Mantrayoga
By Swami Harshananda
Mantrayoga literally means ‘yoga through mantra’.
The Vāyaviya Samhitā is an important work on Śaivism. It describes yoga as of five kinds. Mantrayoga is the first in the series. It is that yoga in which, by the constant repetition of the mantra imparted by the guru, the mental states become steady. When this is associated with prāṇāyāma or breath-control, it is called Sparśayoga. Sparśayoga develops into Bhāvayoga when mantrajāpa or the repetition of the mantra stops automatically, leaving only the bhāva or feeling. By further practice, the world appears in its various forms, disappears, thus leading to Abhāvayoga. At the last stage of spiritual evolution union with Śiva is attained. This is Mahāyoga. The eight steps of yoga described in the Yogasutras of Patañjali[1] are also included in this practice.
References[edit]
- ↑ He lived in 200 B. C.
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore