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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00096 Aug 2005

 
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Sri:
Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha
 
Pranam to all devotees:
 
After a gap in this series adiyen is continuing this series.
Continued from the previous post.
========================================
A doubt may arise about the exact number of letters contained in the
Pranavam,
'om'. Is it only one letter as mentioned in the Vedas?
'omithi ekaksharam',
or is it three letters : combination of 'ah','ooh' and 'ma''?
========================================
 
 
One should note that there are two methods followed in counting the
number of letters contained in a word. They are
       => 'samhithakaram' (undivided form)
       => and ' asamhithakaram'(divided form).
 
As per the 'samhithakaram' method the Pranavam is a one lettered word
and as per 'asamhithakaram' there are three letters in the Pranavam.

For the purpose of understanding the meaning 'asamhithakaram' method
is adopted, thus "om" is broken into three letters "ah" "ooh" and
"ma".

The Vedas say it is one letter  'omithi eka aksharam' as per
'samhithakaram' method.
Both are correct.


            In this verse, Parasara Bhattar uses the word
'triatma' to signify three letters or three words.
The next word to be understood is 'tri-yi-sara-ha'.

The origin of the letters contained in 'om' namely 'ah','ooh'and 'ma'
are traced to have representation from three Vedas, Rig, Yajur and
Sama
. Initially the three vyahrudees, 'bhoo', 'bhuvaha' and 'suvaha'
were taken out of the three Vedas as their essence. Then Paramatma
culled out the three letters 'ah', 'ooh' and 'ma' from these
vyahrudees. Thus the three letters are truly the essence of three
Vedas. Accordingly the Pranavam "om" is mentioned as 'tra-yi-sara-ha'.

The meaning of the letters is explained in each line of the verse.
=> Verse 1, line 1 explains the letter 'ah';
=> line 2 explains 'ooh' and
=> line 3 explains 'ma'.
Line 4 combines all the three letters of the pranavam and explains how
"om" is composed out of three Vedas.

How does the letter 'ah' indicate the Paramatma? This is being explained here.

All worlds are created, sustained and destroyed by Him. This meaning
is derived for the letter 'ah' because of its nature.

Note:  'agara mudal ezuthu ellam adi bagawan muthat-ray ulagu'
meaning all letters are emanated from the letter 'ah'. In the same way all
worlds are created by Paramatma. The same is mentioned in the Vedas
"akaaro vai sarva vaak".

There is another meaning for the letter 'ah' with reference to its
root word. In Sanskrit the 'ah' comes from the root 'ava' meaning
'rakshanam', i.e. sustenance. Thus 'ah' represents protection.
So far we have seen that 'ah' implies creation and protection, in
addition these two meanings creation and protection imply the
destruction as well. Thus all the three functions of Brahman are
indicated. Hence 'ah' refers to Paramatma.

Out of the five essentials listed in ArthaPanchakam this "ah"
represents the 'prapyam'. "Prapyam" includes the Lord and HIS form,
nature, qualities, possessions and belongings.
Other attributes of the Lord as contained in the Upanishad, the

a.      truthfulness (satyatvam),
b.      knowledge (janathvam),
c.      bliss (anandatvam),
d.      extensive nature (ananthatvam) and
e.      blimishless nature (amalatvam)


are also included under this "Prapyam" heading to have complete
knowledge about the Lord.
=======================================
 
We will continue with Verse 1: line 2: referring to
"ma" i.e Jeevathma in the next post.
 
Azhvar Emberumanar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam
Ramanuja Dasan
VP Srinivasa Varadan


azhwAr emberumAnAr jeeyAr thiruvadigalE saranam




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