Title Layout Subtitle What is Mantra Pushpam A

Title Layout • Subtitle

What is Mantra Pushpam? • A famous Vedic hymn, chanted usually at the end of any ritual, to seek divine blessings • Signifies and glorifies the importance of Pancha Bhutas (5 elements). • This Mantra speaks about the principle behind creation • It states that from the Self there emerged Ether (akash). From Ether came air, from water fire, from fire water, from water there emerged the Earth. Source of all the elements is The One Atma. • The Mantra focuses on the significance of water and its relationship with other aspects of creation. • Interestingly, this Mantra also symbolizes the confluence and integration of religions- Agni(Zoroastrianism), Scorching Sun (Christianity), Moon-Crescent(Islam), Stars(Zudaism), Clouds (Christianity) and Time (Kala Chakra – wheel of Dharma – Buddhism)

What is Mantrapushpam (contd. )? v. Explanation of Relations between Water and other elements: Fire: Water in the clouds is the source of fire in the form of lighting; water in the digestive juices is the source of digestive fire. Air: Air in the form of vapour is the source of water in the form of dew and rain. Sun: Heat from the Sun is responsible for water cycle (Evaporation-condensation; precipitation to ice and then to water) Stars: Part of constellation, which are constellations seen in sky, and are the roots of creation. Earth rotates in its axis in the galaxy, around sun and this revolving produces water in the form of rain. Thus stars become source of water. Clouds: Clouds produce rain. Water in turn is the source of rain bearing clouds. Samvatsara (Time): Time in the form of seasons is the source of water cycle and flow of water that regeneration of water. The degree of presence or absence of Water in turn affects the seasons in a year.

• One who gains knowledge about water and flowers will be blessed with prosperity (flowers, progeny, cattle) • One who gains knowledge about the relation ship between moon, water, flowers will attain divine abode.

Scientific Explanation • The movements of the moon cause tides in water. • Moon cycle determines flowering and crop yield Spiritual Explanation Moon – Mind; Water – Divine Love; Flower –Spiritual heart ü The love energy that radiates from spiritual heart, controls the wavering mind ü He will be able to attain and perceive the knowledge, to be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity.

• One who gains knowledge about the relationship between water & fire will be blessed with spiritual prosperity and attain divine abode Scientific Explanation: • Water in the clouds is the basis of fire in the form of lighting. • Water in the form of digestive juices is source of fire. Spiritual Explanation : Water – Divine Love; Fire – light of Knowledge Love in any subject or relationship propels to know more about it and understand. Love is the basis of knowledge. Similarly , Divine Love alone grants self-realisation. Thus such a person will be able to attain and perceive the knowledge about self , will be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity.

Scientific explanation: Air in the form of water vapour is the source of dew and rain Spiritual explanation: Water – Divine love ; Air – Expansion Air moves freely without restrictions. It represents expansion and absence of limiting boundaries. Such expansion is source of love. Universal and selfless love in turn is the basis of all expansion. Thus such a person who will be able share Divine Love self-lessly to everything/everyone in Gods creation , will be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity.

One who gains knowledge about the relationship between water and sun will be blessed with spiritual prosperity and thus attain Divine abode. Scientific Explanation Sun: Heat from the Sun is responsible for water cycle (Evaporation-condensation; precipitation to ice and then to water) Spiritual Explanation Tapata- rigourous penance ; Asau – sun The word used for scorching sun (tapata) also means intense penance. Intense effort or penance is the basis for Love is the primary motivation for the intense effort. Sun also represents our vision. Our vision sharpens our concentration on Divine Love and Divine love in turn sharpens our vision. Thus such a person will be able to attain and perceive the knowledge about self , will be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity

One who gains knowledge about the relation ship between water and moon will be blessed with spiritual prosperity and will attain divine abode Scientific Explanation The movements of the moon cause tides in water. Moon cycle determines flowering and crop yield Spiritual Explanation Moon – Mind; Water – Divine Love; Flower –Spiritual heart The love energy that radiates from spiritual heart controls the wavering mind of the person. Then he will be able to attain and perceive the knowledge. He will be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity.

One who gains knowledge about the relation ship between water and stars will be blessed with spiritual prosperity and will attain divine abode Scientific Explanation Stars or constellations we see in the skies are the source of the creation. The biological and animal kingdom owe their existence to the stars. Water in the form of rain, is produced on earth due to the revolution of the Earth around the Sun and its rotation about its axis. Thus, stars become the source of water. Spiritual Explanation Stars shine brightly , dispelling darkness and acting as a navigator in the darkness of the night. They represent the ability within each one of us to act beacon lights amid the darkness of hatred, divisiveness and ignorance. Such an ability gets energy from Divine Love. Then the person with such perception will be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity.

One who gains knowledge about the relation ship between water and clouds , will be blessed with spiritual prosperity and will attain divine abode Scientific Explanation Clouds produce rain. Water in turn is the source of rain bearing clouds. Spiritual Explanation Clouds are the reservoir of water. But they do not keep any water to themselves. They share all their water as rain. Thus , they represent selflessness. Selfishness and pure love do not go together. Selfness is the basis of love and love is the foundation for selflessness. Then the person who gives such selfless love will be able to see everything in this creation without any differentiation and perceives Brahman in Himself and in entire creation. Thus he achieves a state of spiritual prosperity.

Scientific Explanation Time in the form of seasons is the source of water cycle and flow of water that regeneration of water. The degree of presence or absence of Water in turn affects the seasons in a year. Spiritual Explanation Samvatara” (Year) represents time. The Buddhist wheel is symbolic of the Dharma which is related to the time of cause and consequence. Love in action is Dharma which is beyond time. So this verse means the one who understands the interrelationship between Love and Time (Action) attains the highest abode. Bhagavan has given us the spiritual meaning of the Buddhist wheel as follows: ‘Remember the wheel of cause and consequence and the wheel of dharma that rights them all. ������� is the time-frame inside which, a Jeeva identified with the physical body goes through the sixfold changes of birth, youth, growth, old age, decay, and death, like a year has six seasons as its counterparts. Life lived within the boundary of a time-span undergoing the changes of birth etc. alone, forms the basis of all experiences. If a man stays unattached to the outside surroundings like a traveller in a boat untouched by waters; goes through the life-experiences without identifying with the body, but established in the true nature of Self (Brahman-state); he is freed of his Jeeva-hood which is chained to the Vaasanaas. He remains as the witness-consciousness and is freed of all the six fold changes of the body. Even when the body dies, he remains deathless as Brahman-state. A man who has realized the true nature of the Self is Brahman itself.

Ruler of Rulers, we praise Thee I bow to him, Vaisravana (who rules the Northern direction) Bestow unto me all my desires Lord of desires, Ruler of North, Grant me. Kubera, Vaisravana, Great Emperors, I bow to Thee. (Insight : Wealth is bestowed when Vaisrava who rules the North Direction grants you access to Kubera’s fortunes) This wealth can be seen as material wealth and spiritual wealth. Desires are the basis of this wealth.

Glossary • Ayatavan – aadharam (supporting principle) & Aadheyam (containing principle) • Aapah – water • http: //www. sssbalvikastn. org/resources/group_two/prayer/vedas/mantrapush pam_bk 20917. php

Sathya Sai Arpanamasthu Samastha Loka Sukinau Bhunakthu Shanthihi