Potency Of Mantra Japam

Sri Ramana Maharshi

The Self is the greatest of all mantras - it goes on automatically and eternally. If you are not aware of this internal mantrA, you should take to it consciously as japam, which is attended with effort, to ward off all other thoughts. By constant attention to it, you will eventually become aware of the internal mantra which is the state of realization and is effortless. Firmness in this awareness will keep you continually and effortlessly in the current, however much you may be engaged in other activities.

By repetition of mantras, the mind gets controlled. Then the mantra becomes one with the mind and also with the prAnA (the energy that sustains the body). When the syllables of the mantra become one with the prAna, it is termed dhyAnam, and when dhyAnam becomes deep and firm it leads to sahaja sthiti (the natural state).