The importance of Śabda is recognized in one form or the other by almost all religions and schools of spiritual sciences. Devotional and spiritual practices of chanting God’s names, prayers, and mantra- japa are prominent illustrations of this fact. The significance of Śabda (and hence of the mantras) can also be affirmed scientifically because energy, frequency, and vibrations are the core of the universe. Acoustics — the modern science of sound deals with the physical manifestation of Śabda. Mantra Vigyana (vijňāna) — the Vedic science of mantras pertains to the physical as well as the sublime power of Śabda.
Physical and Psychological Impact of Sound: The sound produced by matter also has its effects of varied types and orders. The claim of homeopathy that thunderbolt affects the bio-rhythms in animals as well as human beings is scientifically accepted. It is also widely observed that the soft sound of the flow of a river influences the poetic and nature-loving minds creatively, the roaring sound of lions induces fear in some beings and stimulates the valor of some others, etc. These are some well-known examples of the natural impacts of sound. Specific effects of resonance of sound at different frequencies are also demonstrated in the laboratories. Just imagine the synergistic conjunction of the psychological impact with those wonderful effects of sound!
Words spoken with hatred, anger, or affection would create corresponding ‘matching’ effects in the listeners; even animals respond in accordance with this fact. Because of the linkage between psychological and sonic effects, the silent words of thoughts are equally effective as the spoken words. For instance, if a person with a sacred and serene mentality is sitting near someone engrossed in cruel or erotic thinking, the former would definitely get some irritating or repulsive feeling. The creative and destructive effects of sound in the form of music are widely experienced and quite recognized; several research findings on this topic are reported in international scientific periodicals like the Journal of Music Therapy. Some more examples in this regard are listed below that throw light on the interconnection of sound and psychology.
Such is the profound emotional impact of devotional music/ sound that sometimes devotees fall in a trance; some even see the deity as live/real. For example, while singing a devotional song in the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, lady Levy was reported to have seen the holy Mother Mary alive. Mental absorption in singing and listening of the Bhairav Raga is often reported to have resulted in the appearance of Bhairav (a form of Shiva). Several other reported experiences of these kinds include — depiction of different figures in the sand on some beaches in Italy when specific musical tunes were sung or played by some experts; different figures were found to be drawn depending upon the type of the music and the moods and emotional depth of the singer(s) and listeners. Mrs. Bats Heinz is also reported to have demonstrated such ‘visible effects’ of emotionally empowered music in Lord Litton’s Chamber.
Researchers of Cymatics now visually show specific effects of (sonic) vibrations in the laboratories. They give live visual demonstrations to prove that different kinds of harmonized sounds produce various types of smooth patterns of vibrations and hence different kinds of well-formed designs of particles. Effects of music (harmonized sounds) on brainwaves are also recorded by EEG (e.g., see [1]). The science of mantras is far more profound and advanced, as apart from all the soothing effects like melodious music, the vibrations generated by mantra-japa also induce significant sublime effects.
Sublime Effects:
Telepathy, mesmerism, auto-suggestion, and hypnosis work according to the linkage of sublime and physical powers of sound with psychology. The role of air and electromagnetic waves is vital in spreading the sonic currents in space. Higher-level yoga experiments show that bio-electricity, bio- magnetism, and more intensely the prāṇa2 of the sādhana3 help transmit and propagate the sublime vibrations (of the thought waves, and also the ‘sound-waves of the inner voice) beyond all barriers.
There are five forms of expression/transmission of (manifested or sublime) sound: (i) Vocal, in which one speaks out audibly; (ii) Physiological, e.g., the sound produced during respiration; (iii) Mental, in which the words are pronounced without lifting the tongue and the sound produced remains inside the throat [e.g., you hear your voice while thinking although you don’t utter or even murmur single word]; (iv) Extrasensory communication (e.g., in telepathy) through the voice of the inner mind — which, although sublime, can reach anywhere in the cosmos and vibrate the aimed/targeted mental domains/fields of thoughts; (v) anāhata — this non-vibrant eternal expression of Śabda is the self- existent omnipresent sound; it cannot be realized without the attainment of ultimate success in higher-level yoga/ sādhanā (namely, the nāda yoga).
Deep Science of Mantra:
It is amazing to note that the rishis (Vedic Sages) had thoroughly incorporated all the scientific aspects of (the manifested and the sublime) sound and its linkage with spirituality, psychology, and the physical energies in different manifestations of Śabda in the development of Mantra Vigyana. Therefore, research in this deeper science should consider these multifaceted dimensions and attempt to study the possibilities of using specific Vedic Mantras for positive effects on the ‘radar’ of the human body and mind while also counter- balancing noise pollution created by the unchecked modern materialistic development.
It should be noted and remembered by the researchers that linguistic analysis of the mantras as pieces of verse cannot give any information except inconclusive controversies. The essence of Mantra Vigyana lies in making use of the power of Śabda Brahṁ1 based on the transcendent science of consciousness and linking it with the purity and divine force/light of the spiritually awakened inner self.
The preeminence of the Gayatri
Mantra: It is a well-known scientific principle that continuous movement eventually results in a circular motion. The orbit and shapes of all the planets in the universe are almost round (or closed elliptical contours) due to this simple effect. By similar effects, the ‘sonic waves’ (currents of Śabda) generated by the japa4 of the Vedic Mantras are circular. Specific configurations of the syllables in these mantras create more distinguished effects. The sublime vibrations caused by the japa of Gayatri mantra are said to proceed upwards in a spiral shape. prāṇa of the sādhana exalts these waves up to the cosmic center of savitā5, which is the devatā (center of divine power) of this great Vedic Mantra.
