That sound can be recorded (e.g., by tape-recorders), amplified (e.g., by loudspeakers), propagated (e.g., by radio and TV signals), recognized (e.g., by the radar), measured and analysed (e.g., by spectrographs or voice-printers) –– in physical terms, proves its existence in matter…. A large number of examples of the destructive and creative effects of sound on matter can also be found in day-to-day life (c.f. previous sections).
Mantra Vidya is based on making perfect use of the gross viz., the sound of the vañi of the sadhaka as well as the sublime viz., the consciousness –– the voice of the inner self, expressed in thoughts, emotions and intrinsic strength of the sadhaka, powers of Sabda. The study of the higher level impact of mantras vis-à-vis that of the physical sound – in the gross domains of Nature, seems feasible in the modern times of scientific advancement.
The mechanical devices of radar send sound signals – via radio waves – far away in the space and receive the echoed sound back in few micro (10-6) seconds. The radio waves travel at a speed of about 295000 kilometres per second. Whenever their collision takes place with any object on their way, these waves are reflected back (to the radar that is set ‘tuned’ to receive them) at equally fast speed. The vibrations of these reflected signals contain the ‘information’ about the position, size and some other properties of the object. (This is how sound waves help in the recognition – through the radar, of an enemy’s airplane during the war times….).
The human body could also be regarded as a ‘radar’ with respect to the gross sonic effects of the mantras. The extrasensory inner components (like the sat cakras or the granthis…. etc) of this biological radar send supernormal radio signals in the ‘etheric whole’ via the vibrations of mantras being enunciated in specific rhythms…. This wonderful radar receives back the quintessential signals of Sabda as an ‘echo’ from the cosmic nucleus of the mantra. The latent power of Sabda – linked with the spiritual enlightenment and hence with the awakened power of the eternal consciousness of the soul of the sadhaka effectuates the impact of mantras on the ‘radar’ of the sadhaka’s physical, subtle and astral bodies. And thus empowers the sadhaka with the supernatural potentials and afflatus upon successful completion of a mantras adhana.
The subtle power of Sabda, induced in the spiritually refined vañi of the sadhaka, is described in the ancient scriptures (of Mantra Vidya as – vak. For a ready reference, consider a few excerpts (from the shastrika literature) cited below:
Meaning: The waves of vak travel with the vibrations (of mantras) like the waves in an ocean.
Meaning: Prajapati –the Creator of the Universe, was alone; Only vak was thy power in the eternity. Thou wished to make the manifestation of vak …Everything was then created by the vak.
Meaning: Whatever exists after Brahm that is the vak alone.
Meaning: Vak itself is the ultimate God.
Meaning: This vak itself is risis Vishwakarma. Everything is created by it.
Meaning: One who knows the eternally existing, most original (genesis of all the creations) vak – is Omniscient.
The realization, to some extent, of the subtle power of sound has been revived in the modern era by the scientific works on ultrasound and infra-sound. The ultrasonic research findings of a French scientist, Dr. Leisswin, were successfully used for the first time in 1914 for recognition of underwater objects (like submarines) during the First World War. There has been a significant progress in the applications of ultrasound in the twentieth century. Drs. U. Adala, D. Hertz and Dr. Hughes etc. had successfully used this form of sound for preliminary applications in the field of medicine during 1942–1950. Today, the medical technology is making tremendous use of advanced ultrasonic devices for non-invasive diagnostic purposes and for delicate surgical operations.
The effects of mantra are based on subtler levels of sound than the ultra- or infra- sounds. The body components like the tongue and the palate are supporting tools for augmenting the frequency of the sound of the syllables of mantra. The inner extrasensory energy-centers of the body (including those in the brain) exponentially amplify – with the help of the vital power of the bio-electricity and the strength of consciousness (of the sadhaka), the frequency of the sound waves of the mantra far beyond the limits of ultrasonic and supersonic vibrations.
Scientific investigations on mantra vidya are necessary considering the fact that only a handful of genuine ‘experts’ of this latent field of knowledge could be available today. Many ‘so called’ religious and spiritual ‘masters’ have been making a mockery of this great science by false propaganda and superstitious proclamations since the medieval era of moral, cultural and social decline.
Every scientifically liberated mind should realize that – mantra-japa involves subliminal powers of sound, experiment on which demand sincere pursuit of certain disciplines and perfection in the patterns of enunciation along with stability and depth of meditation. The effect of a mantra is mostly spiritual in nature. Research in the science of mantras therefore cannot be independent of the science of deeper psychology and spirituality.
