If a pure hearted soul wished to undertake it, how is a Tapas performed?
Is a manthric procedure laid down in the scriptures aimed towards visible visitation of deity penanced to grant boons. Is the number of manthra repetitions presribed for each God? (I know of numbers needed for some desired goals ..ishta kamyardhams recommended by swamis). Are there specific mantras prescribed to propitiate particular Gods ? (Like Beejaksharas included in Gayathri for short /daily prayers)
Is there a normal time for appearance of the God? Is it allowed to take breaks during the tapas? ( because it is not only a spiritual act but also a bodily performed action with concentration).
What recent accounts are there of spiritual persons who saw God or attained peace and internal power transmitted as divine messages? Are there accounts of those who quit in the middle?
I know of a religious person about whose integrity I have absolutely no doubt. When he did hear pleasing divine musical sounds he was enthralled and confided to me. At first I thought it as tinnitus or some such medical condition of weakness. Motivation in asking the question is to remove present skepticism in such ancient intensive meditative practices so that in the present times too the practice lives on... Mahesh Yogi had said a certain percentage (square root of 0.1%) of a group meditates, then the entire group is influenced towards peace and harmony.