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Most conventional traditions of learning considered chanting as a way to connect with our inner self, and the supreme self. In the Vedic tradition it is believed that in the current era called Kaliyuga, it is indeed chanting that will be the main tool for liberation.
Through this section, various chants from the Indian tradition will be shared in good faith for the benefit of the public. None of these are professionally recorded and hence could contain some minor errors.
Feel free to share these to anyone who may be interested.
Sraddha, meaning intense faith or conviction, is the cornerstone for success in any endeavour, be it in our spiritual or personal path. It enables us to perserve in the face of even the greatest difficulties. The Sraddha suktam, which is part of the Taittiriya Brahmana, underlines the significance of Sraddha and honours it as a goddess.
Read MoreGoda or Andal, as she is popularly called, is regarded as more than a saint or a poet. She is the only female Alvar among the 12 Alvar saints of South India. She is also regarded as a symbol of the strength of womanhood, a person with a sense of sublime purpose, complemented with a strong determination to attain the divine purpose successfully.
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Pavamanasuktam is a very famous chant from the Vedic tradition. It is often chanted to help clean/refine energy be it in a place or a person. Many times when entering a new house or space of work, this chant was recited to purify the space of its past energy so that a new positive beginning could be commenced.
It is also used in healing, when dark energy such as past traumas, abuses or impressions from abuse/violence needs to be transformed.
Both Listening and learning to chant this chant can be very helpful in a number of circumstances.
Lord Rama is considered one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It is attributed that he is the seventh avatar, and was a king of Ayodhya. He is the main character of the famous epic the Ramayana, where he is portrayed as a noble and pious leader, while at the same time being a courageous warrior.
Read MoreIts convention in India that the tradition of teachers are honored and remembered. Guru parampara or Guru Sampradaya represents the lineage one belongs to, beginning with the first pioneers of the tradition, the intermediate teachers who vitalized the teachings, and the immediate teacher who pass on to us this precious knowledge.
Conventionally there exists two main chants that are recited to honor the string of teachers who hold together the garland of knowledge.
Read MoreThe Kavacam is a spiritual armour that the care-giver adorns, so that it brings the divine source of pure energy closer to the heart. This would not only ensure that the healing process is safe, but that it is also essentially pure and sacred. By linking strongly with the Kavacam not only is the care giver being protected in the long term, but is also linking to the divine source of healing.
Through the chant called Candra Kavacam, practitioners are linking to the moon to provide nourishment, comfort and protection in their own healing journey, as well as when they are facilitating a transforming journey for others.
Read MoreThe Ksamasodashi stotram is a powerful chant composed by the great Parasara Bhatta, which pleads to the Lord Ranganatha to offer forgiveness for our continued mistakes. The chant recognizes that being the supreme dispenser of the fruits of the actions, it is only the Lord who indeed guides us to act in one way or the other. Hence the chant appeals to his compassion to forgive our sins and guide us with light through our journey of life.
Read MorePart of the Taittiriya Brahmana, this chant appeals to the natural elements like fire, sun, moon, earth etc., to sustain and nourish the organs and functions in the human system. It teaches us to receive nourishment from the natural sources that surround us, and through that connect to the divine source of nourishment within us. Thus it teaches us that the external and internal are extraordinary sources of nourishment.
Read MoreThe Sudarsana Chakra is a spinning, disk-like super weapon with 108 serrated edges used by Lord Vishnu. It is usually portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu, who also holds a conch in his left fore hand, a mace in his left rear hand, and a lotus bud in his right fore hand. According to the old texts, The Sudarsana Chakra is used for the ultimate destruction of an enemy who represents darkness.
The great acarya Vedanta Desika composed this chant called Sudarsana Astakam to ward off a dark plague that afflicted the region at his time. Since then this powerful chant has been used in practice and ritual to ward of negative or evil energy and bring forth positivity.
Read MoreLord Krishna is considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is often considered as the complete incarnation (purna avatara). His popularity is unparalleled in India, with temples in almost every corner of the country. Explaining his exploits as a young child forms one of the most favourite pastimes of grandparents, who educate their grandchildren of the nature and valour of God. He is also the central character in the Bhagavad Gita, the most important text for most Hindus, where he is teaching his protege Arjuna on the nature of Dharma.
Read MoreAmong the Hindu pantheon of Goddesses, Durga literally meaning the invincible, is the most popular incarnation of Goddess Sakti. Durga is revered for her courage and strength and the ability to remove the greatest of dark forces.
The trinity of Gods, Brahma, Visnu and Siva created her combining their energies and bestowed her with their weapons and requested other gods to do the same. Thus Durga become a potent force and was ever ready to serve the Gods in their battles against the demons.
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The Vedic tradition put the teacher at the forefront of learning. It viewed the teacher as the crucial link between the student and the teaching. Owing to the fact that it was the teacher who revealed the subtle intricacies of the teaching, which facilitates the student to evolve into his potential, the teacher was regarded very highly.
This is the reason why so many chants exist to honor the teacher. Here is a chant that is called Guru Stotram, that is perhaps a compilation of different verses that honor the preceptor.
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