Mantra Pushpam

Mantra Pushpam – my understanding

Introduction 

Mantra pushpam comes under the Taittriya Aranyaka of Krishna Yajur Veda.

This is recited in temples towards the end of the Pooja ritual and also chanted in pious Hindu homes either daily or on special pooja occasions. 

'Mantra pushpam' takes one back to the Realm of Supreme.

Mantra pushpam instructs the reverse process of how an individual through the medium of this Universe, can aspire to tread the path that would ultimately lead back to the Supreme God (Tattva / Principle)

Meaning of Mantra Pushpam (my Understanding)

Pushpam – fully bloomed flower (a well nourished outcome of a plant) – Information / knowledge

Praja – progeny – Vasanaas (unfulfilled subtle seeds of experience, which resides in the mind)

{A person gains knowledge through good vasanaas, which manifest as good experience}

Pashu – Animals – person

He who knows the flower of waters. This leads to an understanding that Self (Brahmna) alone is the only shinning bereft of differentiations.

Aapah – Water – Experience

Chandrama – moon (quality of waxing and waning) – Mind (Quality of swinging between joy and sorrow)

Yat – ‘Effort’ – in this mantra it is ‘Support’

Agni – fire (which moves up) – Jeeva (Perceiver) { who as a vasana channel goes through countless experience because of Agni – Ego (Aham + Kara). ‘I’ - fuel that blazes high and keeps the Jeeva burning with desires, leading to experience and suffering.

Life of a person in this physical form goes through various experiences. These experiences are possible only because of a perceiver (Agni) who experiences the experience (Water)

One can escape this Agni’s consequences only by the awareness of the Aatman (Brahman / pure self). He gets established in the Brahman state.

Vaayu – Wind – Prana

Fire (Agni) blows fiercely because of wind (Vaayu). Wind is Prana. It is the vibrating power of Brahman that provides contact between the world and the Aatman.

Wind is there because it blows the agni and experiences are to unfold.

One who knows Aatman (Brahman / Pure self) is the support of all experiences in this world, gets established in the Brahman state.

Tapa – to burn or to produce heat (Sun) – Brahman

Sun (Aatman) is the

·            Witness consciousness

·             Does not change

·            Aware of experiences

·            Unaffected by experiences

·            Supporting principle of all experiences.

Aatman is the supporting principle of Prana (Vayu / Wind) which enables us to experience. Aatman will stay as a witness and will be unaffected by the experience the perceiver (Jeeva) undergoes.

One who knows Aatman (Brahman / Pure self) is the support of all experiences in this world, gets established in the Brahman state.

Chandrama – moon – mind

Moon	Mind
vacillates between light and darkness	Wavers between happiness and sorrow
Never stable	Never stable
No shine of its own	It is conscious of sensation because of witness consciousness (Aatma) supporting it.
Appears as if separate from sun	Appears as if it is separate from Brahman and seeks enjoyment of the perceived world
	Bliss is actually belonging to Brahman which supports mind. But mind expects the same bliss from inert objects outside.

One who knows Aatman (Brahman / Pure self) is the support of all experiences in this world, gets established in the Brahman state.

Nakshatra – stars – Hiranyagarbha (of the creator)

Stars are fixed, they don’t change positions. Similarly, Hiranyagarbha (Golden womb) are the fixed rules ordained by the Creator. Brahma is the total mind structure of all individuals. Lord with the golden womb experiences all the experience of the perceivers of His creation. But, remains in the witness state, unaffected by perceptions.

One who knows Aatman (Brahman / Pure self) is the support of all experiences in this world, gets established in the Brahman state.

Parjanya – cloud – Collection of unmanifested vasanaas which is ready to use Jeeva as its channel and manifest within a frame of time and space.

Thundering cloud – It represents deviation from the silent state of Brahman to the ignorant Jeeva who lives imprisoned in a world of sounds and forms.

Rain drops –    Though rain drops are separate, the downpour gives an illusion of continuity.

Similarly, though Jeeva’s experiences stay broken (cycle of birth and death), after each experience field, illusion of continuity is felt because of the connecting memory thread.

Increase in Vasanaas

As Jeeva keeps on perceiving the Vasanaa – fields, one after another, he produces more vasanaas which are kept to turn into future experiences.

                        Experience again for the basis of birth of more Vasanaas.

One who knows Aatman (Brahman / Pure self) is the support of all experiences in this world, gets established in the Brahman state.

Samvatsara – Year (season) – Measure of time which allows vasanaas to manifest.

Samvatsara

·        Span of time where changes in seasons occur

·        Measure of time

·        Time frame inside which, a Jeeva identified with its physical body goes through the six fold changes

o   Birth

o   Youth

o   Growth

o   Old age

o   Decay

o   Death

·        Life lived within the boundary of a time span undergoes the change, forms the basis of all experiences.

