimes with a little addition of Pranayama and meditation. Most yoga schools do not give much emphasis on the three higher limbs of the yogic practices, namely, Dharana, dhyana and Samadhi, Yoga practices, for the improvement of physical health and for preventing and curing diseases, are not discredited here. At the same time, it is emphasized that the mental and the spiritual health can hardly be neglected. Further, it is to be noted that the primary goal of Yoga is spiritulization of oneself and that liberation (moksa) is to be sought by making Yoga a means.

We have a conviction that the japa technique of Yoga is comparatively easier than the other ones. In spite of this fact, many yoga schools hardly give any importance to this technique.

We went through the scanty number of yoga books on japa. A few of them are reasonably good and we have been immensely benefited by them. Nevertheless, we have a feeling that a lacuna does exist and it is to be got over. And hence is this attempt to write this book.

With regard to japa-yoga, our approach has been holistic and synthetic. Essentially, we are non-dualistic and monotheistic in a wider frame, which binds diverse theories of dualism, polytheism and pantheism. We are firm and steadfast about the fact that Being is formless and a single one only. At the same time, we do accept forms and multiplicity by accepting the phenomenon of manifestation from the Unmanifest and also by recognizing the psychological need of forms for avoiding abstractions and for better mental concretization. Thus, we have drawn no line of demarcation. Thus, we have drawn no line of demarcation between yoga and Tantra, Vedic and non-Vedic systems, dualism and non-dualism, form-worship and formless worship, devotion and knowledge, science and spirituality and the sundries.

This book on japa-yoga has systematized japas of diverse systems. It has elaborated the techniques in simplified ways. It focuses on the methods of doing the japa. It is up to the reader to choose one or more of the techniques of japa for his/her adoption out of the cafetaria-presentation.

The japa is usually regarded as a religious activity. We have not denied that. But we have philosophized it and that is the reason for short discourses here and there on different philosophical systems. As a religious activity, it is based on faith. As part of philosophy, it is based on rationality, logicality and analysis. We have leaned more on spirituality than on religion.

It is hard for some people to accept the japa as a science. We do not agree with them. This book on japa-yoga has a lot of science, especially medical science with special reference to the treatment of diseases. Any reader can practise the japa methods and ascertain the benefits obtained. Any medical scientist may do experimentation on the efficacy of the japa-methods for preventing and curing diseases. It is hoped that doctors, in the future, may prescribe the japa-techniques in addition to their medical and/or surgical therapies.

The japa-sadhana is partly subjective and partly objective. Objectivity which is a key-word in scientific experimentation may not wisely exclude this partial subjectivity while evaluating the experimental result.

 

Contents
Prologue vii
Acknowledgement xi
Key to Transliteration xiv
Abbreviations xxi
List of Figures xxiii
Chapter 1
Theoretical Introduction
to Japa-yoga
 
The Meaning of the Term Japa-Yoga 2
Japa-Yajna, the Best One among Sacrifices 2
Japa-Yoga in Yoga-Vedanta 3
Patanjala Japa-Yoga 3
The Vedic and Vedantic Sanctification of Pranava  
Four Padas and three Matras of Om 8
Onkara - the Forerunner of all Mantras 9
Onkara-Japa 9
Three Varieties of Japa 10
Isvara-Pranidhana 11
Mantra-japa in the Framework of Patanjala Yoga 13
Japa in yoga-Vedanta 19
The Need for the Repetition of the Mantra 20
Prescription & Proscriptions in Patanjala Yoga 22
Japa in the Yoga of Devotion 28
Bhakti-Yoga in Non-Dualism 31
Symbol-Worship in Bhakti-Yoga 32
Monotheism versus Polytheism 34
Form of Japa in Bhakti-Yoga 38
Nama-Japa 38
Mantra-Japa 38
Likhita-Japa 39
Kirtana 39
Devotion - the Key Factor in Bhakti-Yoga 40
Japa at the Terminal Stage of Life 45
Japa-Yoga in Tantra 46
Deities in Tantra 47
The Right-path (Daksinacari) Tantra 47
The Sakta and the Tantrika 48
The Special Features of Tantra 49
Tantric Mantras 60
The Mechanism of Action of Mantra-Japa 63
The Mechanism of Action of the 63
Pranava-Japa and the Ajapa-Japa  
The Mechanism of Action of the Devotional Japa 66
The Mechanism of Action of the Tantric Japa 71
The Psychological and the Physiological 77
Mechanism of the Action of Japa  
Chapter 2
Practice of Japa-Yoga
 
