MARCO METODOLÓGICO Tipo de investigación

As mentioned earlier, japa or chanting of divine hymns has been regarded as an important spiritual practice in almost all the religions of the world. In the Indian scriptures of yore the japa-

s³dhan³ of mantras has been designated as a yajóa. God Krishna has therefore indicated it a

paramount yajóa by stating (in the Holy Gºt³) – ‘Yajóan³® Japa Yajóosmi’; Meaning: Among

all the yajóas I am (existing in) the Japa Yajóa.

Lord Manu has mentioned (Manusm–iti 2|87) that disregarding what other spiritual practices one performs, a true Br³h®aña29 _{can attain supernatural powers only through a dedicated endeavors of}

japa. Mah³bh³rata (Ashwa. 44|8) quotes that –– “The Vaidika Yajóas performed by herbal sacrifices in the fire along with disciplined chanting of mantras are indeed important. However, the Japa Yajóa alone,

without any other requirements (of fire etc.) is sufficient for realizing thy love”.

In the later centuries as well, many saints and experts of the Indian Philosophy have expressed similar views on japa. The following quote by Goswami Tulasidas, though written in a simple language, conveys a lot about the significance of japa – ‘N³ma Japata Mangal Disi Dasah¿a®, Japahi N³mu jan Ârata Bh³ri, Mitahi Kusankata Honhi Sukh³rº’. Meaning: the japa of the

omnipresent thy name eliminates the evil tendencies and generates blessed happiness.

Japa is a spiritual exercise, it affects our mind and intellect by a subtle scientific procedure.

Increase in inner strength, self-confidence, clarity and refinement of thoughts and sentiments etc. – are its definite effects that gradually lead to the illumination of the innermost core of the individual self. The following excerpts from religious and spiritual scriptures on Indian Philosophy further signify the great role of this apparently simple practice.

From Ling Pur³ña (8|5|124-125) – “One who sincerely performs japa would never face any calamity. The devil powers of Yakïa, R³kïasa, Piï³ca, BºÌaña (ghosts, witches etc.) can never

reach near him. Japa helps uprooting the kusamsk³ras30 _{. Japa also excels one’s virtues and}

destiny”.

God Krishna preaches in the Holy Gºt³ – ‘Trayat Mahto Bhay³t’; Meaning: Practising japa can

destroy the mighty fears...

The Manu Smriti (4|146) mentions – “One who sincerely practises japa will never perish’. It also states that – “Japa cultivates divinity in the inner self”. Further (c.f. Manu Smriti 5 - 86),

Ye P³ka Yajóaïcatw³ro Vidhiyajóana¡ Samanvita¡ | Sarve Te Japa Yajóasya Kal³ N³hinti P³draïºma ||

Meaning: The Yajóas like the Darïa, Paurñm³sa, JyotiÌtoma, R³jas¿ya or the rituals of Vaiïvadeva, Balikarma, Dainika- S³dhan³ etc carry only one-sixteenth fraction of the benefits as

compared to those of the japa of the thou name with true faith.

Mahar̺ñ³® Bh–aguraha® Gir³masyekamakïara® | Yajóan³® Japayajóosmi Sth³var³ñ³® Him³laya® || –Gºt³

Meaning: Among the great –iÌis, I (God Krishna) am Bh–agu; among the apparent powers of Ïabda, I am Oa®k³ra; among the Yajóas, I am the Japa Yajóa and among the great mountains, I

am the Himalayas.

The following ïloka from Bh³rdw³ja G³yatri Vy³khy³ further emphasizes the importance of japa:

Samasta Saptatantubhyo Japayajóa Parah Sm–ata¡ | Hins³nye Pravartante Japayajóe na Hinsay³ || Y³vanta¡ Karma Yajóïca D³n³ni ca Tap³nsica | Te Sarve Japa Yajóaïca N³heti ßoÃaïºkal³® | Japane Devat³ Nitya® St¿yam³n³ Prasºdati ||

Prasann³ Vipul³n Bhog³n Dadh³nmuktincaϳïvatºma | Yakïa, R³kïasa, Vait³lah Bh¿tapretapiï³caka¡ || Jap³ïrayº® Dvija® D–aÌt³, D¿rante Y³nti Bhºtita¡ | Tasm³jjapah Sad³ ÏreÌÚha¡ Sarvasmatpur³ya S³dhan³t | ItyeÌa® Surwath³ Jó³tv³ Vipro Japaparo Bhavet ||

Meaning: Japa Yajóa is superior to all yajóas as it does not involve any material sacrifices.

Different religious acts like devotional alms, charities, sacrifices (of luxuries) for thy service and observance of continence etc, are only as significant as the one-sixteenth fraction of the japa. All the mighty powers of the devil are scared of the s³dhaka who, endeavors disciplined japa every

day. Japa is therefore the best source of enhancing the puñyas (good fortunes). Knowing this, a

true Br³hmaña must always practise japa through the heart (i.e. with complete faith and

sincerity).

M³sa Ïatatraya® Viprah Sarv³nk³m³nv³pnuy³t | Eva® Ïatottara® Japtv³ Sahastra® Sarvam³pnuy³t ||

Meaning: Enunciation of the G³yatri Mantra for about three hundred times per day performed

this way – i.e., under proper discipline, faith and control of the body, mind and emotions – regularly over a period of one month, helps attain significant success. A more devoted and ascetic practice of this japa at a consistent rate of over eleven hundred

mantras per day for specific periods (spanning over several months), indeed leads to the complete

fulfillment of all noble desires.

R¿ddh³ Pr³ñamap³na® Ca Japonm³sa® Ïatatrayam | Yadicchetadav³pnoti Sahastr³tparam³pnuy³t ||

Meaning: A devotional japa of thousand G³yatrº Mantras per day continuously for a month

along with proper controlling of the Ap³na Pr³ña31 _{during the japa fulfils all the worthy desires}

of the devotee.

Eka P³do Japed¿rddhwa® B³hur¿ddh³nila Vaïa¡ | M³sa Ïatamav³pnoti Yadicchediti Kauïika¡ ||

Meaning : The japa of hundred G³yatrº Mantras per day – performed regularly for a month –

under the discipline of standing on one leg alone, keeping both the arms up towards the sky and restraining32 _{the respiration to the maximum possible extent during this daily practice, takes the}

devotee to the desired noble goal.

Eva® Ïatatra®ya Japtw³ Sahastra® Sarvam³mapnuy³t | Nimajjy³psu Japenm³sa® Ïatamistamav³pnuy³t ||

Meaning : Consistent performance for a month of the japa of the G³yatri Mantra – at a regular

rate of about thirteen hundred mantras per day, along with a (HaÚha Yoga) discipline of dipping

(plunging) the body inside the water – certainly results in the attainment of all the noble desires (of the s³dhaka).