During the Ganapati festival, and even otherwise, on each and every religious occasion, it is a pleasure to sing (yes, the recitation does sound like a divine song with its slow, lilting, elongated rhythm) in unison the "Mantrapushpanjali" which begins with "Om yadnyen".
All the four hymns of this prayer which concludes the "aarti" are "mantras" from the "Vedas." The first stanza "Om Yadnyen" is from the Rigveda (also accessible from the Atharvveda, too), and pays a tribute to the heights of heaven where dwell the "Sadhyaas", the Gods,
The second verse "Om Rajadhirajay" is from the "Taittiriya Aranyaka", and praises Kubera. The third verse "Om Swasti Samrajyam" is from the "Aiterya Brahmna" , and states the wishes of the priest for the Kshatriya host. It describes the perfect king's profile, and is a prayer for his masterful dominion and leadership.
The fourth verse "Tattapyeshya shloka:" is also from the "Aiterya Brahman", and lists the "Marutyas" who attained the glories post performing the "yadnya".
The final mesmerising "Om sahnawawtu" section is a Vaidic prayer, often recited, and which apparently concluded the "Deve" recitation from the "Yajurveda."
Sure, the Vaidic Sanskrit is both, difficult and different from the classical version, and one needs to read up many translations to understand the exact meaning, and the origin of the verses that comprise this final recitation after the "aarti".
What does all such information tell us? For one thing, we get to know how a divine prayer is rooted in the different branches of the "Vedas" to thus reinforce the unity of the " ekam sat, vipra: bahudha vadanti" version, which means that the Truth is one, while there may be different modes to approach/attain/ascertain it. Thus there is a denial of any hierarchisation imposed conveniently in the later epochs.
The prayer may appear feudal apparently. Actually though, it is a wish for a steady secure existence. It is hence necessary to be understood today, when vested interests are busy playing castes against other castes, tribes and communities!
Pratima@ It is indeed necessary to explore all such prayers, given the times today when caste politics controls 'dead'-ly (in all senses of this term) sagas!
Quote of the day: The quote today is from the "Rigveda" 1.89.1: "Ā no bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvataḥ" which means "Let noble and auspicious thoughts come to us from every side." In other words, here is a prayer asking the cosmos itself for an open, wise, and positive mindset.
The word of the day: Hierarchisation It is the process of arranging items, people, or concepts into a graded series based on importance, status, or priority.
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