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The cosmic and spiritual dimensions of sound (Shabda Brahm — Nada Brahm): Vangamaya Vol-19

The knowledge of Shabda Brahm — Nada Brahm is an important branch of the Indian school of spirituality. The science and philosophy of the Shabda Brahm encompasses the methodology and effects of mantra-japa, prayers, collective recitations and sadhanas of the veda mantras and that of the Nada Brahm deals with the origin, expansion and influence of music. This is a broad classification. The sadhana of Shabda Brahm enables a sadhaka (devotee) to send his or her prayers and calls via the medium of mantras up to the divine cosmic centers and thereby connect the individual consciousness with Thee. The sadhanas of Nada Brahm complete the communication cycle by bringing ‘cosmic-signals’ (divine messages and inspirations) to the sadhaka via the realization of the subtle sounds (anahata Nada) in the inner self.
Mantra is that compilation of sonic patterns – coded in syllables and vowels of ancient Sanskrit language, contemplation on which liberates the mind from ignorance, illusion and evil instincts. The linguistic composition of the Sanskrit word ” mantra” = manana (contemplation) + trana (liberation), also implies the same meaning. The specific configurations of syllables and the corresponding combinations of phonemes in the mantras make the latter powerful ‘carriers’ of the cosmic energy of sound. The domain of the knowledge of mantras is extremely vast. A wide variety of the methods of rhythmic enunciation (japa) and spiritual practices (sadhanas) of mantras are described in the scriptures. Enormous types of sonic patterns are associated with the veda-mantras. At the root of the development and expansion of the science of mantras lies the eternal, omnipresent sound of “Oam”. This Oamkara is indeed the origin of Shabda Brahm – Nada Brahm.
Shabda Brahm forms the basis of the science of mantras and the realization of the Nada Brahm is the major objective of the sadhanas of Nada yoga. The self-existing cosmic vibrations of the subtle sound of Oamkara are considered to be the eternal source of energy and motion and hence of the creation of the universe and the existence of nature…. Shabda and Nada manifested in the cosmic energy of sound give rise to the energies of heat, light and other basic streams of powers existing in the universe. The Nada (cosmic vibration) of the Shabda (eternal sound) is the originator of everything that exists in nature. It is indeed the source of the omnipresent manifestation of the supreme consciousness – the Para Brahm. Therefore, Shabda and Nada are regarded as the reflections of Brahm.
Realization of Shabda Brahm – Nada Brahm is the ultimate aim of all the yogas and sadhanas – it is the source of absolute realization of God and the power of connecting the soul with the Para Brahm. How to attain this state? What are the scientific and spiritual aspects of the the sadhanas of Shabda Brahm – Nada Brahm? What are the deliberations and implications of the ancient Indian scriptures on this gigantic domain of knowledge? What is its relevance in the modern life? Such issues are thoroughly discussed in a comprehensive and lucid style by revered Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya in this volume entitled “Shabda Brahm – Nada Brahm”.
The author has also discussed in detail the deep aspects of the science of mantras and the associated sadhanas. He describes mantra yoga as the endeavor to master the generation and utilization, without any external means or instruments, of the immense power of sound for specific noble purposes and considers Nada yoga as a vigorous dedicated practice for the development of supernatural faculties of realizing the subtle sounds existing in the cosmos and attaining the knowledge of the unknown.
Mantra yoga corresponds to the transmission and Nada yoga of the reception of cosmic signals of sound for setting the communication link between the soul and the Para Brahm. The sadhanas of mantra yoga and nada yoga together lead to the absolute realization of Shabda Brahm – Nada Brahm and attainment of the ultimate state of beatitude and divinity. Shabda Brahm and Nada Brahm are described in the Indian scriptures as the eternal and omnipresent subtle bodies of the Para Brahm. The sadhanas of shabda ( mantra) yoga and nada yoga are integral parts of the spiritual experiments on awakening of the Kundalini – the extrasensory ‘serpentine power’ or the latent ‘coil’ of vital force existing in every human being. This book also focuses on such high realms of spirituality and presents the relevant information with clarity and necessary guidance.
