Why do we chant Om?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna!

In this post, we will look at the technique of chanting OM.

The technique for chanting OM is as given below:

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged seated posture with the spine upright, head, neck and spine in a vertical (if comfortable) alignment. Close the eyes and take a deep inhalation. While exhaling, start uttering the OM sound. Begin by feeling the vibration of the "O" sound building up in the navel area and traveling upward. As you continue the chant, feel the vibration moving upward toward the base of the throat. When the vibration reaches the throat area, convert the sound to a deep humming sound of "M". Continue to feel the vibration moving upward until it reaches the crown of the head (called Sahasrara Chakra). You may repeat this process two or more times. At the end of the final chant, continue to sit still and feel the vibration of the OM sound permeating the whole body – every single cell of the body.

Benefits of chanting OM

The continued recitation of OM (called Udgita Pranayama) fills one with peace, calmness, tranquility and serenity. When we recite it with the understanding that OM is nothing but a representation of Ishvara, it brings us closer to our true nature, our own pure self. As mentioned above, OM is the primordial sound and this entire creation is a manifestation of this mystic sound. It represents the cosmic prana (the vital energy) and the air we breathe. Meditating on these thoughts can bring us closer to other human beings and lift the veil of separateness.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about Peepal, also known as Ficus Religiosa.

· It’s a large tree with leaves that resemble betel leaves

· Bark of a young tree steeped in water overnight and the water drunk in the morning acts as a diuretic

· Berries dried in shade and powdered help in spermatorrhoea, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation and leucorrhoea

That concludes the post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 6^th March, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Why do we chant Om?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna to one and all,

In our previous post, we have seen the references of Om in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Let us continue the same in this post.

Even though chanting of OM as a mantra by itself is advocated in the above sutras, it is common to use OM in conjunction with other mantras. In some cases, it is added at the beginning of a shloka ; for example – "OM namo shivaya, OM bhur, bhuvah, svaha" etc. In other cases it is also added at the end of a phrase – e.g., Hari OM. Most of the mantras in the vedas also start with OM. In the spiritual tradition, those who wish to meditate on a regular basis get a personal mantra from their spiritual teacher. This personal mantra may or may not include OM as a part of the mantra.

How to chant OM

As Patanjali states in sutra 1.28, OM should be chanted keeping its meaning and significance in mind. Since OM is the representative sound and symbol for Ishvara, it is important to keep the essence of Ishvara (sutra 1.24) in mind while chanting OM.

Other names for OM

In some of the Upanishads, OM is referred to as ‘udgita’ (the uplifting chant) or ‘Omkara’. In Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and in some Upanishads it is mentioned as ‘Pranava’. Patanjali mentions it as a ‘vachaka’ or the representative symbol for Ishvara (the Lord). Other words used for OM include ‘taraka’ (the one that helps us cross the ocean of this perishable life), ‘akshara’ (indestructible or imperishable), and the Brahman (supreme consciousness) in sound form called ‘Shabda Brahman.

In our next post, let us know the technique of chanting Om.

…to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about Nayebooti or Nah.

• It’s a small herb with thin branches and leaves having a bitter taste
• It’s a specific for continuous fevers and tuberculosis
• It’s used in conjunction with Gooda Booti

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22^nd February, keep on chanting the Radhekrishna namam and enjoy the supreme bliss.

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Why do we chant Om?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna!

In this post, let us know more about Om.

OM in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

In chapter 1 (Samadhi Pada) of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali gives us the concept of Ishvara as "Ishvara is the supreme Purusha, unaffected by any afflictions, actions, fruits of actions or by any inner impressions of desires." (translation by Sw. Satchidananda) (sutra 1.24). The following sutras provide us an insight into the sacred symbol OM:

• sutra 1.27: "The word expressive of Ishvara is the mystic sound OM (pranava)"
• sutra 1.28: "To repeat it with reflection upon its meaning is an aid."
• sutra 1.29: "From this practice all the obstacles disappear and simultaneously dawns knowledge of the inner Self."
• sutra 1.30: "Disease, dullness, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sensuality, false perception, failure to reach firm ground and slipping from ground gained – these distractions of the mind-stuff are the obstacles."
• sutra 1.31: "Accompaniments to the mental distractions include distress, despair, trembling of the body, and disturbed breathing."

As we can see from these sutras by Patanjali, chanting of OM can make us free from obstacles (defined in sutra 1.30) and provide us a glimpse of the inner self.

We will continue this topic in out next post

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about Gule Abbas also known as Four o’clock Flower in English and Mirabilis Jalapa in Latin.

· This plant is grown in gardens and houses for decorative purposes

· Its leaves have the property of reducing inflammation of all kinds

· Its root heals carbuncles

· Taken internally, the various parts of the plant act as purifier of blood and healer of scabies and gonorrhea

· In cases of jaundice the leaves are cooked as a vegetable and eaten for relief

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22^nd January, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Why do we chant Om?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna Dear Readers,

Wishing all our readers a very happy new year! New years are about making resolutions. So this year let us make a resolution to discover the hidden secrets behind the various facets of Hinduism. Nobody can estimate the depth of Hinduism. There is limitless science in Hinduism.

In our previous post we have seen what the word OM or AUM stands for; namely the three states, three deities, three worlds etc. In this post let us know more about AUM.

When we chant AUM, there is a pause between two AUM chants. This pause or silence also means something! Yes there is a hidden meaning even here. Let us try to know about the same.

The formless, attributeless Lord (Brahman) is represented by the silence between two Om Chants. Om is also called pranava that means, "that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Om. It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake. The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm).

Om is written in different ways in different places. The most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s. The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand. Thus Om symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form and the Formless.

….to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about Imli also known as Tamarind in English and Tamaridus Indica in Latin.

· It’s a fruit of a large tree having pods three to four inches long, contain pith, tasting sweet-sour

· Its used extensively in cooking

· Its alkaline properties counteract hyperacidity, bilious fevers, nausea and thirst

· It also acts as an appetiser

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22^nd January, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam