Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Tantra shastra by Woodroffe

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Tantra-Sastra-Woodroffe

Saturday, January 24, 2015

BASANT PANCHAMI-GODESS SARASWATI MA WORSHIP

======माँ सरस्वती पूजा विधि=======
~~जय माँ सरस्वती~~
सरस्वती माता की पूजा करने वाले को सबसे पहले मां सरस्वती की प्रतिमा अथवा तस्वीर को सामने रखकर उनके सामने धूप-दीप और अगरबत्ती जलानी चाहिए।
इसके बाद पूजन आरंभ करनी चाहिए। सबसे पहले अपने आपको तथा आसन को इस मंत्र से शुद्घ करें- "ऊं अपवित्र : पवित्रोवा सर्वावस्थां गतोऽपिवा। य: स्मरेत् पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तर: शुचि:॥" इन मंत्रों से अपने ऊपर तथा आसन पर 3-3 बार कुशा या पुष्पादि से छींटें लगायें फिर आचमन करें – ऊं केशवाय नम: ऊं माधवाय नम:, ऊं नारायणाय नम:, फिर हाथ धोएं, पुन: आसन शुद्धि मंत्र बोलें- ऊं पृथ्वी त्वयाधृता लोका देवि त्यवं विष्णुनाधृता। त्वं च धारयमां देवि पवित्रं कुरु चासनम्॥
शुद्धि और आचमन के बाद चंदन लगाना चाहिए। अनामिका उंगली से श्रीखंड चंदन लगाते हुए यह मंत्र बोलें 'चन्दगनस्यप महत्पुसण्यचम् पवित्रं पापनाशनम्, आपदां हरते नित्य म् लक्ष्मी तिष्ठकतु सर्वदा।'
बिना संकल्प के की गयी पूजा सफल नहीं होती है इसलिए संकल्प करें। हाथ में तिल, फूल, अक्षत मिठाई और फल लेकर 'यथोपलब्धपूजनसामग्रीभिः भगवत्या: सरस्वत्या: पूजनमहं करिष्ये|' इस मंत्र को बोलते हुए हाथ में रखी हुई सामग्री मां सरस्वती के सामने रख दें। इसके बाद गणपति जी की पूजा करें।
गणपति पूजन
----------------
हाथ में फूल लेकर गणपति का ध्यान करें। मंत्र पढ़ें-
गजाननम्भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थ जम्बू फलचारुभक्षणम्।
उमासुतं शोक विनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपंकजम्।
हाथ में अक्षत लेकर गणपति का आवाहन: करें ऊं गं गणपतये इहागच्छ इह तिष्ठ।। इतना कहकर पात्र में अक्षत छोड़ें।
अर्घा में जल लेकर बोलें-
एतानि पाद्याद्याचमनीय-स्नानीयं,
पुनराचमनीयम् ऊं गं गणपतये नम:।
रक्त चंदन लगाएं:
इदम रक्त चंदनम् लेपनम् ऊं गं गणपतये नम:,
इसी प्रकार श्रीखंड चंदन बोलकर श्रीखंड चंदन लगाएं। इसके पश्चात सिन्दूर चढ़ाएं "इदं सिन्दूराभरणं लेपनम् ऊं गं गणपतये नम:। दुर्वा और विल्बपत्र भी गणेश जी को चढ़ाएं। गणेश जी को वस्त्र पहनाएं। इदं पीत वस्त्रं ऊं गं गणपतये समर्पयामि।
पूजन के बाद गणेश जी को प्रसाद अर्पित करें: इदं नानाविधि नैवेद्यानि ऊं गं गणपतये समर्पयामि:। मिष्टान अर्पित करने के लिए मंत्र: इदं शर्करा घृत युक्त नैवेद्यं ऊं गं गणपतये समर्पयामि:। प्रसाद अर्पित करने के बाद आचमन करायें। इदं आचमनयं ऊं गं गणपतये नम:। इसके बाद पान सुपारी चढ़ायें: इदं ताम्बूल पुगीफल समायुक्तं ऊं गं गणपतये समर्पयामि:। अब एक फूल लेकर गणपति पर चढ़ाएं और बोलें: एष: पुष्पान्जलि ऊं गं गणपतये नम:
इसी प्रकार से नवग्रहों की पूजा करें। गणेश के स्थान पर नवग्रह का नाम लें।
कलश पूजन
--------------
घड़े या लोटे पर मोली बांधकर कलश के ऊपर आम का पल्लव रखें। कलश के अंदर सुपारी, दूर्वा, अक्षत, मुद्रा रखें। कलश के गले में मोली लपेटें।� नारियल पर वस्त्र लपेट कर कलश पर रखें। हाथ में अक्षत और पुष्प लेकर वरूण देवता का कलश में आह्वान करें। ओ३म् त्तत्वायामि ब्रह्मणा वन्दमानस्तदाशास्ते यजमानो हविभि:। अहेडमानो वरुणेह बोध्युरुशंस मान आयु: प्रमोषी:। (अस्मिन कलशे वरुणं सांगं सपरिवारं सायुध सशक्तिकमावाहयामि, ओ३म्भूर्भुव: स्व:भो वरुण इहागच्छ इहतिष्ठ। स्थापयामि पूजयामि॥)
इसके बाद जिस प्रकार गणेश जी की पूजा की है उसी प्रकार वरूण और इन्द्र देवता की पूजा करें।
सरस्वती पूजन
-----------------
सबसे पहले माता सरस्वती का ध्यान करें
या कुन्देन्दु तुषारहार धवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता।
या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना ।।
या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता।
सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा।।1।।
शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचारसारपरमांद्यां जगद्व्यापनीं ।
वीणा-पुस्तक-धारिणीमभयदां जाड्यांधकारपहाम्।।
हस्ते स्फाटिक मालिकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थिताम् ।
वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धिप्रदां शारदाम्।।2।।
इसके बाद सरस्वती देवी की प्रतिष्ठा करें। हाथ में अक्षत लेकर बोलें “ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः महासरस्वती, इहागच्छ इह तिष्ठ। इस मंत्र को बोलकर अक्षर छोड़ें। इसके बाद जल लेकर 'एतानि पाद्याद्याचमनीय-स्नानीयं, पुनराचमनीयम्।” प्रतिष्ठा के बाद स्नान कराएं: ॐ मन्दाकिन्या समानीतैः, हेमाम्भोरुह-वासितैः स्नानं कुरुष्व देवेशि, सलिलं च सुगन्धिभिः।। ॐ श्री सरस्वतयै नमः।। इदं रक्त चंदनम् लेपनम् से रक्त चंदन लगाएं। इदं सिन्दूराभरणं से सिन्दूर लगाएं। ‘ॐ मन्दार-पारिजाताद्यैः, अनेकैः कुसुमैः शुभैः। पूजयामि शिवे, भक्तया, सरस्वतयै नमो नमः।। ॐ सरस्वतयै नमः, पुष्पाणि समर्पयामि।’इस मंत्र से पुष्प चढ़ाएं फिर माला पहनाएं। अब सरस्वती देवी को इदं पीत वस्त्र समर्पयामि कहकर पीला वस्त्र पहनाएं।
नैवैद्य अर्पण
---------------
पूजन के पश्चात देवी को "इदं नानाविधि नैवेद्यानि ऊं सरस्वतयै समर्पयामि" मंत्र से नैवैद्य अर्पित करें। मिष्टान अर्पित करने के लिए मंत्र: "इदं शर्करा घृत समायुक्तं नैवेद्यं ऊं सरस्वतयै समर्पयामि" बालें। प्रसाद अर्पित करने के बाद आचमन करायें। इदं आचमनयं ऊं सरस्वतयै नम:। इसके बाद पान सुपारी चढ़ायें: इदं ताम्बूल पुगीफल समायुक्तं ऊं सरस्वतयै समर्पयामि। अब एक फूल लेकर सरस्वती देवी पर चढ़ाएं और बोलें: एष: पुष्पान्जलि ऊं सरस्वतयै नम:। इसके बाद एक फूल लेकर उसमें चंदन और अक्षत लगाकर किताब कॉपी पर रख दें।
पूजन के पश्चात् सरस्वती माता के नाम से हवन करें। इसके लिए भूमि को स्वच्छ करके एक हवन कुण्ड बनाएं। आम की अग्नि प्रज्वलित करें। हवन में सर्वप्रथम 'ऊं गं गणपतये नम:' स्वाहा मंत्र से गणेश जी एवं 'ऊं नवग्रह नमः' स्वाहा मंत्र से नवग्रह का हवन करें, तत्पश्चात् सरस्वती माता के मंत्र 'ॐ सरस्वतयै नमः स्वहा' से 108 बार हवन करें। हवन का भभूत माथे पर लगाएं। श्रद्धापूर्वक प्रसाद ग्रहण करें इसके बाद सभी में वितरित करें।
"जय माँ सरस्वती"

