Asatoma sad gamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrityor ma amritam gamaya
Om shanti, shanti, shanti hi
The word shloka means ‘song’ and also spelt as Shloka or śloka Sanskrit: श्लोक śloka; is a poetic form used in Sanskrit, the classical language of India. A shloka is the one in which each line contains sixteen syllables. Shlokas, which are generally repeated to aid concentration in meditation, have their origins from the Vedic period. Chanting of shlokas has been prevalent in Indian culture for hundreds of centuries. It is the recitation of words that have spiritual meaning. Students at Advaith are taught Sanskrit Slokas every week. Every time they learn a new shloka, students are trained to pronounce each Sanskrit word clearly and in a flawless manner. Students are also trained to recite Slokas in a particular tune and rhythm that will eventually make them well versed.
Five key elements of chanting that make it beneficial :
The next three, are unique to chanting, especially the chanting of shlokas.
- The effect of breath while chanting. Research shows that a chanter’s respiration rate slows from the normal 12 to 15 breaths per minute to between five and eight breaths per minute, which is considered optimal for mind-body health.
- The audible sonic effect produced while chanting. This reflects the pleasurable sensations and healing effects of extended vowel sounds typical of sacred chants, like shlokas.
- The ultimate ‘intent’ of the person chanting. The desire to be close to God plays an important role.The synergy of the above five characteristics give chanting various powers that has been attributed to it.
Advaith School in Hosur encourages students to recite Shlokas regularly, doing so has various benefits :
1. Improves Attentiveness in Kids
Sanskrit sooth minds and this helps children focus on whatever they do and develop concentration. No matter what state of mind your child is in at present, you can help her calm down by few simple steps. This will enhance your child’s acceptance and make her strong from within.
2. Creates values among children
Prayer for peace and healing for all beings. Prayer time should be a period of joy, devotion and piety and never of boredom or force. This they will develop over time.
3. Chanting can help in healing
The rhythmic up and down vibration created by chanting shlokas create a melodious effect in the body known as the Neuro-linguistic effect (NLE). The Neuro- linguistic effect on the body is possible even if the person chanting does not know the meaning of the shloka. Another effect is the Psycho-linguistic effect (PLE), which occurs when one knows the meaning of what one is chanting.
4. Enhances clarity in speech and linguistic skills
The pressure on tongue, lips, vocal cord, palate and the connecting regions in the brain generated by the continuous chanting of Shloka stimulate the hypothalamus that then functions more efficiently.
The various advantages in reciting slokas at Advaith School in Hosur are :
1. Improve Concentration and Memory
Studies have shown that chanting shlokas helps to improve concentration and memory power in children. That’s because shlokas emit vibrations that activate the chakras (on the face and head) that play a role in learning and focus.
2. Reduce Stress
Chanting shlokas also reduces stress and improves the portions of the brain that develop the traits of patience and empathy.
3. Keep the Respiratory System Healthy
When kids chant shlokas, their breathing slows down. They’re able to take deep breaths and hold it for a few seconds. This regulates the functioning of the lungs and keeps the heart healthy.
4. Improve Your Child’s Immunity
Certain mantras put pressure on your child’s tongue, vocal cords, lips and other connected organs. The vibration also stimulates the hypothalamus gland, which regulates the secretion of hormones and improves immunity.
5. Help to Align the Chakras
Each of us has seven chakras, which are responsible for our health and well-being. If they’re out of equilibrium, we tend to fall sick more often. Chanting shlokas can help to align your child’s chakras and prevent him from infections.
6. Give a Boost to the Blood Flow
Regular recitation of shlokas gives a boost to your child’s blood circulation and gets rid of the toxins.
