Introduction

Japa Yoga or Japa Meditation refers to a particular form of yoga, where reciting a specific mantra whilst concentrating is the basic crux. The word "Japa" is a Sanskrit term which means to utter in low voice or internally mutter.

While Japa is the repetition of mantra, Dhyana is meditation of the Lord with all its attributes. Meditation or Dhyana can be therefore combined and can be done with Japa and meditation (Japa-Sahita- Dhyana). Although Japa can be combined with meditation but Dhyana can be done without Japa (Japa- Sahita- Dhyana).

Types of Japa Yoga

Japa is an important limb of Yoga. There are two kinds of Japa yoga, one is written Japa Yoga and another one is Japa done by recitation of the Mantra. This particular attribute of Japa further makes Japa Yoga a distinct form of meditation.

Benefits of Japa Yoga

Practice of Japa Yoga can give eternal peace, bliss and immortality. It ultimately results in "Samadhi" or spiritual union with God. Japa facilitates concentration, as it is the repetition of any mantra or the name of a particular Lord. Japa is an important part of Yoga and is the spiritual food for a hungry soul. Japa can be performed while sitting in a meditation posture or as a part of a formal worship in groups.

Method of Japa Yoga

Japa can be done verbally or mentally. In most forms of Japa Yoga, the repetitions are done using a "Japa Mala", which is actually a string of beads. In Hinduism, Vaishnava devotees use beads made from Tulsi plant while Shaivites use Rudraksha Mala. There are 108 beads in a Japa Mala. The aim of Japa Yoga varies depending on the mantra involved and the religious beliefs of the practitioner.

Mantras in Japa yoga

A mantra is divinity wrapped within a rhythmic structure. It is divine power or Daivi Shakti manifesting in a sound body. The mantra is the God itself. The sacrosanct Mantra or the Divine Name is an essential symbol of Supreme Divinity. It is the divine communion to the sages of self-realization who were present in the Vedic and Upanishadic times. Mantras help to gain access to the transcendental realms of absolute experience. By reciting the Mantra the Jiva or the individual soul attains freedom from sin, enjoyment in heaven and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It also helps to attin the four fold fruit i.e. Chaturvarga, which are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Mantra is a compound term where the first syllable of the word `Man` means `to think` and `Trai` means to `protect` or `free` from the worldly bondage. It is the combination of Man and Tra that the word Mantra is formed.

Mantra in japa yoga plays an important part, as mantra is an absolute science. In Hinduism, mantra has six parts. It has got a Rishi (a man of Self realization) who revealed the Mantra to the world for the first time. He is the Drashtra or the Seer for this Mantra. For instance, Sage Viswamitra is the Rishi for the Gayatri. Secondly, the Mantra has a metre (Chhandas), which governs the modulation of the voice. Thirdly, the Mantra refers to a particular Devata or super natural being. This Devata or God is the essence of the Mantra. Fourthly, the Mantra has got a Bija or seed. The seed is the keyword or a series of words, which gives strength to the mantra. Fifthly, every mantra has got power or Shakti. The Shakti is the energy of the Mantra that is the reverberation forms set by the sound of the mantra. This sound aids in the communion of human beings with the Almighty, which is worshipped. Lastly, the Mantra has a Kilaka- pillar or pin. This plugs the consciousness or the Mantra Chaitanya that is hidden in the Mantra. As soon as the plug is removed by constantly repeating the name of the Supreme Divinity, the Chaitanya or the consciousness that is hidden is revealed. The devotee gets to see the Ishta Devata.

There is something divine about the Mantra, which is the sound. Each sound is melodious in its own way and produces a form in the indivisible world. A combination of sound create complicated shapes and by repeating the Mantra a divine mystifying power comes in to being which brings about the manifestation of the Supreme Divinity. When a particular Mantra is repeated properly with faith and devotion, it creates a certain vibrations. For instance by repeating the Panchakshara Mantra- Om Namo Sivaya produces the form of Lord Shiva and the repetition of the Om Namo Narayanaya, the Ashtakshara Mantra of Vishnu produces the form of Vishnu.

