In Hinduism, a traditional Pooja to any archetype includes 16 unique steps and offerings called the ‘Shodasa Upachara Pooja.’ Mantra Pushpam is a Vedic hymn that is sung while the offering of the flowers to the Gods/Goddesses/Navagraha at the very end of this Pooja. Mantra Pushpam is considered to be the flower of all Vedic chants.
Mantra Pushpam forms a part of the Taittiriya Aranyaka of the Krishna Yajur Veda. This is recited in temples towards the end of Pooja ritual and also chanted in pious Hindu homes either daily or during special rituals.
Mantra Pushpam is one of the most famous of all the Vedic mantras and remains quite popular to date. It is normally sung as a chorus by all the priests together after performing any Pooja or Homa. It speaks of the limitless benefits which are conferred by having an understanding of the secret knowledge of the water, fire, air, the sun, the moon, the stars, the clouds, and time. It tells in short that water is the basis of this universe.
By understanding the connection between nature’s elements and the inner meaning of the Mantra Pushpam verses, one can get a deeper meaning of one’s self and our purpose in life. This sacred interrelationship between the universal elements has helped our wise sages and people from ancient times to be in alignment with nature and attain inner peace and tranquility.
When we have a deeper understanding of Mantra Pushpam, it helps one understanding self. It helps realize that though the physical body goes through six-fold changes of birth, youth, growth, old age, decay, and death, the soul or Brahman remains unchanged and the same. This state of realization attained from the verses of Mantra Pushpam can experience bliss and get freed from the bondage of life and attain inner peace.
