Date: 15 Mar 2012 20:41:57 -0000
From: "Gursharan Deva"
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Baba Story: Wrong Pronunciation
Baba
Namaskar,
I can never forget the time when, by Baba's grace, I attended DMC at Kullu on 1 November 1979. Actually in my life, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend many DMCs, and all were special in their own way, due to His divine presence. In particular at Kullu, I remember the strong spiritual vibration. All were enchanted by His sweet charm.
From my diary, I am reminded how at that DMC Baba delivered the discourse: Moks'a Kya' Hae, or What is Moks'a.
Also on that occasion, I noted in my diary how Baba graciously stopped the chanting of Guru Puja and corrected the pronunciation. Because as we all know, for Guru Puja to be effective, one must maintain purity of mind, proper ideation (bhava), and recite the chant three times with the correct pronunciation. Without those qualities, Guru Puja will not work. It is Baba's grace that He has shown us the proper pronunciation so we may do our puja in the right manner.
I have the audio file of that very DMC program from when one Dada shared it with me, and I have uploaded it to the blog for all to hear.
What follows below is my diary entry from that magnificent occasion of Kullu DMC where Baba lovingly showered His grace on all, irrespective of one's social stature or birth. Because at DMC, Baba calls His bhaktas-- all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, from all corners of the earth-- and He equally showers His love on everyone, without any differentiation. That is the special quality of DMC.
(Note: It will be too long if I include my entire entry, so here I am appending the later part of the DMC experience which includes Baba's blessing, Guru Puja, and Jai Slogan etc. In addition, in parentheses (00:00) I have added the timings which relate to the sound file on the blog.)
...Baba is beautifully concluding His discourse-- 'What is Salvation'-- in Hindi. (00:57, timing on the sound file)
Sadguru Baba is seated on the dais, His eyes closed and His palms together, as He recites, Samgacchadhvam...
(At this point, they have removed the microphones from in front of Baba so all will be able to witness and experience the upcoming varabhaya mudra. For this reason it is difficult to hear Baba recite Samgaddhadhvam. But if one listens carefully the chant can be heard.)
The anticipation and spiritual energy mounts as Baba recites, 'Omn Shanti, omn shanti, omn shanti'. (01:28, timing on the sound file)
All eyes are minds are pin-pointed towards Baba-- everything is still-- and in His loving manner Baba slowly begins to separate His hands, bringing His right hand slightly up, palm facing the margiis, while His left hand is placed by His left thigh, palm facing upward.
Baba is graciously giving varabhaya mudra-- His divine blessing!! (01:34, timing on the sound file)
There is a strong upsurge of devotional feeling and spiritual flow. Sadhakas are crying out, 'Baba!, Baba!, Baba!...bhaktas are crying in bliss...His divine love is radiating everywhere-- in all directions... (01:34 - 01:52, timing on the sound file)
(According to His causeless grace, at His various DMC's, Baba will give His blessing for around 10 seconds, per His wish. The longer the varabhaya mudra is held, more and more sadhakas will become unconscious, inundated in divine bliss, and go into samadhi.)
(It is always arranged that the BP or local in-charge should be close by PA Dada so that as soon as Baba concludes His mudra, then the BP can ask PA for permission to ask Baba to do Guru Puja. So first the BP goes to PA Ramanandaji, and then the BP respectfully approaches Baba for permission. That is the system. And it all happens in a matter of seconds.)
The Bhukti Pradhan now asks PA Ramananda Dada and PA Dadaji gives the BP access to Baba. The BP requests Baba about Guru Puja and Baba graciously grants permission. (1:52)
Before the start of Guru Puja, we can hear reminders how the terms "Gurave" and "Parama'" should be pronounced properly. (2:00)
(In particular Gurave should not be spoken as Guruve, as that (Gurave) is the proper Sanskrit grammar. Those who do not read the text properly pronounce it in the wrong manner, as Guruve.)
Secondly Parama should be pronounced with a natural "a" at the end. Once again, those not aware about Sanskrit merely say Param. But that is not correct. In essence there are three ways that parama is pronounced:
(a) Param: This is when the -ma is given half-pronunciation. This is not the proper way.