Shlokas for Children With Meanings
Here are 10 Sanskrit shlokas for kids (with meanings) that your children can easily memorise and chant :
1. Shanti MantraThis is the first Shanti mantra; it’s a good shloka for kids. It’s meaningful and also easy to chant. The Shanti Mantra is a prayer of peace from the Upanishads. |
Shloka : |
Meaning :Lead me to truth from ignorance, lead me to light from the
darkness, lead me to immortality from death. Let there be peace.
|
2. Shanti MantraThis is the second Shanti mantra. |
Shloka :Om sahana vavatu sahanau bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam karavavahai Tejas vinavati tamastu ma vidhwishavahai Om shanti shanti shanti hi |
Meaning :May God protect us both, the teacher and the student, on
our journey towards attaining knowledge. May He nourish us. May we work
together with great energy. May our studies be enlightening and
brilliant. May there be no hate or hostility among us. Let there be
peace in me, in nature, and in the divine force.
|
3. Shanti MantraThis is the third of the four Shanti mantras. |
Shloka :Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu Sarve bhavantu sukhinah Sarve santu niraamayaah Sarve bhadraani pashyantu Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet |
Meaning :May auspiciousness, peace, and prosperity be unto all. May
everybody be happy and free from disabilities. May all strive for the
good of others, and none suffer from sorrow.
|
4. Shanti MantraThis is the fourth Shanti mantra that kids can chant every day. |
Shloka :Om poornamadah poornamidam
Poornaat poornamudachyate Poornasya poornamaadaya Poornamevaavashishyate Om shanti, shanti, shanti hi |
Meaning :God is the ultimate truth. The absolute rises above the
absolute. Even when the absolute is taken away from the absolute, it
remains.
|
5. Mooshika Vaahana MantraThis mantra is for invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha, who helps to eliminate obstacles in life. |
Shloka :Mooshika vahana modaka hasta
Chamara karna vilambita sootra Vamana roopa Maheswara putra Vighna vinayaka paada namaste |
Meaning :Salutations to the Lord Ganesha, who has a mouse for a
vehicle and a modak in his hand. Your ears are like big fans and you
wear a sacred thread. You’re short in stature and the son of Lord
Maheshwara (Shiva). I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the remover of all
obstacles.
|
6. Guru MantraThis mantra highlights the importance of teachers and equates them with the Hindu Trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh. |
Shloka :Gurur brahmah gurur vishnu
Gurur devo maheshwaraha Gurur saakshaat param brahmah Tasmai shree guravey namaha |
Meaning :The guru (teacher) is the living representative of the
Holy Trinity in Hinduism – Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. The
teacher is the representative of the Supreme Being. He gives me
knowledge and destroys ignorance. I salute such a guru.
|
7. Saraswathi Namasthubhyam MantraThis shloka invokes the blessings of the Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of learning and wisdom. |
Shloka :Saraswati namastubhyam varade kaamaroopini
Vidyaarambham karishhyaami siddhirbhavatu me sadaa |
Meaning :Revered Goddess Saraswati, I prostrate before you as you
are the one who can fulfil all my wishes. I am beginning my studies and
ask you to bestow your grace upon me so that I am successful in my
endeavour.
|
8. Manojavam MantraThis shloka invokes the blessings of Lord Hanuman. |
Shloka :Mano javam maruda thulya vegam
Jithendriyam buddhi maatham varishtam Vathaatmajam vanara yudha mukhyam Sree rama dootham charanam prapadhye |
Meaning :I take refuge in Lord Hanuman. I pray and salute the one
who is as fast as thought, is more powerful than the wind, has mastered
his senses, is the wisest, is the son of the Wind God, is the commander
of the monkey brigade, and Lord Ram’s messenger. I bow at your feet.
|
9. Gayatri MantraThe Gayatri Mantra, also called Savitri Mantra, is a Vedic chant from the Rig Veda. It is dedicated to the sun. Make your child recite it while standing under the early morning sun. |
Shloka :Om bhur bhuva swaha
Tat savitur varenyam Bhargo devasya dhimahi Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat |
Meaning :We meditate on the glory of the vivifying Sun, whose
divine light illuminates all realms – the physical, the mental and the
spiritual. May your divine light illuminate our intellect.
|
10. Guravey Sarva MantraThis is a mantra in praise of the Dakshinamoorthy (Lord Shiva). |
Shloka :Guravey sarva lokaanaam
Bishajey bhava rohinaam Nidhaye sarva vidyanaam Shree dakshinaa moorthaye namaha |
Meaning :We bow to the universal guru who is the teacher of the
entire world and the healer of all diseases.
|