Maharshi Aurbindo has stated that – the human intellect has, no doubt, achieved a lot by deciphering, through scientific developments, the secrets of Nature at certain cosmic as well as atomic and micro levels. However, the greater part – that, dealing with the consciousness, still remains to be seen. We shall focus here on some such aspects in the context of mantra Saadhana.

Vaani – voice, including the speech of the thoughts and the emotions – happens to be most significant among all the apparent or latent potentials of consciousness bestowed upon the human beings. This divine bequest has been at the root of making the communication and expansion of knowledge and information possible in real terms. It would be frightening to imagine the status of the human society without this wonderful gift of vaani. Apart from its obvious role at the social and educational levels, the vaani–being a tool for manifestation of & sabda– also plays a crucial role in spiritual developments. As mentioned earlier, the mantra-Saadhana triggers an ‘explosion’ of the power of & sabda via the medium of refined vaani.

It is well known that we are able to pronounce uncountable variety of phonemes and syllables with enormous flexibility of pitch and amplitude because of the simultaneous movements and associative functioning of the lips, teeth, throat and the vocal cord along with the tongue. If it were only a single component, say the tongue alone that produced ‘voice’ then the human beings would have been able to utter only a limited numb1er of phonemes (sounds) like most animals and birds too. The simultaneous movement of several interconnected components of the vocal system also creates vibrations in the linkages of the latter with the nervous system and the brain and thus makes the human voice so special. These vibrations (generated by the flow of our vaani), because of their connections with the brain, also induce micro-subtler effects on many intra-body functions as well.

As mentioned earlier, the combination of specific syllables and vowels in the mantras is so designed that the japa of a particular mantra would have definite effects on some specific functional centers and domains of the hidden source of life. The latter include – the sat chakras, the three extrasensory ‘knots’ (granthis), the three naadis (the latent energy currents/canals along the endocrine column), das praanas (ten streams of praana), 72000 nerves and muscles and the 54 upatyikaas endowed in a living human-body.

The dreaded dangers of noise pollution on the one hand and the amazing applications of the ultra and infra sound on the other, illustrate that – the syllables and words spoken or heard are much more than mere carriers of information. That, music is more powerful as a means for creativity, sentimental thrust, medical therapy, improvement in agricultural production and psychosomatic health than as a tool for entertainment – is also well recognized by the world. Music has now become an important part of school education in the high-tech countries like Japan in order to help create the feelings of compassion, cooperation and discipline among the children.

It is a scientifically established fact that sound is a source as well as a form of energy. It is found that even the ordinary audible sound, if repeated continuously at a constant frequency and amplitude can produce so much thermal energy as would be produced by the boiling water. The principles and methods of Mantra Vignaana are aimed at sublimation of sound to it original expression – Sabda, and constructive orientation of the enormous energy generated by such explosions. The different practices of japa and homa (i.e. a havan or Yagna) associated with the mantras are devised according to the mantra vignaana. While the role of sonic and (bio)electrical energy is evident in the japa processes, that of the thermal energy is more evident in the yagna based practices.

The different types and steps of japa have been discussed earlier. Before looking into the meaning of yagna and its relation with the mantra vignaana, it should be further emphasized that apart from the generation and use of the physical forms of energy, the most significant and unique field of the science of mantras deals with the sublime force of consciousness and the associated realms of supernatural energy. The role of inner faith and emotional and sentimental depth, together with mental concentration is therefore given more importance in the practices of mantra vignaana and several ‘rituals’ are advised towards necessary training exercises before practicing a mantra.

At the gross level, the sonic waves of a mantra generate specific currents of energy by vibrating even the tiniest particle in and around the saadhaka. At the subtle level, via the spiritual power of sraddhaa of the saadhaka in the mantra, it gives rise to a ‘conscious force’ that educes a sublime ‘magnetic’ attraction.... Thus the Saadhana of a mantra japa generates two types of energy spheres. These spheres of energy are termed respectively as the sonic sphere (dhwani  vratta) and the emotional sphere (bhaava vratta). If performed with a steadily intensifying sraddhaa, the expansion, and strength (the power of attraction) of these energy fields gains cosmic dimensions by long-term regular repetition of the mantra under prescribed spiritual disciplines. The Sudarsana Chakra depicted in a hand of God Vishnu indicates the eternal power of these ever-active energy- spheres of the gross and the subtle energies of Sabda.

Absolute salvation of the soul (moksa) – is referred as the ultimate goal of many spiritual experiments. Considering that omnipresent eternal ocean of consciousness is an infinite dimensional ensemble of the perpetual currents of the waves of Sabda, it should be understood that the subliminal (conscious) energy sphere (aura) spun by a mantraSaadhana is a kind of orbit. Continuous engrossed movement in this orbit could drive the mind and the inner self freely across the unbounded ocean of sabda by eliminating (via counter flows) the thralldom of the other fields of attraction – e.g. those of worldly cravings, ego and related passions, etc....). This liberation of mind is a real moksa for a human being.

Agnihotra and Japa:

Performing some kind of agnihotra or a yagna is essential before commencing and after completing the determined spiritual experiments of anusthaana with mantra japa. In some mantra Saadhanas this needs to be performed every day along with the regular japa processing.

