Mantra Pushpam: Understanding the Essence of Vedic Wisdom
Introduction
Mantra Pushpam is a Vedic prayer chanted towards the end of most poojas. Mantra Pushpam is a profound Vedic hymn that describes the essence of life and the nature of the Self.
According to spiritual leaders, if the essence of the Mahabharata can be found in all 700 slokas of the Bhagavad Gita, then the Mantra Pushpam contains the essence of all 700 slokas of the entire Bhagavad Gita. Perhaps this is why, at the end of any puja ceremony, when Mantra Pushpam is chanted, all devotees are asked to stand up in their respective places to show their obeisance to the deity
According to spiritual leaders, if the essence of the Mahabharata can be found in all 700 slokas of the Bhagavad Gita, then the Mantra Pushpam contains the essence of all 700 slokas of the entire Bhagavad Gita. Perhaps this is why, at the end of any puja ceremony, when Mantra Pushpam is chanted, all devotees are asked to stand up in their respective places to show their obeisance to the deity
Traditional Meaning:
X is the source of water, He who knows this, Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of X, He who knows this, Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water, Becomes established in himself
Water is the source of X, He who knows this, Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water, Becomes established in himself
The above template is repeated several times by replacing X with fire, wind, burning Sun, Moon, stars, Parjanya (cloud) and season.
This interpretation may make one wonder why this prayer is so important.
The word apas can also be interpreted as action instead of water.
Aapas (with long aa) - Inspired Action, Action of the Divine, the Supreme Being.
1.
Agnirva Apamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo Agner Ayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovagner Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopa Mayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Fire is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of fire, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that fire is the ruler of the physical realm of our existence (i.e. bhooh), representing transformation and destruction.
2.
Vayurva Apamaya Tanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yova Yorayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Va Yorayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopamayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Wind is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of wind, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that wind is the ruler of the subtle realm of our existence (i.e. bhuvah), representing the movement of prana or life force energy.
3.
Asowvai Tapanna Pamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo Musya Tapata Ayatanan Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apova Amusyatapata Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopa Mayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
The Scorching Sun is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of the burning Sun, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that the burning Sun is the ruler of the astral realm of our existence (i.e. suvah), representing consciousness and illumination.
4.
Candrama Vama Pamayatnam, Ayatanavan Bhavati.
Yascandra Masa Ayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Candra Masa Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopam Ayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
The Moon is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of the Moon, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that the Moon is the ruler of the mind, i.e. the window to the world.
5.
Nakshtrani Va Apamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo Nakshtrana Mayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Nakshtrana Mayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ye Evam Veda, Yopamaya Tanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Stars are the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of stars, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that stars are the rulers of destiny, i.e. the momentum from previous karmas.
6.
Parjanyova Apamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yah Parjanyasya Syayatinam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Parjanya Syayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ye Evam Veda, Yopa Maya Tanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Parjanya (cloud) is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of Parjanya, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that Parjanya is the ruler of the senses.(Cloud = INDRA = Karmendriya (Horse) and Gynanedria (COW)
7.
Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam, Ayatavan Bhavati
Yassavatsa Rasyaya Tanam Veda, Ayatavan Bhavati
Apovai Samvasara Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopsu Navam Pratistitam Veda, Pratyeva Tistati
The season is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of the year, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that the seasons represent Time, the ever-flowing stream of existence."
1.
Agnirva Apamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo Agner Ayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovagner Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopa Mayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Fire is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of fire, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that fire is the ruler of the physical realm of our existence (i.e. bhooh), representing transformation and destruction.
2.
Vayurva Apamaya Tanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yova Yorayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Va Yorayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopamayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Wind is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of wind, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that wind is the ruler of the subtle realm of our existence (i.e. bhuvah), representing the movement of prana or life force energy.
3.
Asowvai Tapanna Pamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo Musya Tapata Ayatanan Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apova Amusyatapata Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopa Mayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
The Scorching Sun is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of the burning Sun, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that the burning Sun is the ruler of the astral realm of our existence (i.e. suvah), representing consciousness and illumination.
4.
Candrama Vama Pamayatnam, Ayatanavan Bhavati.
Yascandra Masa Ayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Candra Masa Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopam Ayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
The Moon is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of the Moon, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that the Moon is the ruler of the mind, i.e. the window to the world.
5.
Nakshtrani Va Apamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo Nakshtrana Mayatanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Nakshtrana Mayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ye Evam Veda, Yopamaya Tanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Stars are the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of stars, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that stars are the rulers of destiny, i.e. the momentum from previous karmas.
6.
Parjanyova Apamayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yah Parjanyasya Syayatinam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Apovai Parjanya Syayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ye Evam Veda, Yopa Maya Tanam Veda, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Parjanya (cloud) is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of Parjanya, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that Parjanya is the ruler of the senses.(Cloud = INDRA = Karmendriya (Horse) and Gynanedria (COW)
7.
Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam, Ayatavan Bhavati
Yassavatsa Rasyaya Tanam Veda, Ayatavan Bhavati
Apovai Samvasara Ayatanam, Ayatanavan Bhavati
Ya Evam Veda, Yopsu Navam Pratistitam Veda, Pratyeva Tistati
The season is the source of action, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self,
Divine action of Supreme is the source of the year, He who knows this, Becomes established in Self.
He who knows the source of actions, Becomes established in Self.
One may also note that the seasons represent Time, the ever-flowing stream of existence."
Overall Meaning
Due to the subtle motion of Prana shakti in the Supreme Being, actions arise in Him. Due to that divine action of Supreme, Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra, Nakshatras, etc. are created and sustained. They permeate various other beings (like you and me) and act through them.
Actually Sun, Moon, Mars etc mentioned here are not planets (the way we have been thinking). SUN = Aaatama MOON = Mind, Mars = Fire / Energy (Fire in the belly), WIND=VAYU=Life Energy,
Supreme = Supreme (ONE GOD)
Actually Sun, Moon, Mars etc mentioned here are not planets (the way we have been thinking). SUN = Aaatama MOON = Mind, Mars = Fire / Energy (Fire in the belly), WIND=VAYU=Life Energy,
Supreme = Supreme (ONE GOD)
Anything that happens within us at the gross, subtle, or astral level, any perception of the rest of the world, any accumulation of such history of actions and ensuing reactions, and even the very notion of a changing Time, are all the works of these beings (Agni, Vayu, etc.) who operate through all of us and not our work. Strictly speaking, they are not even their works but a result of the divine work of Supreme.
One who does not identify with various actions that happen within oneself, knows how the divine action of Supreme creates various deities and makes them act within us, becomes established in Self!
Just as a big tree or even a big forest may arise from a single flower, various deities arise from the Supreme Being and cause so many actions in so many beings. One who truly realizes this and imbibes that realization at all times, is well-established in Self, i.e., Self-realized.
If you reflect, you can see that this prayer is almost like the essence of Vedic wisdom. With this interpretation, the importance given to it makes sense!
Reference and Credits:
https://youtu.be/wLloXnOxcvchttps://aupasana.com/blog/2014/11/mantra-pushpam.html
https://kivabeguide.com/mantra-pushpam-sanskrit-lyrics/
I do follow PVR and learned a lot especially the Homa.
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