Indian Literature Part 2 – Vedas & Mantras

Chanda shaastra explains how the Vedic mantras / hymns are  arranged in the Vedas based on the number of letters in each line. It is the prosody of the  Veda mantra. Rigveda (saakala saakha) has  397265 letters which are present in 193816 words.  These are present in 10552 hymns / Riks / mantras. These hymns are  compiled in 2024 vargas, in  64 chapters.  Here each of the  Riks is  written  in specific number of  letters  under the rule of the prosody/ chandas .

When the letters in a hymn are 24, it is said that the mantra is composed in gaayatri chandas. If 28 letters, the it is said that the mantra is composed in ushnik chandas. Like that  respectively anushtubh chandas, bruhati chandas, pankti chandas, thrushtubh chandas, jagati chandas,  respectively for 32, 36, 40, 44 and 48 letters in each hymns.

One can understand   the chandas of a Veda mantra from noting  the beginning  of chanting each mantra. The Vedic scholars give the name of the chandas  while chanting each mantra. They chant the chandas name , the Rushi and devata of the mantras.  Say for  example before chanting one of the mantras of Rugveda known as mithra sthuthi mantra, they start chanting it as:  gaadhino viswamitra rushi, devi gayatri chanda mitro devata   which means  the  mantra has been written by the sage Gaadhina Viswamitra, the prosody  or chandas name is gayatri (24 letters) the devatha is Mitra (Sun)

The Om Mantra is among the most important mantras in Hinduism. Om is the synthesis of all mantras, that ultimately leads to an enlighten state of consciousness. The traditional method of chanting Om Mantra can be classified in three ways- verbal, whispering and mental. Mental repetition is the most potent way for Om Mantra, if the mind is steady and free from other thoughts.

The vibration produced by chanting Om in the physical universe corresponds to the first vibration that first arose at the time of the creation. The Om sound is also called Pranava , which means it sustains life through maintaining Prana or Breath. The three sounds in Om represent waking, dreaming and deep sleep states and the silence, which surrounds Om representing the Samadhi state. Samadhi state is the fourth stage, which is represented by the silence. This state is the attainment of perfect bliss or transcendence, when the individual self recognizes the own identity with the supreme.

You can hear the OM mantra or Omkaara which would purify your inner mind and a wonderful audio for Meditation. The sound of Om represents the four states of Brahman…

A” Beginning, opening, birth, Brahma, waking state of mind

U” middle, sustaining, life, Vishnu, dreaming state of mind

M” end, death, ending, Shiva, deep sleep state of mind

“ending vibration” – transcendence, Turiya, samadhi

The symbol Om written in Sanskrit represents the totality of the Mantra. The material world of the waking state is symbolized by the larger lower curve. The deep sleep state is represented by the upper left curve. The dream state, which lies between deep sleep state above and waking state below, emerges at the confluent point of the two. The point and semicircle of the Om symbol are separate from the rest and rule the whole. The point symbolizes the Turiya state of absolute consciousness. The open semicircle represents the infinite.

[audio:http://www.fileden.com/files/2010/3/18/2797036//Om_Mantra_Chanting_Meditation.mp3|autostart=yes]

Chanting Om (Aum) Mantra

“A”: concentrate at the throat center

“U”: focus at the heart

“M”: focus at the navel

“VIBRATION/STILLNESS”: divine, the initial impulse of speech, the vibration after the AUM, concentrate at the space below the tailbone

Notice how the mind changes to become more subtle when you move your concentration down lower inside the torso.

Source:

http://www.iish.org
http://www.yogaelements.com/blog/how-to-chant-om-correctly.html
http://www.indianetzone.com/19/types_mantra.htm
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3 thoughts on “Indian Literature Part 2 – Vedas & Mantras

  1. Elvera Fabbri Reply

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