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The importance of svadhyaya or study of scriptures as per tradition, and self-reflection, has been given immense importance by Hindu tradition for the purpose of spiritual growth. Chanting of a mantra (japa) is part of svadhyaya.
The ultimate fruit (phala) of properly done svadhyaya, in the form of japa of ones ishta devi-devata, is His/Her darshana.
The energy of the devi-devatas is contained in their respective mantras. As we keep repeating the mantra, we come closer to the respective devi-devata and begin to imbibe divine qualities.
The one chanting the mantra employs his mind and speech, in the process. The repetition of the divine word “Ram”, for example, purifies the organ of speech and the mind that is focussed on the mantra. As he chants, he also listens to the word that purifies his ears. The thought of the mantra purifies the mind. As the process of doing japa gets subtler, the intellect and the entire consciousness of the chanter get purified. Since all the senses, mind, intellect etc, ultimately rest in the jivatma, the jivatma begins to embody the divine energy of the devi-devata whose mantra is being chanted.
We can compare the mantra (shabda/knowldge) to a bow. When the bowstring is drawn back (mantra is chanted), the jivatma (arrow) gets energised with strength and power. On being released, the arrow reaches its goal – the ishta devi/devata, while the bow stays where it is.
An appropriate mantra that is given by a guru acts as a boat to help us cross the ocean of sorrows called samsara, freeing us from the cycle of birth and death.
Ways of chanting a mantra & fruit obtained (phala), respectively:
1. Vaikhari vak:
When we chant aloud, with our speech it is called ‘vaikhiri vak’. Doing sankirtana is an example of this. Our mind takes the form of speech as we do this.
Fruit obtained: Being able to navigate through samsara and flourish in it.
2. Madhyama vak:
When speech takes the form of the mind, by chanting mentally, it is called madhyama vak.
Fruit obtained: To be able to cross the ocean of samsara with the boat, that is, the mantra.
3. Pashyanti vak:
This is a more subtle way to chant, from the region of the intellect, at the finest impulse of speech. Yogis use this method of chanting.
Fruit obtained: Drying up of the ocean of samsara.
4. Para vak:
When chanting is done beyond the senses and employs ones entire consciousness.
Fruit of this as expressed by bhaktas: The ocean of samsara is experienced as the ocean of ultimate bliss because the experience of ultimate bliss has engulfed samsara.
Fruit of this as expressed by gyanis: There has been an illusion of bliss in the ocean of samsara.
In essence, both bhaktas and gyanis are expressing the same through different words.
Hence, the above gives us a brief overview of how mantras work to purify us and help in our spiritual growth, leading to moksha, ultimately.