Chapter 2 – The Power of Chanting
Lakshmi’s new mornings were shining with freshness. Waking at 5 A.M. had already given her so much peace. But something was still missing.
One morning, as she sat in the garden watching the sun rise, she remembered her grandmother’s soft voice.
“Child,” Grandma used to say, “when your heart feels restless, chant the holy mantra:
Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namaha.
Repeat it 108 times. This sound is like food for your soul.”
Lakshmi touched her chin. “Maybe I should try it. Grandma always said mantras give peace and strength.”
🌸 The First Attempt
The next morning, she sat cross-legged under the jasmine tree in her garden. The sky was still pale, and the birds were chirping gently.
She closed her eyes and whispered,
“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namaha.”
At first, her voice trembled. She tried to count each chant on her fingers but got confused.
“One… two… three… oh wait, did I already say that?”
She frowned. “This is harder than I thought.”
Her mind started wandering. “What will I eat for breakfast? Did I finish my homework? What if I fall asleep again?”
She sighed. “Maybe chanting is not for me.”
But then she remembered Grandma’s words: “The mantra is like food for the soul.”
Lakshmi thought, “When I first woke at 5 A.M., it was hard too. But I got used to it. Maybe chanting also needs practice.”
📿 The Beads of Focus
The next day, she asked her mother, “Amma, do we have prayer beads? I want to try chanting like Grandma taught me.”
Amma smiled warmly. “Yes, dear. Wait a moment.” She opened a wooden box and took out a small rosary with 108 beads. “This belonged to your grandmother. Use one bead for each chant. It will help you focus.”
Lakshmi’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, Amma!”
The next morning, she sat again under the jasmine tree. She held the beads in her small fingers and whispered the mantra:
“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namaha…”
Each bead felt smooth and comforting. She moved her fingers bead by bead, chant by chant. Slowly, her wandering thoughts calmed down.
By the time she finished all 108 beads, she opened her eyes and felt different. The world looked brighter. Her heart felt lighter.
She whispered, “Wow… this is peaceful. My mind feels clear, like a calm lake.”
🌞 A Morning Transformation
After a few days, Lakshmi noticed changes.
When she went to school, she wasn’t as worried during class. She felt calm, even when the teacher asked her difficult questions.
When her friends fought over silly things, she stayed peaceful and said, “Don’t fight, we can share.”
Her friend Meena asked, “Lakshmi, why are you always so calm? Even when others are angry, you don’t get upset.”
Lakshmi smiled shyly. “Because I chant every morning. It makes my heart peaceful.”
Meena tilted her head. “Chanting? What’s that?”
Lakshmi explained about the mantra. Meena’s eyes grew wide. “That sounds magical. Can I try too?”
And so, Lakshmi began teaching her friends about chanting.
🎶 The Sound of the Mantra
One Saturday, Lakshmi invited her friends to her garden. They all sat in a circle under the big neem tree. Each child closed their eyes, and together they chanted softly:
“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namaha… Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namaha…”
The sound rose like music. Birds stopped to listen. The wind became gentle. Even the butterflies sat quietly on the flowers, as if they too enjoyed the sound.
After the chanting, everyone smiled. Rani said, “I feel so relaxed!”
Arjun added, “My head feels light, like I left all my worries behind.”
Lakshmi giggled. “That’s the power of chanting. It gives peace to everyone.”
🌟 The Test of Anger
But one day, Lakshmi faced a test.
At school, she was drawing a picture of the sunrise. She had worked hard, coloring carefully. Suddenly, another boy bumped into her desk and spilled water on her paper. The colors smudged everywhere.
Lakshmi’s first thought was, “Oh no! All my work is ruined!” She felt her cheeks burn with anger.
But then she remembered the sound of the mantra in her heart.
She closed her eyes and whispered softly to herself:
“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya Namaha…”
Her anger slowly melted, like ice under the sun. Instead of shouting, she smiled at the boy and said, “It’s okay. It was an accident.”
The boy looked surprised. “You’re not angry?”
Lakshmi shook her head. “No. I can always draw again.”
Her teacher, who saw everything, patted her shoulder. “Lakshmi, you showed true strength today. Controlling anger is harder than shouting. I am proud of you.”
Lakshmi realized the mantra was not just a sound—it was a shield that protected her heart.
🌼 A Conversation with Grandma
One evening, Lakshmi told her grandmother about her new practice.
“Grandma, I chant the mantra every morning now. It makes me feel calm and happy.”
Grandma smiled with tears in her eyes. “Oh, my sweet child, I am so glad. Do you know why this mantra is special?”
Lakshmi shook her head.
Grandma explained, “Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya is a prayer to Lord Krishna. It means, ‘I bow to the Lord who lives in all hearts.’ When you chant, you are calling love and strength from within yourself. That is why you feel peaceful.”
Lakshmi listened carefully. “So, the mantra is not outside me—it’s inside me?”
Grandma nodded. “Yes, dear. The power of God already lives in you. Chanting wakes it up.”
Lakshmi hugged her grandmother. “Thank you, Grandma. I will never stop chanting.”
🌈 The Magic Spreads
Soon, Lakshmi’s chanting became part of her life. She woke up at 5 A.M., sat in the garden, and completed all 108 chants.
Her friends sometimes joined her, and together they created a small group called The Morning Stars. Every weekend, they met to chant, sing bhajans, and share stories.
The whole neighborhood noticed the children’s calmness and joy. Even the elders smiled and said, “Look how peaceful these children are. They are like little saints!”
Lakshmi felt proud, not for herself, but for the power of the mantra that made everyone shine.
✨ The Lesson
Lakshmi learned a precious truth:
Waking up early gave her energy.
But chanting gave her peace.
The mantra was like a lamp inside her heart. Whenever she felt fear, anger, or sadness, she could light that lamp with her chanting.
And with each passing day, the lamp grew brighter, guiding her toward becoming the best version of herself.
Lakshmi whispered one night before sleep,
“Thank you, God, for giving me the gift of chanting. Tomorrow morning, I will open my treasure box again.”
