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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Why do we chant Om?

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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 22nd January, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Friday, January 06, 2012

Why do we chant Om?

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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 22nd January, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

 

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