(b) Parama: This is when the -ma is given full-pronunciation wherein the -ma sounds like the "ma" in the work market. This is the proper pronunciation.
(c) Parama': This is when the -ma is given an overly long pronunciation with the mouth open wide such as the "a" sound in the word father. This also is not the proper way.
Finally, the best way to learn how to pronounce the word parama is by listening to the audio file on the blog.
In the early days of AM it was also like that. That is why the CC-1 1975 English Edition also states, "Param" in the Guru Vandana' section. Around 1978 or so, Baba clarified to one and all that it should be Parama. And that is reflected in the later books as well as in ZY Find or the Electronic Edition of Baba's books. In certain instances it was written as paramah, but that is not correct. It should be parama.
One Dadaji begins leading Guru Puja. (2:11)
When Dada recites the last line of the first stanza, Tasmae Shrii Gurave namah, the Dada mispronounces Gurave as Guruve, and one can hear Baba making corrections in pronunciation to PA Dada. (2:43 - 2:52)
But Guru Puja continues.
When Dada recites the last line of the second stanza of Guru Puja, again he commits the same mistake by saying, Guruve. Then in dramatic fashion, Baba again clarifies to PA Dada that 'Gurave' is the proper pronunciation, not Guruve. Baba repeats the corrections again and again, emphatically. (3:18 - 3:23)
Then, you can hear PA Dada shout, 'Stop it!'.
At this point Guru Puja is halted. The whole DMC Pandal is totally silent.
Then the Dada re-starts Guru Puja from the very beginning. (3:30)
From then on, the three rounds of Guru Puja proceeds without incident, as the Dada correctly says "Gurave" and "Parama". And it all goes smoothly.
After three blissful rounds of Guru Puja, we collectively chant, "Tava Dravyam..." (9:53)
Then everyone does sastaunga pranam.
When Guru Puja (Akhanda Mandala...) and the Pranama Mantra (Tava Dravyam...) have concluded, then Baba showers another blessing upon us all. (10:29)
Parama Pita Baba Ki-- Jai!! Parama Pita Baba Ki-- Jai!! Parama Pita Baba
Ki-- Jai!! (11:30)
PRONUNCIATION IS KEY FOR ALL CHANTS
We should be vigilant in the pronunciation of all our chants: Samgacchadhvam, nityam shuddham, and of course Guru puja - as all as any other chants used in our AM way of life. Then one can derive the full benefit from those chants. That will be very meaningful.
So this was the beautiful scene that we all experienced that day at Kullu DMC. And still that divine vibration of Baba is alive in everyone's mind and heart. All we need to do is search Him within and He is there showering His blessing.
Baba says, "Now by dint of saadhana,' one is to arouse and exalt that sleeping divinity. That Svayambhu'liunga becomes one with Shambhu'liunga. But for this one requires divine help. And I know one is sure to get divine help. And I know further that one is getting divine help. And I know still further that in future, for infinite time and infinite space, one will be getting this divine favour. And you are all sa'dhakas. You will certainly attain that supreme stance and enjoy that divine blessedness. You are sure to enjoy it, my sons and my daughters." (AV-23)
Namaskar,
Gurusharan
Generally at DMC, Baba would graciously shower His varabhaya mudra upon all. On some select occasions, Baba would lovingly present His janusparsha mudra, wherein both hands are on His knees, palms facing upwards. Although less common, this is another one of Baba's divine blessings.
When a sadhaka becomes inundated in His spiritual bliss, then that sadhaka may undergo all kinds of blissful sensations.
