Mantras are single or strung together syllables. Mantras are used in rituals, whispered or chanted in combinations and contexts, setting up patterns of vibrations. One must learn to pronounce them properly and understand their meaning. Mantra sadhana is very difficult as if during practice any drawbacks remain, it can inflict losses. Guidance of a competent guru is quite necessary to attain success.

A sadhak should observe some rules and regulations very strictly while practicing mantra shakti. He must completely believe in the shakti and should avoid anger, egoism. He should observe brahamcharya and should not fear if he sees any miracles during sadhana. The food of a sadhak should be simple and must not contain meat, onion, garlic, etc.

One's subconcious mind can help to find the solution through meditation and recitation of mantras. Continuous sadhana will enable the sadhak to find solution to all problems, achieve peace of mind and removal of mental strain.

The posture arousing mantra shakti is known as asana.

Siddh Asana : This Asana is very useful to acquire Sidhi. Even fat persons can practice it. Place one heel at the anus and keep the other heel at the root of generative system. The feet or legs should be so arranged that the ankle joints should touch each other. Hands should be placed straight on the knee joints. Sit for 15 minutes with closed eyes concentrating on God. This asana is useful in curing rheumatism and keeps the mind and body in order. The eyes must be focussed if not closed, on the space between eyebrows (Trikuti).

Padma Asana : Place the right foot on the left thigh and then carefully bring the left foot on the right thigh. This is the physical position for the spiritual process. One must press the tongue against the teeth and chin against heart. The sight should be focussed on the tip of the nose. Breathing should be slow. It destroys diseases.

Pranayam : Pranayam removes all diseases, purifies the Nadis, steadies the mind in concentration, improves digestion and increases the appetite. It helps awaken the Kundalini. Sit in Padma or Siddh asana. Close the right nostril with the thumb. Draw in the air very slowly through the left nostril. Then do it like wise with the right nostril. Retain the air as long as you can comfortably. Then exhale very very slowly, through the nostril after removing thumb or finger. Do twenty rounds in the morning and twenty in the evening. Increase it gradually.

Trataka : This involves steady gazing at a particular point or object without blinking to increase concentration. It is a very effective method to control the mind, improve the eyesight, and develop will power. It can be done by concentrating one's attention on a black or white dot on the wall, a picture or on Om,etc.

Pooja : Deva or Deity should be kept in one's mind while reciting the mantra. Each mantra has a tremendous force and draws maximum benefit. This can be performed in three ways: 1. Vaikhari (Verbal) by speaking loudly. 2. Upamsu (Whispering). 3. Mansik (Mental).

Aagni Hotra : Homa is performed with fire in accordance with prescribed rituals.

Various lights are manifested during meditation.In the beginning a bright light of the size of the pin point will appear in the forehead in the trikuti,which is called the 'Ajna chakra'. Different lights are seen when eyes are closed. These lights appear in mental space, and are tantric lights having it's specific colors. Frequently it is combination of white and yellow but red and blue lights are rarely seen. Initially small balls of light are seen which later become dazzling lights.

The lights become stable with advancement of meditation. Also at higher stages of meditation figures as sadhus or other physical forms are seen in stable light.One should not pay much attention to these figures and should concentrate on the ultimate goal only. These are simply to make one convience that there is existence of God and super physical and meta physical realities. This is 'sadhana shakti'. If carried out with faith, one can achieve marvellous results, get siddhi and can benefit both the oneself and the mankind.

Rosary : During meditation beads are a must.Different beads are there in rosary according to the purpose.Beads may be padam beej, rudraksha, tulsi, shankh, pearl, gold, silver, gem, root of khush. All beads in a rosary should be of equal size, free from decay and unbroken. One additional bead of a bigger size than others is put at the top of the rosary. The number and type of beads in a rosary vary with purpose.

Shiva shakti mantras - Rudraksha.
Vishnu and Lord Krishna mantra - Tulsi
Death inflicting mantras - Padam Beej
Mantras for wealth - gems, jewels, gold and silver.

Beej Mantra : A mantra is full of shakti and there are various beej mantra each with it own power. When mixed with other mantras, they provide extra power to that mantra. Basic beej mantra "Om" is further expanded into the following types of beej - yog beej ,tejo beej, shanti beej and raksha beej, which are respectively known as aeng (aim) hreem, sreem, kreem, kleem, dum, gam, glaum, lam, yam, aam or um or ram.

There are some one word beej mantras which are particularly suitable to young boys and girls who can repeat them with zest and faith, to secure good results. Few of them with their purposes are -

1. Kshasraum - Narsimha bija.Removes all sorrows and fears.
2. Aim - Saraswati bija.Makes proficient in all branches of learning.
3. Shree - Lakshami mantra.Leads to prosperity and contenment.
4. Hareem - Bhuvaneshvari mantra.Makes a person leader of men and help get a person all he needs.
5. Kaleem - Kamraj mantra. Fulfills one's desires.
6. Kreem - Destroys enemies and gives happiness.
7. Dum - Durga beej. One gets whatever one wants.
8. Gam Glaum - Ganesa beej. Removes all obstacles and promotes success.
9. Lam - Earth beej. Helps to secure good crops.
10. Yam - Vayu beej. Help secure rains.
11. Aam Um Ram - Beej mantras ao Brahma,Vishnu and Rudra.