When the ‘sonic waves’ generated by the japa of this mantra are reflected (reverberated) from its cosmic center, they are further empowered by the light, electricity, and the thermal energies ‘emitted’ from the Sun and the spiritual radiance of savitā.
This unique confluence of the physical and spiritual energies induces divine impact and inspiration and energizes and illuminates the body, mind, and the inner self of the sādhana. The dedicated sādhanā of the Gayatri mantra thus leads to enlightened elevation of life towards the higher realms of human dignity and awakens the divinity existing in the human self.
Prerequisites of Success in Mantra sādhanā:
Japa of a (Vedic) Mantra brings miraculous effects only if the vāṇī of the sādhana is spiritually refined. This can be achieved by the spiritual practices of Śabda yoga provided the sādhana’s voice and thoughts are refined through sincere adoption of truthfulness, self-control, and righteous living – endowed with purity (of character and deeds), serene love (for every being) and altruist compassion. This sādhanā empowers one’s voice with the strength of absolute truth. It is said that the Goddess Saraswati herself ‘resides’ on the tongue of such an accomplished sādhana of Śabda yoga. Correct pronunciation, consistency of japa of the mantra, and adept maintenance of the disciplines prescribed by a noble guide (guru) are the other two crucial components for absolute success (siddhi) in the mantra-sādhanā. Finally, the fourth and the most important factor is the level of śraddhā of the disciple in the particular mantra.
Energy, Expanded Vibrations, and Sublime Transmissions:
The disciplined japa (in purified vāni) of a mantra for a long time produces enormous energy by awakening the immanent power of Śabda.
This is amplified further by the continuous impact of the sublime energies of the willpower and deep faith of the sādhana. The strength of such energy fields is exponentially magnified during the devout, unperturbed, advanced level, long-term sādhanās (anuṣṭhānas) of the same mantra, as compared to that due to japa for a lesser number of times in the initial stages.
The ‘taila dhāravat sutra’ describes that — ‘If oil is dropped at a constant speed for some time continuously, its flow forms a steady stream. Similarly, the repeated rhythmic chant of the same word (or a string of words) forms a continuous (without an end or boundary) segment of words’. So, it is by the same principle that continuous (non-stop) japa of a mantra creates a sublime circular energy field.
For the adept practice of japa, the mantra should be recited at constant amplitude without any break or pause. The speed (of japa) should be so regular and consistent that one can count the number of japas in one sitting simply by the time taken. It is this consistency and continuity that gives a cyclic motion to the sonic waves generated by the japa and thus helps activation and focusing of the related powers of Śabda. This circular motion also has other significant effects.
Examples of movement of the toy ‘top’, or the functioning of machines by the movement of a flywheel illustrate that circular motion generates energy. Similarly, continuous japa of a mantra in a consistent manner, for a constant interval of time at a regular frequency (e.g., for four hours very early morning every day), can also generate energy in and around the sādhana that would keep his physical and subtle body creatively active for the rest of the day.
Fast circular motion at a regular pace generates a centrifugal force. Demonstration of this force can be seen in a circus — e.g., in the rotating swings or the circular motion of a motorbike rider in the ‘well of death.’ A similar effect helps the generation of a supernormal ‘sphere’ of sonic energy by the continuous japa of a mantra while maintaining the consistency of the pace by thorough engrossment of the mind.
The centrifugal force of attraction created by the circular, cyclic, and upward movements of the sonic waves (produced by the japa) also is quite significant during higher level sādhanās (anuṣṭhāna and puraṣcarana6) of Vedic Mantras; it induces the ‘potential’ to link the sādhana’s consciousness with higher realms. During such sādhanās, a devout sādhana may attempt to communicate in the sublime domains, with the rishis or noble spiritual experts of the specific mantra and accordingly try to tune-up his own body, mind, and inner self to synchronize the vibrations of his/her consciousness-energy with those of the divine radiation of Śabda.
Notes:
1. Śabda: The eternal element of cosmic sound generated by the evolutionary impulse of Brahṁ (The Omnipresent, Eternal Consciousness-Force).
2. prāṇa: Vital spiritual energy.
3. Sādhana: Who sincerely endeavors a sādhanā (an ascetic spiritual experiment) — in the present context, a japa sādhanā of a Vedic Mantra.
4. Japa: Meditative exercise of repeated rhythmic chants with mental and emotional engrossment.
All the effects of mantra-japa mentioned in the article will occur only if the japa is practiced with desired mental concentration and consistency for a substantial time, provided the chanter also meets the prerequisites.
5. Savitā: Subtle body of the Sun.
6. Anuṣṭhāna and Puraṣcaraṇa: These long-term, advanced level mantra-sādhanās are endeavoured under adept guidance of a noble guru; these should be attempted only by devout sādhanas who have thoroughly practiced and completed elementary level sādhanās with prescribed disciplines, the time periods, methods, and disciplines for performing such sādhanās are pre- decided and are specific to the type of mantra and the spiritual level of the sādhanā. Every action of the daily routine – including the type and quantity of food consumed per day, etc., must be strictly followed like other prescribed ascetic disciplines.
References:
[1] Alan Harvey “Your Brain and Music.” (TEDxPerth. https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=MZFFwy5fwYI)
Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2021 July August