Deivathin Kural # 30 of (Vol 2) of 03 Oct 2007.

Om Namah Sivaya.Deivathin Kural # 30 of (Vol 2) of 03 Oct 2007.(continued from DK # 29 of 30 Sept 2007.)Adhyayana Muraigal, ie., Methods of Learning and Practicing Veda Chanting.66. Without resorting to writing, our ancestors evolved certain methods for learning Vedas, to include chanting, practicing, memorising and continuing the process from generation to generation. This was done so as to ensure that, there could be no error creeping in whatsoever, in even a single letter or its pronounciation of Udattam, Anudattam or Swaritam; with the main purpose of ensuring that there will be no diluting of the effect of the Mantras despite the passage of time!67. There was a calculation of time as to the duration in which a letter was to be uttered. This was a 'matra'. There could be sounds of half a 'matra' or double 'matra' too. One of the parts of Veda, by name 'Siksha', even clarified as to how the breath was to be controlled, by which a particular part of the body will vibrate to enable production of a particular 'Akshara'. Veda Swaras have been related to the Swaras or different octaves in music, sounds of animals and birds; so as to correctly identify the similarities and differences, in the pronounciation of Veda Swaras.68. Each Mantra, is something like a sentence. Words are 'Shabdas'. Each shabda is made of so many letters or Aksharas. There are a number of methods of chanting the mantra, which are simple to start with, and intricate as you progressed. The idea is to chant the same Mantra in so many different orders of set patterns, so that the original patterns get etched in one's memory indelibly! The various methods of chanting the Veda Mantras in an ascending order of intricacy are, Vakyam, Padam, Kramam, Jata, Mala, Sikha, Rekha, Dwajam, Dhandam, Ratham and Ghanam. Now-a-days we call some purohits as Ghanapadigal. They are people who have learnt and mastered all the above methods of learning the Vedas till the Ghanam stage. When we listen to a Ghanapadi, we can make out that he is chanting the Veda, in a structured way. Though we may not understand the mental gymnastics involved, it is a very pleasant experience, to just listen! Main point to grasp is that, through such intricate weaving, the aim is to retain the Veda in it's original shape and form, for eternity!69. Pada Paadam. Vakya paadam or Samhita paadam, is to practice the chanting as it is. This is the first method. Pada Paadam is the second method. When the mantras are in the form of sentences, the words in it, will join. This is known as, 'Sandhi', which means, 'joining or meeting'. In the English language, words do not join; or if they do, they do not lose shape or change too much. For example, more + over = moreover; where + with + all = wherewithal, losing a single letter 'l'. In Tamil, the 'sandhi' is more prevalent. In Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thirukkural and Divyaprabhandam; we find that the words join in such a way as to become unrecognizable! The condition in Sanskrit is even more complicated. To learn the Veda Mantras, by correctly seperating each sentence, in to its component sounds and padaas, is Pada Paadam.70. Krama Paadam. This is the next stage. In this the first word is added to the second word and chanted; then the second word is added to the third word and chanted; and so on, till the end of the Mantra. For example, first join the first letter with the second to make12, then the second with the third to make 23, then 34, 45, 56....and so on. When we read the 'Saasanaas', we often come across, 'krama vit' as an affix for some names. That means that, he must have learnt the Vedas, upto the 'Krama Paadam' level. We do note that, Tamil Nadu had many 'krama vittans'.71. Jataa Paadam. This is the next step. In this, the chanting of the Vedas is done, by joining the first word with the second, then second with the first; then second with the third; then third with the