Purashcharan Pradip – A Spiritual Manual for Mantra Mastery by Swami Sachchidananda Saraswati.
Title — Purashcharan Pradip,
Author —Swami Sachchidananda Saraswati,
Language — Bengali,
Published — 1932,
Subject — Hindu ritual practice for attaining mantra siddhi (spiritual mastery),
Genre — Hindu Spiritual Mastery,
Format— PDF,
Sachchidananda Saraswati wrote the Spiritual Mastery Purashcharan Pradip
About Purashcharan?
Purashcharan Pradip is a Bengali book published in 1932 by Swami Sachchidananda Saraswati that details the practice of Purashcharan. Purashcharan is a preparatory Hindu ritual to achieve mastery of a mantra, which involves repeating a mantra a prescribed number of times, along with other rituals like fire offerings (Homa), libations (Tarpana), and feeding of Brahmins and holy men (Bhojana).
What Is Purashcharan?
Purashcharan (Sanskrit: पुरश्चरण) is a foundational spiritual discipline in Hinduism, undertaken to awaken the latent power of a mantra. It is not merely a ritual—it is a sacred vow, a transformative journey that aligns the practitioner’s body, mind, and soul with divine energy.
The term Purashcharan literally means “preparatory steps,” and it is traditionally performed after receiving mantra initiation (diksha) from a guru. The goal is to attain mantra siddhi, or mastery, where the mantra becomes a living force within the practitioner.
The Fivefold Path (Panchanga) of Purashcharan
The book Purashcharan Pradip meticulously outlines the five essential components of this practice:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Japa | Repetition of the mantra a prescribed number of times, often in lakhs. |
| Homa | Fire offerings made while chanting the mantra, symbolizing purification. |
| Tarpana | Libations offered to deities and ancestors to invoke blessings. |
| Marjana | Ritualistic sprinkling of sanctified water for physical and spiritual purity. |
| Bhojana | Feeding Brahmins and holy persons as an act of charity and spiritual merit. |
Each element is deeply symbolic and serves to purify different aspects of the practitioner’s being—speech, action, intention, and karma.
Spiritual Significance
According to Purashcharan Pradip, the practice is not just mechanical repetition—it is a sacred sadhana (discipline) that demands devotion, precision, and surrender. The book emphasizes:
- Guru guidance: The importance of receiving proper initiation and instruction.
- Discipline: Maintaining purity, celibacy, and a sattvic lifestyle during the practice.
- Devotion: Cultivating bhakti (devotion) alongside jnana (knowledge) and karma (action).
When performed correctly, Purashcharan is said to awaken the mantra’s shakti (divine energy), leading to spiritual insights, inner transformation, and even mystical experiences.
Key aspects
- Purpose: The ultimate goal is to attain mantra siddhi, or mastery and power from a mantra, which is considered essential for the mantra to yield its intended results.
- Guidance: It is considered crucial to have a guru’s permission and guidance before undertaking a Purashcharan, as the ritual has specific rules and is a serious undertaking.
- Structure: The ritual is highly structured, with a specific number of repetitions and an adherence to certain rules regarding diet, time, behavior, and location. The number of repetitions is often determined by the number of syllables in the mantra being chanted
Legacy and Relevance
Purashcharan Pradip stands as a rare and authoritative guide in Bengali literature on mantra sadhana. It bridges scriptural wisdom with practical instruction, making it invaluable for serious spiritual aspirants.
FAQ:
What is the Purascharana method?
One of the most powerful methods for seamlessly integrating mantra and consciousness is to undertake a purashcharana. In this systematic practice, you repeat a mantra a specific number of times each day for a set period; a single purashcharana can last months or even years.
What are the benefits of Purascharana?
Mantra Purascharana has incalculable benefits. Brightness, clearness, or tranquillity of the mind, contentment, dispassion towards worldly enjoyments, Darshan of Ishta Devata, success in all undertakings, attainment of purity of the mind-all these will ensue.
What is the Maha mantra Purascharana?
A purascharana is primarily an extended mantra recitation practice. It involves recitation of a mantra as many lakhs (100,000) times as there are syllables in the mantra. E.g. A five-syllable mantra such as Om Namah Shivaya requires 5 lakh japa (5 x 100,000). 2.
What are the benefits of Gayatri Mantra Purascharana?
Gayatri purascharana offers a wide range of spiritual, mental, and physical benefits, including spiritual growth, increased consciousness, and enhanced clarity of thought. It is believed to lead to prosperity, peace, and a stronger family life, while also aiding in the removal of negative emotions like anxiety and depression. Practices like Gayatri purascharana can also lead to physical health improvements, such as better sleep, a calming effect on the brain, and improved physical health.
Spiritual and mental benefits
- Spiritual and mental clarity: It helps in achieving spiritual growth, increased consciousness, peace, and contentment.
- Improved mind and intellect: Gayatri purascharana enhances focus, memory, and learning power. It is said to help purify the mind and remove ignorance.
- Positive outlook: It can kill anxiety and depression by releasing serotonin, promoting a positive state of mind.
- Enhanced intuition and awareness: It is believed to protect from danger and drive divine intuition, while also making one more aware of their interests and moods.
- Overcoming negative habits: It can help in dismissing unproductive habits and forming new, helpful ones.
Physical benefits
- Improved sleep and breathing: It can help in improving the rhythmic pattern of breathing and assist in creating calm brain wave activities, leading to better sleep.
- Better health: Chanting the mantra is said to release toxins from the body, improve skin glow, and help with migraines and headaches. It can also lead to a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure.
Prosperity and well-being
- Prosperity: Practices associated with the Gayatri mantra are said to bring prosperity and ensure a home never faces scarcity.
- Fulfillment of desires: It is believed to help in fulfilling wishes and bring success in endeavors.
- Better family life: It is said to improve family relationships.
Other benefits
- Manifestation: It can lead to the attainment of the four goals of human life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation).
- Freedom from past actions: Chanting the mantra a specific number of times is believed to help in removing the sins of past lives.
Download: Purashcharan Pradip PDF digital edition by Swami Sachchidananda Saraswati.
(Pages — 316, PDF Size — 8 MB)