Thursday, January 22, 2015

संस्कृत

संस्कृत ही हिमालय से लेकर समुद्रपर्यन्त सम्पूर्ण भारत की वास्तविक भाषा है, इसमें प्रमाण – प्राचीन काल में संस्कृत का एक और नाम प्रचलित था – भारती। भारती का अर्थ है - भारत की भाषा। भारत के सबसे प्राचीन धर्मशास्त्र महामुनि गौतम प्रणीत सामवेदीय धर्म सूत्र की टीका करते हुए एक बहुत ही प्राचीन टीकाकार हरदत्ताचार्य ने संस्कृत के लिये इस शब्द का प्रयोग किया है – “वाक् संस्कृता भारती” (गौतम धर्म सूत्र २.२.१२)। भा अर्थात् ज्ञान के प्रकाश की प्राप्ति में सदैव रत रहने वाले इस महान् भारत देश की भाषा होने के कारण ही इसे “भारती” कहते थे। ये भारत के किसी एक प्रदेश विशेष की नहीं, अपितु जहां तक भारतीय वैदिक सनातन संस्कृति का प्रचार था, वहां तक के समस्त भूभाग की महान् सांस्कृतिक भाषा थी। जहां तक भारतीय वैदिक संस्कृति का प्रचार था, उस समस्त भूभाग पर देववाणी संस्कृत भाषा का भी प्रचार था। इसके प्रमाण हमें वियतनाम, इण्डोनेशिया तथा सुदूर पूर्व में फिलिपींस तक में खुदाई से निकले संस्कृत के अति प्राचीन शिलालेखों से ज्ञात होता है। वास्तविकता यह है कि संस्कृत से ही हमारी संस्कृति है और भारती से ही हमारा भारत है। संस्कृत न रहे, तो हमारी संस्कृति न बचेगी; भारती न रहेगी, तो भारत भी न बचेगा। यह जिस दिन इस देश के वासियों को यह बात समझ में आ जायेगा, उस दिन इस देश का विकास जापान तथा चीन जैसे अपने संस्कृति व भाषा के महत्त्व को समझने वाले देशों की तरह होने लग जायेगा, और वह विकास आर्थिक और वैज्ञानिक तो होगा ही, साथ में आध्यात्मिक भी होगा, जिसकी प्यास अब विश्व के आर्थिक व वैज्ञानिक रूप से विकसित राष्ट्रों में जाग उठी है। इस अन्तरात्मा की गहरी प्यास को बुझाने का कार्य भी यह भारतीय संस्कृति द्वारा दिया हुआ योग और वेदान्त का उच्च आध्यात्मिक ज्ञान ही कर सकता है॥ उत्तिष्ठ भारत... जागो, भारत! जागो...

