“I believe that Veda to be the foundation of the Sanatan Dharma; I believe it to be the concealed divinity within Hinduism,—but a veil has to be drawn aside, a curtain has to be lifted. I believe it to be knowable and discoverable. I believe the future of India and the world to depend on its discovery and on its application, not to the renunciation of life, but to life in the world and among men.” — Sri Aurobindo (Essays Divine and Human, Vol. 12 [CWSA], P. 62).

AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Union Territory of Puducherry organized Orientation Program on ‘Chanting of the Sacred Vedic Mantras: Intangible Culture, Tradition & Continuity’ at Matriniketan, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry on 22nd February, 2025.

This program is designed to immerse participants in the intricate dimensions of Vedic chanting, exploring its various components through the perspective of Sri Aurobindo. Historically, the mantras derived from the Vedas have been integral to sacred rituals and daily practices within Vedic communities. The process of chanting these mantras requires meticulous pronunciation of sounds, words, or phrases, which serve to elevate consciousness through rhythmic sequences.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr Kishor Kumar Tripathy. Highlighting the glorious history of the Vedas, he informed about the vision of Maharshi Aurobindo on the Vedas, including The Secret of the Veda, Hymns to the Mystic Fire and works on the Upanishads.

He informed about the two-fold application of the Vedic tradition, including Shastra & Prayoga. Aspects of Vedic chanting including, traditional, contemporary and living, oral tradition, inclusive nature, representative, community-based approach and international recognition were discussed.

Significant aspects of the Vedas, including history, origin of the Mantras, textual structure and interpretation of the Mantras followed by different methods etc. were also discussed during the workshop through an interactive manner.Second part of the workshop was focussed on chanting of the Mantras. Textual peculiarities of the Vedas, i.e. phonetics, morphology, sentence formation and the system of Vedic interpretation followed by different methods were discussed.

The interconnections between mantra chanting, therapeutic practices, and holistic health are significant, as they collectively promote healing, relaxation, and a balanced life. The practice of chanting mantras can aid in revealing our inner selves, fostering spiritual connections, adopting a holistic approach, improving cognitive health, enhancing focus, encouraging sustainable lifestyle changes, and ultimately leading to an improved quality of life.