Unlocking the mystery of chanting
I have been chanting God’s names for close to four decades. I do because it helps me in many ways. I will give details later in this article. I continued chanting because it was working,, but I never knew how. I tried to repeat the name of my friend, but it gave me no benefit whatsoever. Then, something had to be different with God’s names. Recently, one early morning, I prayed to my Lord about disclosing the mystery of chanting His names and its effect on us.
As usual, my Lord guided me as I had sincerely prayed for an answer. A hint came about the source of the mind: who created it? It was easy—God has. Then, it clicked; He must know how to calm the mind, being its creator. Chanting God’s names does that. Not only calms the mind, but it also gives all kinds of benefits. Chanting God’s names has that power over the mind and the rest of the body.
I was thrilled beyond belief. Surely, I began to search for supporting evidence. I remembered verse # 10.25, in which Lord Krishna has specifically mentioned that He is chanting among the yajnas and the single syllable “Aum” in speech. The word “yajna,” translated into English, means “sacrifice.”
The word ‘sacrifice’ is explained as giving up the fruits of one’s ‘karmas’ (acts) to benefit others. Lord Krishna has glorified this as the highest yajna; it is better than even meditation, which is superior to knowledge. (12.12)Now returning to the benefits of chanting God’s names and, yes, Aum, it connects with God. In the case of a person, that person has to be within hearing distance or willing to respond.
In the case of God, He, being omnipresent, God will definitely hear and in case of chanting His names, will be much pleased. In the famous case of Hanumanji chanting Rama, Rama, Rama…, Lord Ramachandra asked Hanumanji about the reason for chanting His name. Hanumanji replied that it made Him blissful. Lord Ramachandra was much pleased.
In another famous instance, Draupadi was in grave danger of being dishonoured, getting disrobed in the royal court. She chanted, “Krishna, Krishna, Krishna… in utter desperation. We know what the Lord did for her.How does chanting God’s names or Aum work? How does a sanitiser work on an infected surface? Chanting has a similar effect on the mind; it calms it down, removes other thoughts, especially negative ones. Chanting is surrender to the Divine, and God is bound to take notice. God is much pleased as one is doing what He has instructed us to do, which is chanting, being the highest yajna. Chanting is a spiritual activity and must be done sincerely and regularly to experience its benefits.
Believe me, I have found chanting as the best way to get sleep, whether at night or during the day, as just one benefit among many. Why don’t you try to wash your mind clean like soap washes a cloth? Just keep washing and feel the difference. After chanting God’s names for nearly four decades, I realised its calming power arises because the mind itself is God’s creation.
Chanting connects us with the Divine, quiets restless thoughts, and nurtures inner peace. Practiced sincerely and regularly, it purifies the mind—much like cleansing—bringing spiritual strength, clarity, and deep, lasting tranquillity.
The writer is a spiritual teacher; views are personal
