What are Vrittis and the 4 Types of Vedic Sounds

Revelation of Sound Energy

The Vedas are the sound of Ishwara (ईश्वर), the Supreme Being. This sound is revealed in four forms. The first manifestation is through Prana (प्राण), Life-Force. The second manifestation is through the Indriyas (इन्द्रिय), the senses, also known as Pasyanti (पश्यन्ति). The last manifestation is through articulate expression, known as Vaikhari (वैखरी). Articulation is the grossest expression of the divine sound-energy.

4 Gradations of Sound

The highest manifestation of sound-energy is also called the divine voice or “para” (परा). It is this divine energy that becomes the root-idea for thought. In “Para” the sound remains in an undifferentiated form. The four states of the Veda as Para, Pasyanti, Madhyama (मध्यम) and Vaikhari are the various gradations of sound. Madhyama is the intermediate, unexpressed form of sound. It has its source in the heart.

The seat of Pasyanti is in the naval or the Manipuraka (मणिपूरका) Chakra. People trained in Yoga, can have a subtle vision of the Pasyanti form of a “word” which has color and form, which is common for all languages…