“Rudram forms a very important section of Kṛṣhṇa Yajur Vēda. Rudram is generally understood to be a prayer to Lord Rudra. In fact, it is the essence of all the Vedas, viz. Ṛg Vēda, Yajur Vēda, Sāma Vēda and Atharvaṇa Vēda. Another important feature of Rudram is the ēkatva (unity) between its two parts, Namaka and Chamaka. Namaka lays stress on virakti (detachment) whereas Chamaka dwells on desires for this and that. What is to be discarded and what is to be desired? That which is evil is to be discarded and all that is good is to be desired. Understanding of both these aspects is essential for man.”Extracts from Bhagavān Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s discourse
during Ati Rudra Mahā Yajña, August 2006
Details
Instructions:
The following is suggested to be followed during the chanting.
1. Chanting Namakam
2. Chanting Chamakam
3. Sai Rudram (is optional who prefer can do it)
4. The above will be repeated for 11 times
5. Kshama (forgiveness) prayer
6. One Aum and 3 Shanthi’s
Swāmi started explaining about namakam. It means I don’t want anything.
Na means no, while ma means want. I don’t want anything, I don’t want anything is the first half.
While the second half, chamakam means I want. I want indicates being full of desires. What do they desire? Oh God, grant us pure air; grant us good drinking water; bless us with good food. That is chamakam – prayers of request.
Then I asked, “Swāmi, while we say, I don’t want anything, in namakam, why should we also say, I want everything, in chamakam? Why both these types of prayers? Either we should pray, I want it, or pray, I don’t want it. What is the point saying both?”
Swami immediately replied, “Both are there in Vēdas so that those people who have desires will recite chamakam and those people who have no desires will recite namakam. That’s all. The Vēdasgive provisions for both these types of people, for both categories of people.”
Extract from Talk by Prof. Anil Kumar on 22 October 2002