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The term Vedic chant refers to recitation of hymns of the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of India, and the basis of the many Hindu traditions. Chanting of these hymns has continued for at least last three millennia and is believed to the oldest such religious tradition. Before the introduction of printed texts, the Vedas were passed from one generation to the next only by the oral tradition, which necessitated chanting and memorizing of these hymns.
Divine Sound
Portions of the Vedic literature are almost like textbooks on sound, elucidating the use of sound as a spiritual tool. They assert that the entire cosmic creation began with sound: "By His utterance came the universe." (Brihad-aranyaka Upanishad 1.2.4). The Vedanta-sutras add that ultimate liberation comes from sound as well (anavrittih shabdat).
Primal sound is referred to as Shabda Brahman - 'God as word'. Closely related to this is the concept of Nada Brahman - 'God as sound'. 'Nada', a Sanskrit word meaning sound, is related to the term 'nadi', denoting the stream of consciousness - a concept that goes back to the Rig Veda, the most ancient of the Vedas. Thus, the relationship between sound and consciousness has long been recorded in India's ancient literature. Vedic texts, in fact, describe sound as the pre-eminent means for attaining higher, spiritual consciousness.
Mantras, or sacred sounds, are used to pierce through sensual, mental and intellectual levels of existence (all lower strata of consciousness) for the purpose of purification and spiritual enlightenment. According to practitioners of Vedic religions, the sounds of different letters, particularly Sanskrit letters, have been shown to affect the mind, intellect, and auditory nerves of those who chant and hear them. (See also experiments by Dr Hans Jenny). The seven energy centres, or 'chakras', of the spinal column, as well as the three pranic channels of the subtle body are all said to respond to mantras, bringing practitioners to elevated levels of awareness.
Unesco
UNESCO proclaimed the tradition of Vedic chant as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.
Popular Vedic Chants
- Om: (pronounced as in 'home' or 'ohm')
- Widespread in most paths of Hinduism, and used as a seed sound for many of the more complicated mantras. It is the sound representation of the Supreme Divine Energy. Om Tat Sat is said in the Bhagavad-Gita to mean 'Supreme Absolute Truth.
- The Hare Krishna mantra, also often referred to as the 'Maha' Mantra: (pronounced ha-ray, krish-nah, and rar-mah respectively)
- The Gayatri Mantra is also a popular chant, consisting of some Rig-Vedic lines praising the deva 'Savitar', preceded by the mystical formula "Aum Bhūr Bhuvaḥ Svaḥ".
