Ashtasloki - 2 - Verse1: line 1: Explaining how letter 'ah' indicates the Paramatma?

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Sri:

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

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 "ahooh" 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