A spiritual code name symbolically reveals one’s identity, true nature, talents and spiritual mission. Thus, the Sanskrit name Yasodhara comes partly from 1) “yasas” that means glory, splendor; and 2) “dhara” that means bearing from the verbal root “dhri” that means to bear, support. Therefore, one meaning of Yasodhara is that she is the bearer of glory. She is the embodiment, representation and expression of glorious, Seventh Ray, Divine Feminine peace, love and rest
At another, higher level of interpretation, the “dhar” in Yashodhara comes from the Sanskrit word “dharma” that has been used for millennia in Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist teachings. Given its long history and its being a part of so many overlapping religious teachings and sects, “dharma” has no exact translation into a modern, specific, single, English word. In the past, it meant something like divine law or cosmic order that we are to follow in our life. More simply, specifically and personally to the point, however, “dharma” means one’s spiritual path, goal or soul mission. (The “h” in dharma is silent, so that “dhar” is like unto the English word “car,” hence it is vocalized as “darma.”)
Four Syllables
When the Sanskrit name Yasodhara is translated into English, it may be spelled as Yashodhara, thus with a letter “h” following the third letter of “s.” This is because in Sanskrit, “so” is pronounced as “sho,” like in the English word “show.” In some depictions, the name Yasodhara is written with a mark over its letter “ś,” such that the whole name becomes Yaśodhara. The mark above the “ś” indicates that the “ś” is pronounced as “sh.” In the Second Book of Acts, Mary gives her past Buddhist name as Yashodhara, thus the English spelling with a “sh.”
Yashodhara has four syllables: Ya-sho´-dhar-a. The accent is on the second syllable of “sho.” This accented pronunciation was used by my Indian tour guide when I was there in 2014, who was well-versed in Sanskrit and Buddhist teachings. Phillel’s college professor of a course on Buddhism, who was a Buddhist Indian, likewise used the same pronunciation, with the accent on the second syllable. So, that is how Phillel and I speak Yashodhara’s name.
(To hear a pronunciation of Yasodhara by a woman in southeastern India, click here. This approximates the way that I pronounce the name. Please note that you may have to play this recording several times to get the full enunciation. You also can Google “Pronunciation of Yasodhara” to hear many other pronunciations of Yashodhara around the world, with various accents and sounds. Remember, in every country, the same word often is pronounced somewhat differently sections of it. There is no one, exact, precise, worldwide pronunciation of any name.)
Modern Updates
Recently, when pondering the best pronunciation and interpretation of Yaśodhara, I asked her to please correct, refine or add to my way of thinking about and saying it. At our HBM on October 25, 2023, she overshadowed me, stood to my left (subconscious side), and telepathically conveyed that I was to add a letter “h” at the end of her name, thereby making it Yashodharah. Thus, the final “a” was to be pronounced as “ah.” This was in keeping with her four prior incarnations as Adah, Yonah, Margoah and Parshandathah. “Ah” represents feminine, mother love.
The following week, at our Wednesday HBM on November 1st, I asked Yasodhara if my interpretation about “dhar” representing her dharma (which is commonly not noted by scholars or even most Buddhists) was correct. Hovering over me, she simply smiled her approval. Dharma equates with one’s soul mission. In this term of soul mission, the word “soul” represents one’s subconscious that is of the feminine polarity.
Whether we are in a male or female physical body, we have a soul or astral body. Therein is the record of our past lives and the past of this life. In our soul is encoded the current plans and purposes for our present incarnation, for our soul mission or our path of dharma in this lifetime. By following and applying our dharma, via our purified soul we come into communion with, and become a clear channel for, our superconscious, I Am Self, wherein we follow our Divine Dharma.
From Ignorance to Knowledge
In the Second Book of Acts, Mary shared that in her lifetime as Yashodharah, she dissolved and overcame her mortal/soul ignorance, such that she knew the truth of her being and how cosmic laws (principles) worked via one’s dharma. Yashodharah knew who she was as Sol-O-Man, who represents the spiritualized soul of all men and women. In and through her own soul, she birthed her Sol/Sun Self on Earth, and then taught others by example, words and techniques (pathways) how they could do the same as she had done.
In other words, one overall interpretation of Yashodhara is that she of the feminine polarity (Ya) showed (sho) all other women the dharmic way (dhar) to becoming a Buddhi (ah). She showed all other Buddhist nuns, and potentially all women in India, Nepal and surrounding countries, how to to awaken spiritually and to be illumined and enlightened. With mother love and service, she showed them/us the way of peace, love, cooperation and coordination.
Seven Sounds, One Symphony
What follows is one way to put all of the above into one coherent whole and loving communion with Sol-O-Man/Yashodarah. In your crown chakra, place the letters/sound of “Sol.” In your third-eye center, sound the letter “O.” In your throat chakra, position the syllable “Man.” Thus Sol-O-Man is with you, assisting and mothering you, in and through your three upper chakras.
In your fourth or heart chakra, thus in the middle of your vertically aligned seven chakras, say “Ya.” The letter “Y” is the connecting point from earth, via the astral planes to the etheric planes. Love is what connects all of us and all life. Love is the key to healing. The “a” in “Ya” is for I Am or Adah consciousness.
“Sho” resounds in your solar plexus chakra. “Dhar” is placed in your sacral chakra and “ah” is in your regenerative center. “Ah” is the sound of a mother who has given birth to her beloved child, such as you.
Do your Dharma
Be the seven-tone Buddhi song that you are. Chant it, sing it, improvise it, feel it, be it.
Be a being and bearer of Mother God’s Glory.
Show others the feminine Dharmic Way of peace, love and rest.
Be at one with Ya-Sho-Dhar-Ah.
Thank your Mom!