Music-The Nectar of Life 1 Music-The Nectar of Life Music – The Nectar of Life AUTHOR Pt. SHRIRAM SHARMA ACHARYA Publisher: Shantikunj, Haridwar (U.P), India, 249411 Translated by:Dr. Rajani Joshi Indian Institute of Technology Bombay The WWW reprint is for free distribution 2 Music-The Nectar of Life PREFACE The cosmic existence of sound, its expression in the rhythmic order of the origin and vivid manifestation of Nature, and its spiritual expansion in consciousness are dealt in the Vedas under the knowledge of Sabda Brahm– Nada Brahm. The volume 19 of “Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Vangmaya” series presents an in-depth yet perspicuous study and analysis of the philosophy and science of Sabda Brahm – Nada Brahm. This book is compiled from two Chapters of the English translation of the above volume that focus on the genesis, evolution and applications of music. The book provides truly rare knowledge of the emergence of natural musical notes (swaras) from the eternal impulse of Nada and emanation of the sastriya samgita. This Indian classical music was developed and propagated by the rishis of yore. They had recognized the linkage of music with the emotions and intrinsic nature of the living beings and thereby evolved the methods of its enchanting practices. They had also discovered special ragas for the chanting of vedik mantras and the spiritual sadhanas of music. The books tells us how we could endeavor reviving this glorious tradition today when the liking of people is mostly entrapped in artificial and fast-beat music and when commercialization and perversion of this universal mode of entertainment is at its peak? Different effects of the ragas (classical tunes) of music and their applications are elucidated in this book. References from the shastric literature as well as from the modern scientific research findings are cited with relevant examples. The applications of music reviewed here range from those in agricultural production and music therapy to social improvement. Reports on some organizations and laboratories across the world that are contributing to enhance the constructive applications of music in future are also presented. The readers will find substantial information on the types of swaras and ragas and the effects of different compositions of the classical and the modern systems of music. The negative effects of adulterated music are more pernicious than noise pollution as the domain of their damaging impact encompasses delicate layers of emotions too along with the body and the mind of the performers and the listeners. The same is true of the insidious nature of the substandard lyrics. The book provides detailed knowledge and guidance on these aspects with evidential support. Refined music is not just a medium of entertainment or a mode of soothing effects on the mind-body ensemble. Rather, as author adeptly conveys, it is a source of spiritual enlightenment. The sadhana of Nada Brahm is a super level spiritual experiment that upon success enables ultimate realization of the eternal sound of Oamkara and sublimation of the individual consciousness up to the divine realms. The manifestation of Nada Brahm in the swaras of music and its creative expression the sastriya samgita has been an angelic boon for the human society. The book has brought us an opportunity to be blessed by this nectar of life. –Dr. Pranav Pandya, MD 3 Music-The Nectar of Life CONTENTS Music – A Swara Sadhana of Sabda Brahm…………………………………………..5 Music – An Expression of Nada Brahm………………………………………………..9 Experience of Eternal Syllables by Swaras…………………………………………..13 Vedika Hymns and Music………………………………………………………………19 Music is the Core of Vivacity……………………………………………………………22 Immense Power of Music……………………………………………………………….27 Music – A Source of Life………………………………………………………………..31 Self-Development and Emotional Transmission by Music………………………….35 Music and Spirituality……………………………………………………………………42 Music – Ecstasy and Compassion…………………………………………………….46 The Universal Joy of Music…………………………………………………………….48 Physiological Effects of Music………………………………………………………….53 The Paramount Effects of Nada Brahm……………………………………………….57 Scientific Applications of Music………………………………………………………...60 Examples from History and Directions for Future…………………………………….67 Body Mind and Music……………………………………………………………………71 Place of Music in Daily Life……………………………………………………………..77 Place of Music in Nature………………………………………………………………..79 New Experiments in Mantra-Gana and Music Therapy……………………………..84 Social Elevation by Sadhana of Music………………………………………………..89 Superior Applications of Music…………………………………………………………96 Some Notable Quotes on Music……………………………………………………...100 The Future Sight………………………………………………………………………..107 