34. Rhythmic Enunciation of Vedic Hymns

Wisdom or intellect alone can only help critical analysis and rational interpretations of the mantras, as superb 'linguistic formulae', containing supernatural knowledge and unique power of sound. The true realization of the divine knowledge of the Vedas is kpossible only by a perfect combination of pure intellect and Sraddha. It is said that - 'Bhavohi Karanama'; meaning - 'God lives in the serene sentiments and therefore could be experienced only through the sacred feelings of the inner self…..' The difference between 'emotional excitements' or sentiments born of selfish attachments' and the true sentiments emanated from the deeper cores of the inner self should be well understood before accepting these implications.

Saintly scholar Goswami Tulasidasa beings his writing of the Holy Ramayana with the following prayer of Goddess Parvati as the inspiration of Sraddha and Lord Shiva as the source of visvasa. Divine faith coupled with spiritually enlightened intellect represents an absolute combination that enables one realizes thy luminescence in his inner sentiments. One, who has unperturbed faith in absolute truth and practices it through pure intellect in deeds, indeed thee……

Linguistically, sama means - music, which has an intimate connection with emotions and sentiments, and Veda means perfect knowledge, which could be grasped only through the enlightened, discerning, pure intellect…… This way as well, Sama Veda has a direct linkage with Sraddha and Visvasa. We all must have experienced some time or the other in our life that - "what musical effects easily 'convey' to us via emotional impact that might never be expressible by written or oral words….." The reach of sentiments and emotions is much wider and deeper than the domains of knowledge expreeeible by human intellect. The vaidika risis, despite having represented their intrinsic experiences in the form of vedic mantras, had finally declared the Vedas, as - "neti-neti……", i.e. "beyond the power of expression….., inexplicable….."

There are three basic forms of vocal expressions - verse, prose and singing. Of which, the last two appear to be more effective means of conveying the sentiments in any language as they lend an emotional sense to the expressions in any language. Prayers offered to the Almighty are always presented in a form of verse or devotional songs, because thy presence cannot even be felt without the depth of serene emotions……..

The esoteric knowledge embodied in the Vedas, being an outcome of the divine inspirations, was naturally presented by the risis as hymns of mantras that could also be sung in enormous rhythmic patterns, making the corresponding sonic impacts penetrate through the inner emotional cores. The detailed knowledge of the rhythms of the divine music (of nada Brahm) and formulation of the chanting patterns for the vaidika mantras is encoded in the Sama Veda.