second; and so on. Pictorially this would be like this, 1+2, 2+1, 2+3, 3+2, 3+4, 4+3, 4+5.....and so on till the end of the words of the Mantra. Some one who had become an expert in this was known as, 'Jataa Vallabhar'.72. Sikha Paatam. In this the chanting went some thing like, 123, 213, 321, 123; 234, 324, 432, 234; 345...and so on. Ghana Paadam. This is even more complicated. There are four methods, within Ghana Paadam. If I try to explain all that, the explanation itself may become too complicated. Suffice it to say, think of how we will take care of a medicine which is rare and has the power to save lives, from chronic, debilitating and fatal, diseases. Our ancestors who were aware that the Vedas were powerful enough to protect the whole world and benefit all the life forms; devised these means to study and by-heart the Vedas, while simultaneously ensuring that, the slightest deviation from correct pronounciation is obviated.73. In the Samhita and Pada Paadam, since the chanting is done as per the natural order of the Mantras, They are called the 'prakriti paadam'. The other methods are known as 'vikriti' paadam. 'Krama' paadam is not totally deviating from the natural order. The other eight mehtods are known together as 'Ashta Vikriti'. There is a slokam to remember, as under:- jata mala sikha rekha dwajo dando ratho ghana: I Ityashta-vikrutaya: proktha, krama: purva maharshibhi: II From time immemorial, Maharishis have evolved these simple but clever methods to guard against the erosion over time. If Veda were to survive without any change in intonation, pronounciation and deliverance; they felt that all these methods had to be learnt successively and progressively as a constant, continuous and assured check on correctness. To motivate the student to learn the progressively more difficult methods, each method was supposed to be more powerful:- "Samhita paata matrena yat palam prochyate budai : I Padetu dwigunam vidyat krametu cha chaturgunam I Varnak krame satagunam Jatayantu sahasrakam I". ('Pada paadam is twice more effective than Samhita. Krama is four times more effective. Varna Kramam is 100 times more effective. Jataa Paadam is a thousand time more effective', is the meaning.)74. When our ancestors have taken such care to see that, the 'Anaadi' Vedam never loses its shape and effectiveness, by such fool-proof methods; to undertake a study to estimate its age by way of analysis of their 'wear and tear' is being daft, to say the least. I can only hope that such people may change their attitude, atleast after reading this!Devine Utterance.75. When we say that Vedas are not man made and that, they are 'apourusheyam' ; not to believe this is, not very correct on anybody's part. Not only in our country or religion; every other religionists too claim similarly. Jesus Christ says that, whatever is in the Bible are not just His words, but that of God His Father. 'Mohammed Nabhi gave out Allah's orders only', say the Muslims. What we call 'apourusheyam' , they call it 'revealed text'. It is the 'devine utterances', which have been made available to the masses as religious texts.76. Not only religious texts, even scientific discoveries are made like that only. In whatever field, when you become involved with total concentration, oblivious of all other considerations, the reality becomes revealed; dis-covered; re-searched! That is how 'Archimedes' found the 'floatation principle', and 'a method to assess the purity of Gold', (causing him to go shouting on the roads, 'Eureka'). Reality reveals itself in a flash of intution then. Einstein also claims that his famous 'Theory of Relativity', was not a result of 'brain function', but a 'flash of intuition'. When all these things are agreed upon, it is sheer injustice, not to accept that those indian Rishis of yore, with the purest of motives and perfectest of clarity of purpose and intention; could have been the 'seers' of the Veda Mantras, flashing in the sky-space of their hearts!
