Universal Yoga and the Florida Vedic Institute.
An Introduction to Sanskrit the language of healing and spiritual realization.
by Yogi Harinam Baba Prem Tom Beal, Vedakovid, C.ay, C.va, CYI
Sanskrit is often a little known language to the average westerner. While modern day scholars debate the validity of the language, its mystical relevance cannot be understated.
Within the scholarly/mystical circles two basic philosophies have developed pertaining to the Sanskrit language. 1) That the language has no power and its relevance only occurs after a meaning is assigned to a word. In other words, the letters have no innate power, and their power appears only after the association of a word with a meaning. This is the belief that appears common amongst western scholars. 2) That the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet contain a power, the power of manifestation of divine consciousness in the physical and metaphysical worlds. This is the belief of the mystic. This paper will focus on the latter of these two views.
The Sanskrit alphabet consists of 48 letters or sounds, which represent the manifestation of consciousness forming the world and all inhabitants. The proper pronunciation of these letters combined with meditation forms a powerful tool for increasing the capacity of the mind. They also increase the power of the mind, the ability to understand higher concepts, and of most importance the ability to expand consciousness.
From a practical level for the beginner, the Sanskrit alphabet provides powerful tools for cleansing and balancing the charkas. Each sound or letter of the alphabet is assigned to a petal of the charkas. Repetition of these sounds can have a powerful effect on the charkas. Facilitating their cleansing, balancing, and awakening their higher function, but more importantly Sanskrit can awaken the practitioner to the higher functions of the charkas.
The Sanskrit sounds are also connected to the bodies meridian system, nadi system, and organs. Each sound can have a powerful healing effect on the organs associated with the sound. Sanskrit sounds can be used to effect balancing of the body’s tissues, mental qualities, and emotional states. Sanskrit can also provide tools to balance the planetary energy, the energy of the stars and much more.
Sounds consisting of one to four syllables are commonly called bija (seed) sounds. Once a practitioner has developed familiarity with the seed sounds, more complex sound combinations can be practiced such as mantras from the Vedas. The Vedas are the oldest spiritual traditions still practice to this day. The Vedas date back to at least 6500 BCE and offer the spiritual teachings of the last world age for humanity of our current age.
Sanskrit sounds can be practiced in a variety of modalities, but it is important to learn from someone trained within the tradition. While Sanskrit grammar is a difficult subject, learning basic Sanskrit is a simple process requiring merely time and repetition.
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