Patanjali Yoga Sutra Transcribed from Parisamvad at The Yoga Institute.
Chapter 1, Sutra 27
Tasya Vacakah Pranavah
Tasya : of that ( of Isvarah )
Vacakah : signifier, indicator
Pranavah : the mantra Aum or Om
The sacred word designating him is Pranava or the mystic syllable OM
Listen to the audio:
“We have this important sound as we are discussing about God – Om. It is considered as universal. It is there in Christianity, Islam. This sound is there in all religions. The word ‘Amen’ contains the same constituents. That particular sound vibration seems to go close to the highest. It begins from the naval and goes up to the throat, nose & finally upto the head. It leads on to that kind of an experience. One is totally drawn in to the sound . In yoga they have selected this sound to pray, to remember God. If name of God is repeated it has a quietening effect. It can help in holding the mind. The entire thought is about Om, representing God. This sound has been so constructed that it stirs up certain kind of feelings, thought. It doesn’t matter what culture it is. The insistence is not on any particular religion – sound that can raise us from the very ordinary gross things to something higher. In Indian culture they insist on understanding, repeating, remembering God and that itself becomes a technique – just continuously repeating the sound , affects the mind. It concentrates, quietens and takes us inward. It is the shortest sound – no long word, sentences – a sound that as if stirs up the inside. One becomes inward, quiet, concentrated. So it has been retained. To remember God becomes easier. Instead of long sentences, its just a small sound that takes you from the abdomen, diaphragm, moving up, coming to the lips and going to the top of the head. This is how the sound moves.”
“Earlier sutras explained what God means – qualities of God were explained – God is the special Purusa. What name do we give to God? It has to be a complete word – available in the entire universe. In Sanskrit Om is called as Pranava. A lot of diseases from cancer, ulcer etc. can be treated by repeating the word ‘Om’ as Pranayama (Puruk a, Rechaka and then Sunyaka).”
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About Parisamvad
On every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, The Yoga Institute, Santacruz holds Parisamvad sessions – Free interactive sessions that are open to all. These session begin at 7:20 am and end around 7:45 am.
The Friday Parisamvad is dedicated to explanation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by our esteemed Gurus, Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji.
All are welcome to attend.
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