Nama Sankirtana (Chanting the Divine Name)

Nama Sankirtana is the devotional practice of chanting or singing the sacred names of the Divine with heartfelt emotion and repetition.

It is a central expression of Bhakti Yoga (the path of love and devotion) and is considered one of the most powerful and accessible spiritual practices, especially in the modern age of Kali Yuga.

The practice can be performed in group settings through call-and-response chanting, meditative repetition, or ecstatic singing with musical accompaniment.

Etymology and Meaning

Sanskrit Spelling: नाम संकीर्तन

Root Words: "Nama" (name) + "Sankirtana" (collective praise or complete glorification)

Translation Variations: Chanting the name, singing God's names, divine praise

Pronunciation: Nāma Sankīrtana [NAH-mah sun-KEER-tuh-nuh]

Nama Sankirtana literally means "the complete and communal glorification of the divine name."

It invites both individual devotion and collective unity, dissolving separation through sound and remembrance.

Historical Context

The practice of chanting divine names appears in the Bhakti movement across India and is especially prominent in Vaishnava and Shaiva traditions.

In the Bhagavata Purana, Nama Sankirtana is described as the most effective path to liberation in Kali Yuga:

"Kalau nāma-mātra eva mokṣa-dāyakam" - In the age of Kali, liberation can be attained simply by chanting the divine name.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Taught that chanting Krishna’s name was the supreme spiritual practice

Sant Traditions: Saints like Mirabai, Tulsidas, and Namdev also emphasized the power of sacred name over ritual or philosophy

Practical Application

In Group Practice

• Participate in kirtan (call-and-response chanting) with others
• Use instruments like harmonium, drum, or hand cymbals for rhythm and expression

In Personal Practice

• Chant sacred names during meditation or daily routine
• Use mala beads to repeat a divine name as a japa practice

In Everyday Life

• Play or softly sing divine names while cooking, driving, or working
• Return to the name when stressed or distracted to re-center awareness

Symbolism in Yoga Philosophy

In Bhakti Yoga, the divine name is not separate from the divine form. Chanting becomes a direct method of communion.

Each name is considered a vibrational gateway into the presence of the Divine. It transcends caste, creed, or scholarly understanding and is accessible to anyone with sincerity and longing.

Quotes and Wisdom

"The name of the Lord is the divine rope by which the devotee can climb out of the well of worldly existence." - Swami Sivananda

"Chanting the name is not about calling God closer, it’s about remembering we were never separate."

Modern Relevance

Nama Sankirtana continues to flourish in yoga studios, temples, and homes around the world. In a time when many feel disconnected and distracted, the practice offers a simple and potent tool to return to the heart.

It requires no musical skill or dogma, only sincerity. For many practitioners, it becomes a lifeline of joy, surrender, and spiritual intimacy.

Related Concepts

Japa: Repetition of a sacred name or mantra, often done silently with a mala

Bhakti: The yoga of love and devotion; the spiritual path where Nama Sankirtana is central

Lila: Divine play, the stories and expressions often celebrated in chanting

How to Practice Nama Sankirtana

Mindset: Let the chanting arise from longing, love, and Viraha, not as a performance

Actions: Join local or online kirtans, or create a space at home to chant alone or with loved ones

Reflection: After chanting, sit in silence and observe the reverberation in the heart

Suggested Reading

• Nama Bhajan by Swami Sivananda
• Chanting the Name by Krishna Das
• Love Everyone: The Transcendent Wisdom of Neem Karoli Baba

Conclusion

Nama Sankirtana is both simple and profound. It reconnects voice, breath, and being to the source of life.

Through the sacred repetition of the name, we remember who we are, not with the mind, but with the soul.

In a world that often forgets the sacred, Nama Sankirtana keeps the divine present and alive in sound, silence, and surrender.