All World
Gayatri Pariwar

The vedic scriptures on the origin of the universe mention that the absolute existence of the Brahṁ is expressed and realized in the sublime vibrations of Śabda and Nāda. The anāhat1  swar (the evolutionary impulse of cosmic sound) induced by these vibrations is said to be the generator of perpetual energy in the universe. Śabda – the omnipresent eternal origin of sound and Nāda – the eternal element of the self-existent cosmic impulse of music, immanent in the subliminal as well as the perceivable realms of existence and their ever-evolving expressions in infinity are referred in the shastrik literature as Śabda Brahṁ and Nāda Brahṁ.

Śabdaitavāda – the vaidika knowledge of absolute sound, describes the sublime power of the omnipresent sound (Śabda) as an eternal, limitless whole and the sole creator of the universe. Sound is regarded here as the basic source of energy and motion existing in the universe. The existence of the material world is said to have originated from the cosmic impulse, the infinite bang of Śabda. [The big-bang theory of the modern science agrees with this conclusion of the ṛiṣis -scientists of yore]. The non-existence or absolute end of the world at the ultimate time – the other ‘end’ of the universal cycle – is also described to be a consequence of similar supersonic explosion. On the subliminal front, the existence of enormous activities2  of mind is said to have been realized through the eternal medium of sound. 

In our day-to-day life, we generally come across with two types of sound – vyakta (audible) and avyakta (non-audible). These are defined as jalp and antarjalp in the Jain scriptures. The spoken words fall under the first category and those expressed silently (e.g. while thinking....) or through the language of mind are examples of the latter. Acoustic theories of modern physics have characterized these categories in terms of frequencies of the involved ‘hard sound’. The manifestation of the vyakta and avyakta are relative in the physical world. The ultra and supersonic forms are avyakta to our ears, which can normally sense a sound only in the frequency-range of 20 to 20000 vibrations per sec. Similarly, the loud noise of a busy road would be non-audible to a person who is sitting in a closed house away from the road.... These examples clearly illustrate that the avyakta sound also exists in the same ‘reality’ as the vyakta one.

Our cosmos consists of the sound waves in all frequency ranges –– beyond the grasp of our audio sensors and even beyond the limits of our imagination…. Each impulse of the infinite activities of Nature indwells in the cosmos in the form of subliminal vibrations (of Śabda) before its physical manifestation in space and time. Many animals in this world are well-equipped to perceive such subtle sounds in some range. Several varieties of birds and animals are therefore able to sense the future events, especially, many of the natural calamities of tremor etc, that are impossible to be precognized by humans. Often this ‘superhuman’ potential of animals and birds beats the sophisticated sensors of advanced instruments. 

 

The sonic vibrations of each spoken or mentally thought syllable exist in the universe forever. Some frontline researchers of the modern science of sound hope that further advancement of science and technology would one day enable recording the voices (of the sages of yore) in the omnipresent ‘ocean’ of ether. 

The vaidika science of mantras – the Mantra Vijňāna, developed by the ṛiṣis had endowed them with an exceptional faculty of communication across the universe. This power was indeed supernormal as compared to the capabilities of the modern inventions like radio, television and radar...., etc. Mantra Vijňāna is the science of the transcendent as well as the cosmic powers of sound. The specific configuration of the syllables compiled in the mantras makes them important in terms of associated sonic effect. The enunciation of a vedic mantra in a specific composition of accent, pitch, intensity, amplitude and rhythm results in its expansion (at a pace faster than the laser beams) in the endless domain of physical energy waves and consciousness. Because of the unique property of sound to traverse (via the electro-magnetic waves) anywhere in the space, the collective chanting of vaidika mantras can induce cosmic impact. 

Significant scientific research on the demonstration and the measurement of sonic energy has been carried out in the modern age of advanced technology. This includes pioneering research in the area of ultrasonic in the USA and Germany. The applications of ultrasonic and infrasonic technology range from strategic weapons to biomedical instruments, from brainwashing to sound therapy and from telecommunications to remote control of the spacecrafts…. 

Having realized that the energy generated by the decomposition – through japa3  of a mantra – of the cosmic sound (Śabda) would be of exponential magnitude as compared to that of the atomic energy, some pioneering scientists have also begun an in-depth study of the mantra vijňāna… However, the researchers of this field must note that, it is the sublime effect of the mantras on the consciousness, which is more important than the gross (physical) sonic effects. Studies in this direction should therefore pay greater attention on the possibilities of spiritual enlightenment of all conscious beings with the help of mantra vijňāna.   

The treasure of knowledge in the Vedas is encoded in the form of mantras and chandas (hymns). Every mantra and chanda has its significant importance. The Gāyatrī Mantra is honored as preeminent in the science of spirituality and the mantra vijňāna. This ādi (absolute origin) mantra is a compilation of nine special words (in ancient Sanskrit) formed by twenty four syllables. The japa of this mantra creates rhythmic pressure on the nerves and also titillates the extrasensory energy center (the six cakras) and subtle nerve-bundles (upatyikās) that generate soothing effects in the sādhaka’s body and mind and also affect his deep inner self. 

