Re: chanting
Hari Om
~~~~~
Namaste,
I see this is an interesting conversation on chanting and will stay on the sidelines...my only contribution is the number found in the mala beads, most notably 108 ( or divisions there of). Its not unsual to see a 109th bead for the guru, but for this post let me discuss the 108.
Where does this come from? From a Jyotish perspective, its seen as the 1/9th division of a birth chart. That is, 30 degree's divided by 9 = 3 degree's 20 minutes of an arc or 3.333 degrees. If you take 360 degree's or on full trip around the sun ( or one full trip around a mala) and divide it by 3.333 degree's one ends up with 108.
Now, why is 9 of any import? There are 9 graha's in Jyotish vedanga. The 1/9 divisional chart is called the Navamsa , yet is recognized as the dharma-amsa, or Dharma-division. This division says much on ones dharma. It is also used for spouse and relationships.
The grahas outline ones promise, potential and possibilities in this life, so the 9 play a role in our lives, both materially and spiritually. One may chant for one's spiritual advancement, some for appeasement, transcending, etc. as one cycles though the 108 beads. What is of interest is each division ( the 108 in the chart) is associated with a sound or nama nakshatra. This starts in the rasi of Aries ( Mesha) and starts with the sound of Chu, then Chay, Cho,Lah, Lee Loo Lay Loh, Ah for this first 9 divisions. For each 1/9th divison there is a sound, so 108 sounds.Now, pending the sound of ones Janma Nakshata, or the sign Chandra occupies upon your birth, this sound is of interest as it resinates with the native.
The Graha's also has sound assocaited with them, that stimulate that creative impulse in ourselves and in our surroundings e.g. Sun - A, AA, E, EE, U, OU, RI , REE, LRI, LREE, AE, AEI, O, OW. Yo will find bija mantra's designed around these simple sounds that stimulate cause-and-effect for the native. So, coming full circle we have a 108 mala bead, and we can 'hang' certain sounds on them, mantra's.
pranams,
" Make friends with the sky" Frank Sinatra
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
Bookmarks