What is Tratak Sadhana? Part 2: The Benefits
Tratak is an advanced technique. Seek the help of a Guru before starting its practise.
This post continues from the prior article on Tratak – click here to read.
The benefits are many
The point of tratak is to ultimately still the mind and use the resulting concentration to access soul power within.
Aside from improved focus, mental acuity and memory, other notable benefits are:
- Precognition. One may experience such heightened levels of perception that your observation skills border on precognition. IE – you can almost read someone’s thoughts or know what they are about to say before they say it. This occurs because the mind is usually attempting to process more information from your 5 senses continuously than is usually possible. Most of the time it must ‘delete’ the majority of this information flowing in and just focus on the relevant details. With the practice of tratak, one starts to delete less and absorb more.
- Influence. Your powers of influence improve as you can no only ‘read’ people better, your added awareness and mental acuity give rise to greater levels of confidence. In combination these two factors allow you to improve your oration abilities, stick to the strength of your convictions and therefore much more easily influence others.
- Siddhis. The advanced practitioner of tratak can reach the stage where their cognitive abilities can access the subtle realms of existence and channel divine power to manifest siddhis (when used in conjunction with mantras); the easiest being clairvoyance, remote vision, psychic communication, etc.
How to Attract Women: Part 4 – Soundarya Lahari Mantra for Marriage
The Soundarya Lahari holds many powerful mantras. Find the mantra to attract a partner here.
This article is the continuation of the How to Attract Women series.
Authored by the hand of God…
The Soundarya Lahari, loosely translating to “Waves of Beauty” is a masterpiece in praise of the Divine Feminine. The piece is said to be authored by Shiva himself and transcribed by Ganesha, in praise of his consort, Parashakti – the Supreme Power.
These secrets were originally provided to Adi Shankaracharya. Through a twist of fate, the Shankaracharya himself contributed a section to the hymn. The lore as to why he wrote a portion is varied but suffice to say, a portion of the original text was lost, requiring him to complete it.
There are many further sources of information on the text, including on Speaking Tree:
…and the source of many powerful mantras
The Soundarya Lahari is an incredibly powerful script. Each verse and couplet is known to have tremendous mantra-shakti.
Interestingly, for a stotra of this size, there is no Phala-sruti – the part of the prayer which describes its attributes and benefits. Instead, one is to take it as an act of pure devotion. In fact, this is actually the key to unlocking its benefits. Once you worship the Divine Feminine in Supreme form, the more pointed questions are: what will you NOT receive and be unable to perform after accessing such a powerful force? The answer is of course: nothing!
The Mantra for Attracting a Partner
Here is the verse to hasten marriage; it allows you to attract a husband or wife.
Note: The translation and transliteration have been borrowed from the fantastic website: http://www.sankaracharya.org/soundarya_lahari.php.
Transliteration:
Verse 5:
“Haris tvam aradhya pranata-jana-saubhagya-jananim
Pura nari bhutva Pura-ripum api ksobham anayat;
Smaro’pi tvam natva rati-nayana-lehyena vapusha
Muninam apyantah prabhavati hi mohaya mahatam.“
(Semi-literal) meaning:
“You who grant all the good things,
To those who bow at your feet,
Was worshipped by the Lord Vishnu,
Who took the pretty lovable feminine form,
And could move the mind of he who burnt the cities,
And make him fall in love with him.
And the God of love , Manmatha,
Took the form which is like nectar,
Drunk by the eyes by Rathi his wife,
After venerating you,
Was able to create passion ,
Even in the mind of the great Sages.”
Important notes on Procedure
Whilst anyone can chant the Soundarya Lahari, they should approach it the appropriate degree of reverence.
There is a significant level of precision required in both pronunciation and procedure. Ideally one should proceed straight from the shower into the prayer room dressed in freshly washed clothes. Light a lamp, then begin chanting as per usual mantra japa.
Learn the pronunciation from one well versed in the mantra, or if that is not possible, listen to the mantra online to learn it. A link will soon be posted to the Listen to Mantras Here page of my blog, accessible by clicking here.
Secrets of the Hanuman Chalisa (Part 4)
Learn the final set of benefits from the Hanuman Chalisa verses!
This post continues the series on the Benefits of the Hanuman Chalisa.
The final set of seven benefits
Here are the benefits from the final set of verses:
- Ability to bear physical pain: Verse 25 (Naasai roga harai…)
- Victory over enemies: Verse 30 (Saadhu Santa ke…)
- Siddhis (occult powers) and Wealth: Verse 31 (
- Ethical judgement: Verse 32-35 (Raama rasaayana… to Aura Devataa Chitta…)
- Mental peace: Verse 36 (Sankata katai mitai…)
- The Grace of Hanuman: Verse 37 (Jai Jai Jai Hanumaana…)
The method of sadhana for the Hanuman Chalisa
Aspirants often ask how many times to chant the Chalisa.
It is noted that 1, 3, 9, 11 and 108 times are the most auspicious numbers, although there is no real limitation or wrong way of chanting it! More importantly, dedication, regularity and devotion are key. The most auspicious times and days are during the twilight hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays, although again, this is a stotra one can learn and recite daily.