Agnihotra or yagna is a simple process of sacrificing selected dry herbs in the fire kindled in a specifically designed small inverted pyramid shaped pot (or pit) called havan kunda. The material used in agnihotra – including the dry herbs/ woods – is also purified by mantra japas and some saadhanaas. The naturally broken dry woods from only a selected varieties of trees are allowed to be used. The valid types of medicinal herbs also are the ones that nourish and induce good health and do not cause any kind of insidious effects like poisonous vapors or polluting smokes. The material to be used in an agnihotra should be collected by the saadhaka from the places which are already purified by continuous performances of sacred Saadhanas  or yagnaas and mantra anusthanaas.....

The electrified particles of the herbal-material sublimated in the yagnafire, because of the special design of the havan kunda move upward in a spiral manner at an ultra fast rate. The mantra- chanting performed along with a yagna intensifies the thermal and electromagnetic effects of the latter to further energize the sonic vibrations of the mantra and expand them at cosmic levels. The effects of the mantra-japa thus get compounded magnificently and offer manifold benefits to vast domain.

The thermal energy generated by the yagna-fire and the collisions of sonic waves with the thin screen of its flames help exponential amplification of the power of sabda in the mantra being chanted. The spiral waves of electrons in the yagna-vapor play the role of transmitters to ‘communicate’ the ‘signals of the mantra’ in the etheric whole. The positive effects of the mantra-japa that could otherwise be received in a limited space surrounding the saadhaka are thus magnified and spread in significantly large domains –– even of cosmic dimensions in specific cases, if the japa is also accompanied by a yagna.

If such experiments of mantra saadhanaas with yagnaas are performed under adept disciplines, the unique confluence of the thermal and sonic energies linked with the eternal flow of consciousness in the etheric medium –– would offer global benefits at physical as well as spiritual levels. Such boons would range from purification of atmosphere, harmonizing the ecological balances, improvement in the physical and mental health of the masses.... to the spiritual enlightenment of all beings.

Possibilities of Scientific Research:

The use of fire and thermal energy in general has been advancing ever since the beginning of civilization. Scientific and technological advancement of the 20th century has also offered tremendous applications of sound. Scientific experiments on the conjunction of these energies – based on the principles of mantra-japa and yagnaa  anusthaana - should also be carried out in order to investigate the possibilities of viable global benefits keeping in total harmony with multiple realms of life and Nature. Controlled experiments could be designed in this regard to perform large scale yagnaas with consistent collective chanting of the selected vaidika mantras and test the changes, if any, in the ionosphere thereby.

Comprehensive research in the science of mantra and yagna would demand an in-depth study of – (i) the physical (including chemical and biological) and subtle powers of sound and heat; (ii) the power of attraction and the gross structure as well as subliminal domain of the cosmic centers associated with the devataas of different mantras. For instance, the manifold physical and subtle power-currents of the sun and the orgulous effects of meditation on its subtle body (Savitaa) should be researched in the context of the
Gayatri-Yagnaas .....; (iii) fundamental principles of transformation of matter and energy; and (iv) human psychology and the deeper science of inner emotions and sentiments.

While the physical powers of sound and heat have been recognized and used by the modern science at a very advanced level, a lot remains to be deciphered on their sublime fronts. The studies of the cosmic nuclei of mantras and those of the sentimental powers would also demand detailed study of the vaidika scriptures, before one investigates the scientific methods for experimental investigations and applications of mantra japa and yagna. Some related excerpts from the ancient scriptures are presented below with relevant commentaries.

The Yajurveda (23-42) mentions ‘Brahm Surya Sama Jyotih’. Meaning: The sun is a manifestation of an element of the Brahm. It is the internal and external power of the sun, which is the source for the expression and growth of life on the earth. Be that the thermal (external) or the vital (internal) energy of the Sun – it is certain that these energy spheres are vibrated by the specific thermal and sonic energy waves generated by the combined effects of different yagnaas and mantras.

The net effect of these vibrations augments the vital elements necessary for maintaining creative synergy between various components of Nature... This is why Nature appears to be exceptionally kind and friendly in the regions where yagnaas (with mantra anusthaana) are performed regularly for substantially long periods of time. Ecological balance, strengthening of the ionosphere, increase in the quality and quantity of the agricultural products....., etc are obvious offshoots of the positive effects of yagnaas.

The sublime stream of the energy of the mantras is far more magnificent and wonderful. This, if accompanied by the subtle elements of yagñas, can expand in the limitless cosmic ‘hole’ and attract the subliminal currents of the corresponding streams of the omnipresent powers of the Supreme Consciousness. This is how the attainment of the desired/resolved noble goals becomes feasible by performing the mantra anusthaana with yagñas.

The feasibility of the aforesaid astonishing effects could be better understood if we realize that –– sentiments and emotions, being manifestations of Sabda also exist as some kinds of ‘super-ultra’ or ‘micro-infra’ sonic waves, i.e., the waves that are finer and subliminal expressions of Sabda as compared to the ultra and infra sound waves. Whatever we think deeply or feel intrinsically is indeed an expression in the ‘voice’ of our inner mind.... The mantras and yagnaas are like scientific devices and procedures used to transmit and receive such sound waves at different horizons of the reflections of Sabda and Naada.