Lesson on Phonemes - Valerie's question

[Guest guest]

Om Gurave Namah------------------------Dear Valerie,perfectly fine. They who shall speak their mind truthfully shall be able to learn, and you fit into this category..Akshara means syllables and phoneme as well. In the present context, it means phoneme or sounds created by the coming together of two or more syllables. The number of such phoneme in any name is very important. Lets take a look at your name..Valerie. Now, we braek this into the syllables - va, a, la, ae, ra and e. Of these syllables, va and a combine to give the long form vaa which is one phoneme. la and ae combine to give the long phoneme lae and ra & e combine to give the phoneme re. Thus, you have 3 phonemes in your name. Now, the rule: If there are 2 phoneme, the movable signs are strong, 3 phonemes, dual signs are strong and 4 phonemes shows that the fixed signs are strong. This rule has been extensively used in naming purposes in ancient India where the number of syllables in a name would depend on the strongest sign in a chart. Both Sri Ram and His younger brother Bharat had very strong ascendants.So, their names were based on their Lagna promising undying fame. India is named Bhaarat and this land is always serving /worshipping Sri Ram just as His brother had done so many years back. Now, Rama has two phonemes Ra & Ma showing that the movable signs were strong and this was true for Ram as His ascendant was Cancer (Movable). The name Bharat has 3 phonemes - Bha, Ra & Ta indicating strong dual signs. Bharat's ascendant was Pisces (Dual sign). Even if you do not know sanskrit, you can still learn this procedure easily. The simple steps are as follows:STEP 1: Write the name (in english) and draw vertical lines over the vowels (a, e, i, o, u). However, if the name starts or ends with one or more vowels, then do not draw a vertical line over these vowels.STEP 2: If two lines are adjacent to each other then, rub out or cut one line.STEP 3: Count the number of segments created. This is the number of phoneme.In the final analysis, the pronunciation is vital as the number of phonemes should not be altered in the mantra by an incorrect pronunciation. So long as this does not happen, the error is not perceivable and perfection comes through practise of mantra japa. Beejakshara and Kutas are slightly more complicated as the consonants 'M' or 'T' ending the words are also to be considered as vowels. Example:1. Determine the numebr of phoneme in the name VALERIE.Step 1: Draw vertical lines over 'A' (between V & L) and E (between L & E). Lines cannot be drawn over I & E at the end of the name.Step 2: None of the lines are adjacent Step 3: Three segments are formed by two lines (normally the number of segments = number of lines + 1). Thus there are 3 phonemes making the dual signs strong. 2. Determine the number of phoneme in the name SANJAYStep 1: Draw vertical lines over A (between S & N) and A (between J & Y).Step 2: none of the lines are adjacent.Step 3: 2 lines and hence, 3 segments are formed. 3 phones indicates strong dual signs. Assignment:1. Determine the number of phonemes in the following names & give your inferences:(a) (i) Solai (ii) Phyllis (iii) Phyl (iv) Narasimha (v) Robert (vi) Patraka (vii) Brendan(b) (i) Bill (ii) William and indicate the advantage of using the name Bill in the chart of Bill Clinton.© What is the impact of the two different names for a country - examine (i) India & Bharat or any other example.2. Determine the number of phonemes in the following mantra:(a) Om namo bhagavate vasudevaaya(b) Om namo Naarayanaya© Which is the correct Shiva Panchakshari (pancha means FIVE & Akshara means phoneme) Mantra (i) Om namah Shivaaya OR (ii) Namah Sivaaya(d) Which is the correct Vishnu astakshari mantra? Hint (Ashta means eight & akshara means phoneme) (i) Om namo naarayanaya OR (ii) Om hreem naarayanaya namah OR (iii) Om namo naraayanaya namahBest Regards,Sanjay RathWeb: http://sanjayrath.tripod.com----- Original Message ----- "÷ÁÌÅÒÉÑ ìÉ×ÉÎÁ" <livina<sjvc >Sunday, May 05, 2002 1:12 PMRe[6]: [sjvc] KSY> Dear Guru Sanjay Rath,> > Thank you very much for the explanation though it is too complicated for my> knowledge, I am sorry. I have found meaning of Akshara as imperishable Brahman,> but what did it mean in the context "number of akshara of the mantra" ? > > Your words about Chandi and Vinayaka make jyotish really spiritual. > > Sorry for my English.> > Yours sincerely> > Valerie> > >

[Guest guest]

Dear Sanjay,

Thank you so much for this lesson on the phonemes, here is my attempt.

