Vedic Chant

Mysticism of the Vedas is enchanting. The more one explores the depths of the knowledge of the Vedas, the deeper it gets. Interestingly, the aroma of its wisdom remains all encompassing under all circumstances and at all times. Starting from its origin, its scope, its division to its chanting, every aspect is awe inspiring. Let us venture to taste the beauty and the secret of Vedic chants with humility of a student, for I do not possess any qualification to even attempt to share anything on this topic.

Veda has no author. Its origin seems to be as old as the human race. The wisdom of Veda has been revealed and bestowed upon our spiritual scientists, the sages, seers and saints, in the process of their spiritual quest. As this knowledge is passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth, Veda is also called ‘Shruti’, meaning to listen. It is retained and passed on from generation to generation by remembering or ‘Smriti’.

I dare say, there is nothing which Veda does not cover. Be it life or life after life; the secret of Being or the mystery of death; physical or metaphysical science; health (Ayurveda & Yoga), architecture (Vaastu Shastra) music or art; commerce or administration; or even the truth of the creation and its Creator, Veda has it all.

Those great recipients of this knowledge, I guess, must have been aware of our limitation and the influence of the time to limit our grasp of this knowledge. Revered sage Vyasa penned it down for our benefit & posterity. Because of this he is also addressed as Veda-Vyasa – the father of Vedas. Knowledge of Veda resonates in the words of many philosophers, prophets and spiritual masters of the world. The grandeur of Vedic wisdom is not only in its prophetic words but also in its sound. These hymns of Veda are composed and organized in a most sophisticated & scientific manner to help mankind draw the maximum advantage out of it. By chanting these Vedic hymns in a particular manner and with a specific intonation these verses have acquired the status of ‘mantras’.

Mantras are spiritual formula or equations that hold the answers to the knottiest of human puzzles. They serve as spiritual conduit, surcharged with extraordinary vibrations which can be used to accomplish anything, be it basic material or highest spiritual treasures. Their potency is embedded at various levels. It is the combination of the power of their words and their sequence, metre, sound and rhythm that lends extraordinary charge to each mantra of the Vedas. They are charged with varied energies to bear immediate impact upon the force field around us, benefitting all that is within its range and beyond.

Some mantras are potent enough to conquer even death, for instance the Maha Mritunjaya mantra – ‘Triyambakam….’ The beauty of these chants is that it is beneficial to those who chant and also to those who listen to it. Understanding this mantra would certainly enhance the impact and deliver higher benefits. Nevertheless, mere chanting too has the potential to bestow unimaginable boons.

One may wonder how chanting (the sound of it) can be of so much impact. Think of it like a concentrated doze of medicine. When the medication is given it to the patient even without his or her knowledge, they get benefited. Of course, if the patient is an active participant in the process and understands the treatment, believing in the efficacy of the medication, the result could be better. Still one may argue on the sound aspect of Veda – why is it important to chant it with a particular intonations and with correct pronunciation. This is like a chemical formula where the ingredients need to be mixed in a particular and measured manner to arrive at a given result. By chanting them in a particular manner for centuries, these mantras have acquired great potencies which emanate even today by their mere recitation.

Let me give another analogy. When we hear some one say “love”, we only get good feelings. The love has been associated with soft, caring and most sanctified emotions. The moment we say or hear such words, positive vibes naturally flow. Likewise, if we hear “War” ‘anger” we are surrounded by negative energy. When these words alone can generate such varied emotions and feelings, imagine the impact of the mantras which were revealed to the seekers with a specific reason and intent of bringing peace and love in the world.

These chants have the potency to bring peace in the world and control the negative vibes. That’s the reason these chants are promoted by various spiritual master to be performed regularly around the world.

Extensive studies of Vedic literature reveal that mantras of the Vedas are replete with blessings for the entire creation and speak of life affirming values such as peace, harmony, progress, understanding, health, love …for all humanity, Can you think of a better time in the history of human civilization when the need for such values has been greater.

It is important to accept that good remains good even if we don’t understand or acknowledge it. By following the words of the masters we can only derive joy and benefit but by not following them we can only deprive ourselves of the blessings that could come our way.

Om Sri Sai Ram

Living with GOD

Living with God  

It is certainly a proud privilege to be associated with the Living God. It is more like a sweet dream than reality. But some time I feel it is more of a responsibility and a long, lonely road than a garden full of roses. As long as we believe that we are the doer and we are not answerable to any one we can enjoy our ignorance and feel happy about it. I think that’s why it is said, ignorance is bliss! 