Samput : Samput are some specific words used in the mantra. These can be used at the start, middle or end of the mantra. The samput has great shakti and should be used carefully.

Gayatri Mantra "Om bhur bhava suha tatsa vetur vareneyam bargo devasyaha dhimi diyo yona parachodayat." Few words can be added after Om bhur bhava swaha as samput to fulfill various desires. Some samput with their purposes are given below.

Om aeeng kaleeng soo - for proficiency in words.
Om shareeng hareeng shareeng - for wealth and comforts.
Om aeeng hareeng kaleeng - enemies are destroyed, troubles vanish and the individual is blessed with joy and happiness.
Om shareeng hareeng kaleeng - Blessed with progeny.
Om hareeng - Recovery from diseases.
Om aeeng hareeng kaleeng - Protection from all evil forces. Hopes and wishes are realised.

The uses of mantra is divided into six categories

1. SHANTIKARAN : These mantras deal with the cure of diseases and warding off the malefic effects of the planets.
One example will be of no use as there is different mantra for different disease.

2.VASHI KARAN : Through these mantras one can put under one's control any woman, man, officer, minister, devta, soul, animal, etc. and can fulfill your wishes.
"Om namo sarvlok vashikaraye kuru kuru swaha".

3. STAMBHAN : These mantras are used to stop all the persons, souls, devtas, etc. from doing any harm to you.
"Om namah bhagvate shatrunam budhi stambam kuru kuru swaha".

4. VIDESHAN : these mantras are used for creating differences between two or many individuals.
"Om namo nardaya amukasya amuken seh vidheshna kuru kuru swaha".

5. UCHCHATTAN : These mantras deal with distraction of the mind of the enemy so that they may remain away from their country, birthplace, residence, work and family members. It is also used if the sadhak wants aperson to remain at war with others.
"Om shareem shareem shareem swaha".

6. MARAN : These are death inflicting mantras through which you can kill anybody at any distance without disclosing your identity.
To avoid it's harmful use it is not been given.

Besides one mantra given in each category, there are many mantras with different number of times they are to be recited under each category. Also specific time, day and the articles used for different mantras vary from category to category.

The basic mantras for every day recitation and early siddhi attainment of one's mantras are -
"Om Namo Shivaye".
"Om Namo Narayane Aye Namaha".
"Om Namo Bhagwate Vasdev Aye Namaha".

For education : "Om kreeng kreeng kreeng"
For attaining moksha : "Om shree hreeng kreeng krishnaye swaha"
For wealth : "Omnamo dhandaye swaha"
For success in elections : "Om emminder vardhaye shteriyame ma emam vishmek virsham kirinu tawan"
For fame : "Om giravargrateshu hirnye ch goshu cha"
For successful completion of all jobs : "Om namo sarvarthsadhni swaha"
For reduction of rash temper : "Om shante parshante sarv karodh pashnon swaha"
To attract one or all : "Om chamunde tarutatu amukaye akarshaye akarshaye swaha"

Besides these purposes given above,there are mantras for fulfilment of all kind of desires and for reduction of all kind of flaws. There are mantras for worship of different Gods and Goddesses and pleasing them to fulfill one's desires.

Some simple mantras are given which can be recited by anyone and help achieve what the sadhak wants. They have simple or no methodology associated with them.

Panch Akshari - "Om Namah Shivaye" - It fulfills all desires.It leads to moksha and all sins are destroyed. It has no methodology assocaited and can be recited by anyone anytime.

Asht Akshari - "Om Namah Narayanaya" - One can achieve and can be blessed with anything.

Ganpati Mantra - "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha" - It not only removes all obstacles but also gives success in one's efforts.

Hanuman Mantra - "Om Hoom Hanumate Rudratamakaye hoom phut swaha" - There is no favour that Hanumanji cannot bestow. Hanumanji is the embodiment of all good qualities which he freely gives to his devotees.

Saraswati Mantra - "Om Aim Kleeng Saum Saraswatiya Namaha" - It makes a person a learned scholar and he attains high profeciency in education. This mantra should be recited all morning pujas.

Dattatreya Mantra - "Om Hareem Parambraham Parmaatmane Hari Harbrahyendraya Dattatroyaye swaha" - Dattatreya can bestow everything on his followers.

The details of various mantras, their essence, time and number of times they are to be recited, the rules for sadhak and complete procedure of reciting a mantra can be found in the book

'Secrets of yantra,mantra and tantra' by Dr.L.R.Chawdhri
Publisher - Sterling publishers pvt.ltd.
Buy This Book: 'Secrets of yantra,mantra and tantra'