In the beginning of evolution there was an explosion in the sound of Aum. From this Aum, 50 other matrikas (mothersounds) arose. From this 16 vowels and 36 consonants were created: the birth of the Sanskrit alphabet. These matrikas manifested themselves within the human body in the form of chakras (psychic energy centers). Each chakra gets depicted as a lotus with a different number of lotuspetals, referring to the number of matrikas (seedsounds). Through these chakras and the Sanskrit alphabet, we have a direct connection to the universe.

The individual mind is connected to the cosmic mind. The use of Sanskrit mantra and chanting affects a certain part of the universe and creates ripples in the cosmos, similar to that of electromagnetic or radio waves. It has its own field where it travels. There are numerous types of wave patterns and frequencies. They are like layers of sound vibrations.  Mantras that are produced with full concentration have a higher frequency, but if the mind is dissipated then the frequency is low. This higher frequency transforms the universal area of the mind and becomes a vehicle to communicate with the cosmic mind. Then the barrier between an individual and the universal mind breaks down. The individual mind becomes the universal mind: totally pure and deeply connected to the essence of existence. That is the power of sound vibration that has been discovered by yogis throughout the ages.

In Sanskrit, there is a reason why Rama has to be Rama. There are formulas to explain why words have to be a certain way, why a certain sound has to be produced. They don’t just call a tree a tree without further reason. Instead, there are formulas to proof why certain words have to be the way they are. However, the Vedas and vedic chants go beyond grammar. They cannot be grasped by the mind and it is pure about sound vibration.

To get the right effect of mantra, the pronunciation is of upmost importance. When you chant a mantra for peace and to overcome obstacles, the opposite effect can be created if the mantra is not pronounced correctly. Therefore, if one wants to develop in mantra yoga and the study of Sanskrit scriptures, it is important to have basic knowledge about the Sanskrit alphabet and its pronunciation.
Our ashram creates the environment and gives you the opportunity to study Sanskrit, to learn the alphabet together with basic grammar to be able to read and recite mantra and yogic texts.

Don’t think that it is too difficult with a Western background! Our 17-year old Sanskrit teacher Prakriti Dhungana has already succeeded in letting western students read and write Sanskrit. 
In our Ashram we give attention to yogic scriptures. So do we read the Durga Saptashati every morning and the full Bagavad Gita every ekadashi (the 11th day of the moon cycle).