Hare Krishn Mantra (chant) per Vedic Sanskrit is Maha Mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Lord Siva specifically instructs that chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is the best process for spiritual realization:
harim bina nasti kijcat papani-starakam kalau | tasmal-lokod-dharana-artham hari-nama prakasayet ||
sarvatra mucyate loko maha-papat kalau yuge | hare-krsna-pada-dvandvam krsneti ca pada-dvayam ||
tatha hare-pada-dvandvam hare-rama iti dvayam | tad-ante ca maha-devi rama rama dvayam vadet ||
hare hare tato bruyad harinama samud dharet | maha-mantram ca krsnasya sarvapapa pranasakamiti ||

Lord Siva says to his wife Parvati-devi: “O Mahadevi! Look! In Kali-yuga there is no easier way to eradicate sins than by the holy names of Lord Krsna. It is therefore essential to propagate the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra among the general populous. The people in Kali-yuga can be easily liberated from the greatest hell by performing sankirtana of this Hare Krsna maha-mantra. To chant the maha-mantra, first chant hare krsna twice, then chant krsna twice, then hare twice. After that, chant hare rama twice, then rama twice and again hare twice. Thus the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. One should chant, articulate and perform sankirtana etc., of this Hare Krsna maha-mantra, which destroys all sins.”
(Sri Brahma Yamala)


harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting of the holy name of ONLY Lord Hari. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”
(Brhad Naradiya Purana)


harinama para ye ca ghore kali-yuge narah
te eva krtakrtyasca na kalir badhate hi tan hare
kesava govinda vasudeva jaganmaya
itirayanti ye nityam na hi tam badhate kalih
“In this dark age of Kali-yuga, sincere devotees of the Supreme Lord Krsna should leave aside all other means for liberation and take full shelter of the holy name. This is their real responsibility and duty. There is unlimited bliss in chanting the different names of Krsna: Hari, Kesava, Govinda, Vasudeva and Jaganmaya. For one who chants constantly with unflinching faith, he remains unaffected by the reverses of Kali-yuga, because his heart has become purified by chanting.”
(Brhan-naradiya Purana)


hari-nama-para ye ca
hari-kirtana tat parah
hari-puja-para ye ca te
krtarthah kalau-yuge
“Those who engage in chanting the holy name of Lord Hari (japa), are addicted to congregational chanting (kirtana) and engage in the worship of Lord Hari, have accomplished their desires in the age of Kali.”
(Brhan-naradiya Purana)


dhyayan krte yajan
yajnais tretayam dvapare
’rcayan yad apnoti tad apnoti
kalau sankirtya kesavam
“Whatever is achieved in Satya-yuga by meditation, in Treta by offering ritual sacrifices and in Dvapara by temple worship is achieved in Kali-yuga by chanting the names of Lord Kesava congregationally.”
(Padma Purana, Uttara Khanda 42nd Chapter)


satyam kali-yuga vipra
sri harer nama mangalam
param svastyayanam nrnam
nasty-eva gatir anyatha
“Oh brahmana, chanting of the holy name of Sri Hari is the auspicious process in Kali Yuga. It is the highest auspiciousness for mankind. There is no other way.”
(Padma Purana)
krsna krsneti krsneti
svapan jagrad vrajamstatha
yo jalpati kalau nityam
krsna-rupi bhaveddhi sah
“Whoever continuously chants Lord Krsna’s holy name, even in his sleep, can easily realise that the name is a direct manifestation of Krsna Himself, in spite of the influences of Kali-yuga. This has been ordained by Lord Krsna.
(Varaha Purana)


varjams-tisthan svapannasnan svasan
vakya-prapuranenama-samkirtanam
visnor- helaya kali-vardhanam krtva
svarupatam yati bhakti-yuktam param vrajet
“In our normal activities of eating, sleeping, sitting, dreaming, etc. to chant Krsna’s names, while nullify the ill effects of Kali-yuga, is the perfection of speech. Even it a person chants Krsna’s names indifferently, he will surely achieve his svarupa, or original spiritual self and attain that state beyond all material fear and lamentation. He will reach Vaikuntha, the supreme goal.
(Linga Purana)


krte yad dhyayato visnum
tretayam yajato makhaih
dvapare paricaryayam
kalau tad dhari-kirtanat
Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga be meditating on Visnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.52)


The Hare Krsna maha-mantra has been prescribed by Lord Brahma:
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam | natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate ||
Lord Brahma instructs his son and disciple, Narada Muni as follows: “The sixteen words of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra – (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) – are especially meant for counteracting the sins of Kali-yuga. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga there is no other alternative, but to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.After searching through all the Vedic scriptures one cannot find a method of religion for this age (Kali-yuga) so sublime as the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.”
(Kalisantarana Upanisad 5; 6 of Krishna Yajur Veda)


hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
sodasaitani namani dvatrimsad varnakani hi | kalau yuge maha-mantrah sammato jivatarane ||
varjayitva tu namaitad durjanaih parikalpitam | chandobaddham susiddhanta viruddham nabhyaset padam ||
tarakam brahma-namaitad brahmana gurunadina | kalisantaranadyasu sruti-svadhigatam hareh ||
praptam sri brahma-sisyena sri naradena dhimata | namaitad-uttamam srauta-paramparyena brahmanah ||
utsrjyaitan-maha-mantram ye tvanyat kalpitam padam | mahanameti gayanti te sastra-guru langhanah ||
tattva-virodha-sanprktam tadrsam daurjanam matam | sravatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
“’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’ – This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantra is the maha-mantra in Kali-yuga by which all living beings can be delivered. One should never abandon chanting this maha-mantra and take to other so-called purificatory processes which are practiced by rascals, or engage in chanting other metrical compositions of the name of Krishna that are against the pure conclusions of the scriptures, or are filled with rasaabhaas. About this divinely spiritual maha-mantra, which delivers one from material existence, the original guru, Lord Brahma, has said, kali-santararadi sruti, “The srutis have declared this mantra to be the best means of deliverance in the age of Kali”. Having all heard this from Brahma, the sons and disciples of Brahma, beginning with Narada, all accepted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and, having meditated on it, attained perfection.
(Sri Ananta-samhita)