Vedas are Endless.77. Vedas are not only without a start ie., 'Anadi', but they are endless too, ie., 'Ananth'. All creations including the past, present and future potential creations, are already in the Universe of Sound. So It must be hugely vast! However big the Vedas may be, one may wonder if, all the business of the world are covered by the Veda Mantras? Come to think of it, the number and quantity of Vedas we have so far recieved are only limited. What is said in the Vedas itself is that, there is no end to the Vedas and their numbers! It says, "anantha vai veda :". Of the four Vedas, only some thousand branches or 'shakhas', are yet known.78. Brhma who created the worlds knew all the Vedas. Before Him was a Maha Pralayam ie., total deluge and floods. Before that there was another Brhma, and so on. The breath vibrations of Paramatma, that first instilled the motivation for creation in Brhma, continues even after many Pralayas. After every Pralaya, the new Brhma, again using these sounds, recreates the next 'srushti'.79. Even the sounds we create do not die. What Jesus Christ spoke 2000 year before, can be re-heard and recorded, in His own voice, say some. I remember that I read somewhere about this. I do not know what happened to the effort. The possibility is still there. All that we can gather now is the idea that, a sound made once, remains in the sky or 'Aakasa', for ever in the space.80. Thus, after every Mahapralaya, every new Brhma, using the Sounds of Veda, re-creates the worlds. Using stones, sand, wood and iron or steel, we raise a new city, don't we? But even after Pralaya, these things were there in one mind. That mind and its breath were in harmony. From the vibrations of its breath, all the things could be re-created. (Even in day to day life, we can see the direct correlation between, thought -> action ->construction or destruction. Thought is also a movement, a vibration. I hope you see the connection!) Often we read about how, certain sound vibrations (music) can enhance the growth and yields of some plants. It is quite clear that, Srushti, Sthithi and Samhara, (ie., creation, maintenance and destruction / annulment,) are all directly controllable by sound vibrations.81. By the power of Brhma's 'Tapas', He could create the whole world. We say the Panchatchara Mantra of 'Namahsivaya' everyday. But when a Siddha says the same mantra and applies Vibhuthi, diseases get cured. The difference is in the power of concentration. That too, when the Mantra is chanted, without the slightest of aberration, the power of the Mantra enhances. Since Brhma came in to being as an instrument for creation, his efficiency was perfect. Many things are achieved by 'electricity' , that comes out of space. Similarly all the power needed comes from that, clean perfect potential of 'Suddha Chaitanya'. During the period of Pralaya, that will be asleep, like a sleeping giant, whose power will be seen only in action. Brhma Himself comes in to being out of the very force of creation as the perfect vehicle for further creation. Vedas are countless and Creation is also many sided and multi dimentional.82. Baradwaja Maharishi did Veda Adhyayana, for three life times. Parameswara appeared before him. He asked him, "I will give you another life time. What will you do with it?" May be there was a tinge of pride in Baradwaj. But, that does not dilute his sincerity of purpose, when he replied, "I will use that life time also for Veda Adhyayanam only". Parameswara created three huge mountains. Then He took hold of a handful of earth and told Baradwaj Rishi, "What you have learnt of the Vedas in the years of your three life time, are as big as this handful of earth. What is not yet known to you are as vast as these three mountains!" Thirukkazhu -kkunram, near Chennai on the East Coast, is said to be those mountains called Vedagiri. When I went there and did 'Giri Pradakshinam' , those accompanying me chanted, "Deva Deva Deva Mahadeva". I corrected them to say, "Veda Veda Veda Mahaveda!" This story of Baradwaja Rishi is there in Veda itself in "Katakam".83. So it is clear that Vedas are countless. Four Vedas with a thousand branches, is all after Veda Vyasa's time. When Brhma came into being, in his heart all the Veda Mantras appeared. They showed him the way for creation. He knew that the sounds of the Vedas are existing everywhere. Rishis could identify or recognise only some of the Mantras. That is what is available to us now. We mention the Rishi, Chandas and Devata for some of the Mantra. In Telugu Desam, there is a system and practice, to do this for every Mantra. Since we got the Mantras through them and it is they who could have the devine ears to tune in to the Mantras, It is but natural that we should be beholden to them.84. Patanjali Yoga Sastra says that, when the 'Mahat Akasa of the Cosmic existance and the Manas Akasa of individual existance mesh and become one, you can see all that is in the macro in the micro! Then you can tune in to every one of the Mantras. When the Individual raises or expands himself / herself to such universal levels, this becomes possible. By revealing the existing, they have immensely benefitted the humanity. Say, your Mother is breathing her last. At that moment the neibhour arrives from North India with a bottle of 'Ganga Jal' and says, 'give some of it to your Mother'. Think of how full of gratitude you would be! Exactly similarly, we are thankful to the Great Maharishis, who were responsible for hearing the Mantras, which are inaudible for the common man's ears, and giving it to the humanity as a whole! We say His name and touch our head, there by to mean that we are touching the Rishis feet to our head! By doing this, we are benefitted and it makes no difference to the Rishi!85. Vedas are without a start. They are without end. They are not man made. I do hope that I have been able to make these points some what clear in your minds, by what I have been saying all this time!(To be continued.)Sambhomahadeva.