Is purification of the body (verbally, verbally, or mentally) necessary for chanting mantras, including those beginning with the Pranava (Om) letter, such as Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevay, and Om Namah Shivaya?
These are universal mantras and do need any special or specific preliminary purification. They can be done by anyone and anytime. However mantras don’t work as mechanical keys. They invoke specific powers or godheads. Hence one should practice certain basic qualities that would be pleasing to the Deity being called.
If the mantra is given by the Guru and starts with Om, is the practitioner free to chant it at any time?
If a mantra has been received from a Guru then one should follow the advice of the Guru. If the Guru has not specified anything then one can do it anytime though most Gurus advice the morning hours for a specific period.
If the mantra is not given by the Guru, then what are the rules of chanting the mantra as per the scriptures?
Only universal mantras such as the Pranav can be anytime. But beejmantras and tantric mantras should be done only under the guidance of a Guru.
Shouldn’t mantra chanting be done with every activity, such as defecation, eating, etc.? Is the practitioner free to chant the name with all activities?
It can be done anytime but with inner concentration. Mere mechanical repetition makes it less effective.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
