Mantrajap Ke Prakar Aur Uska Vaigyanik Mahattva - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text in English, focusing on the types of mantra chanting and their scientific significance:

The text, "Mantrajap ke Prakar aur Uska Vaigyanik Mahattva" (Types of Mantra Chanting and Their Scientific Significance) by Nandighoshvijay, explores the hierarchical efficacy of spiritual practices and then delves into a scientific interpretation of mantra chanting based on modern physics.

Hierarchy of Spiritual Practices:

The text begins by quoting a verse that establishes a significant progression in spiritual power:

One recitation of a hymn/praise (Stotra) is equivalent to a crore (ten million) instances of general worship (Puja).
One instance of mantra chanting (Jap) is equivalent to a crore instances of hymn recitation.
One instance of meditation (Dhyana) is equivalent to a crore instances of mantra chanting.
One instance of absorption/mergence (Laya) is equivalent to a crore instances of meditation.

This hierarchy is explained:

Worship (Puja): Typically involves rituals with physical substances like saffron and sandalwood, focusing on physical actions and the use of the body. While concentration can lead to liberation even during worship, generally, the physical aspect is primary.
Hymn Recitation (Stotra/Stutina): Primarily involves the use of speech (words) and the body, with the mind being secondary.
Mantra Chanting (Jap): Primarily involves the mind. The saying "Mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation for humans" is invoked. When the mind withdraws from negative activities and engages in positive ones, the inflow of negative karma is stopped (Samvara), and positive karma is bound. This mental engagement can lead to a meditative state.
Meditation (Dhyana): In meditation, the meditator, the object of meditation, and the act of meditation are distinct.
Absorption (Laya): This is the highest state, where the meditating soul experiences the oneness of the meditator, the object of meditation, and the meditation itself, becoming absorbed in the nature of the Supreme Soul or self-absorption.

Types of Mantra Chanting (Jap):

The text then details three types of mantra chanting, emphasizing their increasing effectiveness:

Bhashya or Vachik Jap (Vocal/Audible Chanting): The mantra is recited audibly so that others can hear it.
Upanshu Jap (Whispered/Subtle Chanting): The mantra is recited using lip and tongue movements, but inaudibly to others.
Manas Jap (Mental Chanting): The mantra is recited purely in the mind, without any movement of lips or tongue.

Comparative Efficacy of Jap Types:

Referencing the "Dharmasangraha" by Upadhyaya Shri Manvijayji and "Pratishthapaddhati (Kalpa)" by Shri Padaliptasuri, the text states:

Upanshu Jap is superior to Bhashya Jap.
Manas Jap is superior to Upanshu Jap.

The rationale for this superiority is linked to the subtlety and mental focus involved. Manas Jap is considered the most difficult but leads to peace and is therefore the best. Upanshu Jap is moderate and used for general and nourishing purposes. Bhashya Jap is easier and used for purposes like subjugation (Vashikaran), making it the least preferred.

Scientific Significance and De Broglie's Hypothesis:

The text then draws a parallel between the ancient Jain understanding of mantra chanting and modern physics, specifically referencing De Broglie's wave-particle duality theory.

De Broglie's equation, λ = h/p (where λ is wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is momentum), describes that every particle exhibits wave-like behavior.
The energy of a wave-particle is related to its frequency (f). Higher frequency means higher energy.
Frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength: as wavelength decreases, frequency increases, and vice versa.
Wavelength is inversely proportional to the mass and velocity of the particle. Therefore, increasing the mass or velocity of a particle decreases its wavelength, increases its frequency, and thus increases its energy/power.

Application to Mantra Chanting and Varganas:

This principle is applied to the Jain concept of Varganas (groups of atoms) and their role in mantra chanting.

Varganas: Jain texts define Varganas as collections of atoms. Eight primary types of Varganas are used by living beings: Audarik (gross body), Vaikriya (transformable body), Aharak (absorptive body), Taijas (fiery/energetic body), Bhasha (speech body), Shvasochchvas (respiratory body), Mano (mental body), and Karmic (karmic body).
The text states that these Varganas contain progressively more atoms, and their results become progressively more subtle. Mano Vargana contains the most atoms and is the most subtle.

Connecting Varganas and Jap Types to Physics:

Bhashya Jap: Uses the atoms of Bhasha Vargana. The velocity of these atoms (sound waves) is about 330 meters/second. This low velocity leads to low frequency and thus low power. The sound takes longer to reach the deity and loses intensity.
Upanshu Jap: Also uses atoms of Bhasha Vargana, but produces inaudible sound waves. Our ears can typically hear frequencies up to 20,000 Hz. The inaudible, higher-frequency waves produced in Upanshu Jap have more power than audible waves, making it better than Bhashya Jap.
Manas Jap: Uses atoms of Mano Vargana. These atoms have a higher number and the highest velocity, leading to the highest frequency and therefore "unthinkable" power. The text suggests these mental waves travel faster than even electromagnetic waves (Taijas Vargana) and possess infinite power. Thus, Manas Jap is considered the most superior.

Conclusion:

The text concludes that the superiority of Manas Jap is due to the use of highly energetic mental atoms. This is also referred to as Ajapa Jap because it does not involve actual speech. The text asserts that this is the "wonderful secret of mantra chanting." The chapter also includes a quote from Werner Heisenberg highlighting the fruitfulness of combining different lines of thought.