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Which is the best mantra?

The essence of all mantras is the Guru's word. This instruction is the foundation for spiritual development and liberation. The Master's directive, whether a command or a prohibition, is the operative mantra for the disciple. All genuine scriptures convey this same essential teaching. Yet, scriptures also warn of deceitful influences that cause suffering, akin to destructive forces within sacred narratives. Therefore, one is instructed to seek the company of truth. Service to the Guru is proclaimed as supremely valuable. Ultimately, liberation is rooted solely in the Guru's grace.

"Maṁtra mūlaṁ guruvākyaṁ."

"Mokṣamūlaṁ guru-kṛpā."

Filming location: Vép, Hungary

There are many different kinds of mantras: peace mantras, the Gāyatrī mantra, the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya mantra, and many others. Ultimately, one may ask Lord Śiva: What is the best mantra? Which is the best mantra for a disciple to develop spirituality quickly and be assured of realizing Mokṣa, Samādhi, or Self-realization in this very life? "Maṁtra mūlaṁ guruvākyaṁ," O Pārvatī. The essence, the root, or the basis of all mantras is guruvākyaṁ. "Maṁtra mūlam guru-vākyam, o Pārvatī." The foundation of all mantras is the Guru's word. Guru-vākyam means the words of the Master. If your Master tells you, "Do not do this," then for you, that is like a mantra. If your Master tells you to do something, then do it. This, for you, is like a mantra. Guru ājñā—the instruction of the Master. Obey, obey, obey the words of the Master. Follow the words of the teacher. If your Gurudev tells you, "Do not associate with this person, do not speak to this person," then you should not do it. Thus, Guru Vakya means the words of all holy saints. It does not matter from which country they come or which religion they belong to. All the holy scriptures are Guruvākya. Every holy scripture carries the same essential instructions. Yet, in every holy scripture, there have always been some who were chattering or backbiting. In India, we say: on the face, either the name of God or a smile, but hidden in your armpit is a knife. Like Śakuni in the Mahābhārata and Mantrā in the Rāmāyaṇa. It was not only one Mantrā; in this Kali Yuga, there are many, many such "mantras." She was not alone. That mantra was a destructive power within the family of God Rāma. The end of that mantra was very terrible, causing great suffering, as was the case with Śakuni. Therefore, the holy scriptures instruct you to go to Satsaṅg. Lucky are those who can come to Satsaṅg. Lucky are those who can travel hundreds of kilometers to come to Satsaṅg. You witnessed this at the holy Gurujī's last Guru Pūrṇimā Satsaṅg. There is a great saint, Śukadeva Muni. He was five years old, yet profoundly divine and great. He knew all the Śāstras. If someone speaks very beautifully, giving a lecture, people say, "Oh, he must be an incarnation of Śukadeva Muni." Śukadeva Muni said, "A few seconds of service to Gurudev is greater than sixteen years of service to God." Harīsevā solabharas guru-sevāpalchar tobinibarabarivedkinovichar. You will read and see this in Gurujī's Satsaṅg. Therefore, it is ultimately said: Mokṣamūlaṁ guru-kṛpā. Liberation (Mokṣa) will only be attained when the Guru's grace (guru-kṛpā) is there. It is said, "Mokṣa Mūlam Guru Kṛpā." Liberation comes only where there is the grace of the Guru.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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