What is the special power in the Guru mantra that is given in the ear of the disciple at the time of deeksha (initiation)? Is it compulsory to receive a mantra for our devotion? Why are we told to keep it a secret and what will happen if we tell our Guru mantra to friends?

True deeksha is not merely the giving of a mantra in the ear of the disciple.  True deeksha means to give the Divine power of God to the disciple.  It should result in liberation from Maya, attainment of Divine Knowledge, Love and Bliss, and initiation into the eternal pastimes of God.  Such deeksha is given by the Guru only when the disciple has totally cleansed his or her mind through the practice of Sadhan Bhakti, or preparatory devotion. 

  The problem arises when people do not want to purify their hearts.  They look for shortcuts whereby they can retain all their worldly desires, and yet attain God.  Therefore, claims of magic mantras, tantras and yantras are very appealing to them.  And Gurus who offer such allurements become very popular.  But we must remember that until the heart is totally cleansed, we will not receive the divine grace which is necessary for God-realization.  And to cleanse the heart, we can chant any name of God; there is no need of a special mantra.

   Guru mantras are Sanskrit words that usually mean things like: “O Shree Krishna, I surrender to you,”  “O Shree Ram, I offer my obeisance to you,” However, if we were to say the same thing in another language, would God not listen? God is the knower of the hearts.  If we do not utter even a single word, but simply think of Him, God will understand and reciprocate our sentiments.

   So there is no need of receiving a mantra in the ear.  God has unlimited Divine Names, and the He is seated in all of them.  So we can chant any of His Names, such as:  Krishna, Govind, Damodar, Gopal, Ram, Shiv, Narayan, etc.

   Even if the Guru gives the disciple a mantra in the ear, keeping it secret serves no purpose.  Jagadguru Ramanujacharya’s guru, gave him a guru mantra, and asked him not to reveal it to anyone. But Ramanujacharya went to the crossroads, and shouted out the mantra before the crowd.    He said, “If it is beneficial, then why keep it secret.  Let others also know it and benefit from it.”