Call on the Name with Love and Devotion

Sri Lakshmana Swamy

Q: Is there any power inherent in a mantra, or is it only focus for concentration?

LS: If a Self-realized Guru gives you a mantra, then there will be some power in it.

Q: I am asking this because some time ago I had a dream in which I was attached by asuras (demons). As they were attacking me I spontaneously said Om Sivaya Namah just once. The attack stopped and I woke up immediately. I had not been saying this mantra before, but it came to me automatically in my sleep.

LS: Yes, this is possible.

Q: Should I start saying this mantra? Should I take this dream as upadesa (spiritual teaching)?

LS: You can start saying if you want to. The Self has shown you this mantra so you can carry on repeating it.

Q: Before this dream I used to repeat Arunachala Siva as a mantra. But no one had initiated me into this, I just started doing it myself. Should I stop repeating Arunachala Siva and start repeating Om Sivaya Namah? I know it is not good to change mantras, but bearing in mind the circumstances under which the one was given to me, would it be good for me to change?

LS: Both mantras are equally good, and you can say whichever you prefer. In both cases you are calling out Siva. The real Siva has no name and no form, but if you give him a name and call on him he will respond. What is your own name?

Q: Nadhia.

LS: You were not born with this name, and it is not printed on your back or forehead, but if I call "Nadhia" you will respond. The Self will also respond to whatever name you give it. If you give it a name and constantly repeat it, you are remembering the Self and invoking the power of the Self.

Once when I was at Ramanasramam, Ramana Maharshi called me in the Heart. I was sound asleep in my room at the time, but the word Lakshmana sounding in the Heart woke me up immediately. Sarada once did the same thing to me when I was sleeping in this house. To get a response from the Self, all you have to do is give it a name and then call on it with love and devotion.

Q: I have heard that there are certain rhythms or tunes which add power to the mantra. Is this true? Must one chant the mantra in a particular way, or is it alright to do it more or less mechanically?

LS: There is no harm in repeating a mantra mechanically. It doesn't really matter how you say or pronounce the words. It is more important to have good concentration and good devotion towards the name that you are repeating.