Eternity Of Sound and The Science Of Mantras (Sabda Brahm: Mantra Vijnana)

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Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, a pioneer of spiritual renaissance was born on 20th September 1911, in Anwalkheda, Agra District. He scrupulously carried out the biddings of his Guru, a great Himalayan Yogi1 since he wa fifteen years of age.

He took part in the struggle for independence as a volunteer, went to jail a number of times and embarked upon the task of social and moral upliftment through spiritual means in 1935 with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi.

A sage, a visionary and a reformer, the Acharya a initiated 100 points Yug Nirman Yojna, Used a disciplined life of devout austerity, visited the Himalayas several times and attained spiritual eminence.

The Gayatri Pariwar fraternity; Shantikunj Ashram — an academ for moral and spiritual awakening; Brahmavarchas Research Institute— which strives to synthesize science with spirituality and over 3000 social reform centres (Shakti-peeths) are his greatest contributions to the modem world.

He translated the entire Vedic Vangmaya and accomplished a feat of writing more than 3000 books on all aspects of life.

The Acharya. Great devotee of Gayatri liveded an ideal life for 80 years and voluntarih shed his physical sheath on Gayatri Jayanti, 2nd June 1990.

The knowledge of Sabda Brahm — Nada Brahm is an important branch of the Indian school of spirituality. The science and philosophy of Sabda Brahm encompasses the methodology and effects of mantra-japa, prayers, collective chanting and sadhanas of the veda-mantras and that of the Nada Brahm deals with the genesis, expansion and influence of music. The volume 19 of the “Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Vangmaya” series presents truly rare and detailed information and guidance on this topic. The present book is compiled from the English translation, by Dr. Rajani Joshi, of the first two chapters of this volume that focus on the cosmic dimensions of sound and the science of mantras.

Linguistically, the word mantra in Sanskrit implies a specific structure of sonic patterns — coded in syllables and vowels, that works as a spiriutal tool to liberate the mmd from ignorance, illusion and evil instincts. The specific configurations of syllables and the corresponding combinations of phonemes in the mantras make the latter powerful ‘carriers’ of the cosmic energy of sound. The book presents a perspicuous introduction with analysis of multiple aspects of the physical and subliminal impact of sound and the structure of mantras. It also highlights authentic reports on scientific experiments in this direction.

Different methods of rhythmic enunciation (japa) and spiritual practices (sadhanas) of vedic mantras are described here with adept guidance. The author, Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya also focuses on mantra yoga as an effective endeavor to master the generation and utilization, without any external means or instruments, of the immense powers of sound for specific noble purposes. Although the vedic mantras could be well expressed vocally as prose or verse, the method of singing them in specific rythms as hymns was given principal importance by the risis. Hence the unique spectrum of vedic swaras and the gamut of chanting patterns for mantras were evolved and encoded in the Sama Veda.

The Sama Veda contains divine knowledge of the miraculous spiritual flow of music that can effectuate a vivid connection of the individual ‘self’ with thy-self. The author highlights the crucial role of this Veda and discusses the present status of the schools of sama gana in the context of the difficulties faced today in identifying the best chanting patterns for the Vedic Mantras.

The sadhanas of mantra yoga together with nada yoga are integral parts of the spiritual experiments on awakening of the Kundalini and realization of the Brahm through Omkar. These topics too are covered here sagaciously in scientific light. The paramount role of vak (absolutely refined voice) in mantra yoga is emphasized with necessary guidance. The author describes the four successively subtler levels of human voice (vãni) and presents the methods, for the control and refinement of the vani and mental faculties, which can be practiced by everybody in day-to-day life. These sädhanas gradually lead to the spiritual elevation of the vat up to the supreme level — the vak.

He further illustrates — how the hidden spiritual powers of a mantra are activated by japa through such a spiriutally empowered voice. And how the materialization of the blessings and curses also becomes possible because of the power of yak. Authentic examples and scientific evidences of the modern times are presented in this book with relevant excerpts from the scriptures to support and explain the enormous potentials of refined van.

Acharya Sharma’s elucidation of the esoteric and complex subject matter of Sabda Brahm and Mantras is indeed lucid, logical and scientific. The book also outlines how the modem science could offer multifaceted benefits towards multifaceted welfare of human society by constructive investigations in the Science of Mantras.