Baba says, "When the mental flow of a spiritual aspirant moves along the introversial phase of Macrocosmic meditation, one’s animative force, having the potentiality of divinity itself, rises above all tendencies – all sam'ska'ras – and proceeds towards Eternal bliss. In this state the mind is vibrated with Cosmic feeling. The unexpressed divine qualities of the higher glands find expression and the resonance of the mind vibrates the nervous system. This gives rise to pious expressions in the physical body. In the case of those people whose occult feelings are not physically expressed due to causes associated with the nerves, the mental vibrations cause certain radical changes, in the various glands within the body. These occult feelings are basically of eight types: stambha (astounding), kampa (trembling), sveda (sweating), svarabheda (hoarseness of voice), ashru (tears), roma'inca (horripilation), vaevarn'a (change of colour) and pralaya (fainting fit). There are other feelings associated with these major feelings. For examples, nrtya (dancing), giita (singing), vilun't'hana (rolling), kroshana (weeping), hum'ka'ra (roaring), la'la'sra'va (salivating), jrmbhan'a (yawning), loka'peks'a' tya'ga (indifference), at'a'ha'sya (bursting into laughter), ghu'rn'ana (whirling), hikka' (hiccoughing), tanumot'ana (relaxation of the physical body) and diirghashva'sa (deep breathing)." (Guide to Human Conduct)
"Nu'tan diner nu'tan su'ryat pu'rva a'ka'she ut'heche a'cho..." (P.S. 1308)
Purport:
Baba, by Your grace, today the new sun of the new dawn is rising up in the sky. With the feeling of fear and shyness, the Cimmerian darkness of the night has disappeared. O' human being, throw away the staticity and dogma of the past, and embrace the effulgence of the new dawn. The divine Entity with the divine effulgence has come to your doorstep - with new form and color, showering love on all. O' human being, the creatures of darkness have disappeared. The Parama Purusa who is the nucleus of this universe, that very Entity is the greatest One. Ideating on Him go on doing His service...
From: "Gursharan Deva"
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Baba Story: Wrong Pronunciation
Baba
== DMC STORIES FROM MY DIARY ==
Namaskar,
I can never forget the time when, by Baba's grace, I attended DMC at Kullu on 1 November 1979. Actually in my life, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend many DMCs, and all were special in their own way, due to His divine presence. In particular at Kullu, I remember the strong spiritual vibration. All were enchanted by His sweet charm.
NAME OF THE DMC DISCOURSE AT KULLU
From my diary, I am reminded how at that DMC Baba delivered the discourse: Moks'a Kya' Hae, or What is Moks'a.
BABA CORRECTED GURU PUJA PRONUNCIATION AT KULLU DMC
Also on that occasion, I noted in my diary how Baba graciously stopped the chanting of Guru Puja and corrected the pronunciation. Because as we all know, for Guru Puja to be effective, one must maintain purity of mind, proper ideation (bhava), and recite the chant three times with the correct pronunciation. Without those qualities, Guru Puja will not work. It is Baba's grace that He has shown us the proper pronunciation so we may do our puja in the right manner.
AUDIO FILE ON THE AM-GLOBAL BLOG
I have the audio file of that very DMC program from when one Dada shared it with me, and I have uploaded it to the blog for all to hear.
http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/
MY DIARY ENTRY FROM KULLU DMC (INTRO)
What follows below is my diary entry from that magnificent occasion of Kullu DMC where Baba lovingly showered His grace on all, irrespective of one's social stature or birth. Because at DMC, Baba calls His bhaktas-- all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, from all corners of the earth-- and He equally showers His love on everyone, without any differentiation. That is the special quality of DMC.
(Note: It will be too long if I include my entire entry, so here I am appending the later part of the DMC experience which includes Baba's blessing, Guru Puja, and Jai Slogan etc. In addition, in parentheses (00:00) I have added the timings which relate to the sound file on the blog.)
MY DIARY ENTRY FROM KULLU DMC (PART 1)
...Baba is beautifully concluding His discourse-- 'What is Salvation'-- in Hindi. (00:57, timing on the sound file)
Sadguru Baba is seated on the dais, His eyes closed and His palms together, as He recites, Samgacchadhvam...
(At this point, they have removed the microphones from in front of Baba so all will be able to witness and experience the upcoming varabhaya mudra. For this reason it is difficult to hear Baba recite Samgaddhadhvam. But if one listens carefully the chant can be heard.)
The anticipation and spiritual energy mounts as Baba recites, 'Omn Shanti, omn shanti, omn shanti'. (01:28, timing on the sound file)
All eyes are minds are pin-pointed towards Baba-- everything is still-- and in His loving manner Baba slowly begins to separate His hands, bringing His right hand slightly up, palm facing the margiis, while His left hand is placed by His left thigh, palm facing upward.