For those who want to attempt the higher number of repetitions but feel they are unable to get the pronunciation correct, I have updated the Listen to Mantras page on the blog (click here to access it) with a fast version (recited within 3mins). It is therefore possible to finish a full 108 within a few hours.
Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama!
Check my blog frequently to keep up to date with new articles on Hanuman!
https://swamimantrayogi.wordpress.com
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Secrets of the Hanuman Chalisa (Part 3)
Chant the Hanuman Chalisa's special verses as mantras!
This post continues the series on the benefits of the Hanuman Chalisa. We have so far learned that the hymn helps the sadhak with everything from dissolving bad karma to attaining the heights of fame!
The second set of severn verses
Here are the benefits from the next seven verses:
- Restores and improves career/social status: Verses 16-17 (Tuma upakaara Sugreevahin… and Tumharo mantra Vibheeshana…)
- Accomplish difficult tasks, break obstacles: Verse 20 (Durgama kaaja…)
- Protection from malefic effect of planets: Verse 22 (Saba sukha lahai…)
- Protection from Black Magic and spirits: Verse 24 (Bhoota pishaacha…)
- Health: Verse 25 (Naasai roga…)
- Rescue from crisis: Verse 26 (Sankata ten Hanumaana…)
- Fulfilment of desires: Verses 27-28 (Saba para Raama… and (Aura manoratha jo…)
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Secrets of the Hanuman Chalisa (Part 2)
Learn the verses of the Chalisa which act as mantras here!
More than a hymn
As discussed in the first post in this series (click here to read it if you missed it or wish to recap), the Hanuman Chalisa is far more powerful than a simple devotional hymn.
Sadhaks have long discovered that there are specific benefits to chanting certain verses.
The benefits were outlined in the prior post. This part looks at the verses behind the first seven benefits, as below.
The first seven verses and benefits
- Removal of bad karma accrued against Guru or fellow devotees: First opening verse (Shree Guru Charana…)
- Wisdom and strength: Second opening verse (Buddhi Heena Tanu…)
- Divine knowledge (Brahmavidya): Verse 1 (Jaya Hanumaana gyaana…)
- Remove bad habits and company: Verse 3 (Mahaaveera Vikrama…)
- Cultivates bhakti: Verses 7 and 8 (Vidyaavaana gunee… and Prabhu charitra…)
- Protection from snakes and bites: Verse 11 (Laaye Sanjeevana…)
- Fame: Verses 13-15 (Sahasa badana…, Sanakaadika Brahmaadi…, Yama Kuber …)
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Secrets of the Hanuman Chalisa (Part 1)
The Hanuman Chalisa is a powerful technology to provide all-round benefits
A powerful technology for all-round benefits
The Hanuman Chalisa has benefited millions across generations through its mantra-shakti and ability to incite the deepest devotion in the most intensely troubled sadhak.
But do not think it to be limited to merely improving your state of mind! It is indeed an intensely powerful stotra (hymn) which can endow the saadhak (spiritual aspirant) with real power – physical, metaphysical and spiritual; and both for daily life and also for esoteric purposes.
A quick recap of the basics….
We have already covered the basic benefits of the Chalisa – building character and Ram Bhakti. You can read the prior articles on Hanuman by clicking here and here; they provide a quick refresher on his attributes and the general benefits of Hanuman worship.
…then onto the master class!
The Hanuman Chalisa is a hymn of 40 verses adoring Hanuman and his great achievements in the context of the epic Ramayana. Each verse is also known as a chaupai (4 legged) and consists of a rhyming couplet.
It is the essence of the Sundara Kand of the Ramayana. In fact this is one of the very reasons for its unbelievable power to help any devotee – the Sundara Kand is prescribed to anyone with a strong will to make something happen which is beyond their control – one prominent example is hastening marriage.
There are of course a much broader set of benefits to reading or listening to the Chalisa daily – here is a full list:
- Removes bad karma of unknowingly insulting or harming a Guru or fellow devotee
- Wisdom and strength
- Divine knowledge
- Remove bad habits and company
- Cultivates bhakti
- Protection from snakes and bites
- Fame
- Restores and improves career/social status
- Protection from malefic effect of planets
- Accomplish difficult tasks, break obstacles
- Rescue from crisis
- Fulfilment of desires
- Protection from Black Magic and spirits
- Health
- Ability to bear physical pain
- Victory over enemies
- Siddhis (occult powers)
- Wealth
- Mental peace
- Ethical judgement
- The Grace of Hanuman
This series will highlight which specific verses provide each of the benefits. within the Chalisa can be recited on their own as ‘mini-mantras’ to gain specific benefits.
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Lakshmi’s Compassion Manifests as Golden Rain!
Channel the Power of Lakshmi through your life with the Kanagadhara chant
Are you lacking something?
There are times when our financial situation struggles to meet our needs. For the vast majority of the readership living in the Western World, this is not an immediate problem – but there are those who do need help.
