Thread by @mmpandit

A question I have been asked over the years is
Which mantra to chant?
Personally I think you should find someone who is willing to guide you personally and spend time because:
A. It’s time intensive.
B. Success is not guaranteed
C: You may harm yourself.
C. Pain may come to you

You should not ideally with the internet just start surfing and start chanting:
A. A mantra which you think is exotic.
B. A mantra others think is great.
C. A mantra of some Devata because you think you will look great as you chant it.
D. A mantra for specific purposes.

Most of the time, if it is simply Nama japa, then you will be absolutely ok even if your life does not improve, even if your life goes downhill, even if nothing is achieved with it, you will still be ok.
BUT
If you start doing things you are not meant to do.... and scare you.. +

+ if you start doing things which are beyond you.. then the world can occasionally come crashing down around you.
Of course.... it is entirely possible (but very unlikely) that you will end up with either Jnana or some special knowledge.. but that’s v highly unlikely.

For those who still think they will dabble just like that in mantras:
Don’t ... BUT if you do
Pl choose a suitable devata, take the trouble to study yourself and learn from an authentic source (even if online... usually it will be Sri Vidya Gurus and that’s excellent enough)

Normally just do Hanuman chalisa and other such mantras for yourself and for others. That’s easiest for most people.
That’s what most people desire and most people will benefit from that easily.
Most don’t want God. Why burden them with all this.

If you do get to the Sri Vidya type Gurus and there are a few of them who don’t advertise because they are not interested in fame etc... then please remember these basic rules:
1. Show respect, it will save you trouble.
2. Keep time of 21/40/64/108 days, 3 hours a day aside.
+

+
3. Don’t choose a Devata, let them do it for you.
4. Don’t persist in pestering them for mantras you want .. for love/money etc.
5. Don’t unnecessarily trouble them esp the oldsters.
6. Sit and be sincere and try and follow the rules. After 3-4 maybe more years of failure.. +

+
7. One fine day, you will find that the hard work paid off... and you made a little progress.
8. Then keep doing it and repeat the process which gave you success.
9. Eat less, speak lesser and go underground.
10. Learn and actually learn about what’s behind the process.

+
11. The problem with all this is that you may succeed. That may be the cause of further trouble but that’s another story.
12. Stay humble. Your past karmas got you to the place where you could succeed.
That’s basically it.
Rest you can discover for yourself anyway
Jai Mahakaal

Few words on some stupidities one may find on the internet or in books which may tempt you but you should stay away from at all costs:
1. Stay away from spirit( bhoot/preta/bramharakshasa/pisacha) type of sadhanas.” AT ALL cost.
Cannot stress it enough. Never do it.
Ever.

Since a few have asked, I am saying this on this particular sadhana which somehow some have popularised on internet.
Stay FAR away from Karnapisacha and Yaksha sadhanas. Avoid and run far away in the opposite direction. You will ruin yourself with this sort of stuff mostly.

The late shishya of one of the most well known real Siddhas of N India had actually achieved success at this and it ruined his family eventually.
Can’t stress it enough. Stay away.

The more “exotic” eg “kritya” sadhanas:
There is a specific krama of doing those and require great mental strength v few have
1. Not for internet
2. u can’t imagine how much it can damage you, because u can’t imagine the being.
3. v v vfew can handle
4. Goes wrong none can save

In short stick to safe, time tested, Devi/Devata sadhanas if you absolutely must. At least there even if you fail some fail safe net is there..
One more thing:

Cultivate Ishwar Pranidhan, don’t bother for validation from anybody for what you are doing other than Guru and God