मन्त्रो हीनः स्वरतो वर्णतो वा
मिथ्याप्रयुक्तो न तमर्थमाह
mantro hīnaḥ svarato varṇato vā
mithyāprayukto na tam artham āha
Pāṇinīya Śikṣā · 52
A mantra deficient in accent or in syllable, wrongly used, does not convey its meaning.
Why this workshop??
Sound, held with care.
Mantra chanting is finding its way into many hearts today — through kirtan, sound baths, meditation, and the simple experience of singing together. Beneath all these forms lies something ancient: the recognition that sound can shape our attention, our breath, and the way we experience silence.
I grew up with mantra as part of everyday life. In a traditional household in India, Vedic chanting and ritual were not something separate from life — they were simply woven into it. Later, I studied in a Vedic school, and Sanskrit became a language I could speak, understand, and live through.
In this workshop, we will explore mantra not only as something to sing, but as a practice to be approached with awareness and care. We will look at:
Shashi · Samatva
the arc
Four dimensions of sacred sound.
- Śabda the soundLearn to pronounce. The Sanskrit sounds your mouth doesn't make in German or English — and the six things the tradition says every syllable needs.
- Svara the toneLearn to listen. Pitch and duration are part of the mantra, not decoration on top of it.
- Bhāva the feelingLearn to connect. A technically perfect chant can still be dry. This is where kirtan begins.
- Dhyāna the stillnessLearn to become quiet. Repetition softens, the voice falls away, and what's left is the point of the whole thing.
from pronunciation to vibration · from vibration to devotion · from devotion to silence
the workshop
How the two hours run.
- 17:00
- Arrival & settling
- 17:10
- What is a mantra?
- 17:25
- Sanskrit sounds — the foundation of Śikṣā
- 17:45
- Breath, resonance & A–U–M
- 18:00
- Learning mantras together
- 18:30
- Chanting — rhythm, pitch & bhāva
- 18:45
- Japa — from voice to silence
- 18:55
- Silence & closing
- 19:00
- Finish
No previous experience needed, this workshop is open and accessible for all. Some mantras traditionally belong to initiation and lineage, so what we chant together are the ones meant to be shared: the Gayatri Mantra, the Hanuman Chalisa and others we all know or wish to explore.
practical
Where and when.
- Dates
- Saturday 20 September 2026
Saturday 27 September 2026Choose your desired date below. - Time
- 17:00 – 19:00
- Place
- A cosy community space in Zieglergasse, Neubau 1070, ViennaThe exact address is sent to you once your place is booked.
- Language
- English
where half of it goes
Gift a Smile.
Half of everything we receive for this evening goes to Gift a Smile 😊 — free education, meals, uniforms and care for underprivileged children who would otherwise go without.
Photo · Art of Living Schools
Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream. I'll share the receipt afterwards, so you can see exactly what went.
come along
Choose your evening.
Then choose what it's worth to you. Half goes straight to the children.
01 — Choose a date
02 — Join us for the next Workshop
Thanks for passing by, currently both the planned workshops in September are full. If you'd like to be part of next workshop, please write to hello@samatva.eu or use the contact form — We'll let you know as soon as a new date is set.
Your Host
Shashi.
A certified yoga teacher, Ayurveda health coach and a forever learner. He grew up in a traditional Indian household where Vedic ritual was part of daily life. Shashi went to a Vedic school in India where he learnt Sanskrit and studid how to chant mantras. He conducts his offerings in person in Vienna and online.