Chant Mantras to Attain God Realization
Articles by Satyanarayana Dasa Philosophy

Chant Mantras to Attain God Realization

Jiva music teacher Rupa Dasa with student

El canto de mantras para alcanzar la realización de Dios

Jiva music teacher Rupa Dasa with studentMantra chanting is advised as the easiest, simplest and most joyful process to attain God Realization. The technique of mantra chanting is prescribed by all major religions. Christian hymns are sung all over the world, and Muslims chant namaz five times a day. In the Bhagavad Gita it is said that among all types of sacrifices, the sacrifice of chanting the name of the Lord is the best (BG. 10.25). Bhagavata Purana lays special emphasis on nama-sankirtana, or chanting the names of the Lord (Bh.P. 12.13.23), and it is the prescribed process for the present age of Kali (Bh.P. 12.4.51, 52).

The process of mantra chanting does not cost anything and can be performed anywhere, at all times, and by all groups of people, whether they are young, old, healthy, or sick. It can be done by the practitioners of all paths, i.e. karmayogis, rajayogis, jnanayogis, or bhaktiyogis.

What is the secret of Mantra Chanting?

Vedic literature declares that this whole creation came into being by the power of the sound aum, which is called amen in the Bible, and amin in the Koran. In the Bible it is said that God and sound are one. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says, “Among mantras, I am Aum.

The Vedic scriptures prescribe mantra chanting in the present age, as the most proficient means of God realization. Sound, made up of vibrations, is energy. A Sanskrit mantra is a mystical energy encased in a sound structure. Repeating a mantra creates a specific thought pattern and the energy in the mantra literally manifests itself. There is power in every word. Just as the name of an object in this world generates the awareness of that object in the mind, so the name of God generates God consciousness in the purified mind and becomes the cause of God Realization.

The name of God and His form are nondifferent from each other. Like the two sides of a coin, you cannot have one without the other. When one repeats a name, the form comes to mind. Even though one may not consciously know the form connected with a certain mantra, it creates a specific thought pattern in the mind. The mantra should be chanted with awareness of its meaning. There are various mantras in different traditions and one should choose a mantra according to one’s liking. But it is recommended that one take a mantra from a guru, because a mantra given by a qualified guru carries the flow of enlightenment potency running through the realized sages appearing in an authentic discipline line.

by Satyanarayana Dasa