One of the distinguishing characteristics of ashtakshar mantra is that it does not begin with Omkar, unlike other seed mantras which do begin with Omkar. According to scriptural law, any mantra begining with Omkar should not be pronounced in any impure state, such as, if one has been to the toilet and subsequently has not bathed or during the sutak etc. The prescribed method for purification must be adopted before such mantras are pronounced. In his unlimited compassion, Shri Maha Prabhuji bestowed graced upon daivi souls so that they would not be deprived of the right to repeat Prabhu's name even for an instant in this age of Kaliyuga. Perpetually, day and night under all circumstances, ashtakshar mantra should be repeated within the heart. Through this unceasing repetition, one can avoid useless thoughts and discussions and seva in the form of Prabhu's name can be performed because Prabhu's name has equal significance as Prabhu's seva in His own divine form as expressed in the following renown line from Sri Maha Prabhuji's writtings.
“Roopnaam vibhadhan jagath kidhthi yo yeth.”
Prabhu expresses His divine play in this universe through
two means. His own form and His name. Also, as we walk and move about
throughout the day and night, unknowingly, ants, beetles, and other insects
are crushed beneath our feet. If at that moment Prabhu's name is being
repeated in our heart, by the power of Bhagavad name, that soul will be
liberated and we will be saved from the sin of killing a living soul.
In this way by the repetition of ashtakshar mantra day and night with
humbleness, all suffering and faults will be removed. Wealth, fame and
other worldly pleasures will be gained and liberation, full absorption
and merging into Prabhu's divine form will be realised.
In the stories of Bhagwadiya, narrations on the ashtakshar mantra are
found: One time as Shri Maha Prabhuji was moving in the circumambulation
of Bharat he imparted the teaching Do not let even a moment pass without
the repetition of ashtakshar mantra. Unceasingly pronouncing Shri Krishna
Sharanam Mama'. Krishnadas Meghan did not fully realise the profound significance
of this teaching. The group along with Shri Mahaprabhuji camp on the edge
of a pond. For the purpose of making leaf plates and bowls, Krishnadas
wandered quite distant into the dense forest. He came to a pond and on
the water's edge a large parrot was sitting on the branch of a tree which
had bent low. Being in the dark dense forest and seeing such strange parrot,
which, he had never seen before, Krishnadas got frightened and began repeating
ashtakshar mantra. He pronounced ashtakshar mantra three times and each
time the parrot drank some water. Observing these strange, phenomena,
which he had never seen before, Krishnadas hurriedly collected the leaves
and returned back to the camp where Shri Maha Prabhuji inquired 'Krishnadas,
what did you see in the forest?' Krishnadas related all that he had seen
and experienced. To reveal the hidden reasons for the events, Shri Maha
Prabhuji explained 'Krishnadas, that parrot which you saw is a devotee
who has taken birth as a bird. He practice unceasingly repetition of ashtakshar
mantra. Hearing you reciting it three times, he was able to pause for
a moment to quench his thirst. I have explained to all of you formerly
that the perpetual repetition of ashtakshar mantra is for your welfare
and the welfare of those who will hear it". In this way Shri Maha Prabhuji
taught the power of ashtakshar mantra to his intimate sevaks.
In the treatise called Narad Panchratra, the greatness of ashtakshar mantra
is described. By reciting ashtakshar mantra, sinful actions, adverse circumstances
and the devastation of unfavorable planetary configuration are all removed
and the anand swarup Shri Krishna everlastingly resides in the heart.
If the moment or crisis or disaster arises, on remembering ashtakshar
mantra deeply in the heart, the difficulties will be resolved of its own
and by the grace of Shri Vallabhacharya, Bhagavad realisation will be
attained.
11.8
Back to Ashtakshar Maha Mantra Page