Markandeya Purana (Study)
by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words
This page relates 鈥楾he Sacred Syllable 鈥極M鈥欌�� of the study on the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas preserving the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. The Markandeyapurana commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, modes of worship, yoga, etc.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
7. The Sacred Syllable 鈥極M鈥�
Yogin meditate 鈥極M鈥� which designates the Supreme Brahman. This japa and meditation on 鈥極M鈥� can bring final emancipation. In the 惭补谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 it is stated that to attain the final emancipation, the Yogin must have to perform Japa.
The meaning of the sacred word 鈥極M鈥� is explained. A, U and M are the three instants in the word 鈥極M鈥�[1].
They are characterised by:
The 补谤诲丑补尘腻迟谤腻 (础苍耻蝉惫腻谤补-M) on the top of the syllable 鈥極M鈥� is devoid of quality. The Yogins only understand this. It is uttered in the 驳腻苍诲丑腻谤补 tone and is known as Gandhari[2]
Moreover, the letter 鈥楢鈥� is designated as the bhurloka (the terrestrial world), the letter 鈥楿鈥� is bhuvarloka (the atmospheric world) and the letter 鈥楳鈥� along with its nasal mark, the svarloka (the heaven).
- the first instant is discrete (vyakta) and short (hrasva),
- the second the indiscrete (avyakta) and long (诲墨谤驳丑补) and
- the third the intellectual faculty and prolated (pluta).
The half instant is the highest abode and is beyond expression.[3] The 惭补谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 also designates 辫谤腻峁嘺 (bow) and atman as an arrow. Here Supreme Brahma is the main quarry. Fixed like an arrow, he should become united with Brahma, like the arrow is shot to aim.[4] The 惭耻峁囜笉补办辞辫补苍颈峁诲[5] also states the same view. The sacred syllable 鈥極M鈥� consists of the three instants can be considered as the three Vedas, viz. the 峁欢惫别诲补, the 厂腻尘补惫别诲补, the Yajurveda and represents the three worlds, the three fires and the three gods i.e. 痴颈峁ａ箛耻, 叠谤补丑尘腻, 艢颈惫补.[6]
The Yogin engrossed in meditation on 鈥極M鈥� becomes united with Supreme Brahman. It is to be pierced by the heedful man and then becomes united with Brahman. The one who seriously meditates on Yoga and understands it, he can gain sublime absorption in the Supreme Brahma. He also achieves success in Yoga in the next life. He does not suffer at the time of his death.[7]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
迟补迟丑辞峁兡乺补尘办补测辞 测辞驳墨 tvak峁re tvak峁o bhavet /
pr膩峁噊 dhanu岣ヅ沘ro hy膩tm膩 brahma vedhyamanuttamam // 惭补谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 39.7
[2]:
Ibid., 39.4-6
[3]:
Ibid., 39.10 b-14 a
[4]:
Ibid., 39.7-8
[5]:
惭耻峁囜笉补办辞辫补苍颈峁诲, 2.2.4
[6]:
惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 39.8 b-9
[7]:
Ibid., 39.14 b-17