Nama Article 6th Nov 2016
THE GLORY OF MANTRA DIKSHA
By Swami Sivananda
Mantras are in the nature of unfailing keys to give access into the transcendental realms of Absolute Experience. Mantras are potent givers of direct experience of the highest Reality, handed down to us from those far off ancient times. Mantras have been carefully handed down to us down the centuries, generation after generation, right up to the present modern age of materialism, by the long succession of saints, through the system of Guru Parampara.
A most tremendous transformation begins to take place in the innermost core of the conscience of the initiated or the receiver of the Mantra. The initiated is himself unaware of this fact because of the veil of ignorance or Mula Ajnana that still covers him, even as a poor man sleeping soundly in his humble cottage at night, carried silently and deposited upon a royal couch in the Emperor's Palace, remains completely unaware of his transfer, because he is still in deep sleep. But, nevertheless, this transformation starts with initiation, and like unto a seed that is sown in the earth, ultimately culminates in the grand fruit of realisation or Atma Jnana. To reach fruition, even as the seed has to pass through a process of developing into a seedling, a plant, a sapling and then a full grown tree, even so the Sadhaka, after receiving initiation, must make earnest and continuous effort in the form of spiritual Sadhana if the Diksha is to become blissfully fruitful as Self-realisation. This part is the Sadhaka's sole responsibility in which task he will doubtless receive the help, guidance and grace of the Guru in the measure of his firm faith and loyalty to him. As a pearl oyster patiently and eagerly awaits the drops of rain when the star Svati is in ascendency, receives the drop and converts it in itself, through its own efforts and processes, into a very valuable pearl, the Sadhaka eagerly and devoutly awaits Mantra initiation from the Guru, receives the sacred Mantra from him on the rare auspicious occasion, cherishes it and nurtures it in himself, and by his effort or process of Sadhana transforms it into a tremendous spiritual power which breaks the fort of Avidya or ignorance and opens the door to the blissful Immortal Experience.
Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