For such needs, I would greatly recommend the Kanagadhara Stotra, a powerful hymn spontaneously composed by the Adi Shankaracharya himself to plead with the Goddess Lakshmi herself to help those in need.
The Story of Golden Rain
The story is very moving. The Adi Shankaracharya comes to the house of a poor widow when begging for biksha (alms). The widow is embarrassed that she has nothing for the acharya so gives him the only thing she has – a gooseberry from the tree outside her house.
The Shankarcharya is moved by this; despite her extreme poverty she finds it within her heart to give him everything she had. He spontaneously composes a rousing hymn to Lakshmi, pleading the Goddess to take pity on her daughter and shower her with blessings. As the great acharya prays, the Goddess herself appears, again moved by his pleading. The result is a shower of gold: the gooseberry tree outside the widow’s house rains gold gooseberries!
Give to receive
Click here to find the YouTube clip of the stotra sung by the great MS Subbulakshmi by clicking here.
Chant or listen to this everyday to see your financial situation dramatically improve!
Once your have benefited from it, don’t stop – keep going! Why? Because there are always those less fortunate than you; ‘paying it forward’ has untold benefits in terms of good karma.
A perfect complement is the Shreem mantra – see my prior posts for further details.
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Navaratri 2011: Fill yourself with Divine Inspiration!
Our lives are blocks of marble waiting to be sculpted into perfection...learn how from Saraswathi!
Navaratri Day 7/8
We are now into the final two/three days/nights of Navaratri, depending on one’s calendar, and our thoughts now turn to Saraswathi, the Goddess of Speech, the Arts and Literature.
It is funny that the most popular poojas and havans or yagnyas within Hindu communities are those to Ganesha (to remove obstacles toward an achievement, goal or event) and Lakshmi (for attracting wealth), yet little thought is given to Saraswathi Devi. Where does the inspiration come from for business? Who guides you through an interview to land that dream job? Where does creative inspiration come from? Nowhere but the great Saraswathi.
Society may have it all wrong…!
Michaelangelo: guided by the hand of God
There is a tremendously inspiring story of what happened at the unveiling of the statue of David, by Michaelangelo. For those who aren’t familiar with the statue of David, it is an 17 foot tall sculpture of a scene from the Christian Bible. David is the one who slew Goliath with nothing but his wits and his slingshot.
Michaelangelo carved the statue from a single piece of marble over a period of 4 years. When it was unveiled, the crowd was silent with wonder. Some cried tears of joy at such a profound vision.
They asked him: “How did you carve something so beautiful from just one piece of marble?”
The master sculpture replied: “David was already in there…I just chipped away the excess!”
Mastery of the Creative Spirit
It is difficult to believe something so incredible is the work of a mere man. Some believe Michaelangelo’s work was guided by the hand of God. This is the key to understanding the power of Goddess Saraswathi. Worship her to gain mastery over all studious pursuits, creative arts and skills.
An article with mantras to Saraswathi can be found on a prior post by clicking here.
Vishnu Gayatri Mantra
Command respect and authority by worshipping Narayana!
Transliteration:
“Om NArayanAya Vidhmahe,
VasudEvaya DhImahi
TannO VishnU PrachOdayAth.“
(Semi-literal) Translation:
“We know the Abode of Man,
We meditate on the Son of Vasudeva,
May The All-Pervading One enlighten us”
Purpose:
- Gain respect and authority; leadership and management abilities
- Character and wealth
- A strong sense of right conduct (Dharma) and diplomacy
Worship Vishnu to develop Leadership
Vishnu is the grand Manager of the Universe – the CEO if you will! Worshipping Vishnu through the Gayatri above will help one ‘lead from the front’. First, it will establish a strong intuition of strategy, the correct way of doing things and more fundamentally, a clear cut understanding of what is right and wrong. Second, the improvement of one’s character in this regard will shine for others to see and they will automatically fall in line to your leadership.
One should also worship Vishnu to regain control of one’s life, develop a strong sense of inner direction and improve your diplomacy in dealing with others in a fair and just manner.
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Narasimha Gayatri Mantra
Eliminate the evil of others with prayers to Narasimha!
Transliteration:
“Om VajranakhAya vidmahe
TIksnadamstrAya dhimahi
Tanno Narasimhah PracodhayAt“
(Semi-literal) Translation:
“We know the one with diamond nails,
We meditate on the sharp-toothed,
May Narasimha enlighten us”
Purpose:
- Defeat enemies
- Protection from attack – this is a powerful counter in times of grave personal danger
- Increases your courage and bravery in the face of adversity
- Nullifies the effect of evil deeds by your enemies
A powerful force against the evil deeds of others
There comes a time in everyone’s life where others wish you harm or misfortune. The worship of Narasimha and invoking his grace at times of distress – particularly during physical attack can have great power against such people.
In more practical and sattvik terms, you can consider the mantra to nullify the ill wills of others and steadily remove their feelings of enmity toward you.
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The Original Mantra: the Pranava - OM
Swami Mantra Yogi 