The sacred syllables (Vaishnava Vedanta #07)

The vyāhṛti are sacred syllables or mantras which are very foundational in the Vedic tradition. They are found in the Gayatri mantra and recited in all kinds of sacrifices and ceremonies. Bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ, and svaḥ refer to the three planetary systems, which are part of the universal body of the Lord, just like all demigods. Bhūr refers to the earthly planetary system, including both Bhu-mandala and the lower planetary systems. Bhuvaḥ refers to the subtle planetary system immediately above the Earth, inhabited by Yaksasas and Rakshasas, as well as other subtle beings, while Svaḥ (or Suvaḥ) refers to the upper planetary systems, from Swargaloka to Satyaloka. The space occupied by Bhūrloka is also called antarikṣa. Prabhupada explains: "There are fourteen spheres of planetary systems within this universe. The lower systems are called Bhūrloka, the middle systems are called Bhuvarloka, and the higher planetary systems, up to Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system of the universe, are called Svarloka. And all of them are situated on the body of the Lord. In other words, no one within this universe is without a relationship with the Lord."The universal form of the Lord is one of the main topics of the second canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. In one sense, the universe is a form of the Lord, because it is made from His energy, but in another, it is not, because the Lord does not have a material form. His original forms are fully spiritual. Get full access to Mysteries of the Vedas (Caitanya Chandra Dasa) at www.ccdas.net/subscribe