Significance Of 'Om Nama Narayanaya' And 'Om Sat Guravae Namaha'

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Sravana (listening), Manana (contemplation), Nidhidyasana (meditation) of the two sacred Mantras above, by any matured sadhaka (Seeker) takes him to the culmination of all his spiritual sadhana (practice). The first mantra' Om Namo Narayanaya' is indicated and very elaborately described in all the four Vedas and declared as a Sruthi Vakya in Narayana-Atharva-Siro Upanishad.

It starts with an invocation:

Mayaa Tatkaryamakhliam
Yat Bodhat Yathypahnavam
Tripaat narayanaakhyam tat
Kalayae Swathma Maathratah

That Eswara, the Supreme consciousness in me by knowing which it removes all ignorance (Avidya) in the form of Maya, functioning in me as two limbs, one which veils the True nature of Reality by its power of Agrahanam called Avaranam (non-apprehension) and the other which projects the world of plurality by its power of 'Anyadhagrahanam' called 'Vikshepam'(Misapprehension), to that Lord Narayana my humble prostrations.

To my great teacher by whose grace alone the three states of my consciousness (Avasthathreya) the play of deep sleep state of consciousness - or Causal state of my vasanas by the power of Abhodha and the waking and dream state of consciousness by its power of Anyadhabodha both have been transcended and I come to experience the true nature of Consciousness as the pure Self in me as an unlimited expansion of Homogenous Consciousness one without a second, not limited or conditioned by the phenomenal world of thoughts within and the world of things and beings outside, all annihilated, says the meditator (Yogabrith-Dhyanagamyam) to that Guru my humble prostrations. It is a transcendental consciousness inexpressible in words and incomprehensible by thoughts. This is the fourth state of consciousness, the Thuriya State referred to in Mandukyo-Upanishad.

This experience of the Divine, the True nature of Reality behind the whole manifested and unmanifest world of thoughts and beings (Jagat) is made possible only by single pointed deep devotion to Lord Sree Narayana barring every thing else and who in His compassion reveals Himself by Himself. Indeed self-effort is imperative but it is not all. All consuming deep devotion, faith and total surrender to one's own Guru is an important part of Sadhana. He who blesses the shishya (devotee) with infinite compassion, Love enhances the devotee's faith in Lord Narayana and goads him towards the Lord; he is none else than the manifested form of Lord Narayana. Om Sat Guravae Namah! to that Guru my humble prostrations.

Om Namo Narayana. In this mantra there are 8 words. So called Ashtakshara mantra, the significance of which is given in Sama Veda - Sruthi.

Om Ithaekakharam. Nama Ithi Dvae Aksharae.
Narayana Yethi Panchaksharaani-
Ethadvae Narayanasyshta Akshram Padam-
Yo Vai Narayanasyashtaksharam Padamad
-Dhaethi Tato Amritathwamasnuthae.

The Pranavam 'OM' starting as one word, Nama : following two words and -ending in Narayanaya panchaksharam (5 words) the Lord's name which together makes 8 words. He who chants this mantra in the three parts of the day with faith shall be blessed with Kaivalya says the Sruthi.