Satsang 5 : Methods of chanting

Let us understand the various methods of chanting from the point of view of making our chanting increasingly better.

1. Writing down the chants

As an initial step, we can start with  writing the chants. It means writing down the chants that we are doing in a notebook. In this method, we first utter the chant loudly, then we write the same and then hover our eyes over the chant that we have written to check whether we have written it correctly. In doing so, while we are writing once, we are remembering the chant thrice. While chanting like this, our eyes, hands, intellect and mind are involved in the chanting process. Because of this, the chances of our mind wandering while chanting is reduced. Keeping these notebooks in which chants are written inside our house purifies the vastu of our house and helps it remain so. Initially writing chants helps to develop a liking for chanting, then chanting loudly and then chanting mentally, these are the methods by which chanting can be done.

2. Modes of chanting

A. Vaikhari mode of chanting

In the beginning, instead of writing chants down, one can also start chanting aloud through Vaikhari Vani. Chanting through Vaikhari mode means chanting aloud. This mode of chanting facilitates concentration and one can also get the benefits of pranayam. Another important benefit of chanting through Vaikhari mode, that is, chanting aloud, is that it helps in making the surrounding environment satvik. If one chants aloud, other members of the family too are able to hear the chants, which helps evoke satvik spiritual emotions in them too.

The disadvantage of the Vaikhari mode of chanting is that since chanting is done aloud, the mind is unable to go into a thoughtless state. Attaining thoughtless state of the mind through chanting is a sign of spiritual progress.

Apart from Vaikhari, there are other modes of chanting that are namely, Madhyama, Pashyanti, and Para.

B. Madhyama mode of chanting

Chanting through Madhyama mode means that chanting which happens automatically in the mind! Since this mode of chanting comes in between Vaikhari and Pashyanti, it is known as ‘Madhyama’. Once the impression of chanting is created in the mind, in about a month, chanting starts happening automatically in the mind. If anyone of you has experienced this, it means that your chanting has started in the Madhyama mode. When chanting happens in this mode, it is a sign of spiritual progress.

C. Pashyanti mode of chanting

Seers, saints and rishis chant in the Pashyanti mode of chanting. Pashyanti is derived from the root word ‘pashya’ from Sanskrit which means ‘to see’. The mode of chanting of rishis who can see into the past, present, and future is called ‘Pashyanti’ mode of chanting.

D. Para mode of chanting

Para mode of chanting is that in which the one who chants the name of God becomes one with the name. This means that in this mode, chanting ceases as non-duality is achieved with the chant.

3. Chanting using prayer beads (Jap mala)

We can chant using jap mala too. Since we can count the number of chants that we have done with the help of the beads, we feel good about having completed a fixed number of chants, which increases one’s liking towards chanting.

Beginners can start with chanting a minimum of 3 turns daily of the jap mala. If chanting is not sufficient, one can keep track of the chanting done by counting the number of turns completed. If one does a lot of chanting, then it is not necessary to keep track of the number of turns.

A. Number of beads in jap mala

The jap mala used by Hindus generally contains 108 beads. The meru bead is an extra bead that is different. Some sects prescribe using jap malas that have a different number of beads. For example, Shaiva sect followers use jap malas that have 32 beads in the string. Some scriptures advocate that ‘Jap mala should contain 9 beads and 12 turns of that string should be done to reach a chant count of 108’.

B. Spiritual meaning of 108 beads

Let us understand the spiritual meaning of 108 beads.

According to Kundalini Yoga, the number of beads in the jap mala represent the 108 pressure points in our body.
According to Bhakti Yoga, the number of beads in the jap mala represent the 108 names of Shri Vishnu and Shiva.
According to  Dnyan  Yoga, the number of beads in the jap mala represent the God of knowledge and the 108 forms of knowledge (Vidyas).

C. Meru bead

This is the main bead of the jap mala and it should never be crossed while chanting.

Why is the direction of chanting in the jap mala reversed after reaching the meru bead?:

1. This is done so that one forgets the action of chanting.

2. From a seeker’s perspective, the activation of the sushumna nadi in the centre is desirable and not the activation of the ida nadi on the left or the pingala nadi on the right. Similarly, counting the beads only in one direction is not desirable from a seeker’s perspective. Just as the sushumna nadi is situated in between the ida and pingala nadis, the meru bead is situated in between two opposite turns of the prayer beads. If one inadvertently crosses the meru bead, one has to atone for that mistake by performing six pranayams.

D. Method of chanting using jap mala

1. Draw the beads towards yourself

Instead of drawing the beads towards yourself, try sliding the beads away from you and observe what you experience. Many people experience distress. The reason for this is that when beads are drawn towards oneself, the prana vayu is activated whereas when the beads are slid away from oneself, the samana vayu is activated. One feels more Ananda during activation of prana vayu when compared to activation of samana vayu. (Information regarding this is available in the Sanatan text ‘Hathayoga’.’

2. Chanting is done in one of the following ways after taking japa mala in your right hand.

A. The mala is held resting over the middle joint of the middle finger of the right hand, and the beads are drawn towards you, one by one, using the thumb. The index finger should not touch the mala.

B. The mala is held resting over the third finger and the ends of the third finger and the thumb are joined. The beads are drawn towards you, one by one, using the middle finger. Drawing the beads with the help of the middle finger is considered to be easy for a person.

E. Types of beads

The bead used for the jap mala should be able to absorb as much as possible the subtle most particles (pavitrak) of the particular deity whose name is being chanted. For example, jap mala made of rudraksha beads should be used for chanting the name of Shiva and jap mala made of tulsi beads for chanting the name of Shri Vishnu.

Satvik, rajasik, or tamasik types of beads are used depending on one’s goals for spiritual progress. For worshipping Shri Vishnu, Shri Krishna and Shri Rama, tulsi beads are used.  Rudraksha beads for Shiva and Maruti, pearl or coral beads for worshipping Durga Devi, golden beads for Shri Lakshmi, red sandalwood beads for Tripuradevi, and ivory beads for Shri Ganesha.

4. Chanting mentally

Chanting can be done mentally as well. Since the subtle is more powerful than the gross, chanting mentally is more effective.