Radha Hrdya Khanda, Romaharsana Suta prays to Sri Vedavyasa as follows:
yat tvaya kirtitam natha hari-nameti sanjitam | mantram brahma-padam siddhi karam-tad-vad-no-vibho ||
“O master, O mighty one! Please glorify the Hari-nama mantra situated in transcendence, the cause of all perfection!”
grhanad yasya mantrasya dehi brahma-mayo bhavet |
sadhyah putah surapo ‘pi sarva-siddhi-yuto bhavet | tad-aham te ‘bhidhasyami maha-bhagavato hamsi ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
iti sodasakam namnam tri-kala kalmasapaham | natah parataropayah sarva vedesu vidhyate ||
Sri Vedavyasa said to Romaharsana Suta “O my son the embodied soul who takes up the maha-mantra will become filled with transcendence, and by accepting it, even a drunkard will attain all perfections. I will recite this mantra to you, for you are a swan-like maha-bhagavata and a suitable candidate. Just see! The sixteen word maha-mantra, ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’, can destroy the sins of the three worlds. The Vedas do not mention a method for achieving liberation from material bondage superior to the chanting of this maha-mantra.
(Brahmanda Purana)




srnu matarmahamaye visva-bija-svarupini | hari namno mahamaye kramaG vad suresvari ||
“Hear me, O mother Mahamaya, seed of the universe personified, mistress of the gods! Please explain the sequence of Hari-nama.”
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
dvatrim sadaksaranyeva kalau namani sarvadam | etanmantram suta srestha prathamam srnuyannarah ||
Tripura-devi said: “O best among sons! The maha-mantra for Kali-yuga bestows all perfection. This maha-mantra, is composed of sixteen names and thirty-two syllables: ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’. Therefore, a person who desires his own welfare should first hear this Hare Krsna maha-mantra from a bonafide spiritual master.”
(Sri Radha Tantra)



hare-krsnau dvir avrttau | krsna tadrk tatha hare ||
hare rama tatha rama | tatha tadrg ghare manuh ||
”The words hare krsna are repeated twice, and then krsna and hare are both separately twice repeated. In the same way, hare rama, rama and hare are twice repeated.The maha-mantra is thus: ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’.”
(Sanat-Kumara-samhita)


The Supreme Lord Sri Krsna says to Lord Brahma:
tatha catra bhavisyami bhaktyanugraha-kamyaya |
sahasraso’vatara me gita brahman yuge yuge | bana-margair veda-margai ripunam tatra sanksayam ||
bhaktanam taranam krtva khyapitam sva-yasah ksitau | kalau nasta-drsam esa mat-padyarka udesyat ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
sakrd dvis trir yatha-sakti yavaj jivam athapi va | vyaharan svapaco’pi syan mama bhakto na samsayah ||
“O Brahma, yuga after yuga I kindly appear in many thousands of incarnations.” “Walking either on the path of arrows or the path of the Vedas, I deliver the devotees, destroy their enemies, and place My glory on the earth.” “For they who have become blinded by Kali-yuga, a mantra with My holy names will rise like a glorious sun. This verse is: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.” “One should chant this mantra once, twice, thrice, as many times as one is able, or again and again for as long as one lives. By chanting this maha-mantra even a dogeater may become My devotee.”
(Vayu-Purana)


Pipplada mentions that Vrsabhanu Maharaja once prayed to Kratu Muni, “O Lord, if you want to favour me, then please donate to me the names of Hari.” At that moment the saintly Kratu Muni gave him the sixteen name maha-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare). By clearly pronouncing this maha-mantra, one can attain brahma (salokya, samipya, sarupya and sayujya). Not only that, one can attain krsna-prema, the fifth goal of human life (panca purusartha).’ ”
(Brahmanda Purana, Uttara Khanda 6.55)


Lord Brahma tells his son Pipplada as follows:
mantro guhyah paramo bhakti vedyah
“The Maha-Mantra is confidential, transcendental and can be understood only by devotional service, (bhakti-yoga).”
namany astav asta ca sobhanani |
tani nityam ye japanti dhiras te vai mayam atitaranti nanyah |
paramam mantram parama-rahasyam nityam avartayanti ||


These sixteen names are supremely beautified. Those who chant them regularly are sober persons who are able to cross beyond the illusory energy. There is no other means. One should repeat this maha-mantra which is the supreme secret, regularly.
(Caitanya-Upanisad, Atharva-Veda)


It is further stated by Lord Brahma as follows:
sva nama-mula-mantrena sarvam hladayati vibhuh | sa eve mulam-mantram japati haririti krsna iti rama iti ||
“The name is the root of all mantras, the splendid one bringing joy to everyone. This root-mantra is chanted as Hari, Krsna and Rama.”

sa eva mula-mantram japati harir iti krsna iti rama iti || 11 ||
“He (Lord Caitanya) chants the original mantra consisting of Hari, Krishna and Rama.”
(Caitanya Upanisad)
dvatrimsad-aksaram mantram nama-sodasakanvitam |
prajapan vaisnavo nityam radha-krsna-sthalam labhet ||
“Those Vaisnavas who always chant the maha-mantra composed of sixteen names divided into thirty-two syllables (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) attain Sri Vrndavana, the abode of Sri Radha-Krsna.”
(Padma Purana)


In the Padma Purana it is further stated regarding congregational chanting of the maha-mantra:
harer nama maha-mantrair nasyet papa pisacakam |
harer agra svarair uccair nrtyam stan-namakrin-narah | punati bhuvanam vipra! gaggadi salilam yatha ||
hare pradaksinam kurvann uccais tan nama krin narah | karataladi sandhanam susvaram kala sabditam ||
“Anyone who dances in front of Sri Hari and loudly chants the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) will destroy all witches of sin. Just as the water of sacred rivers like the Ganga purify the universe, similarly those who circumambulate Sri Hari and loudly perform nama sankirtana of the sixteen word maha-mantra with sweet voices and while clapping the hands, purify the entire universe.”
(Padma Purana)
advitiyam yatha mantram tarakam brahma namakam
japitva siddhim apnoti satyam satyam vadamy aham
imam eva japan mantram tryamabakas tripur antakam
Chanting the peerless taraka-brahma-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare), which is taraka-brahma-nama, the great chanting for deliverance in Kali-yuga, one obtains perfection. This is the truth. This is the truth. It is only by chanting this great mantra Lord Siva killed the Tripurasuras.
(Smriti Sastra)


