Guidance from the Guru

(Letter 18)

Swami Tapovan Maharaj

Om Narayana Smriti

Uttarkasi,
14-10-1955

With loving Narayana smaranam.

The letter had been received. The old indifference to external activities such as writing letters has been growing of late. Hence the delay.

Repetition of Omkara is of different kinds. Sometimes it is uttered as part of some mantras, sometimes independently. Om Namah Sivaya and similar Vedic mantras, as well as many hymns begin with Omkara. So do sacrifices, acts of penance etc. Thus “all” people pronounce it as part of mantras and scared rites. Hence there is no prohibition. Whether all people can pursue Pranavopasana has been controversial.Pranavopasana means the repetition of Pranava ( OM) by itself (not as part of, or in conjunction with mantras and rites) and the meditation upon its significance – the Supreme Brahman. According to Sri Sankara and certain other religious teachers this is reserved for sannyasins only. The reason given is – only those who have enough purity of mind and power of concentration can perform the upasana in the proper way. The gist of this argument is – householders and people like them lacking mental purity and concentration should not perform Pranavopasana. In other contexts there is no taboo because there is no need for such purity and concentration as are essential for the contemplation of nirguna Brahman (Brahman without attributes). The independent pronunciation of Pranava alone is thus objected to. Whoever cares for controls imposed by whomsoever these days?

There is one more difficulty. In the previous paragraph “all” has been put in inverted commas, why? It may be explained here. “All” in the context means those who, like the Brahmins, have the right to study the Vedas. The Orthodox section of the Hindus still holds that sudras and women who have no upanayana have no right to pronounce Pranava. The Moderns, however, take a contrary view demolishing the conservative one. In these circumstances is there anything that is improper in the holding that all people including house-holders can conduct Pranavopasana?

How can all these be expatiated upon here? Pay not much attention to such controversies. If you are already engaged in Pranavopasana either according to somebody’s advice or by your own choice, why doubt its propriety? Do it with firm resolve. If you listen to each and every advisor, the result will be doubt and confusions leading to the slackening of your performance. It is your mind that the inner Being tests: it is your sincere love that pleases Him. Whether you repeat the holiest of Vedic mantras Om or the meaningless mara the result will be the same provided you have full faith in what you do. What pleases God is sincere devotion. If you have real love in your mind all these rules, injunctions and prohibitions, will lose their relevance. With the mantra you love best, worship Him and develop your devotion – this is the advice of the broad minded mahatmas, most learned and most experienced.

With best wishes,

Swami Tapovanam

OM OM OM