LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM 366

Para (366) In the next few namas Her Sabda (sound) Brahman form is going to be discussed. The literal meaning of ‘Brahman’ is growing, developing, swelling, expanding, evolving etc. This nama refers Her un-manifested form (of the Brahman). We have already discussed about the origin of sound and evolution of sound and whatever we are going to discuss now will be only by way of additional information. To understand this better, we have go back to the creation. In terms of Sankhya philosophy, the creation is based on 25 tatwas or principles (against 24 tatwas about which we have discussed in the article ‘bondage of karma’ under Gita series 19. The addition here is the principle or tatwa of Ishwara). These 25 principles are 1. Purusha (the individual soul), 2. Prakriti (nature), 3. Buddhi (intellect), 4. Ego, 5-9. Jnaneddriyas (cognitive senses, like ear, nose, etc), 10-14. Karmendriyas (action senses like legs, hands, etc), 15-19. Tanmatras (subtle primary elements like taste, smell, etc), 20-24. Mahabhutas (five basic elements like akash, air, etc) and finally as 25th tatwa Ishwara. Here Ishwara means the Brahman and purusha means the individual soul that gets various shapes and forms. The concept of Brahman is beyond all the other 24 tatwas. Purusha and prakrirti both are aboriginal principles, but there exist certain differences between them. Purusha is known as jiva-atma or the individual soul which is a conscious spirit with positive principle. Prakiriti is unconscious matter with negative principle. When purusha interacts and conjoins with prakriti (opposite energies are attracted to each other), the prakriti manifests into other 21 tatwas and binds the purusha or soul into subtle and then to gross matter. The gross matter is the physical form of man and subtle matter is anthakkaranam (mind, intellect, consciousness and ego). The stage before this union is called avyakta (nama 399) or un-manifested form. In the stage of avyakta, when modifications in the form of manifestation is about to happen, maya spread its veil depending on the karmic density of the soul. This is how the creation is explained in the scriptures. This un-manifested form or ‘avyakta’ is called ‘karana bindu’ because it is smaller than an atom. Bindu means a dot and karana bindu means cause- dot. When the time is ripe for karana bindu to manifest, it pulsates and vibrates getting ready to manifest and this gives rise to another dot called ‘karana bindu’ or effect-dot. From this effect-dot or karana bindu arises another dot called nada bindu or sound-dot. The sound is ultimately delivered through nada bindu after undergoing further refinement. The karana bindu resides in muladhara chakra and during it’s ascend undergoes these modifications and delivered in the form of audible sound. Para has three stages. Its original ‘para’ form is considered as supreme and is full of energy. In order to manifest it loses its supremacy and energy level gradually and becomes ‘parapara’ the mediocre level of supremacy. It further loses its strength at the exact time of manifestation and becomes ‘apara’ where it loses its supremacy and become manifested. These three stages are known as Shiva, Shakthi and nara (man). This way also She is known as para. As the subsequent namas discuss further about the evolution of sound from its para or supreme form, therefore contextually this nama is to be considered from the angle of Sabda Brahman only.