The fruit of chanting the thirty-two-syllable maha-mantra is described as follows:
harir eva samaradhyah | sarva deve suresvarah ||
hari nama maha mantrair | nasyatpapa pisacakam ||
All the grievous sins of one who worships Lord Sri Hari, the Lord of all lords, and chants the holy name, the maha-mantra (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare), are removed.
(Padma Purana, Svarga Khanda 50.6)


hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare |hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
sodazaitani namani dvatrimzad varnakani hi |kalau yuge maha-mantrah sammato jivatarane ||
varjayitva tu namaitad durjanaih parikalpitam |chandobaddham susiddhanta viruddham nabhyaset padam ||
tarakam brahma-namaitad brahmana gurunadina |kalisantaranadyasu zruti-svadhigatam hareh ||
praptam zri brahma-zisyena zri naradena dhimata |namaitad-uttamam zrauta-paramparyena brahmanah ||
utsrjyaitan-maha-mantram ye tvanyat kaepitam padam |mahanameti gayanti te zastra-guru langhanah ||
tattva-virodha-saoprktam tadrzam daurjanam matam |sravatha pariharyam syadatma-hitarthina sada ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare |hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
“‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama RamaRama Rama Rama Hare Hare’ — This sixteen-name, thirty-two syllable mantrais the maha-mantra in the age of Kali by which all living beings can bedelivered. One should never abandon chanting this maha-mantra and take toother so-called purificatory processes which are practiced by rascals, orengage in chanting other metrical compositions of the name of Krishna thatare against the pure conclusions of the scriptures, or are filled with rasabhasa.
About this divinely spiritual maha-mantra, which delivers one from materialexistence, the original guru, Lord Brahma, has said, kali-santararadi srutite, ‘Thesrutis have declared this mantra to be the best means of deliverance in the ageof Kali’. Having all heard this from Brahma, the sons and disciples of Brahma,beginning with Narada, all accepted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and,having meditated on it, attained perfection.”
(Ananta-samhita)



srnu matarmahamaye visva-bija-svarupini | hari namno mahamaye krama vad suresvari ||
“Hear me, O mother Mahamaya, seed of the universe personified, mistress of the gods! Please explain the sequence of Hari-nama.”
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare | hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ||
dvatrim sadaksaranyeva kalau namani sarvadam | etanmantram suta srestha prathamam srnuyannarah ||
Tripura-devi said: “O best among sons! The maha-mantra for Kali-yuga bestows all perfection. This maha-mantra, is composed of sixteen names and thirty-two syllables: ’Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’. Therefore, a person who desires his own welfare should first hear this Hare Krsna maha-mantra from a bonafide spiritual master.”
(Sri Radha Tantra)


dvatrimsad-aksaram mantram nama-sodasakanvitam |
prajapan vaisnavo nityam radha-krsna-sthalam labhet ||
“Those Vaisnavas who always chant the maha-mantra composed of sixteen names divided into thirty-two syllables (Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) attain Sri Vrndavana, the abode of Sri Radha-Krsna.”
(Padma Purana)



Srila Vrindavana Das Thakura describes Lord Caitanya’s instructions to Tapana Misra as follows:
sadhya-sadhana-tattva ye kichu sakala |
hari-nama-sagkirtane milibe sakala || 143 ||
harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam |
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha || 144 ||
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare |
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare || 145 ||
ei zloka nama bali laya maha-mantra |
zola-nama batriza-aksara ei tantra || 146 ||
sadhite sadhite yabe premagkura habe |
sadhya-sadhana-tattva janiba se tabe || 147 ||
“Everything is accomplished by Hari-nama sankirtana, including the goal of life (sadhya) and the means for its attainment (sadhana). In this age of Kali, the only means for deliverance is the chanting of the names of Hari. There is no other way, there is no other way, there is no other way. ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’ This verse of names is called the maha-mantra. It contains sixteen names of the Lord, consisting of thirty-two syllables. Chanting this mantra again and again will awaken the sprout of prema within the heart, and thus the goal of life and the means for its attainment is understood.”
(Sri Caitanya Bhagavata 1.14.143-147)


Gopala Guru Gosvami, drawing from the Brahmanda Purana has presented the following meaning for the maha-mantra:
vijjapya bhagavat-tattvam cid ghanananda vigraham | haratyavidham tatkaryamato haririti smrtah ||
harati sri-krsna-manah krsnahlada-svarupini | ato harety anenaiva sri-radha parikirtita ||
anandaikasukhah sriman syamah kamala locanah | gokulanando nanda-nandanah krsna iryate ||
vaidagdhi sarasarvasvam murtalila dhidaivatam | sri radham ramayan nityam rama ity abhidiyate ||
“The Lord is known as Hari because he takes away the ignorance of his devotees by revealing to them the actual nature of the Supreme Lord and his personal spiritual form.
Because She steals Krishna’s mind, because She is the incarnation of Krishna’s joy, Radha is also known by the name Hara.
The dark, lotus-eyed lord, the only master of the highest joy, who brings pleasure to Gokula, the son of Nanda, is known as Krishna.
Krishna is also known as Rama because the joys of conjugal life are the essence of his being, because He is the titulary deity of loving sports incarnate, and because he brings pleasure to Srimati Radharani.”
From Krishnpath

