Thread by @Nehaaaa_c

#VedicChantingBrief
#JapaParayanUpasana
Vedic chanting -Recitation or Singing?
The verb we use for the practice of do the japa – is it recitation (chanting) or singing? Unless we are trained and practice Sama Veda, which is also referred to as Sama gana (gana meaning song),

all other mantras & hymns (from Ṛig, Yajur & Atharva Veda) are best referred to as a chanting or recitation practice.
Veda chanting is governed by 6 basic rules,they are
- Varṇa(pronunciation)
- Svara (chanting notes)
- Mantra (duration)
- Balam (force)
- Sama (continuity) &

- Santana (punctuation & conjugation).
Preparation
-chanting practice specially Veda/Gayatri mantra- all requires protocol, practice after your morning shower/dincharya
-never without a shower
-preferably same seat for Japa
-alter not mandatory, but can help create sacred space

-satvik practice
Japa benefits
Using a meaningful word for japa
-a Japa is a word, sentence, or group of sentences whose meaning is the Divine, wherein an individual invokes or salutes a particular deity as the Divine
-one may not know the meaning of the word, but one needs to

know it is meaningful, needed to know the value of the japa
-using meaningful work/chant for japa turns into a devotee
Upasana
-Upa + asana
-instrument of ritual worship
-instrument of projection
-practices directly from Veda

Upnishad says it is a state of concentration by

projecting the divine
Parayana
-oral (loud) recitation of scripture from beginning to End
-requires sustained auditory and visual (for adults) attention
-usually suktam , Upanishad, Prasnah (entire chapters from Veda).
-Also for non-Veda texts – like Shastra Nama-s

Only children are able to do by listening. For adults require auditory and visual aids until its memorised
Parayana benefits
-we start to understanding deities and prayers deeply
-developing focus and sustained attention

The oral tradition
This is the most beautiful part of the

Veda recitation process – the oral tradition, known as shruti parampara in Sanskrit. An ancient, humble yet
super effective method of learning chanting. The teacher recites, students repeat twice (part of the error correction process)

The most sacred verse in the Ṛig Veda, known as the Gayatri from the form of the meter in which it is cast, has been used for millennia in daily worship and for initiation ceremonies. ‘seen’ by Ṛishi Vishwamitra, ‘the friend of all’, the great king who, through austerities,

became a Ṛishi. It is the great mantra of the Sun, sustainer and impeller of all things in the solar creation, symbol of the Divine Truth. In the mantra for peace, notice here the 'ḥ'of purṇamadah when followed by the syllable ‘p’ results in a breath like sound ‘ff’ called

the upadhmaniya
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Meaning: Aum! That is infinite, and this (universe) is infinite. The infinite proceeds from the infinite.(Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite

It remains as the infinite alone.
Aum! Peace! Peace! Peace!

The process of learning Veda chanting is very humble.
The process of chanting is a process of exhalation. Chanting will eventually extend the length of exhalation, improving your breath

and great way to improve your breathing. A silence that is experienced deeply as one progresses. Just a moment of silence. But deep and beautiful. In Sanskrit,it is called- adhyayanam or the study of chanting.
#VedasandPuranas
#IndiathatisBharat🪷☮️

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