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Namo Brahmane...
The Vedanta Kesari
|August 2022
Introduction This is the Shanti Mantra in the second chapter of the Taittiriya Aranyaka. It is also found in the body of the same chapter (Reference 2.12, 13). It is to be noted that this mantra is used as part of the practice of Brahma Yajna. Brahma Yajna is a daily Vedic practice that involves studying at least a small portion of the Vedas every day. This is done to protect the Vedic tradition by making sure the mantras learnt are not forgotten. Recalling the mantras daily amounts to repaying our debt to the Rishis who have bequeathed us this great body of wisdom. According to Acharya Sayana, this mantra, chanted towards the end of Brahma Yajna, is called the Paridhaniya Rk. Paridhana, according to Acharya Sayana, refers to the closing mantra. The mantras that were chanted as part of Brahma Yajna is believed to be made complete by invoking and saluting the seven divinities mentioned in this mantra.
नमो ब्रह्मणे नमो अस्त्वग्नये नमः पृथिव्यै नम ओषधीभ्यः । नमो वाचे नमो वाचस्पतये नमो विष्णवे बृहते करोमि ।।
Rishi Devata Chhandas:
These details are not available for this mantra.
Word Meaning
- shall : - salutation - to Brahman (to the Vedas or to Prajapati): - Salutation be अग्नये - to Agni, नम: - Salutation, पृथिव्यै – to Earth, नमः - Salutation, ओषधीभ्यः - to the plants/ herbs, नमः – salutation, वाचे - to speech, नमः - salutation, वाचस्पत्ये - to the Lord of Speech, नमः salutation, विष्णवे – to Vishnu, बृहते- the all-pervasive, करोमि - I do
Translation
Salutation to Brahman (Vedas or the creator Prajapati)! Salutation to Agni! Salutation to Earth! Salutation to the plants/herbs! Salutation to Speech! Salutation to the Lord of Speech (Brihaspati)! My salutation to Vishnu the all-pervasive!
Explanation
This mantra offers salutations to seven divinities. As explained in the introduction, this mantra marks the completion of Brahma Yajna - the daily repayment of debt to the Rishis. Such a context implies that this mantra summarises the crux of the Vedic mind. We imbibe from this mantra, a reverential attitude as well as the ideals represented by the seven divinities.
This story is from the August 2022 edition of The Vedanta Kesari.
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