The Mantra, Rishi and Phala

Tired and troubled...

The Aaditya Hrudaya begins with words that roughly translate to, ‘Tired and troubled from the war and its wake, filled with doubt and loss of self-confidence...’

While the common premise is that these sentiments apply to Raama and hence Agastya granted him the mantra for him to regain his confidence and face the enemy with renewed strength, it is to be understood that it was Raavana who was exhausted and anxious...

Agastyo Bhagawan Rishihi...

Before beginning to chant a mantra, one has to typically mention the name of the mantra itself, the main deity being invoked, the name of the rishi it is associated with, and the metre of the composition.

The Aaditya Hrudaya mentions the rishi as Agastya. This does not mean that the mantra was created by Agastya. Mantras are anaadi, that is, without beginning. They are neither written nor created. Additions may be made or they may be presented in new formats. The rishi mentioned is usually the one who has chosen this mantra for contemplation and has achieved mastery over it. Additionally he absorbs the power of the mantra and thus validates its potency. Such a rishi would have been blessed by the deity to whom the mantra is addressed (mantradevatha saakshatkaara).

Chanting

While chanting mantras unaware of their meaning grants marginal benefits, chanting them with full understanding (and with devotion) confers optimal benefits. A mantra chanted with a clear mind, inner purification, devotion, correct diction and firm resolve confers infinite fruits.

A mantra chanted aloud purifies the environment. It maybe chanted mentally for inner cleansing. Or it may be chanted silently, with only the lips moving but with no sound emanating.

Phala-stuthi

Why do mantras state the benefits of chanting them? Should one recite a mantra for such gains (mostly in the material realm, like prosperity, progeny etc.)? Many mantras also state that if the recitation is done for a particular number of times the benefits are bound to accrue.

Scholars state that the highest form of worship is without expectation of any benefit. All actions are undertaken only to please the lord. This is nishkaama karma. Yet, not everyone can attain such a state easily. For the common man, struggling to survive and succeed, the promise of reward is the motivation for performance of action (or chanting of mantras or observing rituals).

The phala-stuthi, sometimes called phala-shruthi, is the listing of the various benefits of chanting a mantra and is usually found at the end of every mantra. Many of the promised benefits are common to all mantras while some are specific to each mantra. The phala-stuthi has been likened to the sugar coating on bitter medicine.

A mother coaxes her child to swallow bitter medicine masked by the sugar coating or by promising a sweet treat. Till the patient understands the benefit of the medicine albeit bitter, it is the sugar coating that makes the medicine bearable. Similarly, a devotee worshipping the lord without any expectation, is the antidote to the disease of existence in the mortal world. But, in order for the devotee to attain the state of worship without expectation, he is first lured by the listing of benefits of reading the Bhaagwatha, chanting of mantras etc., says Jagannatha daasaru in the Harikathaamruthasaara.

To be continued...