UNSECO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008
“The Vedas comprise a vast corpus of Sanskrit poetry, philosophical dialogue, myth, and ritual incantations developed and composed by Aryans over 3,500 years ago. Regarded by Hindus as the primary source of knowledge and the sacred foundation of their religion, the Vedas embody one of the world’s oldest surviving cultural traditions.”
-From UNSECO Website
Veda-s | About
Vedic chant was originally an oral tradition and a means of passing on knowledge and wisdom encapsulated in hymns and teachings covering a vast range of topics. Veda = Knowledge. This knowledge was received by men and women known as Mantra Drishtas (seers of the mantras). The Vedas were later collated by Bhagwan Veda Vyasa (circa 4,000 BCE) into four separate collections :
Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda
The language is classical Sanskrit and there are a set of rules and guidelines about the correct method of chanting covering such things as pronunciation, grammar and musical notes. Because of these rules and teaching methods the chants have not changed in any way since the time of Vyasa and beyond.
I continue my Sanskrit and Vedic Chanting studies in India, annually travelling to Chennai (KYM) and/or Mysore (Prof. Jayashree Anandampillai).
In 2009 I was Certified to teach Vedic Chant by the Krshnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM). Today I continue to study, practice and teach this ancient art form which for Krishnamacharya was the highest part of the Yoga path.