Gandhi used Ram as his mantra. From what I uderstand from the priests that I know who are well versed in the Vedas, it is the bija mantras that have power. Mantras like "Ram" are good for developing or expressing devotion, but don't seem to "do" much. So it makes sense to me that MMY would have used bijas.
As others will no doubt point out, the bija's are primarily associated with the Shakti tradition of Goddess worship. Although it is not always so...for example the bija for Sudarshana (Vishnu's chakra/weapon) is "Hoom Paat" and is associated with the first Shankara (adi shankara). This mantra used under the right conditions by a trained individual has considerable power. I might also mention that the bija mantras are usually found in conjuntion with longer mantras for the specific dieties. The longer mantras called moola mantras (foundation mantras) are commonly used in all the pujas and yagyas that a priest would typically receive training in. So my assumption is that MMY would have learned them in the context of his stay in Guru Dev's ashram where they would all chant them as a part of their daily routine. The amazing thing to me, is that these bija mantras are so powerful that westerners could be trained to impart them and that they would work so powerfully. Certainly the power does not come from us and so someone (presumably Guru Dev) empowered them, trained MMY in their use and when they were passed along to us, somehow retained their power. --- In [email protected], Rick Archer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > on 5/12/05 6:25 PM, johnlasher20002000 at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > Does anyone know why Maharishi switched for using Rama to using the > > bija mantras. > > He used Ram as a mantra? When did he supposedly switch. He was giving bijas > in 1968 when I got initiated? I put David Fiske's name in the subject so > he'll notice the post. He got initiated in 1962 or so. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
