Mantra Pushpam

Mantra Pushpam
( The flower of Vedic Chants)

Translation
By P.R.Ramachander
This great mantra is taken from Taithreeya Aranyakam of Yajur Veda. It is normally sung in a chorus by all the priests together after performing any Pooja (worship) or Yagna. It tells in short that water is the basis of this universe. The reason why it is repeated in all functions is not known to me. What I have attempted is a simple translation of this great chant. People interested to know more of the deeper meaning and implications are requested to refer to the archives of http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives. Here Sri Sadagopan has given a scholarly commentary broken in five parts or to the Wikipedia article (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantra_pushpam).
Yopam puspam veda Puspavan prajavan pasuvan bhavati

Candramava Apam puspamPuspavan, Prajavan pasuman bhavatiYa Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam VedaAyatanam bhavati.
He who understands the flowers of water,
He becomes the possessor of flowers, children and cattle.
Moon is the flower of the water,
He who understands this fact,
He becomes the possessor of flowers, children and cattle.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,
Agnirva Apamayatanam Ayatanavan BhavatiYo agnerayatanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavatiApovagner ayatanamAyatanavan bhavatiYa Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavati
Fire is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of fire,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,
Vayurva Apamaya tanam Ayatanavan bhavati.Yova Yorayatanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavatiApovai va yorayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati.Ya Evam veda
Yopamayatanam VedaAyatanavan Bhavati
Air is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of air,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,
Asowvai tapanna pamayatanam Ayatanavan bhavatiYo musya tapata Ayatanan Veda Ayatanavan bhavati Apova Amusyatapata Ayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavati
Scorching sun is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of scorching sun,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,
Candrama Vama pamayatnam Ayatanavan bhavati.Yascandra masa Ayatanam VedaAyatanavan bhavati Apovai Candra masa AyatanamAyatanavan bhavati Ya Evam Veda
Yo pamayatanam veda Ayatanavan bhavati
Moon is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of moon,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,Nakshtrani va Apamayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Yo Nakshtrana mayatanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavati Apovai Nakshtrana mayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Ye evam Veda
Yopamaya tanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavati
Stars are the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of stars,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,
Parjanyova apamayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Yah parjanyasya syayatinam Veda Ayatanavan bhavati Apovai parjanya Syayatanam Ayatanavan bhavati Ye Evam veda
Yopa maya tanam Veda Ayatanavan bhavati
Clouds are the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of clouds,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself,
Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam Ayatavan bhavati Yassavatsa rasyaya tanam Veda Ayatavan bhavati.Apovai samvasara ayatanamAyatanavan bhavatiYa Evam veda
Yopsu Navam pratistitam vedaPratyeva tistati
Rainy season is the source of water,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself,
Water is the source of rainy season,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in himself.
He who knows that there is a raft is available,
Becomes established in that raft.
{This stanza is included in some versions of mantra Pushpam
Om thad Brahma, Om it is Brahma
Om Thad Vayu. Om it is air
Om Thad Athma Om it is the soul
Om Thad Sathyam Om it is the truth
Om That Sarvam Om it is everything
Om That puror nama Om salutations to that Purusha
Anthascharathi bhootheshu Guhyam Viswa Murthishu
That which is inside all beings secretly is that Universal God
Thvam Yajna You are the fire sacrifice,
Thwam vashatkara You are the the personification of Vedic sacrifice
Thwam Indra You are the Indra
Thvam vayu You are the air
Thvam Rudra You are the Rudra
Vishnus thvam You are the Vishnu
Brahmasthvam You are the Brahma
Thvam prajaipathi You are the Lord of all beings
Om Thadhapa apo jyothi raso amrutham brahma bhur bhuvasuvarom
Om water is light, the essence is the nectar and the concept of Brahma is in all the seven worlds.}
Rajadhi rajaya Prasahya SahineNamo Vayam Vai Sravanaya KurmaheSamekaman Kama Kamaya mahyamKamesvaro Vai Sravano dadatu Kuberaya Vai SravanayaMaha rajaya Namah.
King of kings , we praise thee,
Who is the giver of all victories,
Who is the fulfiller of all desires,
Please bless me with wealth,
To fulfill all our desires,
Oh, Kubhera*, we praise thee,
Salutations to the king of kings.
When ever there is puja or any other religious function the above mantra is recited by family members and the priest on conclusion of the pooja and offer flower to the God