Determining the appropriate mudra (specific configuration of fingers) is more difficult than finding out the appropriate chant from the experiment given in Issue 124, Message to Seekers section, the former being subtler than the latter. If the wrong mudra is practiced, then it can be harmful for the seeker. Therefore, while doing individual chanting, seekers should do the dhyan mudra (sitting in the lotus posture, both the hands should be placed on the knees with palms facing upwards, the index finger and thumb of each hand should be joined together).

    While chanting, if one feels pressure on any one of the seven chakras (centers) then all the five fingers can be joined and positioned at that point and chant. If no such sensation is felt, then it is all right to place the fingers at the anahat chakra (chakra at the heart) or adnya chakra (chakra in between the eyebrows). Since the seekers of the Subtle Department are currently being attacked by mantriks (practitioners of mantra) from the sixth and seventh levels of Hell, they should not be asked advice on mudras. While doing collective chanting, the method which was advised earlier should be continued, that is, fists tightly clenched should be placed on the thighs and chanting done with vigor.

    Currently mantriks from Hell are troubling seekers. They are vigorously trying to stop seekers’ chanting and prayers by resorting to various methods like planting negative thoughts in their minds, creating doubts about other seekers or about spiritual practice, etc. They are also employing different means to inflict distress by giving spiritual experiences (anubhutis) through subtle means, like deceiving seekers by taking the form of a deity or showing gory incidents, horrible or dirty pictures such as the seeker tasting his own vomit or drinking a glass of blood, etc. By these diabolical means, the mantriks plan to increase the raja and tama components in seekers and then take full charge of their minds in order to get them to abandon their spiritual practice. Seekers should therefore note that as soon as they start getting such thoughts or pictures, they should say a specific prayer.

Example of a specific prayer

    Once, a female seeker found herself enveloped in lethargy as soon as she woke up in the morning. She tried to do chanting in destroyer form (marak) but could not, despite vigorous efforts. Her fighting spirit (kshatravrutti) could not be increased despite putting in extensive efforts. She prayed, “Let the distress of distressing energies vanish”. However, this failed to bring any desired results. Then she said a specific prayer to her deity of worship as follows, “I ____ (her name) pray that the mantrik who is creating lethargy in me and not allowing me to increase my fighting spirit be destroyed by Your weapons of power.” Within ten minutes, she felt invigorated and could start chanting in destroyer form again.

    Currently, distressing energies are troubling seekers through various media. Some seekers have severe physical distress while others have severe psychological distress. If the distressing energies want to trouble one, then they do so through the body, mind or intellect. For example physical distress like headaches, body ache, heaviness of hands and feet, sleepiness, etc., psychological distress like disappointment, not feeling like doing satseva, frequently feeling lethargic, etc., and intellect-related distress like improper use of intellect, etc.

    Many seekers have experienced that after completely offering their body, mind and intellect for God’s mission, such distress is reduced. Seekers have realized that if they did not pamper the body, mind and intellect and persevere in doing satseva, then the quality of their chanting improved. Therefore, during the entire day seekers should not waste a moment and instead should utilize the body for satseva, the mind to chant, and their intellect in removing personality defects and reducing ego. By making such conscious efforts, God will definitely give seekers the strength to bear the trouble caused by the distressing energies.

     Every passing day, seekers are witnessing a steady increase in the extent and severity of trouble from distressing energies. The distressing energies, or mantriks, from the fifth, sixth and even the seventh region of Hell are launching attacks on seekers. There has been a marked rise in the visible effect of their attack, such as seekers getting scratches on their body, appearance of blood stains on clothes, getting blots on the Sanatan organization’s articles like cap, apron, etc., emergence of blood stains, blots and scratches on the pictures of deities as well as those of His Holiness (H.H.) Bhaktaraj Maharaj and H.H. Dr. Jayant Athavale, pictures getting burned, change in the color of the pictures, etc. The intention of the distressing energies behind all these gimmicks is to frighten the seekers, to shake their faith in the Lord and to release black energy.

    If seekers come across such an attack on a gross level, without getting frightened, they should say an intense prayer and apply or blow vibhuti (holy ash) on the affected article. The affected article may be kept away for about eight to 10 days. It may be observed whether the visible effect on the article, say a blot on the photo, is increasing or changing its shape. If the attack of distressing energies is of a mild or moderate nature, there is no increase in the visible effect. Similarly, one can also do the following experiment of the subtle dimension:

    After the attack by the distressing energy, one will get undesirable, distressing vibrations on looking at the article or holding it in the hand. After applying vibhuti (holy ash), one may try the experiment again. If no distressing vibrations are felt, it means that the distress has vanished. Vibhuti (holy ash) has the divine quality to destroy the black energy emanating from the affected articles so the articles may then be reused.

     However, if the effect does not reduce even eight to 10 days after applying holy ash, or if it is of a major nature in the beginning itself, say a very big blood stain or a big scratch, it would indicate that the attack of negative energies has been very severe. In such cases, the affected articles may be deposited with the nearest ashram for collection.

*If one is not currently doing any spiritual practice, one can begin with the simple, but powerful spiritual practice of chanting or constantly remembering God's Name according to one's religion.

• Seekers in the initial stages of spiritual practice (less than one year) can repeat The Name of the Lord as per their religion (refer to Issue 3 Clarification of Doubts section for details).
• Those seekers who have been doing regular spiritual practice for over a year or so can determine the appropriate chant for them from the experiment given in Issue 124, Message to Seekers section.