Jaap / Anushthan
‘Japa’ (Sanskrit: ‘जप’) involves repetition of a particular ‘mantra’ or name of a divine power. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, enough for the practitioner to hear it. ‘Japa’ could be performed while sitting in a meditation posture.
In ‘ japa’, the repetitions are counted using a string of beads known as a ‘Japa mala’. The number of beads in the ‘Japa mala’ are generally 108 (plus the head bead).
The stated aim, or goal of ‘Japa’ may vary greatly depending on the mantra involved.
It could be for simple personal aspirations of having money, power, status, harmony, long life, etc.
Popular Japmantra :
- Ganesh Mantra – ‘Om Gam Ganapataye Namah’ (21,000 times)
- Nawarna Mantra – ‘Om Aim Rheem Kleem Chaamundayai Vichche’ (1,00,000 times)
- Navgraha Mantra – Different ‘Mantra’ for different Planet (‘Graha’).
- Maha Mrityunjay Mantra – ‘Om Tryambakam Yajamahe …’ (1,25,000 times)
- Vishnu Sahasranaam – To chant 1000 times
- Durga Saptshati Paath – To chant 10 / 100 or 1000 times
- Hanuman Chalisa – To chant 1,008 times
- Vyankatesh Stotra – To chant 1,000 times
- Ganapati Atharva Sheersh – To chant 1,000 times
- Rudra Sookt – To chant 11 / 121 or 1331 times