Sri Bharatamata

Ashtottaram 107

 

 

 

107) OṀ SARVEPI MANGAḶĀNISSANṪU-

                                                  BHŪMYAINAMAH:

OṀ (AUM)-SAR-VE'-PI-MAN-GA-ḶAA-NIS-SUN-ṪU

                                    - BHOO- MYAI- NA-- MA- HA

 

(Sarvepi: means- All beings; Mangaḷam: means-Blessing, auspiciousness, good fortune; Sanṫu: means- Being, existence, truth, Brahman)

 

 Every Hindu heard words like- 'mangaḷam', 'subhamangaḷam'. We use this word all most every day, on every occasion either marriage or birthday, religious rites or during prayers. We have songs, bhajans, kīrṫans (songs with praise) with 'mangaḷam', 'subhamangaḷam'.  Group singing sometimes is called 'San kīrṫans'. At the end of prayers and rituals also we sing 'mangaḷam', 'subhamangaḷam' as a closure. Traditional Hinduism has always considered certain objects and living beings as 'mangaḷam' or auspicious. Coming across them by chance, seeing them, receiving them as gifts, giving them as gifts or honoring them-all these (depending on the type of object) have been deemed to produce auspiciousness. Even our 'panchāngam' (the almanac which has five limbs) has 'subhalagnam', a certain times considered as auspicious based on the astronomical position of stars and planets. Thus evolved is the science of Hindu Almanac called 'panchāngam'.

At the end of the prayer, we offer camphor light to the gods and goddesses as benediction with slokās (hymns, verses) pertaining to that god or goddess. We pray at the end that each and everyone including the animal, and plant kingdoms to be safe, prosperous and auspicious. We are not like other countries where they wish for their country to be blessed; for example in USA, after every speech, even the president of the country ends with the slogan 'God bless America' and they don't include others in their prayers. It does not show inclusiveness but selfishness. It shows their selfishness and self-centeredness, which they teach to their children. We perform homams, yajnas and yāgas for the welfare of the entire humanity.

 

In our prayers and worships we call the goddess 'mangaḷapradāyinī'. Married women wear 'mangaḷasūtram' (the auspicious thread) which is expected to wear as long as her husband is alive. The planet Mars, one of the nine planets mentioned in the works on astrology is also known as Mangaḷa, it is also one of the days of the week- Tuesday. For every function, vraṫa, sacrament, we look at the 'panchāngam' for an auspicious time and day to finish that without obstacles and to be blessed by the gods and goddesses. This became part and parcel of our daily living and culture. If you look at individually, communally, socially or nationally, we Hindus, offer peace mantras ending with 'mangaḷam' to everyone and every being, irrespective of their race, religion, country or creed and include everyone in our daily prayers and pray to the God to keep all of us safe and auspiciousness with the word 'asmān bhavaṫi'.

 

Hence, our land is 'Sarvepi Mangaḷānissanṫu Bhūmi'.