A year or so ago, I started to develop a deep interest in the Shree Rudram. This Vedic hymn appears in the Yajurveda and can be chanted every day. Shree Rudram sounds spectacular, when chanted with the right intonations and at the right tempo. There is a certain splendor to this specific chant, and I have often drifted off into space mere minutes into the chanting. I have not learned to chant it yet myself but I have an intention to, someday.
What is it about these ancient sounds that is so special? They soothe the mind and environment, they are energizing yet relaxing, and they inspire courage and love, both at the same time. Well, this has been my experience, listening to the various Vedic chants and hymns. I didn’t grow up chanting them but I have come to realize a deep and abiding love for these sounds. They are majestic and full of grandeur, and I can literally sense centuries resonating with these age-old Mantras.
What is the Shree Rudram about? Here is my uninitiated yet respectful opinion. This chant extols the infinite virtues of Shiva, the unseen force in this creation. Shiva is present in every aspect of this universe, in the flowing river and the still lake, in the horse and the rider, in the army and its commander, in the clan and in the leader, in the young ones and the old… Shiva Tattva resides in all of creation.
Here is a video uploaded by the Veda Union that features the chanting of the first Anuvaka of the Shree Rudram. As per the Veda Union website, their long-term goal is to unite all Europe by collective chanting of Shree Rudram. Wow! I would love to believe that there are similar groups in India as well.
After listening to this, I have only one thought: How can one not love the Shree Rudram?
rparvaaz says:
Thank you 🙂
I needed to hear this today.
December 1, 2011 — 4:15 pm
Lakshmi says:
🙂 You are welcome.
December 1, 2011 — 4:46 pm
Anonymous says:
awesome
please propagate rudram chating to others too. we should unite whole of india into an age like in ramayana days.. get rid of western influences
December 3, 2011 — 6:50 pm
G Shyamsunder says:
Sri Rudram has always been a much coveted vedic hymn from centuries, to all those who just listen it at once…….which is more potent than any other vedic hymn to drive out all evils within us, conferring both material and spiritual benefits as well, both to the listener and the chanter, turning us more conducive to receive divine vibrations and making us more potent enough to express them in action. But all this strength is encapsulated in the intonations of this vedic hymn……the perfect the intonation, the more the effect of its benefits………improper intonation has its effects……….so be cautious in proper spell of the letter, word and intonation and its pitch……its better to learn from a teacher and then practice with his permission…………….as far just listening is concerned, one need not advise anyone on that i opine………..
November 15, 2015 — 1:15 pm
Lakshmi says:
Thanks for commenting. I was lucky to find a wonderful teacher last year. Have been learning ever since.
November 16, 2015 — 1:13 pm
G. Prasad Rao says:
Namah Shivaya,
“improper intonation has its effects” ~ It is for those who chant loudly and outside and not for mansik chant as there are no intonations in mansik which is highest form of jaap or chant.
Trust shiva consciousness prevails and not discourage people on this above point. The great hymn also has verse “Vanchathe pari vanchathe sthayoonam pathaye namo nama” therefore if you apply the same to your chants ~ hey lord knowing or unknowing mistakes in chant i leave it to you, its upto you whether i am doomed or rise, I still surrender..
September 29, 2017 — 12:17 pm
G. Prasad Rao says:
I learnt rudram listening and reading simultaneously from text… After i became comfortable I invoked greatest Sidha Bhagwan Nityanand of Ganeshpuri (my Guru) who is with me 24 X 7 to put life into each mantra and make it Jagrit, be with me and forgive for my mistakes knowing and unknowingly done…… What follows is just BLISS…
Its a great feeling to overcome this challenge..
September 29, 2017 — 12:21 pm
S says:
Why “someday I will learn to chant it”? Why not today?
October 22, 2017 — 12:22 pm
Lakshmi says:
Actually, I did. 🙂 Have been chanting it since a couple of years now.
October 23, 2017 — 10:16 pm