We love writing about the Vedas & chanting!
I sometimes post things I don't teach - stotrams, kavacams etc 🙂
Śraddhā: The Eternal Companion of the Seeker
In the Vedas, Śraddhā is revered as both an attitude and a divine presence, guiding seekers towards truth and understanding. Unlike andha-viśvāsa (blind faith), Śraddhā does not demand unquestioning belief. Instead, it invites inquiry, comprehension, and a journey toward direct realisation.
The Significance of Nitya in our prayer books
The Sanskrit word Nitya (नित्य) resonates deeply with the essence of the books I have recently published. Often translated as eternal, constant, or perpetual, Nitya transcends these definitions, symbolising that which is timeless, uninterrupted, and unceasing—a concept that perfectly embodies the nature of Truth and the prayers these books seek to preserve.
Begin Your Rudram Journey This Śivarātrī
Rudram, a magnificent prayer from the Kṛṣṇa Yajur Veda, has been a source of transformation and devotion for countless practitioners. This Śivarātrī (February 26, 2025), I invite you to join the 5th cohort of our annual Rudram chanting course.
The Art of Veda Appreciation – With Krupa
Krupa compares reciting Veda to the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Salvador Dalí — you can’t experience any of them in a hurry. “Take your time to take them in,” advises Krupa…
The Value of Values: Insights from Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita
“Chapter 13 of the Bhagavad Gita offers a deep understanding of the human experience, teaching us to shift our focus from the transient body (kṣetra) to the eternal knower (kṣetrajña). It beautifully lists twenty values, such as humility (amānitvam), nonviolence (ahiṃsā), and self-control (ātma-vinigrahaḥ), as essential for inner growth. These are not merely ethical guidelines but transformative tools that align us with higher awareness. Chanting the Bhagavad Gita enhances this understanding, weaving its timeless wisdom into the rhythm of our being, making each verse a meditation on the values that lead to lasting peace and fulfillment.”
HAMPI: Immersing in Chanting, Culture, and Connection
The ancient city of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its architectural splendour and its significance as the heart of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Veda Studies Chanting Retreat in Hampi was an effort to honour the historical and living heritage of Hampi, blending Vedic wisdom with the cultural legacy of this sacred land.
INDICA – Veda Studies chanting teacher programme graduation
In collaboration with INDICA, we launched our first Chanting teacher training program in 2022. We are thrilled that our second cohort from this program graudated on 16 Nov 2024. Learning to teach mantras from both the Veda as well as the daily prayer Hindu tradition...
Mantra as Medicine — With Eunice Cu
Philippines-based Paediatrician, Ashtanga Yoga Teacher and Veda Recitation practitioner, Eunice Cu, prescribes Veda recitation to maintain good health in our gross and subtle bodies…
Language of the Mystics – with Swami Prem Sadasivananda
Swami Prem Sadasivananda believes Vedic Sanskrit is the origin of everything and explains how creation came into being with Om. The Sanskrit alphabet is that sound split into 50 minor vibrations…
From Dance to Veda – with Leslie Freyberg
Leslie Freyberg has been a professional dancer for 18 years and likens reciting Veda to dance, saying she feels like her mouth dances when she recites mantras.
Lalitā triśati – Vijayadaśami offering
Vijayadaśamī, also known as Dussehra, holds immense significance in Hindu culture as the day of victory, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. It marks the culmination of the Navaratri festival and is traditionally associated with the victory of Lord Rāma over...
Spiritual Serendipity – with Sri Devi
Yoga and Veda Recitation Teacher, Sri Devi, likens spiritual practices to the performing arts as she feels both help you connect to your core. She encourages students to feel the mantra and allow it to do its work. How? Read on to find out… By Sophia Ann French What...
Teaching to Teach – with Mridul Batra
After dabbling in photography, banking, and design, Mridul Batra found his true calling as an educator. He is learning Veda to enrich his life and the lives of his students. By Sophia Ann French How to teach a teacher? Ask Mridul Batra. He has spent most of his career...
Veda is Nature’s Language – with Sarah Chenkin
Sarah Chenkin played many roles (hippie, psychologist, farmer), and now, she’s enjoying retirement studying Sanskrit and learning to recite Veda…
Veda as Antaraṅga Sādhana – with Harshita Soni
Harshita Soni tells Veda Studies’ Sophie French how to apply spiritual practices to daily life and why abhyāsa is essential for spiritual development. By Sophia Ann French I started studying Veda recitation with Shantalaji last year, and at the time, I had no idea...
The final pilgrimage – on death & beyond
My father’s life experiences were often woven into the teachings at Veda Studies, serving as examples that enriched our understanding and practice. As we now reflect on his final journey and the sacred ceremonies that marked his passage, I hope that sharing this account will offer the same depth of insight to our community that his life so generously provided. May his final pilgrimage be as instructive and inspiring as the life he led.
Invoking Divine Blessings: The Power of Mantras to Guru, Lord Gaṇapati, and Goddess Sarasvatī
Chanting invocation mantras is a deeply rooted practice in India's spiritual traditions, especially at the commencement of any sacred activity. The book Nitya Dhyāna beautifully presents the first invocation mantras dedicated to the Guru, Lord Gaṇapati, and Goddess...
Living Spirituality — With Sucheta Kadethankar
Sucheta Kadethankar quit her corporate job to pursue adventure and study Veda recitation, realising that spiritual life can be applied to everyday life, too.