Music: A Unique Means for God-Realisation
Sarvam Kalvidam Brahma—All
this is, indeed, Brahman or the Supreme Reality—thus proclaims the gospel of
Vedanta, the all-encompassing, eternal lore of the ancient Indian seers.
Everything in this universe is pervaded by the Reality. Realization of this
Reality is the goal of life. Different means lead to the same goal, as do all
rivers to the ocean. All forms of art, in their pure aspects, are different
means intended, ultimately, to enable one to realize the goal of life. Of all
arts, the main five arts or the fine arts, have been evolved by the ancient
seers of India, to particularly help us in this process.
Among the fine arts, music
seems to exert a generally stirring influence on all. The five arts are
painting, sculpture, dancing, literature and music. Their importance also is in
the ascending order. How is it so? First, let us take painting. It shows a
beautiful form or a landscape on a plain surface. Painting is an instrument of
expression through an image on the canvas. In the second art, namely sculpture,
which seems to be a further development on painting, we can see all the details
of the contours or the shape of the form, from all sides. The nature of the
form is now complete in all aspects.
But the form being static,
there is a dearth of life in it, as it were. Movement is indicative of a form
being really animate. For a graceful movement, there should be some regulation
or discipline of motion, which is called rhythm. Dancing is thus a further
development on sculpture. It is full of life with rhythmical movements of the limbs
and expression of emotions in the face. At this stage ideas begin to
crystallise in the mind. Then they seek their expression. Words flow out. But
there should also be some regulation and aptness in the word-structure, in
order to properly express one’s ideas. Only then will they be easily understood
and appealing to the mind. Literature serves this purpose. Now ideas are
expressed very well, so as to help the understanding of man, as well as provide
an intellectual stimulus and entertainment.
A still further development is
found in music. This is more vibrant, penetrating and could induce a universal
response. If we repeat, "Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama, Rama Nama
Tarakam", we understand that the name of Rama enables one to cross the
ocean of earthly existence, to the other shore of immortality. But it is a
mental understanding. Whereas, if we set the same words in a tune and sing or
hear them, there is an emotional experience of the depth of the meaning of
these words. Not only does the mind understand them, but the heart vibrates
with the feelings pertaining to them. Thus, music has more depth and profundity
and is of the foremost importance. That is why it is said that music occupies
the first place among all the arts. It is the easiest, surest, sweetest and the
best means of God-realization.
Music gives enjoyment to the
performer as well as to the listener. It gives a higher type of emotional
enjoyment and infuses in all the ecstatic state of Bhava Samadhi or
superconsciousness through dissolution in pure feeling. Music can be
universally enjoyed. If a Japanese sings in his own language or plays an
instrument of his country, the Englishman can enjoy the music without
understanding a word of it or without being familiar with that instrument. A
German can likewise enjoy the Indian music. Such is not the case with
literature. It has its linguistic limitation. Only the English-knowing people
can enjoy English literature; only the French-knowing people can enjoy French
literature.
Music is Divine. It draws one
nearer to God. It is God Himself. We call it Nada Brahman or the Reality that
is symbolized in music. As a means, it is called Nada Upasana or spiritual
practice through singing. Sarasvati, the Goddess of Learning, inclusive of
music and the other fine arts, is represented with a musical instrument, called
Veena, in Her hands. Veena symbolizes Nada or music. The eternal song of Om
emanates from it. Lord Krishna also holds a flute in His hands. It is also
symbolic in the sense that it produces the music of the soul. Many saints like
Mira, Gauranga, Surdas, Kabirdas, Ramdas, Tukaram, Tyagaraja and others
attained God-realization through music.
Music melts the hearts of all.
It sets into motion the divine vibrations that gradually unite the individual
soul with the Supreme Soul. This is the end and aim of all spiritual practices.
The summum bonum of human existence is achieved through music very
easily.
Singing the nectarine Names of
the Lord and His glories, with proper accompaniments, if possible, will purify
the heart, extinguish the fire of earthly suffering and free one from the cycle
of births and deaths. It will lead one along the path of the Sreyas or that
which is good, bring fulfilment to Vidya or knowledge, infuse grace and
felicity in life, and enable the singer as well as the listener to commune with
God.
It is in this light that His
Holiness Swami Sivananda classifies music as a Yoga by itself. He encourages
Bhajan and Sankirtan to serve as easy means to quick spiritual progress. The
Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy has a Department of Music, where musically-inclined
spiritual aspirants are helped and encouraged to learn this unique means of
finding solace and inspiration in life. Many seekers from Eastern and Western
countries have been trained here in classical music, vocal as well as
instrumental.
Excerpts from:
Music - A
Unique Means for God-Realisation by Sri Swami Vidyananda
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