Swami,
Namaskaram. Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan.
Recently heard Swami’s Rahasya Trayam Upansayam delivered few years ago in Yathiraja Mutt. In that Velukkudi Swamigal is consistenly referring the 2nd Padam in Thirumanthiram as “Namaha :” instead of “Namo”. Any reason ? Or is that the way it is to be pronounced ?
Dasan,
Ramanuja Jeeyear Thiruvadigale Saranam.
Velukkudi Swamigal Thiruvadigale Saranam.
Srimate ramanujaya nama:
Thirumantram or any other mantram which is inclusive of bhagavan nama will contain 3 parts viz the pranavakaram(at the beginning), the thirunamam, and the ‘nama’ padam.
In thirumantram(also in vasudeva and vishnu mantrams which are collectively called ‘vyapaka mantram’) the ‘Nama’ padam comes in middle or sandwiched between pranavam and the thirunamam. But in other mantras(Avvyapaka mantram) nama padam comes at the end.
Now, the word ‘nama’ is nothing but~ ‘mama’ ie asthmad saptha artham attached with sasty vibakthi(6am vetrumai urupu) the ‘na’ nishedam or negation (adds negative or inverse meaning) so.. “Nama” refers to “not mine(very literal sense)” its often used as word of salutation and in thirumantram it adds a key meaning.
Anyways in other mantras when Nama padam comes at end its just produced as “Nama:( Nama -ha-)” with a vishargam! But this vishargam(prolonged pronunciation) is not spelt in cases where nama padam is in middle and comes as “Namo” and has its own greater significance. But Nama, Nama: both conveys essentially same meaning. But This care is ONLY taken while chatting mantra!
Sri rama is written as “Rama:”(with vishargam) but when we utter ramaha or rama or ramar anyways it denotes same vyakthi while SPEAKING! Same way we can take this swamy. Hope it conveys clear meaning.
Adiyen had just reiterated few things from swamy’s upanyasam but if any mistakes prevails kindly pardon my ignorance and add on to this.
Dasan.
