Guest guest Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Namaste Ymh : (can some one help me understand the derivation of words "bramnan", "brahma", "brahmam", "brahmaa", "braahmaNa", "brahma aNi" from the root verb "bR^ih" (Meaning - To expand).) Brih means -to expand that is right. I do not know how the other words are derived , But by the way you are asking the question, my intuition tells me that you already know the answers. I stand to be corrected. However, it is true that many people use some of these words interchagebly. Many westerners use Brahma for Bhraman . Ralph Waldo Emerson, ( the transcendalist) wrote a poem on 'Brahma' where he used the word Brahma to indicate the ultimate reality'brahman', the one without a second. The first few lines of this poem are "If the red slayer think he slays, Or if the slain think he is slain, They know not well the subtle ways I keep, and pass, and turn again. " However, here is what the following terms mean ... "BHRAMAN"" literally translated means to "travel" or wander from place to place.... "Brahmin" refers to the priestly caste ,considered the highest in the social hierarchy in vedic india ( Refer to purusha suktam) However, Read k. Sadananda post on description of varnashrama dharma as per Bhagwat gita in his series on karma yoga. As per Krishna, a brahmin is not a brahmin by birth but by his deeds. Brahma- one of the three Gods of the hindu trinity. He has four heads, His four heads represents the four vedas. He is also the husband of Saraswati. There are no temples in his name . Brahm- means 'doubt' -all this doubt about 'brahman' is because of Avidya. :-) Brahmar ( with 'M' being silent) -this is the 'bee ' - A self realized yogi the buzzing sound of bee when the kundalini is awakened. Brahmani - is tone of the names of Durga. Then, of course - the Cosmic Mystery and wonder called 'brahman;' THE ULTIMATE REALITY. IT IS 'ANIRVACHINYA' LIKE MAYA. but it is not an 'ANIRVACHANIYA TATTWA 'as pointed out by YMH. the 36 cosmic principles does not include Brahman but only Prakriti, the maya. Brahman - the " ONE WITHOUT A SECOND." One who says that I know Brahman does not know; one who knows the Truth says that I do not know. Brahman is the unknown to a person of true knowledge, it is known only to the ignorant ---Ken Upanishad 2.01-03 My 2and a quarter cents. best regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2006 Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Namste Puruha-artha-Ji: Please see below: advaitin, "Purusha" <purush_artha> wrote: > > Namaste Ymh : > > (can some one help me understand the derivation of > words "bramnan", "brahma", "brahmam", "brahmaa", "braahmaNa", "brahma > aNi" from the root verb "bR^ih" (Meaning - To expand).) > > Brih means -to expand that is right. > > I do not know how the other words are derived , But by the way you > are asking the question, my intuition tells me that you already know the answers. I stand to be corrected. > Judging on intution is always dangerous !? In my post I have clearly stated that I have not learned Sanskrit in a classical manner that is why I am seeking for clarification from linguists and scholars on this list. And I sincerely hope that some one will be able to help us understand the word correctly. Our ancestors coined the words on very fundamental principles, where the root "dhaatu" clearly directs the reader to the meaning. In viShNusahasranaama we find the "sa.nj~naaaxaraH" and "dhaaturuttamaH". It is our duty to try and understand what has been said by our ancestors otherwise the efforts will remain purely in the realm of academic futility. We, the Indians keep on depending on the translations from Western scholars but get offended when they misinterpret the text under the banner of scholarship. (Now I can get off the Soap Box.) > However, it is true that many people use some of these words > interchagebly. Many westerners use Brahma for Bhraman . > > So do you agree with this? Ralph Waldo Emerson, ( the transcendalist) wrote a poem on 'Brahma' > where he used the word Brahma to indicate the ultimate > reality'brahman', the one without a second. > > The first few lines of this poem are > > "If the red slayer think he slays, > Or if the slain think he is slain, > They know not well the subtle ways > I keep, and pass, and turn again. " > > However, here is what the following terms mean ... > > "BHRAMAN"" literally translated means to "travel" or wander from > place > to place.... > > "Brahmin" refers to the priestly caste , considered the highest in the > social hierarchy in vedic india ( Refer to purusha suktam) Yes, the word brahmaNa is in purusha suukta where the mouth of viraaTa puruSha is compared to the "Brahmin - Priest". However, the word "brahman" or "brahma" does not appear in that context. > > However, Read k. Sadananda post on description of varnashrama dharma as per > Bhagwat gita in his series on karma yoga. As per Krishna, a brahmin > is not a brahmin by birth but by his deeds. > Correct, If you get a chance please read vajrashucikaa upanishda, which is entirely devoted to this subject. > Brahma- one of the three Gods of the Hindu trinity. He has four > heads, His four heads represents the four vedas. He is also the > husband of Saraswati. There are no temples in his name . > The word "brahmaa" here is as I understand "pull.ngi" because he is the creator or the one who was responsible for that expansion (bR^ih - dhaatu). As I understand , the word "brahman: is regarded and cllassified as napnsakali.ngai. There are few temples of brahmaa in India that I am aware of are - khedbrahma, District mahikaa.nTHaa, iidara, dudaahii, pushkera near ajmer, vasa.ntaghada in Rajastan, mahaabalipurama, and karmaLi in gomaantaka. In Maharashtra there a beautiful muurti at ma.ngaLavedhe that stand over fibve feet tall. Beautiful muurti are found in the museum at Mathura as well. Inscriptions at saaranaa give detailed descriptions of our conventional brahmaa (four heads). Statues have also been found in Brhmadesha, China and Indonesia as well. You may enjoy reading my post on brahmacarya - advaitin/message/26900 or http://tinyurl.com/9x9zf To cut the story short: I am seriously trying to understand how the meaning of each word changes that may give us the clues for understanding the word "brahma" or "brabhman" Thank you, Dr. Yadu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.