Valerie 2+1=3 Dual

Sanjay 2+1=3 Dual

Solai 1+1=2 Moveable

Phyllis 2+1=3 Dual Here I have made the Y a vowel however I don’t know if this is permissible.

Phyllis 1+1=2 Moveable

Phyl 1+1=2 Moveable, here I think I have to make the Y a vowel.

My lagna is Aries therefore would I be right is using Phyllis? I have been confused about my name as I really don’t like Phyllis yet using Phyl sounds so harsh and many people mistake this as a man’s name.

Narasimha 4+1=5 ?

Robert 3+1=4 ?

Patraka 3+1=4 ?

Brendan 2+1=3 Dual

Bill 1+1=2 Moveable

William 2+1=3 Dual

Using Bill would create more strength besides I believe he has a Moveable lagna therefore it would be more in harmony with his soul and nature.

India 1+1=2 Moveable

Bharat 1+1=2 Moveable ? Here the rule about two vowels ending a name applies if T is taken as a vowel.

If the choice of moveable works for each name than I think either name would apply equally as well. The reason? Moveable signs are strong and capable of being leaders, just as Ram was strong and a leader.

Om namo bhagavate vasudevaaya

Om would have no line because O+M are both vowels therefore no line would be given.

Namo – Now we have three vowels in a row: A+M+O could one line be given resulting in 1+1=2 making this moveable?

Bhagavate – Now we hit that rule again because this word ends in 3 vowels, so I have deleted the last two giving a remainder of 3+1=4

Vasudevaaya – Again there are 4+1=5 Is there some rule about using a Y as a vowel? If it does work in this case as a vowel we have a word ending in 4 vowels.

Om namo Naarayanaya

Om Namo Naarayanay 5+1= 5

Which is correct On namah Shivaay or Namah Sivaaya?

Om Namah Shivaay 4+1= 5

Or

Namah Sivaaya 5+1=6

Based on this reasoning (?) I believe On Namah Shivaay would be the correct one simply because it works out to have 5 phoneme.

Om namo naarayanaya = 6

Om hreem naarayanaya namah = 8

In hreem we are running 3 vowels again EEM therefore I will give this a value of 1.

Om namo naraayanaya namah = 8

I’ll go for Om namo naraayanaya namah or Om hreem naarayanaya namah as being correct.

Phyllis

 

-

Sanjay Rath

sjvc

Cc: Varahamihira

Sunday, May 05, 2002 9:44 PM

[Hare Rama Krishna] Re: Lesson on Phonemes - Valerie's question

 

 

Om Gurave Namah------------------------Dear Valerie,

perfectly fine. They who shall speak their mind truthfully shall be able to learn, and you fit into this category..Akshara means syllables and phoneme as well. In the present context, it means phoneme or sounds created by the coming together of two or more syllables. The number of such phoneme in any name is very important. Lets take a look at your name..Valerie. Now, we braek this into the syllables - va, a, la, ae, ra and e. Of these syllables, va and a combine to give the long form vaa which is one phoneme. la and ae combine to give the long phoneme lae and ra & e combine to give the phoneme re. Thus, you have 3 phonemes in your name.

Now, the rule: If there are 2 phoneme, the movable signs are strong, 3 phonemes, dual signs are strong and 4 phonemes shows that the fixed signs are strong.

