What is Chanting ?
Recitation of prayers in the form of a mantra with fixed svara(intonation) is called Chanting. It has been passed on to generations via oral tradition.
What is a Mantra ?
Mantra is derived from ‘mananāt trāyate iti mantra’;mananāt = meditating on the meaning, trāyate = it protects, iti = therefore, mantra = it is called mantra.
Mantra is that which protects if the meaning of the same is meditated upon.
Example: Gāyatri mantra, saha nā vavatu, asato mā sadgamaya etc.
What is the structure of a Mantra ?
Every mantra has 3 parts. Let us take the Gāyatri mantra for example-
- The Devatā : The presiding deity of the mantra.
- The Ṛṣi : The vedic sage credited with the mantra.
- The Chandas : One of the 6 vedāṅgas; it is the meter in which the mantra is written.
So, for the Gāyatri mantra the deity is Savitṛ devatā (The śakti[energy] behind the Sun), the ṛṣi is Sage Viśvāmitra and the meter is Gāyatri chandas.
What is the purpose of chanting a Mantra ?
There are multiple physical benefits like breath regulation, blood pressure regulation, improvement in concentration, improving awareness/attention and so on.
The main purpose of chanting is to purify the mind. It helps in replacing old patterns with new and improved patterns.
How should one chant ?
One must chant with a rhythmic steady pace like how a horse gallops ! Not too slow, not too fast.
How much should one chant ?
At least one Ṛk everyday! One ṛk is only 2 lines long.
Ṛk is derived from ‘ṛcyate stūyate anayā devatā iti ṛk‘; devatā = the deity, ṛcyate = stūyate = is being praised, anayā = by this, iti = therefore, ṛk = it is called ṛk.
What is Japa ? Why is it done ?
Chanting a word or a ṛk multiple times is called japa and it is once again done to purify the mind on a fast track.
Here is how I have been taught…