Vedic Chanting

Introduction to Vedic Chanting (adhyayanam)

Potential benefits:

  • Śabda brahma
    • Primal sound vibrations that can positively influence our physiological state
  • Breath work
  • Improve memory
  • Directed focus and complete attention (dharana)
  • Meditative
  • Continual learning
  • Personal/mental development
  • Spiritual development
  • Ease stress become more peaceful
  • Re-connecting to our centre, ‘inner self’, essence

The Vedas (meaning knowledge) is an ancient collection of poetic texts thought to have been revealed to ṛṣis (seers) by God or the ‘ultimate highest form’ the teachings referred to as śruti meaning “that which is heard”. The Vedas, comprising of Ṛg Veda, Sāma Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda also referred to as the four pillars of thought. Often we chant from the Principle Upaniṣads (in particular the Taittirīya) these texts also written over centuries are considered to be Vedic revelation or the culmination of Vedic hymnodies. The Vedas are regarded as an authoritative source of ancient Indian wisdom and knowledge. Age old teachings that can still have tremendous relevance in today’s challenging world.

 

Originally transmitted orally with strict chanting rules, it is thanks to these rules that these texts can be brought to life and experienced today exactly how they were shared thousands of years ago. One can find this a truly magical experience.

 

This is not to say that Sanskrit chanting in kirtan with harmonious music is less meaningful or authentic, it is simply that the Vedic tradition has been the precise means (and for thousands of years the only means) of preserving and passing on the teachings of yoga since their realisation many millennia ago, and as such require the precision and preservation for future generations as well as our own present experience and benefit.

 

It is worth noting that from the Veda’s come mantras, words of power, the effects recognised on different levels by many of us, in-particular yoga practitioners. There is a real depth to this science that invites mindfulness and respect as we recognise that mantra at its highest level is certainly not the simple recitation of a few words.

Audio and supporting documents by Wendy Jupp

I’ve been surrounded by yoga my whole life. I trained with the Yoga Academy in 2016. A series of events led me to focus on Vedic Chanting which now and for the foreseeable future has become a significant part of my life and yoga studies.

 

I am privileged to have the tutelage of two Vedic chant teachers. Gill Lloyd (student of TKV Desikachar) who I have studied with for many years and since early 2020 with Shobana Srinivasan who is head of Vedic chanting at the KYM (Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai India). My chant practice is in the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya, Yajur Veda lineage.

 

I’m honoured to be able to share a sample of this with HomeYoga.

Alphabet and Pronunciation Guide

View/Download the Sanskrit alphabet and pronunciation guide.

Sanskrit Alphabet

Some Basic Chanting Rules

Just three notes – svaras

  1. High note – Udātta (represented by a Vertical line above the vowel)
  2. Low note – Anudātta (represented by a horizontal line underneath the vowel)
  3. Neutral note – Svarita

Visarga (ḥ) – changing pronunciation in chanting

ḥ when followed by sa śa ṣa changes to sa śa ṣa and is recited as double, so…

śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ is chanted as śāntiś-śāntiś-śāntiḥ

phonetically: “shaantish-shaantish-shaantehee”

 

The ḥ usually takes the sound of the vowel that precedes it particularly when the chant is not being linked or if it is at the end.

 

Note: Further rules will be introduced should the chant practice require it.

 

A note on Sanskrit

We are using the International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST) this way there can be no ambiguity over correct pronunciation.

 

A vertical line above a vowel ‘ā’ is held for two beats (similar in English to how we hold for longer on words with double adjacent letters like ‘good’, ‘food’ ‘seen’ etc)

Available Recordings

ksamā ślokah

ksamā ślokah

A ślokaḥ often recited at the end of chant sessions, to Lord Nārāyana who we ask for forgiveness for any mistakes that we may have made, with our apologies we note that we are trying.

Santi-pathah – saha nāvavatu

Santi-pathah – saha nāvavatu

A chant often recited at the beginning of studies or practices.

gayatri-mantrah

gayatri-mantrah

A salutation to the sun. We look to the sun for courage, strength and clarity, may the light shine through darkness and ignorance.

mahā vākya

mahā vākya

From the Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣat – known as ‘The Great Saying’ Wonderful chant to start learning off by heart. Lead me from the unreal to the real (or ignorance to perception) Lead me from darkness to light Lead me from transience to eternity (fear to confidence or suffering to no suffering)

Prarthana-Slokah

Prarthana-Slokah

Invocatory chant. Traditionally performed before our chant practice in honour of our teachers Śri Kṛṣṇamamacharya (who opened this practice to all with good intentions), and Śri TKV Desikachar (Sir).

lokaksema

lokaksema

This prayer/mantraḥ is also referred to as the mangala mantraḥ.

Santi-pathah – pūrnamadah

Santi-pathah – pūrnamadah

This beautiful chant simply states that the infinite comes from the infinite, in terms of our universe and of our human essence.

Ayur Mantra

Ayur Mantra

An invocation to the divine requesting health, nourishment and well-being of mind and body. It asks also that we be steadfast and have clarity of thought.

Santi-pathah – sarva śāntih

Santi-pathah – sarva śāntih

A beautiful chant asking for peace everywhere in all forms of being, in the universe and the vast ethereal space beyond.

santi pathah – pasyema saradassatam

santi pathah – pasyema saradassatam

A chant of optimism, the sun giving us light and hope that we may see and love a hundred years.

candranamaskrtya-mantrah

candranamaskrtya-mantrah

A salutation to the moon, honouring the moon as the King of medicinal herbs. Moonlight is incredibly calming. This chant can be particularly helpful when we suffer anxiety.

sapta vyahrti sasira gāyatri

sapta vyahrti sasira gāyatri

A version of the gāyatri including the seven vyahrti’s (utterances, mystical words or sounds) also known as seven worlds, seven planetary systems, seven elementary forces and some liken to seven great sages.

ganapati-prarthana

ganapati-prarthana

Gaṇapati the wise head of the army of demi-gods (also known as Gaṇeśa). Chanted to request that our ventures or undertakings may be successful, smooth sailing and without hindrance or obstacles

mrtyuñjaya-mahāmantrah

mrtyuñjaya-mahāmantrah

The title meaning a great victory. This is described as an incredibly powerful chant, to bestow immortality.

sivapancaksari-mantrah

sivapancaksari-mantrah

In honour of Lord Śiva a sacred mantraḥ for those who see Śiva as the ultimate supreme being. This recording offers Samhitā, Krama, jaṭā and ghana – pāṭhaḥs which can assist learning the different modes of Vedic chanting

sāttvika-tyāgah

sāttvika-tyāgah

We dedicate all our actions, all that we do and all that we are, all of our being our mind body and senses we dedicate to a higher purpose, to the Lord Nārāyana.

ganeśa ślokah

ganeśa ślokah

In honour of Gaṇeśa, this chant describes his curved trunk and large body, his magnificence is akin to a million suns! Further we request our endeavours are free of obstacles, we ask for Gaṇeśa’s blessings in all that we do.