The Glory of Music

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The Glory of Music - A. P. Anand

(Original title 'Impact of Science on Hindu Religion')

Published in Kalyana Kalpataru Vol. XLIII No.12 September 1998

 

Music, mainly originated from Sama Veda and is rich with beautiful songs. Also the dances and devotional songs (Bhajanas) started from the temples where these were performed as thanksgiving to please and rever the deities and ultimately the system shifted to the courts of kings also as a routine affair. Bhajanas and kirtanas etc., not only enlighten us and are soul stirring but soothe our mind, body and dissipate tensions also. The sound of music can alter heart and respiration rates as well as brain waves and general well being. Thus music is a part of Hindu religion and has played/is playing a major role to reduce the sufferings of mankind. The glory and skill of age-old Bharata Natyam is still famous to give rhythmical effect.

Different Ragas (tunes) are sung at different times and during different season. Raga Bhairavi is used for calming down the mind, and for war Raga Sankara is invoked. Basanta Raga is sung during Basanta [easter, Raga Basanta was the second item at the Gayaki Concert] season to boost our mind. Raga Malhara and Megha are sung during rainy season for love and happiness. At dawn Raga Prabhati and Bhairava are good for spiritual upliftment. The Brhat Sama song is sung at midnight. Also morning Ragas are Bhatiyara Vibhasa and Mianki Todi. The afternoon Ragas are Bhimpalasi, Patadipa and Manda. Raga Gandharva is believed to lead to liberation. Raga Ananda Bhairvi is useful for hypertension and Raga Sankarabharanam for mental illness. There are Ragas for fighting ageing and pain. Raga Sri is sung for relieving liver problems.

It is not out of place to mention here that by singing Raga Dipaka the famous musician, Tanasena in Akbar's court had set the forest aflame, and his body had turned black and blue. He later on sung Raga Megha to bring rain for quelling the same fire. It is said that Tanasena was afterwards treated by some Muslim girl of Gujarat by singing another song. Tanasena was one of the "nine Ratnas" (nine learned persons) in King Akbar's court. He was born at Gwalior and later on worked in the court of a King of Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. Another famous musician, Baiju Bawara, in Akbar's court sang a song which had an impact of melting the marble rock.

Even the Hindu deities were lovers of music and dance. Lord Sankara was a lover of music and Tandava dance and so was the Supreme Lord Krishna through His flute. The Muslims believe that their sufi music(Qawali) is for reaching God. It is recalled that ancestors of Sufi sect came to India from Central Asia and Iran and Khwaja Muin-ud-dina Cisti whose Durgaha (mausoleum) is in Ajmer and that of saint Nizam-ud-dina [Pandit Kumar Shashwat sang his first item Raga Darbari in praise of Sufi Saint Nizam-ud-dina during Gayaki Concert] near Delhi, are famous, belonged to this sect. Music lovers and seekers of knowledge know no bounds of religion and language etc. While King Dara Sikoha (brother of King Aurangzeb an ardent Muslim) learned and craved for Vedic scriptures and chanted melodious Hindu religious songs; another Muslim saint and singer Abdur Rahima Khan-e-Khana sang songs in the glory of Lord Krishna. His spiritual Dohas (couplets) in Hindi are still famous and acclaimed. In Sikh Gurudwaras also the Ragis (singers) sing devotional songs in glory of their Gurus (masters), Bhai Mardana, a companion of Guru Nanaka - The 1st Sikh Guru, sang Hindu devotional songs. Music plays an important role in all religions and appropriate music at different occasions is sung.

Music and dance have thrilled effect on mankind as well as birds, beasts, animals, and all living entities. Music is beneficial for spiritual, mental, and physical achievements. It is a God given art which attracts all. The cuckoo coos, the peacock dances, and the snakes and deer dance, swing and rejoice on music tunes. We have seen elephants and horses swinging and dancing on the rhythmical effect of music.

Music, dance and chanting of Vedic hymns, if properly sounded and performed, will help in healing and driving away many physical and mental ailments. For combating depression and anxiety, melodious music is very beneficial. Music brings sleep and acts as a good tranquilizer for nervous system. It minimises the blood pressure and restores the harmony of human psyche in times of disquiet and distress. It cures many other ailments like asthma, tuberculosis, cancer, headache, hysteria and heart diseases. It can make calm even the cruel and angry beast.

It is said that music which rises to heaven expresses the harmony of the universe to bring peace especially if it is blended with rituals.

Listening to soft music helps in our getting more milk from cows and buffaloes. It is believed that music has blooming effect on flowers. Also it has proved immensely useful in surgery and delivery of children without much pain.