The Vedic Chants Are My Lifeline — A Student's Journey with Vedas4All

A personal testimonial shared by a Vedas4All student

Dearest Veda Family,

My spinal problems have been a part of my life for many years, but in 2016 things became very serious. After 31 years of teaching, I was medically boarded. The specialist doctors, after many tests, discovered that I was living with daily pain and struggling with the demands of teaching Grade 12 English at a special needs school — which was an incredibly demanding role. I also had muscle and nerve damage which led to several serious falls and injuries.

I underwent two spinal surgeries, in 2019 and 2022, both of which were very long and challenging in terms of healing and recovery. Then in September 2025, after many more tests, the specialists discovered that I was still in pain because both surgeries had failed. I had also taught Education in Human Values (EHV) for five years but had to stop due to the persistent pain.

In January 2026, I had my third surgery — very extensive and complicated. It was Swami's miracle that I survived the operation and the three months of pain, recovery, and healing that followed.

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I have been a devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba from the age of five, and Swami has carried me through every health and personal challenge. I continued to study all the courses I could with the Sai Organisation, and over the last two years I have found so much peace, acceptance, and strength in focusing on the Vedic chanting classes.

For all three surgeries — especially the last one — the doctors told us that I needed to be physically, mentally, and spiritually strong to cope with the surgery and recovery. I placed all my Vedic chants in a folder and chanted every day that I could, except for the days I was in ICU or so unwell that I was barely conscious.

On 12 January 2026, when I was admitted to the hospital in Pretoria, I took my folder of Vedic chants, my Sai books, and my prayer beads with me. I would ask the other patients if I could chant softly in the mornings. I spent two weeks in hospital and chanted for most of those days.

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I still have a long way to go on my journey of recovery, but Swami saved me from organ damage and the loss of my mobility. None of the medications agree with me — it is only the physiotherapy, exercise, and the Vedic chants that have helped me to think beyond the physical body and the pain.

The Vedic chants are so spiritually uplifting. The meanings are so beautiful. There is such a feeling of accomplishment in learning them, and a real sense of positivity and power to overcome all your challenges.

Swami has also always been in my mind, as He Himself experienced many physical challenges in the body. Even during our three years at Prasanthi Nilayam, Swami was brought into Kulwant Hall in a wheelchair. To transcend our physical challenges, we need to focus spiritually, mentally, and emotionally — and the Vedic chanting classes are the answer.

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Swami has said repeatedly that we need to learn and chant the Vedas daily. I would recommend these lessons to every devotee. You just need to commit, attend all your lessons, listen to the recordings, and practise every day.

I am very eager and enthusiastic about continuing my next chapter of learning more Vedic chants in 2026.

I thank all the Vedas4All Tutors who have worked with so much patience, effort, and support to teach us students over these two years.

Thank you so much for all your help, your beautiful lessons, and your support. May Swami bless you and your families abundantly, today and always.