Identification with physical body

            Because of forgetting the true nature of Self (Brahman), there arises the identification with physical body

            This alone forms the basis of experience (water), information (flower), contact (vaayu), unmanifested desires (cloud) and changing patterns experienced in life (Year).

Attainment of immortality

If a man stays 

• Unattached to outside surroundings, like a traveler in a boat untouched by waters.
• Goes through life's experiences without identifying the body but established in Brahman state.
• He becomes 'Sthitha Prajna' - A man of stable intellect.
• He is free of all Vasanaas
• He becomes free from his Jeeva-hood which is chained to Vasanaas
• He becomes witness and free from six fold changes of his body.

One who knows Aatman (Brahman / Pure self) is the support of all experiences in this world, gets established in the Brahman state.

Seeking Gyana Dhana

Paramaatva tattva – Nirguna (No Attributes) – Portrays Brahman

Suguna (Sa + Guna) [With Qualities] – Portrays Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and other celestial beings

Meaning of this mantra

“Antascharati Bhootayshu”

(In-dweller in all beings)

Celestial deity Kubera

Visravas (or) Vysravana – (Meaning) – Reputation of shinning brightly in various forms or manifestations (taken from Swetaswara Upanishad)

Rajadhi Raja – It is the glow of the inanimate. Raja – Aatma (in all beings); Rajadhi raja – Paramatma

Prasahya – forcibly dependant on another

Saahi – one who proceeds

Kubera – ‘a contemptible body’. Being desire ridden, Kubera was carried by a Nara (human).

Nara – Jeeva who is bearing the paramatma in the body.

Body – Body is disease – afflicted (Desire – afflicted). Desires make the body ever changing. Body is the world of animals and inanimate species.

Paramatma – Paramatma swaroopa is in all, animate or inanimate.

Samay kamam kama kamaya mahyam – we all have innumerable desires all time

Kameswaroe vysravano dadaatu -  he is kameswara. He who can fulfill anything we desire.

Desires – desires are of 3 types

1.  Aihikam – ‘Worldly desires’ – ‘Artha’and ‘Kama’desires
2. Aamushmikam – pertaining to the other world (Dharma purushardha – Seva / Doing acts of dharma). Even for Aamushmikam we need ‘Artha’.
3. Moksha Purushardham – Desiring moksha (immortality). Only wealth we need is ‘Ghyana Dhana’ (Wealth of wisdom).

Here, (in this mantra), the desire is not towards Dhanapati Kubera but towards the omnipresent, omnipotent Paramatma Himself.

Kuberaya Vysravanaaya Maha Rajaya Namah

One who is ‘Moksha-Kaami’ (desirous of Salvation) should seek refuge in Paramatma alone, praying ‘Oh Kubera who is not a Kubera, Oh Vysravana who is not Vysravana, You are Self-effulgent. Hence you alone should bestow on us the invaluable ‘Treasure of Gynaana’.

Meaning of 'Mantra Pushpam' as per Veda Pushpanjali.

