Shiva Mantra Siddhi Jaap

BEFORE LEARNING HOW TO PERFORM SHIVA MANTRA JAPA, LET US FIRST UNDERSTAND WHAT IS JAPA?

JAPA, OR RECITATION, IS THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE of devotedly repeating a mantra for generally a specified number of times, such as 108. It includes counting on a strand of beads, called a japa mala, while conscientiously concentrating on the meaning of the mantra. The repetition should be dutifully at such speed that the chanter should be able to absorb the meaning of the mantra while chanting. This brings punya, merit, to the devotee. It should not be thoughtlessly mechanical or so-called rapid-fire or machine-gun japa, demonstrating ignorance of the Tantras. Such casual, nonchalant negligence and disregard for contemplative traditions bring papa, demerit, to the devotee. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagvat Gita:

Of all the Vedas I am the Sama Veda
Of all the Yagnas I am the Japa yagna

Thus, the Lord highlights the importance of japa.

Japa is a form of devotional worship, invocation, supplication, praise, adoration, meditation and direct, experiential communion. Unless we are actually in a state of samadhi (total absorption), which is rare for most people, japa provides a means to disengage from our racing thoughts and our memories of the past, mostly the bad ones. The repetition of positive, uplifting, spiritual mantras repeatedly lifts consciousness and causes Muladhara Chakra to spin clockwise. We feel uplifted. Life does not look so bad, nor does the past. A sense of forgiveness comes, and the future looks bright. The past is forgiven and forgotten. Japa can be done by everyone. However, for Yajnas, certain conditions are mentioned.

There are three ways by which one can perform japa:

• Ucchahi - loud recitation - less effective
• Upamshu - soft recitation - more effective
• Manasikam - within the mind - most effective

OM is the basic vibration of the cosmic universe. Hence all mantras begin with 'OM'.

Benefits of Japam:

• Physical - to energize the system (to tone up the system)
• Mental - to remove depression/obstacles/mental blocks.
• Spiritual - Attaining Siddhi, self-development/specific areas of growth (strengthening the inner-personality by projecting positive powers inwards; overcoming/eliminating negative traits).

Lord Shiva Mantra Siddhi Japa

1. Number of repetitions
   1. Based on the teachings of Sri Harihara in Prasna Marga, we advise that this mantra should be recited 8000 times in forty days. The recitation of 108 mantras for forty days, both in the morning and evening, covers this requirement to be performed. For other purposes, a larger number of repetitions is advised.
   2. After lighting a lamp and sitting in any yogic posture (preferably Padmasana, which is the picture of Lord Shiva in the picture) while facing east, recite the Maha-mantra 108 times (one rosary) or its multiples in each sitting. This is the greatest work of Maharishi Vashistha. Before commencing the Mahamrityunjaya mantra recite the mantra to the everlasting spirit of the Maharishi Vashistha for his blessings and guidance as follows.
   3. After that, perform Rudrabhishek (Ritual offering of the Panca-Amrita or the five forms of nectar as Honey, Ghee, Curd, Milk and Water) on the Shivalinga.
      
2. Understanding the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
   1. It is important to understand the meaning of the words as this makes the repetition meaningful and brings forth the results.
   2. Japa mantra  OM is not spelt out in the Rig-Veda but has to be added to the beginning of all Mantras as given in an earlier Mantra of the Rig-Veda addressed to Ganapati. This Mantra is given in the prayer page of my Book 'Maharishi Jaimini's Upadesa Sutra'.
   3. TRYAMBAKKAM refers to the Three eyes of Lord Shiva. 'Trya' means 'Three' and 'Ambakam' means eyes. These three eyes or sources of enlightenment are the Trimurti or three primary deities, namely Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and the three 'AMBA' (also meaning Mother or Shakti' are Saraswati, Lakshmi and Gouri. Thus in this word, we are referring to God as Omniscient (Brahma), Omnipresent (Vishnu) and Omnipotent (Shiva). This is the wisdom of Brihaspati and is referred to as Sri Duttatreya having three heads of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
   4. YAJAMAHE means,  'We sing Thy praise'.
   5. SUGANDHIM refers to His fragrance (of knowledge, presence and strength i.e. three aspects) as being the best and always spreading around. Fragrance refers to the joy we get from knowing, seeing or feeling His virtuous deeds.
   6. PUSTIVARDHANAM Pooshan refers to Him as the sustainer of this world, and in this manner; He is the Father (Pater) of all. Pooshan is also the inner impeller of all knowledge and is thus Savitur or the Sun and also symbolizes Brahma, the Omniscient Creator. In this manner, He is also the Father (Genitor) of all.
   7. URVAAROKAMEVA 'URVA' means 'VISHAL' or big and powerful or deadly. 'AAROOKAM' means 'Disease'. Thus URVAROOKA means deadly and overpowering diseases. (The CUCUMBER interpretation given in various places is also correct for the word URVAROOKAM). The diseases are also of three kinds caused by the influence (in the negative) of the three Guna's and are ignorance (Avidya etc.), falsehood (Asat etc. as even though Vishnu is everywhere; we fail to perceive Him and are guided by our sight and other senses) and weaknesses (Shadripu etc. a constraint of this physical body and Shiva is all powerful).
   8. BANDANAAN means bound down. Thus read with URVAROOKAMEVA, it means 'I am bound down by deadly and overpowering diseases'.
   9. MRITYORMOOKSHEYA means to deliver us from death (both premature death in this Physical world and from the never-ending cycle of deaths due to re-birth) for the sake of Moksha (nirvana or final emancipation from rebirth).
   10. MAAMRITAAT means 'please give me some Amritam (life rejuvenating nectar). Read with the previous word, means that we are praying for some 'Amrit' to get out of the death-inflicting diseases as well as the cycle of rebirth.