Pranava/Sama Veda/Nadhopasana/Saint Thygaraja/Prapatti

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Dear group Members:

 

In this note, I will cover the Nadhopasana as a way of surrendering oneself at

the feet of Sriman Narayana as revealed from the life of Saint Thyagaraja, one

of the most prominent among Sri Vaishanavas , who followed the Prapatti margam.

I will also include Information on the interdependent relationship between the

Udgita of Sama Veda and its relation to pranavam and in turn its relation to

Nadhopasana.

 

Sama Vedam and Nadhopasana

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The Sama Veda has special links to Pranavam and Nadhopasana. The

Sama Veda Mantras are sung by Udgatri Preists at Vedic rituals. Their singing is

known as Udgita. The Pranavam is also referred to as the imperishable Udgita by

Chandogya Upanishad, a major Upanishad belonging to the Sama Veda. The following

Chandogya Upanishad passage points out the importance of Pranavam (Udgita) for

the Upasana of Brahman thru Nada: " This Om , this imperishable Udgita must be

worshipped. Of all the objects of creation, the Earth is the essence; Of Earth,

the essence is water; Of Water , the essence is Hebs; Man is the essence of the

Herbs; Poetry is the essence of Speech; Music is the essence of Poetry; The

Udgita of Sama Veda embodied by the Pranava is the essence of Music; Thus,

this Omkaara (Pranava Nada) is the utmost, the most valuble , the final essence

of all essences. It must be worshipped." This Upanishadic passage asserts that

the Nada and Music are intimately connected to the Udgita of samans , which is

the same as that of Pranavam. In this context, the Upasana practised by the

Nada Yogis is considered equivalent to the meditation on Pranavam done by the

other type of Yogis to attain God Realization.

 

The Links between Nadhopasana and Udgita of Samans is hinted by Lord

Krishna , when he says that He is the Sama Veda among all the Vedas. He points

out the efficacy of attaining Him thru Nadhopasana with its roots in Pranavam

(Udgitam).The importance of Pranava Udgitam is once again revealed from the

portion of the holy Hayagreeva Mantram(Om Pranavodgita Vachase Nama:) Lord

Hayagreeva is the Lord of all Vidyas including Brahma Vidya. The portion of His

Mantram recognizes that His speech is the form of Pranava Udgitam.

 

The Upasana of Brahman thru Sama Gana (Udgita Upasana) has been

pointed out by Sage Yagnyavalkya , the greatest authority on Smrithis this way:

"Clearing one"s senses, memory, mind and intellect of all other objects, the

supreme Atman , which is within oneself shining like a lamp should be

contemplated upon. Intoning Sama Gana in the proper manner without break and

practising it with Concentration makes one attain the supreme Godhead."

 

VINA MUSIC AND SAMA GANA

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Sage Yagnyavalkya has also revealed that the singing of the

Samans to the accompaniment of Vina makes one obtain the boon of Moksha. He

says: " He , who knows the truth of Vina Music and who is an expert in

Srutis(musical) and Talas reaches the path of salvation effortlessly" He calls

them Sruthi Jati Visaaradaas. It is appropriate to note that the Vinadara

Dakshina Murthy plays SAma Gana on His Vina to indicate the efficacy of that

Upasana to attain the highest knowledge. Saint Thyagaraja, one of the greatest

Nadhopasaka as well as a Vainika paid tribute to Vinadara Dakshinamurthy in his

Saramati Raga Kriti "Mokshamu Galada".Thygaraja also salutes Narada as his Guru

Raya for knowing the truth of Music originating from the Veda-Born Vina. The

importance of Nadhopasana and Sama Gana is inferred from ther tradition of Vina

playing in major Vedic sacrifices such as Aswameda Yaga. The Vina Mirasu of

Talapakkam Annamacharya and that of Arayars before the Lord Of Srirangam and

elsewhere attest to the same principle.

 

Omkara, the Seven Svaras and Nada

 

 

In his Saramati Raga Kriti, Thygaraja expatiates on the origin of Nada from

Om. He recognizes the birth of Nada from the interaction of Pranaa and Agni. He

points out further that the seven Svaras and Nada originated from the Omkara

described by the Udgita of the Upanishads. His describtion of Lord Krishna in

the Hindola RagA Kriti reveals brilliantly the intimate connection between Sama

Veda, Sapta Svaras and Pranavam:

"Sama Nigamaja Sudhamaya Gana Vichakshana

Vedasiromatruja Saptasvara Nadaachala Deepa"

Here he says: " O Lord Krishna shining like a beacon of light on the mountain of

Nada based on the seven Svaras born of Pranavam, which is the source of all

Vedanta! O Lord adept in the nectar-like music born of Sama Veda! O celebrated

Lord, who transcends Time! Please protect me ."

 

In his Chenchu Kambhoji Kriti "Vara raga Layajnalu", He says that NADA BORN

OF SEVEN SVARAS EMANATING FROM THE BODY OF NADHOPASAKA IS OF THE FORM OF THE

SACRED PRANAVAM. IN HIS ANDHOLIKA RAGA kRITI,"RAGASUDHARASA", THE SAINT REVEALS

THAT THE GREAT SOULS , WHO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF Svarasthanas , Nada,and Omkara

are really Jivan Muktas or liberated souls in this Life.In the concluding

portion of this Kriti, he says that Nada, Svara and Pranava are of the very

form of Sadasiva Himself. In his Chittaranjani song, "Nada Tanumanusam", the

saint states that Siva is verily Nada and particularly the quintessence of Sama

Veda, the best among the Vedas. Here he states that the Seven Svaras originated

from the 5 faces of Sadasiva.

 

The sacredness of Nadhopasana is pointed out by the saint in his

Kalyanavasantha raga Kriti, "Nadaloludai". Here he appeals to us to attain

Brahmannda(Eternal bliss) thru Nadhopasana, the path followed by the Trimurthys

and Sages. In his Garudadwani krit "Ananda Sagaramidhani", he converses with

Rama and states : "O Rama! The body that does not float on the ocean of the

ineffable bliss of Brahman called Sangita Jnana , which abides in all the Vedas,

is a burden to Earth.Have not the holy Trinity and other sacred persons

worshipped it? " In another Kriti, he has stated that the nectar of Ragas based

on the Sapta Svaras originating from Pranavam gives one the auspicious results

of Yaga, Yoga, Thyaga(sacrifice) and Bhoga(Enjoyment). He asks us to drink that

nectar and delight in it. In his Atana Kriti, "Sripapriya", the saint

describes Rama as the Lord of Lakshmi and as the one , who moves easily among

the seven Svaras. He asks us to worship the seven Svaras sanctified by Rama. In

his Jaganmohini raga Kriti, "Sobillillu Sapta Svara Sundarulu Bhajimpave", he

states that the sapta Svaras shine thru the navel, heart,throat, tongue , nose

etc., and in and thru Rg, Sama Vedas and the heart of Gayatri Mantra and in the

minds of holy men and Gods..Such is the greatness of Pranavam or Udgita for

Nadhopasana to attain perfection in one"s efforts for the realization of

Brahman.Following this route, Saint Thygaraja offered Prapatti with all its 6

limbs to Lord Ramachandra and Sita Devi and attained the highest of Blisses.

 

V.Sadagopan