This rule has been extensively used in naming purposes in ancient India where the number of syllables in a name would depend on the strongest sign in a chart. Both Sri Ram and His younger brother Bharat had very strong ascendants.So, their names were based on their Lagna promising undying fame. India is named Bhaarat and this land is always serving /worshipping Sri Ram just as His brother had done so many years back. Now, Rama has two phonemes Ra & Ma showing that the movable signs were strong and this was true for Ram as His ascendant was Cancer (Movable). The name Bharat has 3 phonemes - Bha, Ra & Ta indicating strong dual signs. Bharat's ascendant was Pisces (Dual sign).

Even if you do not know sanskrit, you can still learn this procedure easily. The simple steps are as follows:

STEP 1: Write the name (in english) and draw vertical lines over the vowels (a, e, i, o, u). However, if the name starts or ends with one or more vowels, then do not draw a vertical line over these vowels.

STEP 2: If two lines are adjacent to each other then, rub out or cut one line.

STEP 3: Count the number of segments created. This is the number of phoneme.

In the final analysis, the pronunciation is vital as the number of phonemes should not be altered in the mantra by an incorrect pronunciation. So long as this does not happen, the error is not perceivable and perfection comes through practise of mantra japa. Beejakshara and Kutas are slightly more complicated as the consonants 'M' or 'T' ending the words are also to be considered as vowels.

 

Example:

1. Determine the numebr of phoneme in the name VALERIE.

Step 1: Draw vertical lines over 'A' (between V & L) and E (between L & E). Lines cannot be drawn over I & E at the end of the name.

Step 2: None of the lines are adjacent

Step 3: Three segments are formed by two lines (normally the number of segments = number of lines + 1). Thus there are 3 phonemes making the dual signs strong.

 

2. Determine the number of phoneme in the name SANJAY

Step 1: Draw vertical lines over A (between S & N) and A (between J & Y).

Step 2: none of the lines are adjacent.

Step 3: 2 lines and hence, 3 segments are formed. 3 phones indicates strong dual signs.

 

Assignment:

1. Determine the number of phonemes in the following names & give your inferences:

(a) (i) Solai (ii) Phyllis (iii) Phyl (iv) Narasimha (v) Robert (vi) Patraka (vii) Brendan

(b) (i) Bill (ii) William and indicate the advantage of using the name Bill in the chart of Bill Clinton.

© What is the impact of the two different names for a country - examine (i) India & Bharat or any other example.

2. Determine the number of phonemes in the following mantra:

(a) Om namo bhagavate vasudevaaya

(b) Om namo Naarayanaya

© Which is the correct Shiva Panchakshari (pancha means FIVE & Akshara means phoneme) Mantra (i) Om namah Shivaaya OR (ii) Namah Sivaaya

(d) Which is the correct Vishnu astakshari mantra? Hint (Ashta means eight & akshara means phoneme) (i) Om namo naarayanaya OR (ii) Om hreem naarayanaya namah OR (iii) Om namo naraayanaya namah

Best Regards,Sanjay RathWeb: http://sanjayrath.tripod.com

- "÷ÁÌÅÒÉÑ ìÉ×ÉÎÁ" <livina

<sjvc >

Sunday, May 05, 2002 1:12 PM

Re[6]: [sjvc] KSY

> Dear Guru Sanjay Rath,> > Thank you very much for the explanation though it is too complicated for my> knowledge, I am sorry. I have found meaning of Akshara as imperishable Brahman,> but what did it mean in the context "number of akshara of the mantra" ? > > Your words about Chandi and Vinayaka make jyotish really spiritual. > > Sorry for my English.> > Yours sincerely> > Valerie> > >

[Guest guest]

Pranaams Sanjaya,

 

Phyl, when you take " phyllis " , the " y " is pronounced as an vowel

(like " i " ). First write it based on pronunciation (e.g. " Fillis " ) and

then divide it into phonemes. Remember that each phoneme starts at

the consonant immediately preceding an vowel. Each phoneme has one

vowel (ai, oa, au etc are considered as one long vowel). So your name

becomes " fil | lis " . The two consonanta are i (y) and i and the

consonants immediately preceding them are f (ph) and l. So phonemes

start with them. These are the two phonemes.

