Chanting Vedic Mantras
In the Vedic civilization, the chanting of Vedic mantras was the primary method for communicating with the divine, performing sacrifices, and sanctifying daily life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that these mantras are transcendental sound vibrations that, when chanted properly, can produce miraculous results. However, he also clarifies the limitations of this practice in the modern age compared to the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
The Power of Sound
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the immense potency of Vedic mantras when chanted by qualified brāhmaṇas. In ancient times, sages like Bhṛgu Muni could create living entities or ignite sacrificial fires simply by the power of sound. The vibrational quality of the mantra, combined with the purity of the chanter, could control material elements and invoke the presence of the demigods and the Supreme Lord.
- Great learned brahmanas who are expert in performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices can extract the fire dormant within wooden fuel by chanting the fifteen Samidheni mantras, thus proving the efficacy of the Vedic mantras.
- Brahmanas like Bhrgu Muni were so powerful that they could create such powerful demigods simply by chanting the Vedic mantras. Vedic mantras are still available, but the chanters are not.
- Therefore the great sages sometimes killed old cows, and by chanting Vedic hymns they brought them back to life for perfection.
Strict Requirements
For Vedic mantras to be effective, they must be chanted with absolute precision regarding meter, accent, and pronunciation. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that if there is even a slight deviation, the result can be opposite to what was desired. This necessitates a class of highly trained priests who are pure in conduct and expert in the science of sound—qualifications that are extremely rare in the current age.
- Vedic mantras must be enunciated perfectly and chanted with the proper accent; if the priests who are engaged in this business commit any mistake, the checker, or referee priest, immediately corrects the procedure.
- It is the practice of the brahmanas conversant with the science to pronounce a Vedic mantra in the right accent. The combination of the mantra and Sanskrit words must be chanted with the right pronunciation.
Unsuitability for Kali-yuga
Due to the lack of qualified brāhmaṇas and the general degradation of human capacity, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises against relying on Vedic sacrifices in the Age of Kali. He explains that performing such sacrifices often becomes a mere show of wealth without spiritual benefit. Instead, the scriptures recommend the saṅkīrtana-yajña, which is easy to perform and yields the highest perfection.
- By chanting the Vedic mantras properly in a sacrifice, one can perform many wonderful things. In Kali-yuga, however, there are no qualified brahmanas who can chant the mantras properly.
- In this age, the performance of yajna has been forbidden because no one can properly chant the Vedic mantras. If Vedic mantras are chanted properly, the desire for which a sacrifice is performed must be successful.
- Hardly anyone can chant the Vedic mantras with perfect pronunciation or accumulate the paraphernalia for Vedic performances. Therefore the sacrifice recommended in this age is sankirtana, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord.
Auspiciousness and Sanctification
Although not the primary means of liberation in this age, Vedic mantras are still used to create an auspicious atmosphere during festivals and ceremonies. Śrīla Prabhupāda mentions their use during Lord Kṛṣṇa's birth ceremony, bathing rituals, and eclipses. When chanted by devotees to please the Lord, these vibrations purify the environment and invoke good fortune.
- In that ceremony (for Krsna's birth), all the assembled brahmanas began to chant different kinds of Vedic mantras to invoke all good fortune for the child. There are different kinds of chanting, known as suta, magadha, vandija and virudavali.
- The Lord was therefore pleased when such Vedic mantras were chanted, and to encourage His pure devotees, He roared once more and entered the water to rescue the submerged earth.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that while Vedic mantras are glorious and potent, their successful application is difficult in the modern era. The chanting of the holy name of the Lord—specifically the mahā-mantra—is the spiritual essence of all Vedic hymns and is the only practical means for self-realization today. One who chants Hare Kṛṣṇa achieves the results of all Vedic sacrifices.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Chanting Vedic Mantras. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.