S.No	Chant	Meaning	Veda Pushpanjali meaning
1	Yopam pushpam Veda. Pushpavan prajavan pasuman bhavati Candrama va apam puspam Pushpavan prajavan pasuman bhavati Ya Evam veda Yopa mayatanam veda Ayatanavaan bhavati	He who understands the flower of water, He becomes the possessor of flowers, children and cattle. Moon is the flower of water. He who understands this fact, he becomes the possessor of flowers, children and cattle. He who knows the source of water, becomes established in himself	When one knows the secret of waters and flowers, once heart blossoms and he becomes rich in progency and cattle. (Succeeding stanzas are based on the truth of creation that from the Atma or Self, first emerged the sky. From Sky came air, from air came fire, from fire the water, from water emerged the earth. The source of all the elements is the one Atma.)
2	Agnirva Apamayatanam. Ayatanavan bhavati Yo’gnerayatanam veda aayatanavaan bhavati Aapo vaa agnerayatanam Aayatanavaan bhavati ya evam veda Yo pamayatanam veda Aayatanavaan bhavati	Fire is the support of waters. He becomes endowed with the support. He who knows the support of Fire Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of Fire He becomes endowed with the support of the waters Becomes endowed with the support.	One who knows the source of water, attains the Supreme abode of water. One who knows the origin of water and fire attains their abode. One who knows the source of fire, attains the Supreme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and fire shall attain their ultimate abode (aatma). One who knows the source of water, attains the supreme abode of water
3	Vayurva Apamayatanam Aayatanavan bhavati Yo vayorayatanam veda aayatanavan bhavati Aapo vai vayorayatanam Aayatanavaan bhavati ya evam veda Yopamayatanam veda aayatanavan bhavati	Wind is the support of waters. He becomes endowed with the support. He who knows the support of Wind Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of wind He becomes endowed with the support who knows this. He who knows the support of waters Becomes endowed with the support.	One who knows the origin of water and air attains their abode. One who knows the source of air, attains the suprejme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and air shall attain their ultimate abode (i.e.) Aatma. One who knows the source of water, attains the supreme abode of water.
4	Asau vai tapannaapamayatanam. Ayatanavan bhavati, Yo musyatapata ayatanam veda Aayatanavan bhavati Apo va amusyatapata ayatanam. Ayatanavan bhavati ya evam veda Yo pamayatanam veda, ayatanavan bhavati	This one, burning like this in the abode of waters Becomes endowed with the support. He who burning like this knows the support Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of this one who burns He becomes endowed with the support who knows this. He who knows the support of the waters Becomes endowed with the support.	One who knows the origin of water and sun attains their abode. One who knows the source of Sun, attains the Supreme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and sun shall attain their ultimate abode (i.e.) aatman. One who knows the source of water, attains the supreme abode of water.
5	Chandrama va apamayatanam. Ayatanavam bhavati Yas candramasa ayatanam veda Ayatanavam bhavati Apo vai candramasa ayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Ya evam veda Yo Pamayatanam veda Ayatanavan bhavati	Moon is the support of waters. He becomes endowed with the support He who knows the support of moon Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of Moon He becomes endowed with the support who knows this He who knows the support of the waters Becomes endowed with the support.	One who knows the origin of water and the moon attains their abode. One who knows the source of the moon, attains the Supreme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and the moon shall attain their ultimate abode (i.e.) aatma). One who knows the sources of water, attains the Supreme abode of water.
6	Nakshatraniva apamayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Yo nakshatranamayatanam veda Ayatanavan bhavati Apo vai naksatranamayatanam Aayatanavaan bhavati ya evam veda Yopamayatanam veda aayatanavan bhavati	Stars are the support of waters, He becomes endowed with the support He who knows the support of Stars Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of Starts He becomes endowed with the support who knows this He who know the support of the waters Becomes endowed with the support	One who knows the origin of water and the stars attains their abode. One who knows the source of the starts, attains the Supreme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and the stars shall attain their ultimate abode (i.e.) Atma. One who knows the source of water, attains the supreme abode of water.
7	Parjanyo va apamayatanam Aayatanavam Bhavati YaH parjanyasyayatanam veda Ayatanavan bhavati Apo vai parjanyasyayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Ya Evam veda Yo pamayatanam veda Ayatanavan bhavati	Cloud is the support of waters, He becomes endowed with the support He who knows the support of the cloud Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of Cloud He becomes endowed with the support who knows this. He who knows the support of the waters Becomes endowed with the support.	One who knows the origin of water and the clouds attains their abode. One who knows the source of the clouds, attains the supreme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and the clouds shall attain their ultimate abode (i.e.) Aatma. One who knows the source of water, attains the supreme abode of water.
8	Samvatsaro va apamayatanam. Ayatanavan bhavati Yasamvatsarasyayatanam veda. Ayatanavam bhavati Apo vai samvatsaras yayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Ya evam veda Yo psu navam pratisthitam veda. Pratyeva tisthati	‘Year’ is the support of waters. He becomes endowed with the support. He who knows the support of ‘Year’ Becomes endowed with the support Water is the support of ‘Year’ He becomes endowed with the support who knows this. He who knows the boat stably established in the waters Becomes himself stabilized.	One who knows the origin of water and the year (seasons) attains their abode. One who knows the source of the year (seasons) attains the supreme abode. One who knows the sacred relationship of water and the year (Seasons) shall attain their ultimate abode. (i.e.) Aatma. One who knows that all the worlds stay like the boat on waters, (one who knows that water is the basis of life in all the worlds) attains the supreme abode. (According to Bhagavan Baba the water of life is love. Therefore, love is the origin of everything, and one who knows love, attains the highest divine abode.)
9	Rajadhirajaya prasahyasahine Namo vayam vaisravanaya kurmahe Sa me Kaman kama kamaya mahyam Kamesvaro vaisravano dadatu Kuberaya vaisravanaya Maharajaya namah	Ruler of Rulers, we praise Thee I bow to him, Vaisravana (who rules the Northern direction) Bestow unto me all my desires Lord of desires, Ruler of North, Grant me. Kubera, Vaisravana, Great Emperors, I bow to Thee. (Insight :  Wealth is bestowed when Vaisrava who rules the North Direction grants you access to Kubera’s fortunes) This wealth can be seen as material wealth and spiritual wealth. Desires are the basis of this wealth.	We salute Vaisravana, the kind of kings who takes away the wealth of those with whom he is not pleased. We pray to Vaisravana, the fulfiller of desires, to grant us all our desires. We again salue the emperor Vaisravana, who is none but Kubera himself (The Lord of Wealth)

SAIRAM