MEANING OF "YOPAM PUSHPAM VEDA" THE MANTRA RECITED IN OUR TEMPLES

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.

Yopam puspam Veda 

Puspavan prajavan pasuvan bhavati
Candramava Apam puspam
Puspavan, Prajavan pasuman bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanam 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 Apa mayatanam 
Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo ag ner ayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati
A pova agner ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya 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 Apa maya tanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yova Yor ayatanam Veda 
Ayatanavan bhavati|
A povai vayor ayatanam 
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Ya Evam Veda 
Yopa mayatanam 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,

1. Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam 

Ayatavan bhavati 
Yassavatsa rasyaya tanam Veda 
Ayatavan bhavati.
Apovai samvasara ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda 
Yopsu Navam pratistitam Veda
Pratyeva 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 AthmaOm it is the soul
Om Thad SathyamOm it is the truth
Om That SarvamOm it is everything
Om That puror NamaOm salutations to that Purusha
Anthascharathi bhootheshu Guhyam Viswa Murthishu
That which is inside all beings secretly is that Universal God
Thvam Yajnayou are the fire sacrifice,
Thwam vashatkarayou are the personification of Vedicsacrifice
Thwam Indrayou are the Indra
Thvam vayuyou are the air
Thvam Rudrayou are the Rudra
Vishnus thvamyou are the Vishnu
Brahmasthvam You are the Brahma
Thvam prajaipathiyou 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 Sahine|

Namo Vayam Vai Sravanaya Kurmahe

Samekaman Kama Kamaya mahyam
Kamesvaro Vai Sravano dadatu 
Kuberaya Vai Sravanaya
Maha rajaya Namah.

(This last stanza is normally recited by priests while giving back prasada after performing an Archana in all temples)

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.
* Kubhera is the Lord of wealth.