[Qualarrizab]

Dear Nachinarkiniyar,
It is quite interesting and informative. In my case a Guru volunteered himself of giving matropadesha to me. I got mantropadesha when I was 24 years old and I did not start the repetition of mantras with any serousness and after sometime I did not have the inclination to do japa for a long time. My Guru used to say that laying the seeds is his job and did not know when the seeds will sprout or whether they may sprout at all when I was in close touch with him. After about 20 years, it suddenly occurred to me that I should do the japa. Of course, to make the japa interesting I myself set a large number and also the period by which I should finish the same. He gave about 9 mantras during his life time in two instalments. There was a break in doing the japa for a period of about 5-7 years and I started again and completed the number fixed by me within the period as per my plan. The japa has changed the entire outlook of my life and presently, again there is a gap. Still, the effect of the past japa persists. I took to a different mantra on the recommendation of my friend, philosopher and guide and I refer him as Guru only to others. Of course, I learnt astrology from that friend. The friendship still continues. In the absence of my Guru, I used to consult him for guidance in regard to my personal problems. The strange thing is that he is senior to me by nearly four years. This is only by way of sharing my experience regarding mantrajapa and how and when it started working. N.Rajagopalan, gopaindu@yahoo.com