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The Viniyog of each Mantra has following components –

(1) The first component is Rishi. In our Ved it is said that " Rishayo Mantra Drishtarah " means they have experienced and discovered the Mantra but they have not created the Mantra. Since they have compiled and mastered completely that particular mantra, so recalling the name of the Rishi shows revered devotion of devotee. It is believed that worship of that Rishi before the Jap of Mantra can give early results.

(2) Second component is Chhand. Different Mantras can be practiced with different combination of Swar and Gati like Maansik, Vaachik, Upaanshu… So Chhand are rhythmic composition of chanting the Mantras.

(3) Third is Devtaa – The cosmic power to whom we are worshipping to get the desired result.

(4) Fourth - Beej Mantra is the Tattwa (gist)of the Mantra. The Jap of Beej Mantra generates energy that is essential for activation the power of main Mantra.

(5) Fifth is Keelakam. It is considered as key to unlock the secret of the Mantra.

Example- Let us see the example of Viniyog of Bagalaamukhee Kavach -
Om Asya Shriee Bagalamukhee Kavachasya Naarad Rishih Anushtup Chhandah Bagalamukhee Devataa Lam Beejam Aim Keelakam Purushaarth Chatushtaye Jape Viniyogah

Here Rishi is Naarad, Chhand is Anushtup, Devtaa is Bagalaamukhee, Beej is Lam, Keelak is Aim, Sixth component is Prayojan, means for which we are doing the recitation of Kavach. That is Purushaarth Chatushtaye - Dharm, Arth, Kam , and Moksh.

Since the Rishi are authorities of the Mantra and here Rishi is Naarad. So before reciting Bagalaamukhee Kavach worship of Naarad is advised.

Some Mantra Need Initiation
Also in some Mantra initiation is very important part. Since we can not meet Rishi in person, but we can seek the guidance of the person who has spent his major part of life in chanting that Mantra. So initiation can bring early result in fructification of the Mantra.

For example if I am reciting the Stotra 27 times, do I have to read the "Jape Viniyogah" lines every single time?
--No, you need to do Viniyog only once. Do the Viniyog, then recite the Stotra and on second repetition only recite the Stotra. Every time when you start the Stotra, you have to do the Viniyog, but not for repetitions.

Some Stotra do not have Viniyog lines, this does not mean that that Stotra does not have any Viniyog, it is just that they are not written in your Stotra, but definitely some Rishi has compiled that Stotra. It's Ok to read the Stotra as it is, in case Viniyog lines are not available in the book. But sometimes you can find the Viniyog of the same Stotra in some books. For example in some other books I have not found Viniyog of "Aaditya Hridaya Stotra" but I found Viniyog of the same in the book of Geetaa Press (two rupees price), so I started reciting the Viniyog also. One more thing, Rishi (in Viniyog) should not be misunderstood as common meaning - sage, like Vishwaamitra, or Vashishth.

This example of Viniyog of Hanumat Vadavaanal Stotra will clarify-
"Om Asya Shree Hanumat Vadavaanal Stotra Mantrasya Shree Raamchandra Rishih Shree Vadavaanal Hanumaan Devtaa Mam Samast Rog Prashamanartham Aayu Aarogya Aishwarayabhi Vridhyartham Samast Paap Chhayartham Shree Seetaa Raamchandra Preetyartham Cha Hanumat Vadavaanal Stotra Japam Aham Karishye"

Here Rishi is Lord Raam and Devtaa is Hanumaan. Raam has discovered and mastered this Stotra so he is the authority of this Stotra that is why he is Rishi. Here Chhand, Beej and Keelak are not given after Devtaa, all the other things are only Prayojan.

Use of Water With Stotra
It is always advisable that some water must be taken in right palm and after reading Viniyog must be released slowly on the ground. Take the example of Hanumat Vadavaanal Stotra, the last three words Japam Aham Karishye. Means you will do the Jap of that Stotra and by taking water in right hand and saying those words means you have firm will to recite the Stotra and water is the witness.

Sankalp  is also taken like this, but there is a difference between Sankalp and Viniyog. Aashwin Nava Raatri will start from 19th of this month. Suppose a person is going to start the Paath of Durgaa Sapt Shatee, then first he will have to take the Sankalp of recitation of whole Saptashatee (this will include his name, Gotra, month, Paksha, Tithi, planetary position of that time... etc).  This is Sankalp. While Viniyog is included in the Stotra.

There are 13 Adhyaaya in Saptashatee. First Adhyaaya is Pratham Charit and the Devtaa of Pratham Charit is Mahaakaalee and Rishi is Brahmaa. So before the recitation of Pratham Charit, Viniyoga of Pratham Charit is a must. Second, third and fourth Adhyaaya is Madhyam Charit. Devtaa of Madhyam Charit is Mahaalakshmee and Rishi is Vishnu, so just after the completion of Pratham Charit do the Viniyog of Madhyam Charit. From 5th to 13th Adhyaaya is called Uttar Charit, Devtaa of Uttar Charit is Mahaa Saraswatee and Rishi is Rudra. So just before the start of Uttar Charit ie 5th Adhyaaya do the Viniyoga of Uttar Charit only.
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>>Is it absolutely essential to release water whilst doing Viniyog?
** Yes, It is suggested.

>>Should we always recite the Stotra while sitting? Or can we do it while walking around while mentally repeating a Stotra?
** No. You can do mental repetition (without the movement of tongue) at any time, in any posture. eg while traveling, or doing any work, even you can repeat it without having a bath.

>>If we were to repeat the Viniyog lines every single time, it should not be a problem?
** No problem.

>>Do I also need initiation for Stotra? I thought initiation was only for the Mantra which have Beej.
**You are right. But some Stotra also need initiation. For example Lakshmee Naaraayan Hridayam needs initiation. Since it is described in Rahasya Bhaag of Atharv Ved. Such secret Stotra should not be recited without initiation.

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