67. Component Parts of the Name Radhasoami Explained

DISCOURSES ON

RADHASOAMI FAITH

BY

MAHARAJ SAHAB

Pandit Brahm Sankar Misra, M.A.

67. COMPONENT PARTS OF THE NAME RADHASOAMI EXPLAINED

            104. It is a matter which can be easily observed that in imitating a sound such as that of a whistle, bell, etc. the instrument of articulation is required to be put in such a condition as corresponds more or less with the condition which gave rise to the sound. It is well known that in wind-instruments, the vibrating column of air has to be set in motion in a tube, and the emanation of this vibration from the open end of the tube produces the sound peculiar to the flute, clarionet etc. Now, if we want to imitate the sound of a flute, we shall so adapt our instrument of articulation as to create a tube within it, with the open end at the lips, and then set the aerial column in vibration, which will issue from the hole of the lips in some resemblance to the sound of a flute. The sound of the sibilant letter 'S', which is uttered by adaptation of the instrument of speech in a manner similar to that mentioned above, will accordingly necessarily take part in the imitation of a flute-sound, and the flute-sound could never be imitated if the sound of the letter 'S' were not to be used. Similarly, in imitating a bell-sound, which is produced by a concentrated shock on a part of a metallic disc or on the side of a metallic vessel, the use of the sound of a dental letter is indispensable, as the striking can only be imitated in the instrument of articulation when the tongue strikes the shut-teeth in uttering dental letters. The bell-sound is accordingly imitated by the sound 'ding-dong' in English, or by the sound 'tan-tan' in Hindustani. It will be observed that the initial letters are both dental, while the closing letters are nasal. From what we have stated above, the principle is established that the use of certain peculiar letters is indispensable in imitating sounds in articulate speech. Let us now apply this principle to find out the letters and their forms which would represent in articulate speech the sound accompanying the actions of a spirit-current and its focus. We have already stated that the action of the spirit-force is somewhat similar to that of magnetism. The examination of the conditions prevailing in a field of magnetic force will, therefore, serve our purpose. Ether in its normal condition, as evolved in the course of creation, consists of a homogenous mass capable of differentiation into two components already referred to as the positive and negative ions. This differentiation takes places because of the action of energy from an extraneous plane, but the creational tendency tends to restore the components to the original natural condition. This is the reason why the negative and positive poles attract each other, and a neutral zone is formed between the two. In plain language, the formation of the two poles of a field of magnetic force corresponds to the storage of energy at one place and its corresponding depletion at another. If we look at individual ions in a field of magnetic force, we find that they are subject to stress of two opposite characters. All the ions are accordingly in a state of subtle tremor. The prevailing attraction then resolves into attraction-currents which are made up of a series of such tremors in the same direction. This is the state, to some extent, of the action of a spirit-current. Now, let us ascertain what letter-sounds and their combinations will set up a similar condition in the instrument for articulation. The sound of 'R' is one which is produced by a most pronounced vibration of the tongue, and this letter-sound must, therefore, be used in the first place for the purposes of imitation in articulate speech of the sound accompanying the action of a spirit-current at any point which is one of tremor. The attractive flow towards the centre has next to be imitated, which is accomplished by the use of a dental-aspirant letter-sound necessitating the initial drawal of breath inwards. The letter-sounds 'Radha' are accordingly the nearest approach in articulate speech of the subtle sound accompanying the action of a spirit-current.