The Connection Between Sanskrit Sounds And Spiritual Transformation In Yoga

Finding Harmony Podcast

In this episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, Harmony and Russell reconnect with their Sanskrit and chanting teacher, Dr. M.A. Jayashree, who has spent a lifetime immersed in the study and teaching of ancient yogic wisdom. This insightful conversation dives deep into the transformative power of Sanskrit sounds in yoga practice, exploring how these sacred vibrations can influence spiritual growth and inner transformation.

Join us as we discuss the significance of mantra, the role of chanting in traditional yogic practices, and how these ancient sounds can be a pathway to deeper spiritual awareness. Our guest shares her personal journey of growing up in India, her experience as a woman studying and teaching Sanskrit, and the profound impact that chanting has had on her life and the lives of her students.

Key Topics:

• The Significance of Saraswati: Our guest explains the meaning behind the Saraswati chant, detailing the symbolism of the goddess of knowledge and her importance in spiritual practice.
• Growing Up with Yoga and Sanskrit: Learn about our guest's early life in India, where yoga and Sanskrit were integral parts of her upbringing, and how this cultural foundation influenced her spiritual journey.
• The Power of Chanting: Discover the vibrational power of Sanskrit mantras and how they can transform the mind, body, and spirit. Our guest delves into the science behind these sounds and their role in yogic practices.
• Education and Tradition: A discussion on the importance of education in traditional Indian families, particularly the role of women in preserving and passing on spiritual knowledge.
• Balancing Family and Education: Our guest shares her personal challenges and triumphs as she pursued higher education in Sanskrit while managing the responsibilities of family life.
• The Essence of True Education: Explore the difference between knowledge (Jnana) and wisdom (Vidya), and how true education goes beyond mere information to cultivate a cultured and compassionate mind.
• Spiritual Practice Through Chanting: Understand how chanting serves as a spiritual practice, akin to pranayama, and how it can lead to a meditative state by focusing the mind and controlling the breath.

Jayashree Anandampillai

Dr. M.A. Jayashree is a retired Professor of Sanskrit, currently the director of Anantha Research foundation, Mysore, an institution engaged in foundational research work in the field of ancient sciences of India and also in the field of Sanskrit and Indian culture.

She holds a doctorate degree in Sanskrit from Bangalore University on the topic, “Concept of Mind in Indian philosophy” completed under the guidance of Prof K. T. Pandurangi.

She has many books, monographs and papers to her credit in the fields of Sanskrit, Ancient Sciences, Indian history, Culture, Music and so on. She holds a vidvat (master) degree in Carnatic classical music and is a Performing Musician. She is an accomplished artist in Mysore school of painting. She is the Vidwatpramukh for ItihasaSankalanaSamiti, Karnataka chapter.

She has a large following of overseas students to learn Yoga Sutras of Maharshi Patanjali and Srimad Bhagavadgita. She has conducted many workshops on chanting of Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, given lectures on Yoga Philosophy and taught Sanskrit in an easy way in many parts of the world like Hong Kong, Thailand, America & Europe. She has also given several sessions in the “Evolution – Asia Yoga Conference ” in Hong Kong for 3 consecutive years. She has produced many CDs and books as learning aids in the traditional method of oral chanting in the name ‘Srutiparampara’

Dr. M.A. JAYASHREE is from from Mysore, Karnataka, in Southern India. She was born and brought up in a traditional Indian brahman family environment. After starting her studies in the scientific field, she became more and more involved in the understanding of Indian philosophy and scriptures. This led her to achieve a deep knowledge of both Yoga and Sanskrit, which she speaks fluently. Dr. M.A. JAYASHREE took her PhD in Sanskrit, of which she has become a popular teacher by working in several educational institutions of Mysore (College and University) alongside her private tuition to Yoga students. She has also studied the traditional Indian music system, and her wonderful voice has allowed her to become a recognized singer. She has featured several CDs on Veda, Yoga Sutra, Sloka and Sanscrit poems. Dr. M.A. Jayashree, along with her brother Prof. M.A. Narasimhan are the founders of the Anantha Research Foundation, Sanskrit & Yoga Research Foundation, Mysore, whose purpose is to bring the wisdom of traditional Indian teachings to contemporary students all over the world.

Links to chanting:

https://open.spotify.com/track/28Pax7cpc8H1vUMrabDLHJ

https://open.spotify.com/album/54d1Oqhs1v2SyCmWXinXPi?uid=ab9a130b86bada14a636&uri=spotify%3Atrack%3A28Pax7cpc8H1vUMrabDLHJ

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