One of the simplest, yet most effective ways of connecting to the Divine is by mere reciting/chanting of shlokas, stotra, and/or mantras, with great devotion. Chanting is a beautiful sadhana to purify our speech and also integrate our body, mind, speech and intellect.

The vibrations produced by chanting Shlokas, primarily written in Samskrtam have been demonstrated to bring calmness to the minds by reducing stress, anxiety and anger. Scientific studies have also proven that chanting of Sanskrit shlokas aid in cognitive functions, helps better mental perception and reasoning, improves concentration and increases memory retention. Chanting of shlokas by understanding their meanings, not only helps eliminate errors but also gives a sense of inner peace which in turn leads one to develop compassion and understanding.

Chanting of specific shlokas is widely believed to bestow different effects on one’s life. For example, chanting a shloka on Lord Ganesha can help ward off obstacles and bestow success. Any shloka recited with complete faith and devotion to the Lord connects the chanter with the Divine thereby providing immense benefits.

Bhagavad Gita Chanting

Bhagavad-gita is the essence of the Vedas, the knowledge of the Reality. It is full of Supreme bliss. It is a dialogue between the Lord and Arjuna just before the commencement of the battle in the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

In His Bhaja Govindam, Sri Adi Shankaracharya says – one must chant/sing the Geeta and Vishnusahasranama daily. (geyaṃ gītā nāma sahasraṃ).

Chanting of the Gita increases one’s curiosity to know the meaning and this leads to deeper study thereby gaining knowledge that in turn can help lead to transform oneself. The Lord dwells at all times where the Gita is read, heard, taught and contemplated upon. The Lord Himself says – I reside in the Gita and the Gita is My best abode. I protect the three worlds with the knowledge of the Gita. He who meditates on the meaning of the Gita, having performed a great number of good actions, attains the supreme goal of fulfillment. Chanting Geeta also helps to enhance pronunciation, memory, concentration, phonetics etc.

To complete the benefits of learning, realizing and imparting the gospel, Bhagavan Krishna says:

अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः । adhyeṣyate ca ya imaṃ dharmyaṃ saṃvādamāvayoḥ ।

ज्ञानयज्ञेन तेनाहमिष्टः स्यामिति मे मतिः ।। jñānayajñena tenāhamiṣṭaḥ syāmiti me matiḥ ।। (18.70)

“I am also pleased by him who performs the jnana Yajña, the study of this precept, in the form of our dialogue and this is my considered view.”

Vishnu Sahasranama

The Vishnu Sahasranama is a masterpiece by the extraordinary Sage Veda Vyasa, regarded as an incarnation of the Lord Himself, and comprises the thousand names of the protector God, Maha Vishnu. Chanting of the Vishnu Sahasranama brings endless benefits. It sets us free from the fear of poverty, disease, birth, and death. It helps gain a higher consciousness that makes us understand the Divine better. When chanted with pure devotion and perseverance, the Vishnu Sahasranama bestows an abundance of blessings from God. Vishnu Sahasranama can be chanted by anyone and at any time without restrictions.

Shloka-a-thon

Shlok-A-Thon is a collection of over 200 selected shlokas in Sanskrit, from Hindu scriptures accompanied by two CDs containing the shlokas chanted by Mission members. Shlok-A-Thon books would be available in Chinmaya book store at the center. Besides shlokas from this book, other shlokas may also be taught, for which text reference will be provided.

Shlok-A-Thon class also teaches Srimad Bhagavad gita chanting.

Classes happen every BV Sunday 8.30–8.55 AM – open to children and adults who are members / have registered for Bala Vihar.

Contact for
Shlokathon : shlokathon

BG related questions: Geeta Chanting