This absolute mantra is said to have been realized through the cosmic vibrations of the eternal, sublime force of the omnipresent supreme consciousness (Brahmā). This mahāmantra is referred as the divine mother of all the Vedas and hence of all branches of knowledge. It is also recognized as the smallest of all religious scriptures and volumes of ultimate knowledge.... Because of its unique potential of inspiring the individual consciousness to link with the supreme consciousness, the Gāyatrī Mahāmantra is indeed the most powerful and astonishing creation of Śabda.  

The symbolic depiction in the shastrik literature about.... “the seven horses of lord Sun gaining energy from the vibrations in mahadākāś (the cosmic dimensions)....”– implies the generation of seven natural notes of music by the ‘explosion’ (from quintessential to perceivable state of existence) of the anāhat nāda. This cosmic expression of Śabda Brahṁ-Nāda Brahṁ is described as the origin of the evolutionary impulse that resulted in the gross (perceivable) and sublime existence of the ever-evolving Nature and the ever-expanding Universe…. This evolutionary afflatus is also described in the rhetoric presentation of the scriptures as – the cosmic force generated by the commingling of the Prakṛati and Purūṣa4 . 

The sublime vibration of the eternal sound of the self-existent absolute syllable “ú” (Oaṁ) indwells everywhere in the cosmic expansion. The self-generation of its rhythmic impulse (Oṁkār) – the ‘big bang’, had generated the infinite spectrum of the sublime and the gross reflections of Śabda and consequently effectuated the existence and manifestation of the electromagnetic waves and the basic physical energies of sound, heat and light. 

The spiritual sādhanās5  of the Nāda-Yoga lead to the realization of oṁkār and hence to the unfolding of the secrets of Nature and deciphering of the hidden movements of time (past and future events)…. 

During the initial stages of Nāda-Yoga one has to meditate upon the internal ‘sounds’ perceived through closed ears while sitting in an externally silent surrounding. Long term dedicated practices of this method results in the experience of a variety of ‘otherwise’ non-existent sounds ranging for instance, from that of a whistle or flute to a buzzer or a big-gong; tinkling of a beetle, peeling of bells, to the noise of the thunder bolts.... An unperturbed subliminal humming sound (of “Oṁkār”) is experienced in the depths of the inner self in the completion phase of this yoga sādhanā. The attainment of this ultimate state of deep trance in Nāda-Yoga corresponds to absolute harmony and engrossment of the mind and the soul with the cosmic echo of Oaṁ….

Realization and awakening of the sublime power of Śabda Brahṁ - Nāda Brahṁ immanent in the human body, mind and the inner core of the soul are aimed in some higher levels of spiritual sādhanās.

All the branches of Mantra- Vijňāna and related fields of yoga deal with the study and practice of rhythmic enunciation of mantras and deep meditation upon the transcendental powers of Śabda and Nāda hidden in the former. These areas of research in the science of spirituality and yoga deal with the knowledge of Śabda Brahṁ - Nāda Brahṁ. The inclusion of the perennial syllable (Oaṁ) and its phoneme Oṁkāra is compatible as well as essential with respect to the compilation of a mantra. Therefore, the science and philosophy of Oṁkār also fall within the vast domain of knowledge pertaining to Śabda Brahṁ- Nāda Brahṁ.

The Indian scriptures on yoga and spirituality mention a great deal on Śabda Brahṁ – as the basis of all branches of Mantra Vijňāna and the science of the eternal syllable “ ú “ (oaṁ), and Nāda Brahṁ – as the source of knowledge and realization of the seven eternal notes6  and the science of oṁkār and music. 

 

The elementary practices of Śabda Yoga deal with training, control and refinement of voice and speech. Consistent attempt for observance of purity, truth, precision and softness of spoken (vocally or in mental conversation via thoughts) words in day-to-day conduct are prerequisites before one could initiate Śabda Yoga. Gaining knowledge through sacred means like good literature, interaction and learning from enlightened personalities who possess truth and piety of character, and transmitting it to the deserving persons via equally noble mode is also necessary as a preliminary exercise of Śabda Yoga. A disciple (sādhaka) of this spiritual sādhanā should realize the spoken and written words as live carriers of thoughts, sentiments and inspirations. 

The Nāda Yoga principle focuses upon the sādhanās of realizing the spiritual dignity and divine bliss of music through sincere training of the shāstrīya samgīta (Indian classical music). 

Higher level endeavors of Śabda Yoga and Nāda Yoga result in the attainment of extrasensory potentials of communication in the higher horizons of supramental intellect and super consciousness. An accomplished yogi of the Śabda Yoga, can transmit his thoughts and inspirations to educe and control the minds of others at will. Similar state of success in Nāda Yoga enables one to receive cosmic signals, divine voice and the messages of great souls and yogis from higher realms of spirituality.