Hindu Narrative

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<!--QuoteBegin-Bodhi+May 4 2007, 02:03 AM-->QUOTE(Bodhi @ May 4 2007, 02:03 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->a) tAmasic jApa - loudly pronouncing the mantra, using throat
b) rajasic jApa - only self can hear, using talavya
c) sAttvik - only mAnasik - no sound in physical eather

then there is very respected ajapA jApa, which very crudely explained is to hear and see the ishta mantra by meditating upon it, rather than reciting it.
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Re: ajapA-japa

IIRC this japa happens automatically without any effort from the chanter. It is like an automaton inside that keeps on repeating the chant irrespective of what a person may be indulged in doing outside. This is a kind of silent japa but without any conscious effort by the chanter. In fact it takes conscious effort to stop the ajapA-japa.

Typically the progression of the practice of japa would go from loud, whispered, silent and then to ajapA. After chanting a mantra for a long time one often finds that mantra starts chanting itself! <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> This is the ajapA. Even during sleep or dream one may find that japa was going on completely on its own.