Laboratory experiments on ultrasonic effects have shown that the vibrations at a high frequency – of the order of five crores per second – can produce so much energy that would covert the surrounding material into vapors and ashes almost instantaneously. Then what about the power of the vibrations that are generated at exponentially faster frequencies by a controlled use of bioelectricity, vital energy and the sublime force of the otherwise unused (latent) part of the human consciousness? Why wouldn’t they induce suprasonic impulses in the etheric whole and create cosmic effects?
For a systematic and detailed analysis of the above aspects of mantra-vidya, a comprehensive study of the scriptures on yoga sadhanas would be inevitable. The ‘visualization’ (realization) of the seventy-two thousands nadi, mysterious bundles of nerves and muscles (uptyikas) and the extrasensory knots (granthis) and energy pools (cakras) along the spinal column and the brahm randhras in the brain – by specific sadhanas of Sabda Yoga and Nada Yoga, would be a promising method for thorough experimental investigations in this regard.
The psychological effects of mantra- japa are far more important than its sonic effects. The tantrika part of mantra vidya describes the tongue as Shakti (the Goddess Parvati) and the heart as the God Shiva. These are also termed as Rayi and Praña or Agni and Soma. These two represent the eternal and mutually complementary subliminal currents of cosmic praña, the confluence of which is supposed to be the soruce of existence and evolution of everything in this world….
The connection between the positively and negatively charged electrodes makes a complete circuit for the flow of electrical current. Similarly, though subliminally, the arousal of Shakti by japa (through the tongue) and the realization of Shiva by the intrinsic force of sraddha (educed in the emotional core/heart) during a mantra–sadhana generate a ‘current’ of the hidden force of Sabda. The latter, being empowered by the eternal consciousness induces supernatural sonic effects and inculcates immortal beatific impressions in the subconscious, unconscious and super conscious domains of the mind.
Âcharya Vinoba Bhave, an ardent disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and the founder of the Sarvodaya Mission used to regard the process of speaking as a mode of worshiping the vañi. He had accordingly restrained and refined this faculty so well, that every word uttered by him was like a ‘japa’. This is why, his short but inspiring speech used to lay magical effects on the audience. It was this power of his refined vañi that had made his Bhudana project a real success…..
A quote in Shatpath Brahmana mentions that the words or speech which can eliminate the evils from the minds of all people and which can inspire the human society towards the righteous path – are true mantras of Saraswathi (– the deity of pure knowledge and intelligence). Thus, as far as the psychological impacts are concerned, any kind of speech or conversation, which is originated by altruist sentiments and intrinsic urge towards the true welfare of all, can be effective like a mantra.
The creative and enchanting impacts of music on human-psychology are well accepted today and Interdisciplinary scientific research is quite active to make use of the same against psychological disorders and as a ‘tonic’ for mental health and enthusiasm for those engaged in monotonic laborious works. Research should also begin for – understanding the meaning and complexities of the phonetic symbols used in the Vaidika Mantras, deciphering the spectrum of accents and rhythmic chanting patterns (Sama Gana) for these mantras and devising scientific methods to experiment with them.
The “Kalpa” methods of Âyurvedika treatments of any disease begin after performing Nadi Sodhana, which consist of five basic steps– vaman, virecana, snehana, swedana and nasya – pertaining to the complete cleansing and purification of the body-system. The Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga and the Tantra Yoga also have five basic disciplines (Yamas and Niyams) and training steps each. The practices of learning the associated yoga cannot begin without completion of these training steps. Similarly, the experiments on a mantra s³dhana demand deeper refinement and understanding, and endeavors for mental and emotional conjunction with the five components – namely, the Risis Chanda, Devata, Bija and Tatva – of the mantra as described in its viniyoga.
The ultrasonic devices are often used for identifying electrical leakage or short-circuit in complex networks. The sonic patterns of the mantras when realized inside the body can similarly help the sadhaka know his own defects and infirmities and also invent the wonderful web of the extrasensory nuclei of consciousness inside the body. Thy-presence in the individual self could be expressed and experienced by self-realization through mantra sadhana. This eventually effectuates spiritual transmutation of the individual consciousness into the divine consciousness….
Source: Eternity of Sound and the Science of Mantra
