Mantra Initiation

By Staff

A short story on the importance of reciting mantras with due initiation.

A King once payed a visit to his minister's residence. He was asked to wait as the minister was engaged in mantra japa (repetition of mantras or sacred syllables). When the minister presented himself before the king after his worship, the latter asked as to what mantra he was reciting. The minister answered that it was 'Gayatri Mantra' supposed to be the crown of all mantras. The king expressed his wish to know the mantra for personal recitation. But the minister refused politely as he was not authorized to initiate him.

The king later learnt the mantra from elsewhere and voiced it out in the minister's presence wanting to know if it was right. The minister answered that the mantra was right but the king was to not chant it. When the king pressed for an answer, the minister summoned the page close and asked him to take hold of the king.The minister's order was not carried out as the page refused to act. The minister once again ordered the page to do so which triggered the kings wrath. The angry king ordered the page in turn to take hold of the minister. This time the order was obeyed promptly. The minister then pointed out to the king of the order being obeyed when it came from the authentic authority. So it is with mantras. They are to be recited with due initiation and not just casually picked.

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