Passage 20

Omkara is the correct address of the Lord

Sound emanates from the Primordial Pranava, which consists of the three syllables A, U And M. The correct address of the Lord is Omkaram. The sound of the bell and the sound of the Vedas also radiate Omkara nadha. The uttering of Omkara should be done in a sweet and smoothly progressive way starting with the sound of "A" which should come from the navel, and then the sound "U" from the throat, and finally conclude with "M" from the lips. It should resemble the sound of an aeroplane when it is far off, gradually increasing in volume as it approaches the aerodrome and finally subsiding after landing. (Svami demonstrated the correct way of chanting the Omkara). The Veda teaches this very clearly. The Vedas lift the individual to higher levels. People are not realising this truth. Many Vedhic scholars send their wards to convent schools and seek to impart to them a secular education without caring to pass on to them the sacred legacy of the Vedas, which will protect them. Because of lack of encouragement and proper propagation and promotion, knowledge of the Vedas is declining day by day in this great country, which is the home of this sacred treasure. Svami expects the people to foster the Vedas and is showing the way by making all the thousands of students of the Sai educational institutions, right from the primary school, to learn Veda chanting. You have watched the children of the primary school, ranging from 5 to 8 years, chanting the Vedas at the commencement of this meeting. There is actually no compulsion to learn the Vedas. All the students willingly come forward on their own to learn Veda chanting. There are Veda pathashalas (Vedhic schools) elsewhere where they impart this teaching, but the students discontinue the chanting later on. You should make the children learn the Vedas with enthusiasm, without compulsion. They should be made to realise the greatness of the Vedas by sweet persuasion. The Vedas have protected our country from ancient times. Since the Government has not cared to realise the beneficial influence of the Vedas in contributing to the welfare of the nation, the country is facing a lot of troubles. The propagation of Vedas should be taken up by the people. The essence of the Upanishaths is given in the Bhagavath Geetha and the Brahmasuuthra. Several saints have related stories to explain clearly the import of the Upanishathic truths. The Eeshavasyopanishath is the first among the Upanishaths. It declares that God pervades the whole universe. Because people have neglected the study of Sanskrith they are unable to enjoy the treasures of knowledge contained in the Upanishaths.