Vedas and Vedic Chanting- Briefing and Significance
The Vedas are the Pramanas (authoritative texts) of Sanatana Dharma.
Vedas are Anaadi (without a beginning). There never was a time when the Vedas were not there.
Vedas are Apourusheya (not created or composed by any human being)
Vedas are the breath of Isvara (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2.4.10)
There is no Sanatana Dharma without the Vedas.
There are 4 main Shakhas (branches) of Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda
The Yajurveda has 2 Shakas – Shukla Yajurveda and Krishna Yajurveda.
It is our sacred duty to protect and preserve the Vedas. Learning and chanting the Vedas (especially from a young age), and also helping others to do so, is a great way to fulfill this duty.
Another name for Veda is Shruti - that which is heard.
One can learn to chant the Vedas correctly only by listening and repeating.
Proper chanting cannot be learnt merely from books. At the most, you may use the book as a secondary support to learning by listening. Youngsters should try to do away with the book once they are confident that they have got the words correct.
Important aspects of Vedic chanting are-
Swaram (intonation)
Maatra (length of vowels)
Uchharanam (pronunciation).
Other tips to pleasant and flawless chanting are-
Correct Uchharanam (pronunciation) is very important.
Chanting must be smooth.
Swaram must be followed, but the movement up and down must be smooth, without jerks.
Follow the MEDIUM RULE – pitch, volume (loudness) and speed must all be medium – neither too high nor too low.
Do not shake your head or body while chanting. Remain steady. Swaram movements up and down needs to be in your chanting only – not in your body.
Let's take a pledge to protect our rich Vedic heritage.
It is our duty to safeguard this treasure and also pass it on to the future generations.
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ReplyDeleteSir, you and your kids are doing a great service . I am benefitted by your videos and learning the suktams. Immense gratitude 🙏.
ReplyDeleteNamaskaaram mama. Thank you for teaching me vedam
ReplyDeleteHare Krishna
ReplyDeleteThank u sooo much