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Spiritual practice

CHENNAI: The lineage of those who follow the Vedic tradition is traced to seers (Rishis). There is significance in remembering the Rishis and reciting their names during the performance of rituals. The Rishis were Self-realised mystics who intuited the Vedic mantras and hence invoking their grace helps spiritually. The famous Upanishad statement, “You are a child of immortality,” is an inspiring reminder to every spiritual seeker to transcend his mortality.

In his discourse, Sri Srinivasa Chaitanya said Lord Krishna while expounding His divine glory to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita said that He was Bhrigu among the great seers. Krishna said: “Among the great seers, I am Bhrigu; among words, I am the sacred syllable Om; among offerings, I am the offering of Japa (silent repetition of sacred formulas); and among the immovable objects, I am the Himalaya.” What is special about this seer? Bhrigu (meaning the crackling sound of fire) according to Puranic tradition is the son of the creator, Brahma. He emanated from the sacrificial fire when Brahma performed a sacrifice to Varuna. He is believed to have kicked Lord Vishnu on His chest, the mark of which the Lord still bears on His chest as Srivatsa because of Bhrigu’s devotion and penance.

The importance of Pranava “Om” is well known for it is the beginning of all spiritual practices. It is revered as the Mantra that liberates man because it promotes detachment from the world and hence very important for monks. For householders the Pranava is combined with a divine name for Japa and chanting because they still have worldly desires. Om is verily God in sound form and is the medium that connects the individual soul with God. Among offerings Krishna said He was Japa because it is the subtler way of performing a sacrifice. Anyone can do it and it is a time-tested method for deriving both worldly and spiritual benefits. When performed regularly Japa enables the mind to become one-pointed.

Devotion is worship of a deity, and in Japa the Mantra is repeated silently. Thus there is a transition from the physical to the mental level and ultimately the mind merges into the consciousness.

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