What does Guru Siyag have to say about Japa practice? Does he have any specific suggestions for disciples on how the chanting should be done?
Below is an excerpt from Guru Siyag’s discourse. Here he talks about the importance of Japa and how to do it effectively:
“The methods of spiritual practice in each Yuga (epoch) are determined by the general capacity or ability of people in that age to withstand the rigors of spiritual practice. This is the underlying principle of our (Vedic) Dharma and its philosophy. Spiritual practices differed in all the four Yugas, including Kali Yuga (Age of Falsehood), which is the present Age in which we live. Many religious leaders today exhort their followers to emulate the methods of spiritual practice followed by Dhruv and Pralhad (two prominent examples of child devotees mentioned in Hindu mythology who underwent most testing self-imposed methods to invoke God). When the followers say that in today’s conditions they are simply not capable of following those two most difficult examples from the Treta (age of three-quarters truth) and Dwapar Yugas (age of half truth), they are told that they cannot find and experience God.”
“Is God hiding that you have to go looking for him? God dwells in each living being; so how can He go into hiding? In this Kali Yuga, it is only by chanting the name of God that a devotee finds resolution to all his material problems. In the ‘Geeta’, Lord Krishna has described Naam Japa (chanting of the divine name) as the best form of Yagya (lighting of sacred fire to offer prayers). In the 10th chapter of the ‘Geeta’, Krishna describes the various forms He assumes and in stanza 25 He says that among all the forms of Yagyas he assumes, Japa Yagya is supreme.”
“So, Nam Japa is the best Yagya. In the epic ‘Mahabharata’, it is said that Nam Japa is the only form of Yagya which does not involve killing of any kind. The Mahabharata war led to a horrific bloodbath. The generations that followed this war, abhorred any kind of violence and killing. Nam Japa entails no killing. Even today, if you light up the ritual sacred fire, it will lead to some kind of violence because the bacteria in the atmosphere will be killed, albeit on a miniscule level. But chanting does not lead to violence of any kind. Manu has said in his edicts called ‘Manusmruti’ that Japa Yagya is a thousand times more beneficial than the ritualistic Yagya.”
“Saint Goswami Tulsidas has said, “Chanting the name of God relentlessly is the only secure way to survive in this Kali Yuga; it helps man across turbulent waters.” So Nam Japa is the only method of spiritual practice that yields us desired results. Religious rituals, which are extraneous processes, are nothing but an exercise in futility.”
“There are three ways to chant a mantra: One involves uttering the mantra loudly. In the second, the tongue and lips do move but chanting is silent. In the third method, even the tongue and lips are not used; the chanting is strictly done mentally. It is similar to reading a book without using your tongue or lips or uttering the words you are reading.”
“You have to chant the mantra that I give you mentally (without moving lips and tongue) for 24 hours. You may wonder how anyone can chant the mantra for 24 hours. In the ‘Japa Vigyan’ (science of chanting) — yes, chanting has a science behind it — there is term called ‘Ajapa Japa’. People from older generations know what the term ‘AjapaJapa’ means; today’s kids don’t. Saint Rohidas’ ode explains well what this term means. That is why I often cite a stanza from it. Says Rohidas, “Ab Kaise Chhute, Naam Rut Laagi (How do I quit chanting? It has assumed a rhythm of its own).” This refers to a particular episode: Rohidas’ Guru initiated him into spirituality as a disciple by giving him a divine mantra to chant relentlessly. Rohidas did as directed by the Guru. After a few days, Rohidas realized that he no longer needed to make an effort to chant the mantra because the chanting had become involuntary. He tried to stop the chanting but it wouldn’t stop. He then exclaimed excitedly, “How do I quit chanting? It has assumed a rhythm of its own!” (This is called Ajapa Japa — chanting that occurs on its own without any conscious effort on the seeker’s part).”
“When you relentlessly chant the mantra I have given, you will realize after 15 to 20 days that the chanting has become involuntary. You can’t then stop the chanting even if you try to. Even when you wake from sleep, you will find that the mantra is being chanted within you. You will then feel as if ‘someone’ in your inner being has assumed the duty of chanting; freeing you from the effort of chanting.”
“Some over-smart people make additions or alterations to the divine mantra. Some people put the word “Om” before the mantra or add the word “Namah” at the end. Never do that. There are two distinctly different spiritual paths: Pravritti (positive detachment) and Nivritti (negative detachment). When you alter the mantra I give, it results in mixing these paths together. When you do this, the mantra-chanting would be futile; it won’t yield desired results.”
“In the form of yoga that I initiate you into, you do not have to give up or undertake activity. All you need do with conscious effort is start chanting the mantra relentlessly. During the day, check five to seven times to ensure that you are chanting the mantra. And meditate regularly. You are not required to do anything else; you are free to continue your life-style as before without any change. There is nothing good or bad; or good food or forbidden food. Just continue the Nam Japa, and transformation of the personality will happen of its own accord.”
