[Advaita-l] chanting knowing the meaning whether necessary

[Mallik Chitta]

Hari Om Everyone!

In my opinion - there is no right or wrong answer for this question.

Even though I agree that understanding the meaning helps in having a "feel"
for "chanting", is it really possible in today's world?   In my opinion, we
should:

    chant regularly
    understand the meaning whenever possible and
    continue chanting

If we say that "chanting without understanding" is a waste, then most of us
(including me and my kids) would stop.  Instead, let us consider it as a
step in right-direction and let us do more to understand the "meaning".

Regards,
Mallik

On 5/28/08, Dr. Yadu Moharir <ymoharir at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Namaste R.Krishnamoorthy-Ji:
>
> It does not matter whether you agree with me or not you should take up the
> issue with Sage paata~njali or and our niruktakaara who provided
> understanding for various "dhaatu".  This subject has been discussed
> extensively by all grammarians.  There were more than 64 Grammarians before
> PaNini.
>
> Let us see the definition of word "mantra" - matraaH mananaata.
>
> Sage paata~njali gives his understanding of the term "japa" -
> "tatjjapastadrthabhaavanam || samaadhipaada1.28 ||"
>
> Therefore japa is certainly not reciting something without knowing the
> meaning.  It needs to be understood first.
>
> there is famous shloka that establishes the procedure for mantra japa:
>
> mantraartha mantra caitanya yo na jaanaati saadhakaH |
> shatalakhsa prajaptopi tasya mantro na sidhyati ||
>
> Meaning - A mantra does not become siddha (comes to fruition) even after
> it's repetition for 10 Lacks of times.
>
> Similar thoughts where expressed by Acharya Shankara as well -
>
> arthasya nishcayo draShTo | vicaareNa hitotitaH ||
> nasnaanena na daanena na praaNaayama shatena vaa
>
> yasya naasti svaya.m pradnyaa shaas{}tra.m tasya karoti kim .
> locanaabhyaa.m vihiinasya darpaNaH ki.m kariShyati .. caaNaakyaniitii ..
>
> ChaNakyaa tell us if there is no understanding there cannot be pradnya just
> like what is the use of a mirror to a blind person.
>
>
> Now tell me, how can any one perform "manana" without understanding ?
>
> We have lost our culture because we do not understand it.  That is we, the
> Indians cannot adequately defend when Western scholars take poke at it
> through their narrow academic perspectives and try to apply psychoanalysis
> and then try to hide behind the "Academic Freedom" in the West.
>
> I have come across many vedanti's who prove the statement by their actions
> "kalau vedaantino bhanti phallgune baalakaa iva"
>
> Often vedaanti are compared to the ladle that stirs the "baasundi" (a sweet
> preparation from evaporated milk) where the ladle in incapable of enjoying
> the the flavor of the preparation.
>
> adhiitya caturo vedaandharmashaastraaNyanekashaH ||
> beahmatattvaM na jaanaati darvii paakarasaM yathaa ||
>
>
> After all above thoughts if you still feel that one should do recitations
> without understanding then let that be your personal choice at least do not
> preach it to others.
>
> Finally, If you do not know what you say then what you say has no meaning.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Dr. Yadu
>
> srirudra at vsnl.com wrote:
>    Dears
>
> I donot agree that that oneshould recite/chant mantras and slokas only
> after understanding their meaning or knowing syntax etc.What is required is
> concentration and devotion.Knowing the meaning does help in appreciating the
> context of the slokas and how beautiful are the thoughts /imagery of the
> composer etc.Thisway your thoughts are focussed and you feel that you have
> spent some time without straying out of the subject.Many of the beejaksharas
> have no meaning and the very chanting of them definitely helps in fixing the
> thoughts on Brahman or the Self.Ofcourse mechanical unrhythmic chantings
> just for commercial purposes has to be discouraged.
>
> R.Krishnamoorthy.
>
>
>
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