There are so many details associated with a mantra japa, such as the japa procedure, the associated mudras for the nyāsas, mantra pronunciation and also if someone else has practiced the specified mantra prior and gained success etc. Ascertaining the information, clarifying doubts etc might be essential before beginning a spiritual practice such as a mantra japa and for which a guru is deemed necessary. One should try their best to find a guru and if not, proceed with the self-initiation procedures. No matter what we do or how we do the japa etc, earning the grace of the deity is not guaranteed. That should not deter a sincere sādhaka in proceeding with the japa in the prescribed manner. Millions have performed the japa in the past and many more in the future. These have been time tested and many have achieved success with mantras and that is the only reason why people persist with the same to resolve their material problems and ascend spiritually. As you have mentioned, karmas are the primary and fundamental factor. If they allow us to practice the mantra japa, then we have to do our bit to allow the mantras to fruition by infusing faith and sincerity into our practice.

It is best to learn under a guru and seek their guidance for the mantra japa and associated techniques. It gives us confidence that there are people practicing these techniques for ages (lineage) and also hear experiences from other sādhakas.

Dear Krishnaji, Sorry if this question sound foolish. But can saying this entire Stotram in the mind & imagining as me doing the Nyasa cause problems? I was reading comments on another article of Maa Pratyangira where Tripuraghnaji mentioned Pratyangira Khadagamala & I read it like I mentioned above. This was on Monday evening. For nearly 3 days now I have suffered Hyper Acidity & only today has it calmed down a little. Could it be because of this or some other problem?

Not to be argumentative but I’ve met one person who achieved siddhi simply by a couple thousand hours of chanting of a bija, and I’ve heard of several others from reliable sources. No initiation or gurus in these instances. If I’m recalling correctly, some moderately well known texts describe various results for each crore of recitation of, for example, namah shivaya, Rama, Om, or gam ganapataye, and initiation is not mentioned for this exhaustive route. To which, I suspect centuries and millennia of gurus who all stood to benefit by reenforcing and reaffirming the necessity of a guru, have led to a distorted reality where guru is said to be absolutely essential. Certainly a guru can help greatly, but just look at hermeticism or chaos magic: it’s actually relatively easy to perform some metaphysical acts and waking reality adjustment just by reaching a advanced level of equipoise within mind and body (and of fundamental elements and breath) and learning to control and harvest intention. Success here usually arises from private solo practice and self experimentation. People even create their own mantras, mudras, and nyasas, and some rare ones manage to get staggering power imbued into these. From my own gurus, who have accelerated me enormously I must concede, I’ve heard that self initiation with the expectation of several times more Japa than a source text states, can yield success. With enough japa, I am strongly under the impression that even purascarana can be made flexible or redundant. I think many people have this issue on their mind so this is just my two cents. For efficiency and success, certainly one will get there the fastest with human guru initiation and purascarana, but may not be essential especially if one expects results only after years and years. Of course in the end, karmas will be primary and fundamental factor in each case

 Thank you! It is prescribed to worship Śrī Bālā first in mantra progression in Śrī Vidyā, along with Mahāganapthy, correct? Does it follow to also perform extended Tripura Bhairavī mantra japa? If so, how would this fit in order with Vārāhī Ambikā and Raja Shymalā mantra japa? Of course the guru will say or, if karma is so and worship and meditation and breath done properly, the deity or a messenger may come to the sadhak and explain. However, for one working with multiple gurus and trying heterodox practices, clarity can feel very elusive. Is it possible to suggest some reading material to understand more about the one called Śrī Bālā, Śrī Tripura Bhairavī, and Śrī Tripura Sundarī?

Many thanks. Very tangentially, for success in Japa and with other forms of related practice, would it be more efficient to first spend a year or two getting a functional grasp on Sanskrit and breathing techniques, before proceeding to mantra japa under a guru?

Mnx, the truth is that all people can worship the deity they want, but past karma is inevitable. The devotee will have to make an important choice: whether to board an already built "plane" or start building a new "plane". As a rule, the inappropriate deity itself will somehow guide you to the correct deity. But if your desire is strong, she will accept creating new bonds from the beginning. But this choice has a price, it will take you an absurdly longer time to achieve the desired blessings.

Yes. Every mantra by default requires an initiation from a practicing guru. Especially the ones that have a Viniyoga, nyāsa etc.

One who is initiated to the mantras of Śrī Mahātripura Sundarī can definitely consider reciting this stotram if permitted by their Guru. Not all traditions consider the need for stotras such as these.

It is best to follow the prescribed schedule daily. It is a huge commitment and undertaking for those who have taken up the task of performing a puraścaraṇa. Normally a puraścaraṇa is completed within 40 to 45 days and a couple of grace days for missing the japa are included in it. If you have undertaken to complete the puraścaraṇa in a period of 6 months to 1 year or so, then a day or two every month maybe okay. Keep the daily recitation count low, to ensure that you have the time to recite in your busy schedule. Also consider performing the Āvaraṇa Pūja, Kavacam and any important stotras of the deity on a regular basis.