Baba is graciously giving varabhaya mudra-- His divine blessing!! (01:34, timing on the sound file)
There is a strong upsurge of devotional feeling and spiritual flow. Sadhakas are crying out, 'Baba!, Baba!, Baba!...bhaktas are crying in bliss...His divine love is radiating everywhere-- in all directions... (01:34 - 01:52, timing on the sound file)
(According to His causeless grace, at His various DMC's, Baba will give His blessing for around 10 seconds, per His wish. The longer the varabhaya mudra is held, more and more sadhakas will become unconscious, inundated in divine bliss, and go into samadhi.)
MY DIARY ENTRY FROM KULLU DMC (PART 2)
(It is always arranged that the BP or local in-charge should be close by PA Dada so that as soon as Baba concludes His mudra, then the BP can ask PA for permission to ask Baba to do Guru Puja. So first the BP goes to PA Ramanandaji, and then the BP respectfully approaches Baba for permission. That is the system. And it all happens in a matter of seconds.)
The Bhukti Pradhan now asks PA Ramananda Dada and PA Dadaji gives the BP access to Baba. The BP requests Baba about Guru Puja and Baba graciously grants permission. (1:52)
Before the start of Guru Puja, we can hear reminders how the terms "Gurave" and "Parama'" should be pronounced properly. (2:00)
(In particular Gurave should not be spoken as Guruve, as that (Gurave) is the proper Sanskrit grammar. Those who do not read the text properly pronounce it in the wrong manner, as Guruve.)
Secondly Parama should be pronounced with a natural "a" at the end. Once again, those not aware about Sanskrit merely say Param. But that is not correct. In essence there are three ways that parama is pronounced:
(a) Param: This is when the -ma is given half-pronunciation. This is not the proper way.
(b) Parama: This is when the -ma is given full-pronunciation wherein the -ma sounds like the "ma" in the work market. This is the proper pronunciation.
(c) Parama': This is when the -ma is given an overly long pronunciation with the mouth open wide such as the "a" sound in the word father. This also is not the proper way.
Finally, the best way to learn how to pronounce the word parama is by listening to the audio file on the blog.
In the early days of AM it was also like that. That is why the CC-1 1975 English Edition also states, "Param" in the Guru Vandana' section. Around 1978 or so, Baba clarified to one and all that it should be Parama. And that is reflected in the later books as well as in ZY Find or the Electronic Edition of Baba's books. In certain instances it was written as paramah, but that is not correct. It should be parama.
MY DIARY ENTRY FROM KULLU DMC (PART 3)
One Dadaji begins leading Guru Puja. (2:11)
When Dada recites the last line of the first stanza, Tasmae Shrii Gurave namah, the Dada mispronounces Gurave as Guruve, and one can hear Baba making corrections in pronunciation to PA Dada. (2:43 - 2:52)
But Guru Puja continues.
When Dada recites the last line of the second stanza of Guru Puja, again he commits the same mistake by saying, Guruve. Then in dramatic fashion, Baba again clarifies to PA Dada that 'Gurave' is the proper pronunciation, not Guruve. Baba repeats the corrections again and again, emphatically. (3:18 - 3:23)
Then, you can hear PA Dada shout, 'Stop it!'.
At this point Guru Puja is halted. The whole DMC Pandal is totally silent.
Then the Dada re-starts Guru Puja from the very beginning. (3:30)
From then on, the three rounds of Guru Puja proceeds without incident, as the Dada correctly says "Gurave" and "Parama". And it all goes smoothly.
After three blissful rounds of Guru Puja, we collectively chant, "Tava Dravyam..." (9:53)
Then everyone does sastaunga pranam.
MY DIARY ENTRY FROM KULLU DMC (PART 4)
When Guru Puja (Akhanda Mandala...) and the Pranama Mantra (Tava Dravyam...) have concluded, then Baba showers another blessing upon us all. (10:29)
Sarve'tra sukhinah bhavantu sarve santu nira'maya'h;
Sarve bhadra'n'i pashyantu na kashcid duhkhama'pnuya't.
