What is the type of mantra -- "om namo bhagavate vasudevaya"

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Damodara Dasa

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Jan 3, 2019, 12:36:09 PM1/3/19
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Respected Vidvaj-janas,

"Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya" is a very famous mantra.

I want to know -- is this a sruti-mantra? Or tantrika-mantra? Or
pauranika mantra? Or any other type?

Thankyou,
Hari Guru Vaisnava das,
damodara das

ken p

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Jan 3, 2019, 7:27:04 PM1/3/19
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Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (listen (help·info)) (in devanagari: ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय) is one of the most popular Hindu mantra and the most important mantra in Vaishnavism. It is called as Dwadasakshari Mantra or simply Dwadasakshari meaning the "twelve-syllable" mantra dedicated to Lord Krishna/Vishnu.[1][2] It has two traditions—Tantric and Puranic. In Tantrik Tradition, the Rishi of the Mantra is Prajapati, in Puranic Tradition the Rishi is Narada. Both, however, say it is the Supreme Vishnu Mantra.

Damodara Dasa

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Jan 4, 2019, 1:57:56 AM1/4/19
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So it is not a sruti mantra?

Thankyou,
Damodara das

On 1/4/19, ken p <drk...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya (
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Om_Namo_Bhavate_Vasudevaya_Pronunciation.ogg>
> listen
> <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Om_Namo_Bhavate_Vasudevaya_Pronunciation.ogg>
>
> (help <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Media_help>·info
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Om_Namo_Bhavate_Vasudevaya_Pronunciation.ogg>))
>
> (in devanagari <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devanagari>: ॐ नमो भगवते
> वासुदेवाय) is one of the most popular Hindu
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu> mantra
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra> and the most important mantra in
> Vaishnavism <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism>. It is called as
> Dwadasakshari Mantra or simply Dwadasakshari meaning the "twelve-syllable"
> mantra dedicated to Lord Krishna/Vishnu.[1]
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_Namo_Bhagavate_Vasudevaya#cite_note-1>[2]
>
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_Namo_Bhagavate_Vasudevaya#cite_note-2> It
>
> has two traditions—Tantric <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra> and
> Puranic <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puranic>. In Tantrik Tradition, the
> Rishi of the Mantra is Prajapati <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prajapati>,
>
> in Puranic Tradition the Rishi is Narada
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narada>. Both, however, say it is the
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venkat veeraraghavan

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Jan 4, 2019, 4:39:41 AM1/4/19
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I am not sure what you mean by a shruti mantra. But this mantra is atleast as old as Dhruva's epoch since he was initiated by Narada in the Dvadashakshari.

Many people like to split their hairs trying to separate the Veda from tantra, but it is my practical experience (belief?) that they are inseparable. 

Tantrika-Shruti-Pauranic is a western lens of looking at Indian traditions...that seeks to forcefit the unknown into a western world-view.  It does not work like that in reality. Considering the fact that 90% of our Veda shakhas have disappeared, much has been lost in terms of theory, practice and usage. 

The best way of using a mantra is to practice it instead of analysing it threadbare. The Mantrashakti reveals its true svarupa to one who devotes Himself/Herself to  the mantra and its Deity. It is said that just 7 days of continuous practice can open the realm of the siddhas to the upasaka. 

Siddharth Wakankar

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Jan 4, 2019, 5:05:00 AM1/4/19
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Dear Venkata ji,

You are absolutely right.

The effects of Mantras etc.are to be experienced by saadhanaa and not to be discussed openly.

   Moreover,you get the results only when you have unflinching faith in it,because,only shraddha can work wonders and no discussions.

Prof. Siddharth Y Wakankar.

Hari Parshad Das

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Jan 4, 2019, 5:13:40 AM1/4/19
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my pranams.

1) Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (1.125) says that the dvādaśākṣara can be chanted with mudrā and yantras. Also Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (12.341) says that someone initiated in the dvādaśākṣara should ideally obtain it along with the mudrā, yantras etc to be considered a proper arcaka. Mudrās are not Vedic but Tantrik as far as far as I have heard (i will be happy to be contradicted on this point).

2) In the dig-darśinī commentary to hari-bhakti-vilāsa (4.173) it is said that some vaishnavas apply the final part of the tilaka to the top of the head by chanting dvādaśākṣara. It then says — "atrāpi sat-sampradāyācāra eva gatir iti dik" — every sat-sampradāya may have its own understanding regarding such mantras and their practical applications.

3) According to the Śrīmad-bhāgavatam (11.5.28) — yajanti veda-tantrābhyām — even in Dvāpara yuga, people were not sticking strictly only to Vedic mantras but were understanding the practicalities through tantra. What then to speak of Kali-yuga? The Śrīmad-bhāgavatam (11.5.31) says — nānā-tantra-vidhānena kalāv api tathā śṛṇu — In Kali yuga, Vishnu is worshiped mainly through tantras. Sridhar Swami says in the commentary — nānā-tantra-vidhāneneti kalau tantra-mārgasya prādhānyaṁ darśayati — by the phrase "nānā tantra-vidhānena", the predominance of the path of tantras in the age of Kali is expressed.

So even if the mantra has originated from a Purāṇa or an Upaniṣad, it is treated as a tāntrika mantra as far as practical application is concerned.

sādhu-caraṇa-rajo'bhilāṣī,

hari parshad das.
---------------------------------------------------------

Damodara Dasa

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Jan 4, 2019, 5:37:47 AM1/4/19
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Thankyou vidvaj-janas, especially Hari Parshad Prabhu.

Yes, it seems it is a tantrika mantra. I was asking only for my
understanding and information of vedic and tantrika vidhis.

Thankyou,
Hari Guru Vaisnava das,
damodara das

venkat veeraraghavan

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Jan 4, 2019, 5:59:56 AM1/4/19
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I'd like to weigh in on 2 points:

1. Tantra means technique...In all those passages you have quoted it is used in this context and even where mentioned as a path, it is used in this context as practical application of a mantra. Tantra is basically purification of the 5 elements (bhutashuddhi) and expansion of consciousness. This very end is achieved in the Vedas purely with mantras such as the aghamarshana sukta, marjana, achamana etc....
Tantra deals with instructions received directly from the Guru and is never committed to text as a rule. Although many astra mantras can be found in the Veda proper, the technique or Tantra for prayoga involved bhutashuddhi, nyasa and employment ....
If you think about it, what IS the use of a mantra if NOT for employment?

2. Mudras are not new / unknown territory to Vedic mantras...the most well known Vedic mantra the Gayatri has 24 mudras and its own yantra mentioned in prayoga shastra.



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