Mantrapushpam

OVERVIEW

“ sa yo̍ ha vai tatpa̱rama̱ṁ brahma̍ veda brahmai̱va bha̍vati ”
[Truly, the one who realises the Supreme, merges with the Supreme]
– muṇdaka upaniṣad (3-2-9)

The hymn known as mantrapuṣpam traditionally forms an essential part of the concluding prayers in regular worship[ In its original context, these verses comprise pañcāti no. 78-84 of the aruṇapraśna, which are followed immediately by pañcāti no. 85-86 and 87-89, which provide the details of the sacred aruṇa ketukam ritual.], prayer sessions etc. The name “mantra puṣpam” literally means “the flower (fragrance or essence) of all mantras”, which we offer at the feet of the Lord.

The hymn consists of simple words and is easy to learn and chant. However the meaning is deep as it is the essence of all the Vedas. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in conversation with students, revealed that the quintessence of mantrapuṣpam can be summed up into the quote from the muṇdaka upaniṣad mentioned above.

Water or āpaḥ, both as a physical substance, and also as a symbol of the Divine, is a recurrent theme in the Vedic scriptural texts. Water is considered not merely as a thirst-quenching and body-cleansing substance. In the spiritual context, it is symbolic of the Supreme Divinity, and is often recognised as the ādhāra or basis of all Life.