Stotras and sacred texts
Guides to Recitation
Plain guides to the parts of a hymn and how they are read.
⚡ KEY TAKEAWAYS: Guides to Recitation
- This section explains the parts that come before many hymns and mantras.
- The first guide covers the seer, metre and deity, the viniyoga, and the nyasa that follows.
- Read it before reciting any stotra that opens with a viniyoga.
Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rishi | The seer to whom a mantra was revealed |
| Chhandas | The metre of the mantra |
| Devata | The deity of the mantra |
| Viniyoga | The statement of purpose before recitation |
| Nyasa | Placing the parts of a mantra on the body |
| Bija | The seed syllable of a mantra |
| Shakti | The power of a mantra |
| Kilaka | The “pin” that holds a mantra’s power |
Rishi, Chhandas, Devata
What the viniyoga and nyasa mean, and why they are done