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

List of core words in English and Latin derived from Sanskrit

The World’s Oldest Known Literary work - the Vedas – the root source of the Indian and Hindu Philosophy and Spirituality – are written in Sanskrit.
“The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both of them a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and in the forms of grammar, than could not possibly have been produced by accident; so strong indeed, that no philologer could examine them all three, without believing them to have sprung from some common source which, perhaps, no longer exists; there is a similar reason, though not quite so forcible, for supposing that both the Gothick and the Celtick, though blended with a very different idiom, had the same origin with the Sanskrit; and the old Persian might be added to the same family”
So said Sir William Jones – the English Philologist who for the first time in 1786 suggested in his book “The Sanscrit Language” that Greek and Latin were related to Sanskrit and perhaps even Gothic, Celtic and Persian languages were related to Sanskrit.
It was this work which later gave birth to the so called Proto-Indo-European theory which instead of looking into Sanskrit being the root language of all Indo-European languages, suggests that all Indo-European languages including Sanskrit came from another so far unheard of language called PIE or Proto-Indo-European language.
Well, the irony is that till today there is no literature in the world about the so called PIE. There is no inscription found anywhere in the world written in the so called PIE. Nobody knows how the PIE was. Nobody knows who spoke it or in which part of the world was it spoken. No known ancient culture in the world talks about such a language being the root of the language they spoke. Simply put there is NO PROOF about the existence of this language. Just look at its name. It was a name GIVEN to it. A language if spoken will definitely contain words referring to everything that the people who spoke it could identify, yet here is a language which doesnt even have a name referring to itself!
So then what is the basis of having introduced this language in the language tree in the first place - a language which will remain invisible forever? Might be a guess, Max Muller used to guess a lot like this about the vedas, which he then retreated later.
Be it Greek Latin English Hindi Lithuanian – Sanskrit is the mother of all Languages. Even Scholars like Voltaire, Immanuel Kant etc believed that Sanskrit was the root of all Indo-European languages.
“I am convinced that everything has come down to us from the banks of the Ganges” said Voltaire. He believed that the “Dynasty of Brahmins taught the rest of the world”.
“Mankind together with all science must have originated on the roof of the world ie the Himalayas” declared Immanuel Kant.
About PIE – No idea, they are all linguistic experts who created this language, Oops, I mean its existence – for the language itself is not known yet. I am not an expert to speak on PIE, might be those who speak about it are experts in this language :)
All I do is present below a list of English words which are derived from Latin/Greek/Persian which are in turn derived from Sanskrit. Indians will be quick enough to recognize these words in their own language since most Indian languages have also originated from Sanskrit and even the other languages have a great deal of Sanskrit influence on them.
And here goes the list of English words derived from Sanskrit.
NOTE: Just to make it clear the below list does not contain Sanskrit words that have been directly borrowed into English in recent times like Karma, Avatar, Mantra, Guru, Cheetah, Pundit, Juggernaut, Nirvana, Lakh etc but lists only those English words which were derived from Sanskrit as English evolved by borrowing words from Greek/Latin etc.

Mainstream English words with Sanskrit Roots

Prati Shat (meaning for every hundred i.e percent)per centum (L)percent
Root Sanskrit WordMedian Word in Latin(L) / Greek(G) / Arabic(A)Derived English Word
Gau (meaning Cow)Bous (G)Cow
Matr (meaning Mother)Mater (L)Mother
Jan (meaning Generation)Genea (G)Gene
Aksha (meaning Axis)Axon (G)Axis
Navagatha (meaning Navigation)Navigationem (L)Navigation
Sarpa (meaning Snake)Serpentem (L)Serpent
Naas (means Nose)Nasus (L)Nose
Anamika (means Anonymous)Anonymos (G)Anonymous
Naama (means Name)Nomen (L)Name
Manu (means First Human)??Man/Men/Human
Ashta (meaning Eight)Octo (L)Eight
Barbara (meaning Foreign)Barbaria (L)Barbarian
Dhama (meaning House)Domus (L)Domicile
Danta (meaning Teeth)Dentis (L)Dental
Dwar (meaning Door)DoruDoor
Dasha (meaning Ten)Deca (G)Deca
Madhyam (meaning Medium)Medium (L)Medium
Kaal (meaning Time)Kalendae (L)Calendar
Kri (meaning To Do)Creatus (L)Create
Mishra (meaning Mix)Mixtus (L)Mix
Ma (meaning Me/My)Me (L)Me
Pithr (meaning Father)Pater (L)Father
Bhrathr (meaning Brother)Phrater (G)Brother
Loka (meaning Place)Locus (L)Locale
Maha (meaning Great)Magnus (L)Mega
Mala (meaning Dirt/Bad)Malus (L)Mal as in Malicious, Malnutrition, Malformed etc
Makshikaa (meaning Bee)Musca (L) (Meaning Fly)Mosquito
Mrta (meaning Dead)Mortis (L)Murder
Na (meaning No)NeNo
Nakta (meaning Night)Nocturnalis (L)Nocturnal
Paad (meaning Foot)Pedis (L)Ped as in Pedestrial, Pedal etc
Pancha (meaning Five)Pente (G)Penta, Five
Parah (meaning Remote)Pera (G)Far
Patha (meaning Path)Pathes (G)Path
Raja / Raya (meaning King)Regalis (L)Royal
Sama (meaning Similar)Similis (L)Similar
Sapta (meaning Seven)Septum (L)Seven
Sharkara (meaning Sugar)SuccarumSugar / Sucrose
Smi (meaning Smile)Smilen (L)Smile
SthaH (meaning Situated)Stare (L) (meaning To Stand)Stay
Svaad (meaning Tasty)Suavis (L)Sweet
Tha (meaning That)Talis (L)That
Tva (meaning Thee)DihThee
Vachas (meaning Speech)Vocem (L)Voice
Vahaami (meaning Carry)Vehere (meaning to Carry) (L)Vehicle
Vama / Vamati (meaning Vomit)Vomere (L)Vomit
Vastr (meaning Cloth)Vestire (L)Vest
Yauvana (meaning Youth)Juvenilis (L)Juvenile
Narangi (meaning Orange)NaranjOrange
Pippali (meaning Pepper)Piperi (G)Pepper
Chandana (meaning Sandalwood)Santalon (G)Sandalwood
Chandra (meaning Moon)Candela (L) (meaning light / torch)Candle
Chatur (meaning Four)Quartus (L)Quarter
Shunya (meaning Zero)Cipher (A)Zero
a (prefix meaning “not” ex: gochara – agochara)a (L)(G) (prefix meaning “not”)a (prefix meaning “not” ex: theiest-atheist
an (prefix meaning “not” ex: avashya – anavashya)un (L)(G) (prefix meaning “not”)un (prefix meaning “not” ex: do-undo
Arjuna (meaning Charm of Silver)Argentinum (L)Argentinum – Scientific Name of Silver
Nava (meaning New)Novus (L)Nova – New
Kafa (meaning Mucus)CoughenCough
Mithya (meaning Lie)Mythos (G)Myth
Thri (meaning Three)Treis (G)Three
Mush (meaning Mouse)Mus (L)Mouse
Maragadum (meaning Emerald)Smaragdus (L)Emerald
Ghritam (meaning Ghee)??Ghee
Srgalah (meaning Jackal)Shagal (Persian)Jackal
Nila (meaning Dark Blue)Nilak (Persian)Lilac
SrgalahShagal (Persian)Jackal
Man (Ma as in Malaysia) (meaning Mind)Mens (L)Mind
Upalah (meaning Precious Stone)Opalus (L)Opal
Vrihis (meaning Rice)Oriza (L)Rice
Upalah (meaning Precious Stone)Opalus (L)Opal
Barbar (meaning stammering)Barbaros (G)Barbarian
Jaanu (meaning knee)Genu (L)Knee
Sunu (meaning Son or Offspring)Sunu (German)Son
Ghas (meaning eat)Grasa (German)Grass
Samiti (meaning Committee)committere (L)Committee
Sama (meaning Same)Samaz (Proto Germanic)Same
Lubh (meaning Desire)Lubo (Latin and Proto Germanic)Love
Agni (meaning Fire)Ignis (L)Ignite
Hrt (meaning Heart)Herto (Proto Germanic)Heart
Yaana (meaning journey, wagon)Wagen (German)Van, Wagon
Nara (meaning Nerve)Nervus (L)Nerve, Nervous
They (th pronounced as in thunder, meaning they)Dei (Germanic)They
Pratiper (L)per
Prati Shat (meaning for every hundred, i.e percent)per centum (L)percent

