Several of you asked me questions today about Mantras, deities, the meaning of the mantra, their intent, etc. Mr. GCSHIV thinks I cannot have an opinion or comment on his favorite creators unless I produce products for him to try (going by his previous remarks, I am sure he expects them to be free) - and I fully realize he will hop on to Maitreya’s forum and complain there like before - but I still wanted to write a post clarifying some of the questions that folks sent me. This is for students of Mantra śāstra, or the discerning ones who want to learn more - and not go by claims made by some Tom, Dick, and Harry. There is nothing mysterious or secretive here as Mantras have been studied and practiced for centuries and there are wonderful treatises available that should dispel ignorance related to this topic. So, let me start by thanking GCSHIV that though his intent was insincere and purpose to create drama, he has provided us an opportunity to discuss this useful topic and dispel misnomers.
- Mantras have no meaning.
This was the dead giveaway that Shiva (and his namesake here) do not understand a mantra. It is also clear that this Youtube creator has not really practiced any mantra himself but has depended on some priest (whose clarification seems to be not that he has perfected the mantra, but just that his family is involved in it for generations). A mantra is not a meaningless phrase.
Take the classic Panchakshari mantra - namaḥ śivāya. Entire treatises have been written about the meaning of this mantra. Similar is the case of the Gāyatrī mantra which has the famous treatise on its meaning by the famed eighth-century non-dualist, Shankarācārya (link).
Take the famous bīja mantra (seed sound) - Hrīṁ. Sounds meaningless and according to Mr. Youtube Guru, this is a meaningless sound. But is that the case?
- Ha - nameless, formless, attribute-less unified Divine Consciousness (Parabrahma)
- ra - denotes the fire of consciousness or a sense of “I”-ness that arises within this unified consciousness
- ī - the Feminine aspect of the genderless Divine
In essence, this seed sound describes the Feminine aspect of the Divine Consciousness which lights in it a fire of self-recognition causing a sense of I-ness that further results in the creation of a universe aka duality. In other words, this is the great power of Illusion or Māyā, a Cosmic Matrix, which is the root cause behind the One appearing as many. This is the meaning of this mantra, attributed to the Great Goddess Bhuvanēśvarī (Queen of the Cosmos), imparted traditionally by the teacher to the student when imparting the attunement to the mantra. Now, if someone has not studied the mantras and is just trying to use it to create videos (knowing well that his audience is for the most part gullible), it is natural they assume mantras are meaningless sounds.
It is also said in Vāmakēśvara Tantra, one of the most ancient manuals of Tantra available today: mantrārthajñānahīnasya siddhirnaiva hi jāyatē - without contemplating on the meaning/essence of the mantra, Siddhi of the mantra is never possible. Hence, when we impart Mantras to the students, the meaning of the mantra (and the method to contemplate on its meaning) are always taught to the students.
- Mantras do not invoke any deity.
Incorrect, at least for the mantras used by this creator as they are all from the Hindu panteon. How do mantras work? Prowess embedded in the sound is certainly one aspect, usually known to folks but that is not it. The mantras are sonic forms of a deity (an archetype) and are verily the deity itself in its seed form. The energy of the mantra (when recited by the one who has perfected it) is verily the energy of the deity as the mantra IS the deity. The goal of the mantra is to ultimately experience the unity of mantra - breath - mind -self and the deity as One, which is one of the first steps to realizing non-duality. How then does one claim the mantras do not invoke any deity?
In the given example, the person says Hanuman Chalisa does not invoke Hanuman. Then how does it derive any supposed power to grant benefits? Technically, Hanuman Chalisa is a hymn composed by a medieval saint Tulsidas who lived in the 1600s in a colloquial form of Hindi (Awadhi) and is not even a mantra. So then how does it contain any power? Because the hymn connects one to the energy of the deity Hanuman. If that connection is successful, benefits follow. There is also the aspect of the field of energy associated with thousands practicing it but that is not potent enough in this case (like say the cross or other holy objects with many more faithful people contributing to the field of energy).
- Mantras do not have any intent.
Again, incorrect. Take a Vitamin A pill. Is there not an intent inherent in it to supply the consumer of this pill with Vitamin A? Similar is the case with Mantras. There is an inherent pure intent (Shuddha Samkalpa) and then the lower intent (intent of the reciter of the mantra). For example, let us take the example of the same mantra hrīṁ. If one has perfected this mantra, it can be used for controlling large masses, manifesting desires (it is verily the hack to the Cosmic Matrix), achieving fame and wealth, etc., based on one’s desire. However, the pure or inherent intent of the mantra is to let one see beyond the Divine Matrix, realize oneself as the Divine Consciousness that enjoys the play of the Divine Matrix while also being unaffected by it (incidentally, we had a discussion about this same creator and his follower on this topic on this very thread). If a person recites the mantra with the attitude of niṣkāma (without specific intention or desire), then the true intent of the mantra unfolds.
Even in the case of Tantric Buddhism, view (associated with intent) is very important in all Tantric practices. Without the right view, the same mantra produces different results in different people. The Ninth Dalai Lama records that the same mantra (Hevajra) produced different results in Hindu vs Buddhist practitioners as their views were different.
Again, as I said - mantras are well-understood, well-documented, and well-practiced spiritual tools. One needs to study, research, practice, assimilate and not ignorantly accept and believe what someone else says…
Listen to this creator’s Gayatri mantra and then listen to the Light of Savitur - and judge yourself which one is close to the energetics of the Gayatri mantra. You already know my answer
Disclaimer: I am not paid by Sapien or Sammy to write this post (I wish they did haha).