Connecting with the Universal Spirit

by Bala Bharadvaj, 17 July 2024

Summary:

In the Hindu tradition, four months (called cāturmāsa) during the monsoon were especially dedicated to the pursuit of spiritual growth. People used this time of the year to enhance their spiritual practices. In 2024 CE, this period is coming up starting 17 July 2024 through 12 November 2024. In this article, we explore simple ways to initiate or strengthen the spiritual nourishment through the process of learning to chant and understand the meanings of some śloka-s. We also discuss some key benefits of chanting and address common questions that often arise in the minds of the modern educated class.

Background:

cāturmāsa is a Sanskrit word which simply means four months. The four months falling between mid-July and mid-November (exact dates set per the Hindu calendar) happen to coincide with the monsoon season in India – a time of heavy rains resulting in rivers brimming with water, landslides in the mountains, impassable roads, etc., making it difficult to travel from place to place. Being more connected with the cycles of nature, our masters chose this period as the ideal time to stay put in one place and focus on strengthening their spiritual activities.

Today, we have much better infrastructure and may not experience the same kind of disruptions as our ancestors did, especially when we live in big cities in modern homes made of steel and concrete. Nevertheless, it is a good time of the year to revisit our priorities and initiate activities that will help us to grow in the spiritual dimension. If we already follow a good routine for spiritual activities, these four months can be used to enhance our knowledge through focused study and reflection. If we don’t have a routine, this would be an excellent time to start one, however small and simple it might be.

A simple practice suitable for all:

There are many types of religious / spiritual practices that can be found among the collection of traditions we refer to as Hinduism (or sanātana dharma). As was discussed in an earlier article in this blog “Hinduism is like a five-star buffet”, the many types of spiritual practices in sanātana dharma are made available by design, to accommodate a variety of needs that people have.

The ancient masters of the Indian subcontinent have advocated and approved of the idea that there can be many paths to reach the summit of a mountain, and all these paths are acceptable ways to climb higher. Some paths may be easier to navigate but take longer to reach the top, while others may demand more agility and strength but will get you to the summit faster. Some paths could provide a colourful scenic route, while the others may require you to pass through a stark landscape.

Among the various religious / spiritual practices, one of the easy ones is to get into the habit of chanting śloka-s. When we hear the word “chanting” one may immediately think about vedic chanting by trained pandits requiring long periods of specific training to master them. You can hear a good example here – the chanting of some śānti mantra-s by a trained group of people. Those who want to chant like them will have to enroll in a vedic chanting class.

For most people, especially those getting started, the place to begin is to learn how to recite śloka-s where the rules are much simpler. śloka-s are verses or hymns praising a particular deity, or a combination of praise and an appeal for mercy & blessings from the deity. śloka-s can be recited as prose or even set to a tune and sung like a song. However, for best results, this must be done as a regular discipline, with the correct pronunciation of the words, an attitude of prayerful humility (dāsa bhāva), and understanding of the meanings as much as possible. The sound vibrations produced during the chanting are said to have their own unique power, and incorrect pronunciation can change the associated meaning, and even result in unexpected consequences. When the meanings are understood, the śloka-s have a profound effect on our mind and can take one to a meditative state.

How to get started:

The best way to learn these śloka-s is to do it at an early age from a parent or grandparent by hearing them (even before the child knows how to read and write). This is the way people used to learn in ancient times, and this process also enhances the memory of the listener. Traditionally, these śloka-s were learned by the children at a young age and became a part of their daily routine since the children were expected to recite the śloka-s in the morning after their bath, and again during the evening at sunset when the lamps were lit.

Key benefits of this daily prayerful chanting include:

creating a routine with specific times to focus on personal growth (this can also be a time for parents and children to pray together)[1]
enhancing memory if approached as a fun challenge to memorize the verses
enhancing clarity of speech (trains the tongue to make a variety of sounds precisely)
enhancing the ability to focus and increase attention span
calming the mind and acting as an introduction to meditation
making one curious to learn more about the significance of the chanting

[1] As the saying goes, “Families that pray together, stay together.”

The last point becomes more and more important as one gets older – for young adults and grown-ups – especially for those of us exposed to the modern education system that appears to focus on the scientific way of thinking.

Some of us exposed to these modern ideas may have doubts about the whole process of praying and chanting, and other traditional rituals. This happens mostly due to the following three reasons.

Not understanding the meanings of the chants.
Confusion about the number of “Gods” in Hinduism.
Jumping to the conclusion that sanātana dharma is not “scientific”.

Brief answers to possible doubts:

Short answers to the three questions are given below.

Many of the śloka-s are in Sanskrit. Even though most of us don’t have sufficient knowledge of this magnificent language, there are reliable translations and explanations available. One can start learning the meanings with the help of these translations.
The philosophical texts of sanātana dharma (e.g., the upaniṣad-s) make it very clear that there is only one divine Universal Spirit that is worshipped by all. However, this great divine being can be thought of as having many forms and functions so that it becomes easier for ordinary people to offer worship. Once we understand this idea, there is no conflict.
There are a wide variety of scriptures available in sanātana dharma. When one begins to understand the fundamental concepts expounded in them, it becomes clear that the ṛṣi-s were highly evolved scientists who not only did rigorous observations and analyses but also had peer reviews very similar to the scientists of modern times. Their conclusions are being validated even today by dedicated practitioners.

More details are provided as a separate post here.

In Conclusion:

As we enter the special auspicious period of cāturmāsa, this is an excellent time to strengthen the spiritual side of our personality. An easy way to get started is with the chanting of some śloka-s with humility and faith. When questions come up, it is best to make the effort to learn about the subject from authentic sources.

Seeking the blessings of the Universal Spirit on all of us.

Hari Om!