Sanskrit science Lesson 3 – Sanskrit Alphabet and Devanagari Script

In sanskrit lesson-1 , we learnt that Sanskrit is unlike any other languages where inobjects do not have names, but only properties have names, and all objects are referred to using their properties. So in Sanskrit we can always create names for any new object that is invented or any new knowledge that is discovered.
In   sanskrit lesson -2  ,we learnt that the root of Sanskrit Grammar are 2012 words called Dhatu (Verb Roots), and not the Parts of Speech. All these Dhatus have different meanings assigned to them, and all words in Sanskrit are derived using these root words or Dhatus. We also saw in Lesson 2, how Sanskrit can be used in computer programming and how it is already being used. In future lessons we will see more on this subject.

In this third lesson we will learn about the science behind the alphabet structure of the Sanskrit language. But before that please be aware that throughout this series we will be comparing the features of Sanskrit language with that of English, as we have done in the first two lessons. The reason being, it will be more easy to explain as well as comprehend facts if they are compared to something which is already known. And since this Sanskrit learning series is written in English, we are comparing English with Sanskrit as and when required while explaining features. This is because we can safely assume that readers reading this series also know English.
Also, though we are introducing a Sanskrit script in this lesson, I will also try to make sure that you continue to learn Sanskrit even if you are unable to learn the script immediately. I will do this by continuing to present the language in English as well.
My suggestion to those (especially Indians) who think they are already familiar with the Sanskrit alphabet system (because of their existing knowledge of some other Indian language like Hindi, Bengali or Kannada) is that, I strongly recommend that you still go through this lesson. That is because in the middle of this lesson and at the end, we are presenting some very interesting facts about the alphabet system which is generally not taught in the regular schooling system.
Also, while this lesson might sound technical with many new words creeping in, make sure that you read and understand only that portion that is explained in simple English. There is no need to remember or memorize any new word, features, names that are mentioned in this lesson. This lesson is being provided with the sole intention of serving as a reference point to look back as we proceed further with other Sanskrit lessons in the future. So just read and understand whatever you can, ignore whatever you cannot. Of course, you can ask any specific questions in the comments section.
There is a video with audio at the end of the lesson where you can practically listen to each of the vowel, consonant etc in the Sanskrit alphabet system and learn how to pronounce them.

A brief History of Sanskrit Writing System and Scripts

We know that English does not have a script of its own and instead we use the Latin script to write English.  The English alphabet has its roots in Latin script and has 26 letters from A to Z of which A,E,I,O,U are vowels and remaining consonants.
Sanskrit does not have a script of its own either. In the ancient times, all the Sanskrit texts were passed down orally through human memory from generations to generations. To make memorizing the texts easy, entire texts used to be composed in poetic form. Which is why you find most ancient Sanskrit texts written in the form of poetry. The reason for passing down the texts orally without writing them down was to make sure that the texts are preserved at any cost, and also to ensure that the Sanskrit pronunciations are not forgotten or mispronounced over time. Books written down get lost, human memory does not, especially when it is passed down through generations of thousands of students learning these texts.
This is the very reason why while most of the books written just a few centuries back have been lost, the Sanskrit texts like vedas and upanishads have been preserved in their exact original format even after so many thousand years!

Devanagari Script and its features

Writing down of Sanskrit started somewhere around the time of the Mauryan Empire where the Brahmi script was used to write down Sanskrit text for administrative purposes and for new literature created in Sanskrit. Even today Sanskrit is written down using a variety of regional scripts like Devanagari, Kannada, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Thai, Gurmukhi, Telugu, Tibetan and so on. However, Devanagari script has been accepted as the standard script in writing down Sanskrit texts, even though Sanskrit texts also continue to be written in various other regional scripts listed above.
So for the sake of convenience, we will restrict ourselves to using the Devanagari script in this series of Sanskrit lessons. Devanagari is a combination of the wordsDeva meaning divine and Naagari meaning urban or sophisticated. SoDevanagari means a divine sophisticated script.
Some of the notable features of the Devanagari script are:

Absence of case

There are no distinct uppercase or lower case letters in Devanagari. In fact, none of the Indian languages have distinct upper case or lower case letters. Letters are caseless.

Presence of horizontal top line

A distinct feature of the Devanagari script is the horizontal top line that runs on letters of the same word. Here is an example of writing the very wordDevanagari in this script. See the horizontal line running on its top.
देवनागरी

Absence of Spelling

There is no concept of spelling in Devanagari, nor in any Indian languages. You write what you speak. There is a separate letter for each syllable. So when you say Devanagari you write देवनागरी where
  • दे is a letter which sounds De
  •  sounds va
  • ना sounds naa
  • ग sounds ga and
  • री sounds rii.
There is no business of remembering spellings in Indian languages, no unnecessary complications. Also, all Indian scripts including Devanagari are written from left to right.

