TattvabodhaH Mangala-charana

Hari OM

'Text-days' are for delving into the words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.

TATTVABODHAH.

[You are reminded that reviewing the previous week's posts will become essential as the meanings will not be repeated. There may come additional or alternative meanings, but all should be noted. As study progresses, the technical terms must necessarily become 'second nature' to the student. When the Sanskrit is used, the translation will fall easily into place - or likewise, if the English is used, the Sanskrit term must easily come forwards.]

Last week we touched upon the meaning and purpose of mangala-charana. The offering of prayer to remove ताप/taapa ('that which burns' = problems). The tri-taapaaH are aadhyaatmika, aadhibhautika and aadhidaivika. It is true that all these are part and parcel of daily life. Our troubles come and hone us, testing our mettle and adding or subtracting to our karma. In spiritual pursuit, then, we must ensure that we are as clear as possible so as to focus and be in receptive stance. Thus mantras to aid this are called upon.

Let us explore the mangala a little more… here too there are three classifications.

वस्तू निर्देश रूप मङ्गल/vastuu nirdesha ruupa mangala;  The point of the charana is to indicate what the form of the text and it's purpose.

नमस्कार रूप मङ्गल/namaskaara ruupa mangala; Prayer in the form of obeisance, salutations, respect of the Guru/Bhagwan (teacher/God).

आशीर्वाद रूप मङ्गल/aashiirvaada  ruupa mangala; Prayer in the form of seeking blessings from Guru/Bhagwan in order that the writer/student will succeed in conveying their message and complete the task.

Thus, as shishya-s, we can all seek blessings by uttering one of the standard study prayers [NB these will be studied soon in Workings-days]. Then, each time we enter a particular text, we must also utter the mangala of that text. In doing so, with the understanding given above, we can think on what type of mangala it is. Whether it is one only or a combination of two or all three types, which can also be the case. This also adds to focus.

(c) Yamini Ali MacLean

Let us now enter TattvabodhaH through it's mangala-charana and as we explore it, think also of what type of mangala it may be. As always, with each new shloka we study, the Sanskrit, the transliteration and the English will be given on the first post of its discussion, along with a live chanting extract.  To begin this one, a special treat; a snippet of Sw. Advayananda, aachaarya of YAM's batch at Sandeepany. With this you will also properly experience the 'call and response' technique used for chanting. From here, also, we begin 'deconstructing' the Sanskrit for translation. This is an essential exercise, as it demonstrates how delicate interpretation is, how powerful is language.

वासुदेवेन्द्रयोगीन्द्रं नत्वा ज्ञानप्रदं गुरुं।

मुमुक्शूणां हितार्थाय तत्त्वबोधोऽभिधीयते॥

vaasudevendrayogiindraM natvaa GYaanapradaM guruM.

mumukshUNaaM hitaarthaaya tattvabodho.abhidhiiyate..

"Having saluted Sri Vasudevendra, the king of yogis, the guru, who is the bestower of knowledge,

TatvabodhaH is expounded for the benefit of the seekers."

SADHAANA.

This may look a short posting today - but this is the beginning of something big! Take time to listen and practice the mangala-charana. As students at Sandeepany, we were expected to memorise virtually all our texts. You will not be asked this (!), but do try to at least learn the prayers.