The author, Pt. Shriram Sharma, has discussed the paramount role of vak (absolutely refined voice) in mantra yoga. He describes the four successively subtler levels of human voice (vani) and presents the methods, for the control and refinement of the vani and normal mental faculties, which can be practised by everybody in day-to-day life and gradually lead to the spiritual elevation of the vani up to the highest level – the vak He further writes on – how the latent power of a mantra gets awaken if it is recited through such a refined vani which incorporates the reciter’s conscious energy and inner strength.
Immense faith, unperturbed emotions and mental concentration and the power of the inner self associated with the vak energize the sonic vibrations of the recited mantras and thus result in sending the latter up to the specific cosmic targets. The materialization of the blessings and curses also becomes possible because of the power of vak. Authentic examples and scientific evidences of the modern times are presented in this book with relevant excerpts from the scriptures to support and illustrate the power of refined vani. The vak is termed by the scholars of yore as – the origin of natural swaras and sama (divine musical sounds) and the power of Goddess Saraswati.
When the baikhari vani (ordinary human voice) is refined – along with the awakening of its subtler forms of the madhyama, pashyanti and para vanis – up to the sublime level of vak, the domain of its transmission and perception expands far beyond the limits of the audible sound and becomes cosmic. The vak works like a divine power. Its support in the sadhana of Shabda Brahm leads to ultimate success and offers everything that is worth attaining in the highest realms of life.
The sadhana of Nada Brahm is a super level spiritual experiment which, upon success, results in the realization of the eternal sound of Oamkara and sublimates the individual consciousness up to divine heights. One complete chapter is devoted to the topic of Nada yoga in this book. The manifestation of Nada in the swaras (notes of natural music) and its expansion in the Indian classical music has been a divine boon for the human society. Different effects of the ragas (classical tunes) of music and their applications are presented in the following two chapters.
The applications of music cited here range from those in agricultural production and music therapy to social improvement. Reports on some organizations, across the world, which are contributing to enhance the creative applications of music in future, are also presented. The readers will find substantial information on the types of swaras and ragas and the effects of different compositions of the classical and the modern systems of music.
The hansa yoga or soaham sadhana is discussed in the last chapter in the context of the ajapa japa of the Gayatri Mantra and the Kundalini sadhana. Meditation on the sounds of “soa” and “ham” produced continuously by the controlled ‘in and out’ flows of air in each breathing cycle during a pranayama – is practiced in the initial phase of the hansa yoga. The hakara (sound of “ha”) is regarded as a manifestation of God Shiva in the flow of the prana and the sakra (sound of “sa”) represents the existence of His eternal power, Shakti, in the conscious energy of prana.
The surya swara is awaken by hakara and the chandra swara by sakara. These swaras are harmonized in the high level pranayama of the hansa yoga. The contemplation phase of this sadhana deals with total sacrifice of the ego and dissolution of the identity of the Self in the supreme consciousness of the Brahm.
As Pt. Sharma has described here, the soaham sadhana is the simplest kind of sadhana which can be practised by every individual. The effects of this sadhana are equivalent to those of the highest kinds of spiritual practices.
Acharya Sharma’s elucidation of the esoteric and complex subject matter of the science of spirituality are presented very clearly in a logical and scientific manner. He has deciphered this knowledge up to the subtlest level and given practical guidance for all aspirants of the realization and elevation of the individual Self. The fundamental importance of the subject and detailed and authentic knowledge presented in a easy-to-grasp language make this volume a precious asset in the scholarly disciplines of spiritual, psychological as well as the biomedical and physical sciences. This would also serve as a source of guidance for the refinement of people’s mentality and sentiments for the escalation of the human values.
This volume offers excellent guidance to the readers to attempt realize the subtle sound of “Oam” in their inner centers and thereby awaken their divine potentials. This is a unique treatise which presents the entire spectrum of the philosophy and science of Shabda Brahm – Nada Brahm. Reading this volume would open up new dimensions of spiritual knowledge before the readers and also give them practical guidance so that they could refine the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels of their personalities.