In japayoga if the name of God is recited correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly it will give positive results. This is so because the quality of goodness is inherent in a mantra and it also has the strength of destroying sins from the very roots. When sins are destroyed it results in the communion of the devotee with the Lord through Bhava -Samadhi. Mantra is all about reciting the glory of God, which cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can come only through devotion, faith and by constantly repeating the Name.

Mantra in Japayoga is the very rudiment. There is Shakti or power in every word or Mantra. God is the completion or fullness of existence and therefore his name can achieve anything. Just as the name of a thing generates the consciousness of that thing, the Name of God generates the consciousness of God in the mind and this becomes the reason for the realization of the Highest Perfection or God.

Guidelines of Japayoga

Religious philosophers suggest several guidelines for Japayoga. These guidelines help in increasing the level of concentration and also help in achieving better results. It is advised to select a Mantra or Name of God preferably that has been given by one`s Guru. The Mantra should be repeated one hundred and eight to one thousand and eighty times everyday i.e. one to ten malas. It is better to keep the Guru- mantra a secret and also it is advised to stick to one Mantra only.

The early morning period, which is also called Brahmamuhurta and dusk, is the ideal time for Japa yoga and meditation. In the morning one should get up at four o`clock and do Japa for two hours. At this time of the morning Sattva (purity or steadiness) is at its highest point. Befor sitting for Japa in the morning one should take a bath and wash hands, feet, face and mouth to purify oneself. Japa can be done anytime when one is free i.e. morning, noon and evening and before going to bed. While japa one should face the east or north as this enhances the efficacy of the Japa. One should sit on a deerskin or rug by spreading a piece of cloth over it. This will help to preserve body-electricity. One should sit in a separate room or in a quiet place like a temple, riverbank or under a banyan or peepul tree.

It is advised to sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana for three hours at a stretch and maintain a steady pose and at the same time gain control over the posture. One should be determined not to leave the place without completing certain number of malas. One should use a rudraksha or tulsi mala of one hundred eight beads. One should recite some prayers before starting the Japa. One should not allow the mala to hang below the navel and one should keep the hand near the heart or the nose. The mala should be cleaned and washed everyday and should be covered with a towel or handkerchief so that others cannot see it. The middle finger and the thumb of the right palm should be used to roll the beads. The index finger should not be used.

Sometimes one should do Japa without a mala and use a watch. Mental Japa is extremely beneficial to increase concentration, if the mind starts wandering, recite the Mantra loudly or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Japa quickly. It is important to develop a good feeling when one is repeating the Mantra. One should feel that the Lord is in the heart, purity and magnanimity of the Lord is flowing in to the mind and that in course of all these things the desires, cravings and evil thoughts are all banished from the heart.

One should not recite the Mantra speedily. Each and every word in the Mantra should be pronounced distinctly without any mistakes. It should be done with concentration and devotion neither very slowly nor very fast. The speed should be increased only if the mind wanders. At time reciting the Mantra can make one feel sleepy and therefore one should be alert so that sleep does not overpower the individual. One should try to associate the Japa with the rhythm of the breath and meditate in the form of the Deity. One should keep a picture or idol of the Deity and find meaning in the Mantra while performing Japa. The most essential part of Japa yoga is regularity. For achieving success one should sit in the same place at the same time to perform Japa Sadhana. One should not beg for any material pleasures from God while performing Japa Yoga. It is done for purifying the heart and the soul. Silence is very necessary for Japa Sadhana and one should not leave the place immediately after the Japa and move into worldly affairs. One should sit quietly for ten minutes after Japa is over and hum some prayer, recall the Lord and eulogize Him. After this one should leave the place, this way the spiritual process will leave an imprint on the mind.

One should feel and continue Japa mentally all times whatever may be the activity one is doing. This will enable one to realize the goal of life and enjoy supreme bliss.