Let everybody be happy (11:10)
Let everybody be free from all ailments
Let everybody see the bright side of everything
Let nobody be forced to undergo any suffering or exploitation
Sarve bhadra'n'i pashyantu na kashcid duhkhama'pnuya't.
Let everybody be happy (11:10)
Let everybody be free from all ailments
Let everybody see the bright side of everything
Let nobody be forced to undergo any suffering or exploitation
Parama Pita Baba Ki-- Jai!! Parama Pita Baba Ki-- Jai!! Parama Pita Baba
Ki-- Jai!! (11:30)
PRONUNCIATION IS KEY FOR ALL CHANTS
We should be vigilant in the pronunciation of all our chants: Samgacchadhvam, nityam shuddham, and of course Guru puja - as all as any other chants used in our AM way of life. Then one can derive the full benefit from those chants. That will be very meaningful.
CLOSING
So this was the beautiful scene that we all experienced that day at Kullu DMC. And still that divine vibration of Baba is alive in everyone's mind and heart. All we need to do is search Him within and He is there showering His blessing.
Baba says, "Now by dint of saadhana,' one is to arouse and exalt that sleeping divinity. That Svayambhu'liunga becomes one with Shambhu'liunga. But for this one requires divine help. And I know one is sure to get divine help. And I know further that one is getting divine help. And I know still further that in future, for infinite time and infinite space, one will be getting this divine favour. And you are all sa'dhakas. You will certainly attain that supreme stance and enjoy that divine blessedness. You are sure to enjoy it, my sons and my daughters." (AV-23)
Namaskar,
Gurusharan
Note 1: VARBHAYA MUDRA AND JANUSPARSHA MUDRA
Generally at DMC, Baba would graciously shower His varabhaya mudra upon all. On some select occasions, Baba would lovingly present His janusparsha mudra, wherein both hands are on His knees, palms facing upwards. Although less common, this is another one of Baba's divine blessings.
Note 2: ABOUT SAMADHI
When a sadhaka becomes inundated in His spiritual bliss, then that sadhaka may undergo all kinds of blissful sensations.
Baba says, "When the mental flow of a spiritual aspirant moves along the introversial phase of Macrocosmic meditation, one’s animative force, having the potentiality of divinity itself, rises above all tendencies – all sam'ska'ras – and proceeds towards Eternal bliss. In this state the mind is vibrated with Cosmic feeling. The unexpressed divine qualities of the higher glands find expression and the resonance of the mind vibrates the nervous system. This gives rise to pious expressions in the physical body. In the case of those people whose occult feelings are not physically expressed due to causes associated with the nerves, the mental vibrations cause certain radical changes, in the various glands within the body. These occult feelings are basically of eight types: stambha (astounding), kampa (trembling), sveda (sweating), svarabheda (hoarseness of voice), ashru (tears), roma'inca (horripilation), vaevarn'a (change of colour) and pralaya (fainting fit). There are other feelings associated with these major feelings. For examples, nrtya (dancing), giita (singing), vilun't'hana (rolling), kroshana (weeping), hum'ka'ra (roaring), la'la'sra'va (salivating), jrmbhan'a (yawning), loka'peks'a' tya'ga (indifference), at'a'ha'sya (bursting into laughter), ghu'rn'ana (whirling), hikka' (hiccoughing), tanumot'ana (relaxation of the physical body) and diirghashva'sa (deep breathing)." (Guide to Human Conduct)
PRABHAT SAMGIITA
"Nu'tan diner nu'tan su'ryat pu'rva a'ka'she ut'heche a'cho..." (P.S. 1308)
Purport:
Baba, by Your grace, today the new sun of the new dawn is rising up in the sky. With the feeling of fear and shyness, the Cimmerian darkness of the night has disappeared. O' human being, throw away the staticity and dogma of the past, and embrace the effulgence of the new dawn. The divine Entity with the divine effulgence has come to your doorstep - with new form and color, showering love on all. O' human being, the creatures of darkness have disappeared. The Parama Purusa who is the nucleus of this universe, that very Entity is the greatest One. Ideating on Him go on doing His service...