Science behind the Sanskrit Alphabet

The arrangement of letters in Sanskrit alphabet is called Varnamaala written asवर्णमाला which means Garland of Letters.
The pronunciation of the the Sanskrit alphabet is explained in a youtube video at the end of this lesson.
In English alphabet there is no logical reasoning in the arrangement of the letters. There is no reason why  D comes after C or why the vowels lie scattered around in the alphabet. In Sanskrit on the other hand, the vowels and consonants are categorized separately and again these categories are arranged in a specific order. This is also true for all Indian languages.
First come the vowels in the Sanskrit alphabet.

Sanskrit Vowels - Swara

अ आ इ ई उ ऊ ऋ ॠ ऌ ए ऐ ओ औ are the Sanskrit vowels. In Sanskrit,Swara is the popular term used for vowels.
The grouping logic of the Sanskrit alphabet is based on where and how the sound is produced inside the mouth. Of these अ इ उ ऋ ऌ  are short vowels, while the others are long vowels which take twice the time of short vowels to pronounce them.

Kantya (Guttural)

Guttural Sounds
The sound of the vowels  and   are produced at the throat, or near the back of the oral cavity. Hence they are called Kantya (कंट्य) vowels meaning, from the throat (Guttural).

Taalavya (Palatal)

The sound of the vowels  and   are produced by the tongue touching the roof of the mouth (Palate). Hence they are called Taalavya (तालव्य) vowels meaning, from the palate (Palatal).

Oshtya (Labial)

labials
The sound of the vowels  and   are produced using the lips. Hence they are called Oshtya (ओष्ठ्य) vowels meaning, from the lips (Labial).

Murdhanya (Retroflex or Cerebral)

The sound of the vowels   and   is produced by the tip of the tongue curling back against the roof of the mouth. Hence it is called Murdhanya (मूर्धन्य) vowel meaning, from the roof of the palate (Retroflex).

Dantya (Dental)

The sound of the vowel  are produced by the tongue touching the upper teeth. Hence they are called Dantya (दंत्य) vowels meaning, from the teeth (Dental).

Kantataalavya (Palato – Guttural)

The sound of the vowels  and   are produced near the throat by the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. Hence they are called KantaTaalavya (कंटतालव्य) vowels.

Kantoshtya (Labio-Guttural)

The sound of the vowels  and   are produced near the throat by the rounding of the lips. Hence they are called Kantoshtya (कंटोष्ठ्य) vowels.

Ornaments to the Vowels – Anuswara and Visarga

Apart from the vowels listed above there are two other letters अं and अः that are used to decorate the vowels.
अं is called Anusvara and अः is called the Visarga. These are neither consonants nor vowels, and are listed at the end of the vowels, usually as a part of the vowel group itself, but at the end.
The Anusvara is a nasal whose pronunciation depends on the preceding consonant which we will be discussing in detail in the future lessons. The name Anuswaara means after vowels and it appears in front of vowels.
The Visarga which means sending forth adds a softening short burst effect at the end.

Sanskrit Consonants

Next come the Sanskrit consonants. The first five rows of five each letters are very important in their arrangement and are also used in many formulations of interesting Sanskrit sentences that we will be discussing in our future lessons.
क ख ग घ ङ
च छ ज झ ञ
ट ठ ड ढ ण
त थ द ध न 
प फ ब भ म
Here again
  1. The first row क ख ग घ ङ  are guttural consonants
  2. The second row च छ ज झ ञ are palatal consonants
  3. The third row ट ठ ड ढ ण are retroflex consonants
  4. The fourth row त थ द ध न  are dental consonants and
  5. The fifth row प फ ब भ म are labial consonants
In each row, the second and fourth consonants are called mahaprana consonants meaning they are aspirated consonants where in a strong burst of air accompanies their pronunciation. Without this strong burst of air, they become the same as the first and third consonants respectively in these rows. The first and third consonants are called alpaprana consonants.
Similarly in each row the third and fourth consonants are similar to the first and second consonants respectively except that in the former the sound comes more deeper from the throat with the resonance of the vocal chords.
The fifth consonant in each line is a nasal. Which means to pronounce this consonant you just need to follow the same position of that row (like guttural or palatal) and make a nasal sound.

Semi Vowels

Semi Vowels are those alphabets which are the resultant of a transition from one short vowel  to the vowel .
य र ल व are the semi vowels in Sanskrit alphabet system. Let us look at the origins of these semi vowels.
  •  is the transition from   to  and is a palatal semi vowel.
  •  is the transition from   to  and is a refroflex semi vowel.
  •  is the transition from   to  and is a dental semi vowel.
  •  is the transition from   to  and is a labial semi vowel

Hissing Sounds

There are three hissing sounds in Sanskrit alphabet. They are श ष स
  •  is a palatal hissing sound.
  •  is a retroflex  hissing sound.
  •  is a dental hissing sound.

Aspirate

 is an aspirant that is pronounced  by expelling air from the throat (like a guttural) along with the vowel.

Pronunciation of Sanskrit Alphabet – Swara (Vowels) and Vyanjana (Consonants)

The complete set of Sanskrit Vowels, Consonants, Semi Vowels, Hissing Sounds and Aspirate is as follows.
अ आ इ ई उ ऊ ऋ ॠ ऌ ए ऐ ओ औ
अं अः
क ख ग घ ङ
च छ ज झ ञ
ट ठ ड ढ ण
त थ द ध न
प फ ब भ म
य र ल व
श ष स
In this below video you can learn about the pronunciation of the various Sanskrit letters. From the next lesson onward we will start talking in Sanskrit, beginning by learning very simple Sanskrit lessons.

Summary of Lesson 3

In this lesson we learnt that
  • Sanskrit has no script of its own and is written today in many Indian scripts like Devanagari, Kannada, Telugu, etc.
  • Devanagari is the most widely used script to write Sanskrit.
  • Indian language alphabets have no case.
  • Unlike English, there is no concept of spelling in Indian languages.
  • Sanskrit alphabet is arranged first into vowels, and then into Consonants.
  • Anuswara and Visarga come at the end of the vowels.
  • The arrangement of vowels and consonants is classified based on how and where the letters are pronounced in the mouth.
  • All Indian languages inherit these major features of Sanskrit alphabet system of classification of vowels and consonants.
  • From the next lesson, we will start leaning simple Sanskrit sentences and start conversing in Sanskrit.
source- jai gurudev