Re: Shiva mantras? Ardhanareeshwara mantra?
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté
For one's kind consideration.
Some say there are 70 million mantra-s; This is called out in the mālinīvijayottara tantra (1.18). Later this same book calls out that Śiva has appointed 35 million mantras for use. Others say each word of the veda is a mantra ( which is true when one understands the word in full) . In any case there are many more mantras available then one individual may make use of.
Yet I call your attention to one insight , the first aphorism of the Śivasūtra-s , 2nd chapter very first verse says:
चित्तं मन्त्रः॥१
Cittaṁ mantraḥ||1
this very terse verse says (suggests the following),
the mind (of someone who is devoted to the inquiry into the Highest Reality by using a mantra) (cittam) is the mantra (mantraḥ).
So, the real 'mantra-s' are not mere words or sounds. They are the mind of the person who is completely absorbed in mantra repetition.
That is, these sound forms culture the mind to the status of man+tra ( and tra is rooted in trai) and the ability for the absorption of
SELF.
Now for those with a brain cramp on this matter, let's add a bit more. This is for one that may have or had the direct experience of SELF, Being, perfect silence, turiya and the like,
Another supporting view found in the sarvajñānottara ( of which I do not have a full copy)....
उच्चार्यमाणा ये मन्त्रा न मन्त्रांश्चापि तान्विदुः।
मोहिता देवगन्धर्वा मिथ्याज्ञानेन गर्विताः॥
uccāryamāṇā ye mantrā na mantrāṁścāpi tānviduḥ|
mohitā devagandharvā mithyājñānena garvitāḥ||
(Those) are not (na) mantra-s (mantrāḥ) which (ye) are pronounced (uccāryamāṇāḥ). Due to the illusory (mithyā) knowledge (jñānena), even (ca ápi) the deluded (mohitāḥ) and proud (garvitāḥ) gods (deva) and celestial musicians (gandharvāḥ) consider (viduḥ) those (tān) to be mantra-s (mantrān).Here's the deal on this:
Mantra is the final 'subject', some say Śiva, the Knower . It cannot be reduced to a mere object, something perceived by the senses or mind, but the Knower Himself. This takes some time to settle in. The settling comes with one's direct experience of it. It is 'as if' the mantra is a vehicle.
iti śivaṁ
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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