7 - The twelve-syllabled Mantra

The sages said:

1-2. By repeating which mantra is the creature liberated from worldly fears? How does he become free from sins and attain salvation? By what Japa does he eschew Alakshmi? How does a man become the abode of Lakshmi (good fortune)? O Suta, it behoves you to recount this.

Suta said:

3. For the benefit of all the worlds I shall mention succinctly everything that had been formerly mentioned by Brahma to the noble-souled Vasishtha.

4-8. May all listen to my words after bowing down to Vishnu who is the lord of Devas, who is unborn, who is all pervading, who is the eternal Krishna, Achyuta, who dispels all sins, who is pure, who bestows liberation on the expounders of Brahman.73 He who is a scholar, he who performs meritorious deeds shall always repeat the names of Narayana after making obeisance to him mentally, verbally and physically. One shall remember lord Vishnu while sleeping, walking, taking food, standing, keeping awake, opening or closing the eyes. O brahmins, he shall remember the eternal lord repeating the words — Namo Narayanaya (Obeisance to Narayana). He who inspires edibles, beverages and lambatives by reciting the mantra “Namo Narayanaya” touches it and then partakes of it, attains the greatest salvation.

73. moksham brahma-vadinam ST. that which renders salvation to who know the Vedas. This excludes the possibility of salvation for those not conversant with the Vedas.

9-14. He gets rid of all sins and attains the goal of the good. The deity who is mentioned by me as Alakshmi, the wife of Duhsaha, undoubtedly departs, on hearing the word “Narayana”. O sages of good holy rites, Lakshmi, who is the beloved wife of Vishnu, Krishna the lord of Devas, resides in his body, house, abode and field. After looking up all the sacred texts, after pondering over them again and again this is the outcome that Narayana should always be meditated upon. Of what avail are the multifarious mantras unto him, of what avail are the numerous holy rites unto him? The mantra “Namo Narayanaya” (obeisance to Narayana) is the means for achieving all objects. Hence, one shall repeat the mantra “Namo Narayanaya” on all occasions. O leading brahmins, he goes to the world of Vishnu along with his kinsmen. O excellent sages, listen to another mantra of the lord of Devas.

15- 16a. This mantra had been learned and practised by me formerly. It is the means of achieving the essence of the Vedas. It is an ancient one consisting of twelve syllables and twelve forms. I shall tell you, in brief, the greatness of the same.

16b- 18. There was a certain brahmin of great intellect. He performed penance and with very great difficulty procreated a son. In due course he performed all consecratory rites on his behalf. At the proper time he invested him with the sacred thread. He taught him but the son did not utter anything 74. His tongue did not throb at all. The excellent brahmin became dejected.

74. jihva na spandate— her son would not utter any other syllable than ‘Vasudeva’ the name of Shrikrishna.

19-20. But Aitareya (the son of brahmin) invariably uttered the name Vasudeva.75 His father married another lady duly and procreated many sons who learned the Vedas and became richly endowed with learning. They were honoured by everyone.

75. Vasudeva i.e. either the complete twelve-syllabled mantra “Om namo bhagavate Visudevaya” or merely Vasudeva, a part of this mantra.

21-23. Aitareya’s mother became excessively sad and dejected. She said: — "Richly accomplished sons who have mastered the Vedas and ancillary subjects and who are honoured and worshipped by brahmins delight their mother. But you a shapeless76 son are born to me, a women devoid of good luck. My death would have been far better. On being told thus, he (Aitareya) went out to the sacrificial hall.

76. nirkrutih i.e. having no personality or distinctive characteristics.

24. When he entered there the mantras did not come out from the mouth of the brahmins. As long as Aitareya stayed there the brahmins continued to be deluded.

25-27. But when Aitareya uttered Vasudeva, their voices came out. Those brahmins bowed down and worshipped Aitareya. Then the yajna continued and Aitareya concluded it by means of wealth and other things. In the end with great concentration he repeated the Vedas along with their ancillaries in the Vidatha Assembly of priests. O brahmins, Brahma and other brahmins eulogised him.

28-33. Siddhas and Charanas moving about in the firmament showered flowers. O excellent brahmins, after concluding the yajna thus, Aitareya worshipped his mother and went to the abode of Vishnu. Thus, the greatness of the twelve-syllabled mantra has been recounted wholly. It destroys the great sins of those who read and listen to this. The man who repeats this unchanging twelve-syllabled mantra continuously attains the divine, incomparable great region of Vishnu even if he follows a sinful conduct. He who is interested in the twelve-syllabled mantra surely attains the greatest abode. There is no doubt, O sages of good holy rites, that noble-souled men maintaining their own holy rites and devotedly following Vasudeva attain the divine abode.