 

Now my answers to the assignment:

 

> Assignment:

> 1. Determine the number of phonemes in the following names &

> give your inferences:

> (a) (i) Solai (ii) Phyllis (iii) Phyl (iv) Narasimha (v) Robert

> (vi) Patraka (vii) Brendan

 

(a)

(i) so | lai. 2. movable.

(ii) fil | lis. 2. movable.

(iii) fil. 1. fixed.

(iv) na | ra | sim| ha. 4. fixed. (PVR: pee | vee | aar. 3. dual.)

(v) ro | bert. 2. movable.

(vi) pat | ra | ka. 3. dual.

(vii) bren | dan. 2. movable.

 

> (b) (i) Bill (ii) William and indicate the advantage of using

> the name Bill in the chart of Bill Clinton.

 

(b)

(i) bil. 1.

(ii) wi | li | yam. 3.

 

Bill shows 1, i.e. fixed signs like 4. Sun showing power is strong in

fixed Leo.

 

> © What is the impact of the two different names for a country

> - examine (i) India & Bharat or any other example.

 

In | di | ya has 3 and shows dual signs. Bha | rat has 2 phonemes and

shows movable signs. India's chart excellent raja yogas in Cancer.

 

> 2. Determine the number of phonemes in the following mantra:

> (a) Om namo bhagavate vasudevaaya

 

Om | na | mo | bha | ga | va | te | vaa | su | de | vaa | ya. 12.

 

> (b) Om namo Naarayanaya

 

Om | na | mo | naa | raa | ya | naa | ya. 8.

 

> © Which is the correct Shiva Panchakshari (pancha means FIVE

> & Akshara means phoneme) Mantra (i) Om namah Shivaaya OR (ii)

> Namah Sivaaya

 

Om | na | mah | shi | vaa | ya has 6.

na | mah | shi | vaa | ya has 5.

 

The latter's the panchakshari mantra.

 

> (d) Which is the correct Vishnu astakshari mantra? Hint (Ashta

> means eight & akshara means phoneme) (i) Om namo naarayanaya OR

> (ii) Om hreem naarayanaya namah OR (iii) Om namo naraayanaya namah

 

Om | na | mo | naa | raa | ya | naa | ya has 8.

Om | hreem | naa | raa | ya | naa | ya | na | mah has 9.

Om | na | mo | naa | raa | ya | naa | ya | na | mah has 10.

 

First one is right. (Others are good too, but not ashtakshari.)

 

Hare Rama Krishna is

 

ha | re | raa | ma | krish | na, i.e. 6.

 

Now, one comment on your example:

 

> 2. Determine the number of phoneme in the name SANJAY

> Step 1: Draw vertical lines over A (between S & N) and A (between J

& Y).

> Step 2: none of the lines are adjacent.

> Step 3: 2 lines and hence, 3 segments are formed. 3 phones

indicates strong dual signs.

 

If you write/pronounce it as " Sanjay " (in a halanta way as is typical

in north India), it has only two syllables - " san | jay " . You can't

divide it as " san | ja | y " because the last consonant " y " is not a

syllable by itself. Svara (vowel) is the life of an akshara. A

phoneme can exist without a consonant, but it cannot exist without an

vowel. So " y " at the end is not an independent phoneme, but becomes a

part of " ja " . So there are only two phonemes - " san " and " jay " .

Similarly, the word " tat " (meaning " that " ) is only one syllable and

not two.

 

On the other hand, if you pronounce your name as " Sanjaya " instead,

then you are right - it becomes " San | ja | ya " and has three

syllables. This brings the blessings of Meena Guru and yogada Mars.

That's why I like to address you as " Sanjaya " instead of " Sanjay " .

That is the right way in Sanskrit anyway - it is an akaaraanta sabda

and not a halanta sabda.

 

Your sishya,

Narasimha

 

PS: Sanjaya, I am sorry to know that your father-in-law passed away.

May his soul rest in peace.