Veda is derived from the root “Vid”, which means “to know”. Knowledge of the Supreme is Veda and it encompasses three key spiritual areas:

• Knowledge of the Spirit or Atma Jnana
• Knowledge of the Universal Consciousness or Brahma Jnana
• Knowledge of the One that subsumes the many or Advaita Jnana

As some of the world’s most ancient scriptures, the Vedas are regarded as infinite and hold eternal truths. They are vast and beyond the comprehension of the average person. Originally, there was just one Veda but to study it took much time and effort. The great Sage Ved Vyasa divided it into four different parts to make the study and practical application of the Vedas easier.

One of the four Vedas is the Yajur Veda which consists of mantras for worshipping the deities. The Yajur Veda consists of two divisions – Krishna Yajur Veda and Sukla Yajur Veda. Within Chapter 24 of the Krishna Yajur Veda, the Sri Rudram can be found.

Sri Rudram is a hymn or a prayer to Lord Shiva, often chanted at regular and special events. It is formed of two parts:

1 – Namakam lays stress on detachment or virakti, i.e. refusing to want anything.
2 – Chamakam dwells on desires such as for pure air, drinking water; it is prayers of request.

During the Ati Rudra Maha Yajna in August 2006, Sri Sathya Sai Baba explained that all which is evil is to be discarded and all that is good is to be desired. Understanding both these aspects is essential for humans, hence the Namakam and Chamakam are critical to spiritual development.

According to Sri Sathya Sai Baba, all the Vēdas are there to help humans become aware of a vital spiritual premise, namely, that divinity is in them and around them. They are for everyone irrespective of caste, creed, race or nationality.

As the Vedas are a vast storehouse of wisdom, the roots of human culture and what we should strive for, they enable humans to have an overview of the universe.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba quotes the Sage Manu who declared: “Everything is derived from the Vedas.” All knowledge, all the principles of right living, all qualities, are derived from the Vedas. The Veda teaches how to achieve purity of heart, getting rid of impurities.” Sathya Sai Speaks Volume 23, Ch.24. Message of the Vedas, 1990 and Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Dasara Discourse, 20 October 1982)

There are a number of golden rules to chanting the vedas:

1. Intonation, rhythm and accuracy are very important.
2. Chanting should be done with sincerity, conviction and devotion.
3. Knowing the meaning of the Vedas is key
4. The Vedic letters must be spoken very lucidly, and not blurred or in a feeble voice.
5. The sound should not slip down or fade out but it should also not be shouted out.
6. Vedas are recited and chanted: they should not be offered in a sing-song fashion, nor should they be spat out in staccato tones or in a rushed manner.
7. Body posture should be straight and not slouched
8. Chanting can be done, at any time as the divine is ever listening and omnipresent. However, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has emphasised the importance of chanting between 4.00-8.00 am and 4.00- 8.00 pm

Many Sai Centres and Groups across the UK dedicate at least 5-20 minutes of veda chanting during their weekly programmes. This regularity of continuous listening and practice helps embed the grasp of the vedas across the congregation. For details of the Sai Centre or Group nearest to you, or contact the national spiritual coordinator spiritual@srisathyasai.org.uk 

The Sri Rudram and other vedas are also commonly chanted during Mahashivaratri, paying homage and offering reverence to Lord Shiva during the auspicious full moon. Chanting during this time is understood to help bring purity to earth.

Nationally, the UK is fortunate enough to host the annual Ekadashi Sri Rudra Homam Universalnal Prayers for Peace. During the day, 11 rounds of Namakam and Chamakam are chanted. Priests perform sacred rites and pujas, pouring offerings of milk, clarified butter or ghee amongst other things onto the lingam. The lingam is the abstract representation of Lord Shiva. During the final round of chanting, the priests dress and adorn the lingam with flowers and vibuthi (holy ash).

“The Vedas have emphasised that man will be truly human only when he lives up to human values and practises the good life. Many who chant the Vedas these days have difficulty in understanding their purport. When they fully understand the meaning and chant the mantras, they will derive greater joy. Only then they will experience the full sacredness and potency of the Vedas.”

 – Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol 22 1989

“The Vedas took form, only to demonstrate and emphasise the existence of God. The Veda is a collation of words that are the Truth, which were visualised by sages who had attained the capacity to receive them into their enlightened awareness. In reality, the Word is the very Breath of God, the Supreme Person. The unique importance of the Veda rests on this fact.”

– Sathya Sai Baba (Sathya Sai Vahini)