Preliminary Preparations and Prerequisites for Mantra-Japa 93
Preparation 93
Prerequisites 98
Observances of Yama and Niyama 99
The Need of a Guru 101
Guru-Vada 103
The Choice of a Mantra 107
Number of Japa and Counting Technique 110
Type of Japa Recommended 118
The Practice of Mantra-Japa in Yoga-Vedanta 120
Onkara Japa 120
Ajapa-Japa 123
The Japa of the Gayatri-Mantra 125
The Deity of the Gayatri Mantra 129
The Japa of the Gayatri-mantra in the Vedic System 134
Benefits from the Gayatri Japa 137
The Tantricization of The Gayatri Mantra 137
Acamana 140
Pranayama 141
Sankalpa 141
Kara-Nyasah 143
Sadanga-Nyasah 144
Pre-Japa and Post-Japa Mudras 145
Worshipping Mother Gayatri before Japa 159
Japa of the Gayatri-Mantra 159
Conclusion of the Gayatri Sadhana 159
The Practice of Mantra-Japa in Bhakti-Yoga 160
Puranic Gayatri-Mantras 160
Ganesia-Gayatri 160
Brahma-Gayatri 161
Visnu Gayatri 161
Nrsimha-Gayatri 162
Krsna-Gayatri 162
Rama-Gayatri 162
Rudra-Gayatri 163
Surya-Gayatri 163
Hanumat-Gayatri 164
Durga-Gayatri 164
Laksmi-Gayatri 165
Kali-Gayatri 166
Sarasvati-Gayatri 166
Sakti-Gayatri 167
Nama-Japa 167
Some Mantras for Japa 167
The Practice of Mantra-Japa in Tantra 171
Manasa Puja of Mother Durga 171
Some Tantric Mantras for Japa 173
Ganesa Mantra 173
Durga Mantra 173
Laksmi Mantra 173
Sarasvati Mantra 173
Kali Mantra 173
Daksina-Kali Mantra 174
Gauri Mantra 174
Paramesvari Mantra 174
Camunda Mantra 174
Navarna Mantra 174
Maha-Mrtyunjaya-Mantra 181
Tryaksara-Mrtyunjaya-Mantra 184
Dvadasaksara-Mrtyunjaya-Mantra 184
Maha-Mrtyunjaya-Mantra-Japa-Sadhana 184
Kirtana 191
Vedic and Vedantic Kirtana 192
Kirtana of Bhakti-Yoga 193
Anusthana 196
Japa-Yoga for all Religious 198
The Application of the Practices 199
Chapter 3
Applications of Japa-Yoga
 
Om the Easiest and the Best Mantra for 202
Everybody  
God-Realization 202
Onkara-japa in Karma-Yoga 204
Onkara-japa for Mental Peace and Tranquillity 205
Onkara-japa for Correcting Psychosomatic 209
Diseases  
Onkara-japa in the Treatment of 211
Hypertension  
Onkara-japa Focused on Diseased Organs 212
Onkara-japa for Fulfilment of a Worldly Desire 217
Onkara-kirtana 219
Ajapa-Japa 220
So 'ham Kirtana 223
Gayatri-Japa 224
Niskama Gayatri-Japa 224
Sakama Gayatri-japa 225
Mantras of Bhakti-Yoga 229
Tantrika Mantras 232
Samputikarana of a Tantirk Mantra 232
The Japa of a Vedic cum Tantric Mantra 235
Japa in Asanas for the Cure of Joint and 239
Spinal Problems  
Bija-Japa in Virasana (Viryasana) 244
Bija-Japa in Makarasana 247
Japa in Urdhvamukhi Tadasana 249
Japa in Meru-Agra-Vakrasana 250
Japa in Meru-Parsva-Vakrasana 251
Japa in Bhujangasana 251
Japa in Salabhasana 253
Japa in Pascimottanasana 255
Japa with Mudras for Specific Health Problems 256
Immuno-Fortification 257
Mudra-Japa for Curing Sinus-Infection and Migraine 263
Mudra-Japa for Relief from Hypertension 266
Mudra-Japa for Relief from Heart Diseases 269
Mudra-Japa to Control the Disease of Diabetes 274
Mudra-Japa for Relief from Hepatic Disorder 280
Mudra-japa for Relief from Chronic Constipation 283
Japa-Therapy in Cancer 291
SOS in Yoga-Tantra 295
Glossary 305
Bibliography 339
Index 345

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