The etymology of the word mantra indicates several derivations in the Sanskrit Language; such as – ‘Mantra Manata’; meaning, a process or a mechanism regulated by the mind….; ‘Mantri Gupta Bhasañe’, meaning, sublime ‘conversation’ is mantra….; etc. The Shatpath Brahmaña defines – ‘Vagvai Mantrah’ meaning, the segments of syllables and accents enunciated by a refined vañi.
In scientific terms, the entire system of a human being in this visible world revolves around two major components – the physical body and the conscious mind. The constant functioning of each of them at multiple levels generates (bio) electrical currents through the brain-system. Major activities of the body are accompanied by mutual interaction between its tiny constituent parts – from organ to cellular and molecular levels. The processes of heart-beating, blood flow through the veins and arteries, inhalation and exhalation of air by the lungs, expansion and compression of the muscles, bio-electrical signal (information) processing through the nerves, etc, all produce some kind of friction or titillation in the associated components. This generates specific kind of thermal energy and static electricity.
The thought waves continuously generated from the mind are of electromagnetic type. If we throw a stone in a pond, it will produce certain currents of water, which will flow transversely up to the banks of the pond. The universe also is a kind of ‘a gigantic pond without boundaries’ and hence an infinite open ‘spherical set’ in hyper-geometric sense. The electromagnetic currents produced by our thoughts and emotions are expanded in the limitless domain of this etheric ocean. And, because of the end-less (hence circular) ‘periphery’ of the latter, these waves reach back to their point of origin (i.e., our mind, in this case) upon completing a cycle.
The long journey of the thought waves is not static. A lot of their (bio) magnetic energy is dissipated while interacting with other waves of opposite characteristics (pertaining to the counter or negative thoughts/emotions). Their confluence with the thought waves of similar qualities, however, strengthens their own power. The super-imposition of these ‘matching’ thought waves indeed creates a powerful region of attraction and builds up a thought layer or field that could influence other thought waves. Our righteous and saintly thoughts and emotions could this way offer benefits to us and the others as well while compounding their power manifold with each cycle. Such layers of divine thoughts are like clouds, which can en-shower a nectar of virtuous inspirations on the entire world.
The vibrations of mantras carry immense energy that is amplified by the praña and bio-electricity of the body and the sublime currents of spiritually refined thoughts and sentiments of the sadhaka(s).
The simple principle behind our speech or the pronunciation of a word by our mouth is that – the collision of air with specific (as per the movement of the associated components of the mouth) portions of the nervous system produces specific vibrations in the vocal-cord. This apparently physiological process is completely regulated by the mind. It is the unconscious mind that guides the controlling machinery of the brain and hence regulates the movements of the components that ‘directly’ participate in the process of speaking or singing etc. The instantaneous difference in our voice and pattern of pronunciation of the same word under different moods (mental states) clearly demonstrates this remarkable harmony between the speech-system and the mind.
If we casually pet somebody’s back then there would be no reaction in general. However, if we do so intentionally or say, in an angry mood, it would naturally hurt that person and may invite repelling action from his side. This simple example illustrates the difference between the effects of a mere physical activity and that of an action associated with unusual mental force. This difference in effects exists because the former involves only the static electricity of the body and routine auto-regulation of the brain whereas the latter bears the special ‘electrified charge’ of the vital spiritual power of the mind too. The words recited by a person with full mental concentration are indeed energized by the bio-electrical energy of the physical body as well as the ‘electromagnetic’ and subliminal prañic force of his mind.
It is well known that the speed of the vibrations of light is around 186000 per second while the sound waves have so far been found to produce vibrations in ether at a speed ranging between very low (subtle) to the ultra-levels of 2305793009213693952 vibrations per second. Our ears can normally catch (hear) only the sonic vibrations of average frequencies around 32770 per second. The ultra-fast vibrations of sound produce higher energy waves including the X-rays. Likewise any other energy-waves, the vibrations produced by the sound of the words spoken (or sung) by a person also are everlasting…. Where they would reach and continue to reside (exist along with similar vibrations) in the cosmos depends upon the total energy– especially the mental one because it is more specific to the individual self – emitted by the body and mind of the speaker (singer)….
Because of their immense sublimated energy the vibrations of the mantras practised by the risis and the currents of the thought waves of these spiritually refined angelic personalities exist in the supernormal cosmic energy-fields since yore. Rich belts of minerals are formed by the attraction between the particles of same (compatible) category. By similar effects, the above mentioned fields of attraction induced by the mantra–sadhanas of the risis would continue to be stronger if the matching vibrations of mantras are consistently generated with deep sraddha by people endowed with piety of character and inner strength of mind. In their circular journey (cycles), the sadhaka’s thought waves and the sound waves generated by his mantra-japa are also empowered by these cosmic fields. Thus, while reaching back to their origin, these waves help enhance the spirituality and the overall physical and mental energies of the sadhaka.
Thoughts and emotions, being the manifestations of Sabda, are also a form of energy like sound and heat. Scientifically speaking, every combination, be that gross or subtle, of vibration and motion gives rise to energy (and matter). Thoughts and emotions also exist in waveforms. These ‘energy- waves’, if focussed around one idea or faith, naturally form a common class and generate a stronger field of attraction around this center of focus…… At gross psychological levels, the distinct ambiance of specific philosophical or political ideologies like those of the religious doctrines or those of capitalism, communalism…. etc, are examples of such centered groups of thoughts and beliefs. In the sublime domains, the focus of a field of the sacred thoughts and inner sentiments – like faith, sraddha and spirituality, is called adhi devata.
Every mantra has its (adhi) devata that represents a divine power and a cosmic energy center in the field of the genesis, ultimate expansion and sublimated existence of the sonic waves of that mantra. It is this devata which is supposed to be the eternal source (the soul) of the supernormal power of the associated mantra. As mentioned earlier, the success of a mantra-sadhana depends upon how well the sadhaka is able to link his soul with the devata of the mantra. This is why the ‘success of a mantra’ is often described as ‘blessings or boons bestowed by the devata.
For the purpose of ease in meditation, the devat³s of various mantras were also given visible forms and names46 by the risis. The bija and chanda described in the introductory part (viniyoga) of a mantra similarly correspond to the subtle wave-characteristics and the sonic pattern of that mantra.
The Gayatri Mantra is regarded to be the origin (mother) of all the vaidika mantras hence of the Vedas too. This is why it is also referred as a mahamantra and revered as Vedamata. The majestic power of this eternal mantra is expanding perpetually, as the sadhana of this mantra has been constantly practised by millions of spiritual experts since the Vedic Age. Every human being can illuminate his intellect and inner self by the afflatus of thy-glow through sincere japa and upasana of the Gayatri Mantra.
Source: Eternity of Sound and the Science of Mantra