 Living with God changes that concept. We learn with Him that this is the Masters game and we are nothing but instruments in His hands. Whether we like it or not we are answerable to Him. “Him” here could also be compared to our own consciousness. As we have the knack of using our consciousness as per our own convenience. We have turned deaf ears to its guidance. Hence the need for a Personal God who can listen to us and talk to us and make us answerable to Him. 

Living with GOD …Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba has been unique in this sense also. He has changed the concept of God. He has given us a new insight into what God is! Practice followed by our elders to go to temples, churches, Mosques …etc and pray to god had a flaw. May be because they could not communicate it to us or was not practiced by them. That we had to give time to God, we went to the “House of God” at least once in a week. Result was that whenever we visited the “house of God” we conducted very well, offered prayers with devotion, spoke softly and lovingly, met with every one with a smile. But the moment we left “His abode”, we were back to…. . 

This prompted me to think and analyze about the reason as to why youth of today get repelled even by the word Religion or any body claiming to be religious. Yet we find today youth is more active in doing social service, helping the community or being good to others than in the time of our elders. When our elders had to teach some thing they said do it right or else God will punish you. As if God was an instructor to watch us and punish us for our mistakes. So we start to fear God, as He would punish us for our mistakes. As we grew and realized our mistakes more and more, we avoided going to the “house of god” to avoid Him and thereby avoid the punishment for our wrong deeds. 

What a pity! The one and only one worth being loved was made to be afraid of. The one who was our real, consistent friend was limited to the “house of God” and made to look like an tough watchman whose only job was to punish. The one, who was our constant companion, a trusting friend and our real well wisher was restricted to the hour of need. We were made to postpone the appointment with such a friend for the “Old” age. 

Living with God…Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba, the Avatar, the incarnation, of this age has most certainly redefined all this belief. He has proved that God is not someone to be feared. God is not one who can be limited to an “house” or an alter or Sanctum Sanctorum or use him as and when we feel like, as per our convenience. Bhagawan Baba emphasizes that God is the only true friend. His dictum, Fear of Sin and love for God is the sure path to peace and prosperity. By His life He has proven that we cannot limit God to one place, or alter or even to a picture. He is in everything and is everywhere. He walks with us, sits with us, drives with us and sleeps with us. He knows our thoughts even before we get them. He is a silent witness to all our thought, word and deed. He is full of love. He gives and gives. He does not punish. He teaches us that the so-called “punishments” are the result and consequence of our own wrong actions. He also helps us to face them with smile and make best of those situations.

Living with God…Sai is Education. Education can be summarized as a cultivating values and human qualities in oneself. It is ironical that we use fear methodology to learn or practice certain things. With God the element of fear is replaced with the awareness of His constant presence in our lives. Imagine if you knew that your God is still with you when you come out of the place of worship. How would you conduct? If you knew for sure that your God is with you when are supposedly alone. How would you be? How would you talk if you believe that other person with who you are interacting is God sent and is doing God’s Bidding? You cannot even think wrong if you are aware that your God is watching you and your thoughts. Thus the love and reverence for God and not fear for him regulate our conduct. The obedience to the law of land or love for the whole creation becomes so simple and kind of compulsory when you are aware that your God is the doer and all is His. Through the power of His love He teaches you the unity in Diversity. Like a child you would then start accepting whatever comes in your life. A child never questions the mother what is she going to feed or what is she going to give or not give. This is because the child has full faith in her mother. It never even bothers to think about any problem or difficulty. Similarly when we have God with us and we love and trust Him like a child then it is His responsibility to take care of us. This is the reason Godly people have a sweet smile always on their lips. A true devotee can never be sad. For he knows that nothing can happen with out the will of God. And His will is always for our good. So smile. Be happy. 

Living with God…Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba in fact teaches you to be happy, always. We would falter but that does not mean we should not try. Bhagawan lovingly bless us to “be happy”. I think that end result of our material or spiritual pursuit is to be happy. It is different that one chasing material world may think that he is finding happiness from the achievements of the world. Sooner or later he too would realize that it is not possible to get permanent happiness from the impermanent world. Thus all would ultimately come to the same source of everlasting joy, happiness and bliss…which is God. No one is wrong or right in the journey of life. It is process of growth and just a matter of time. 

Hence, to me Living with God is an experience with love. Living with God…a lesson to permanent joy. Living with God…my Sai is a door to being “Happy” always. To reach this state of awareness there are many encounters with sweet sorrows, romantic avoidance, lessons through hide and seek, lonely conversations, unsaid but assured proximity and unseen but certainly Loving constant association and protection. A great lesson – “Be Happy, always”. 

Sai Ram