Footnotes: Glossary of terms used from Shastric Literature………………………109 About the Author……………………………………………………………………….110 4 Music-The Nectar of Life Music: A Swara Sadhana of Sabda Brahm Advanced research on different components of the ‘atom family’ has shown that the orbital motion of the tiny particles in an atom is governed by an energy that is generated by the subtle vibrations of some kind of latent sound. This energy is omnipresent in the interior of Nature and is the fundamental cause of all movements. Eminent scholars of the subtle science describe it to have generated by the eternal sound of Omkara. Omkara is the self-educed expression of the Sabda Brahm. It is the eternal Nada – the root of all swaras (musical notes). Once oscillated by a swing, the pendulum of a clock continues to move automatically until the clock is on. Similarly, the motion of the Nature, once triggered by the Nada of Omkara continues forever. The cycle of Nature continues like the circular motion of a child’s toy top. Equivalent to the seven colors emitted from the sunrays, the seven basic swaras (musical notes) of Nature are originated from the Swara Brahm of Oam. These swaras are manifested in the musical notes of the octave as – Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni. Remarkably, the major sadhanas of yoga are also seven; namely, the Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Prana Yoga, Sakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. The seven (Sapta) manifestations of Sabda in the subtle body are counted as the powers indwelling in the six extrasensory energy-centers (ÌaÚ cakras) and in the seventh the (spiritual core of the individual consciousness) Sahastrara Cakra or the Brahmrandhras. The Brahm Vidya (the esoteric knowledge of the Brahm) is expanded in the form of Sapta Loka, Sapta Sarovara, Sapta Sagara, Sapta Meru, Sapta Deva, Sapta Tirtha and is realized by Sapta Sadhanas that were discovered by the Sapta —Rishis. Incidentally, the materialistic science is also divided into seven (Sapta) major branches. The upward and downward flow of Prana in the Ida and Pingala Nadis1 generates the vibrations of the seven swaras (of the Nada of Omkara) in the vina of the spinal cord. These are ‘perceived’ as the seven kinds of subtle sounds produced by the seven ‘tongues’ of the serpentine power– the Kundalini. The yogi who links his consciousness with these seven swaras (of cetan) attains the spiritual power that (if aroused) could control the activities of Nature. The Swara Sastra therefore has an important place in the Yoga Sastras. The yoga sadhana of perfection over the Surya and Candra Swaras (flow of Nada through the solar and the lunar nerves in the Pingala and Ida Nadis respectively) of the prana vayu flowing through the right and the left nostrils is fundamental among the sadhanas of swara yoga. Every activity in Nature takes place in some kind of cyclic order. The sounds made by animals, birds and even tiny insects bear certain rhythm. The early morning warbling of the birds or the crowing of cocks, etc clearly demonstrates this fact. The voices of nightingales, peacocks, partridges, sparrow hawks etc are also rhythmic with varied degrees of melody. Among the voices of the animals, we can easily find the rhythmic order in the barking of a dog, roaring of a lion or the bleating of a sheep. The overnight 5 Music-The Nectar of Life singing of the beetles is quite familiar to us. This rhythm of swaras exists in the voice of every creature; even the plants and trees and the jada elements also produce rhythmic sounds, most of which are beyond the grasp of the audio sensors of our ears. The activities of the jada and cetan components of our bodies also generate different melodies of the swaras that could be sensed by dedicated sadhanas of the Nada Yoga. A French zoologist, Dr. Vastive Andre, has thoroughly investigated the effects of music on the land animals, aquatic animals and birds. The results of his study indicate that music does affect, with a varied degree of impact, the brain and the nervous system of every creature. If the melody of the music is coherent with its soothing sensation, the animal (or bird) demonstrates a sense of pleasure and energetic activities. However, the sounds of the frequency range or rhythms beyond its natural liking create adverse effects on its health. It is observed that many types of yeast and bacteria are killed by the high pitch rhythmic sound of a bugle. The research of some German zoologists is focused on identifying the special kinds of music that are most suitable for a particular type of animal or bird. They hope that the natural tendencies of the animals could be changed temporarily by the impact of special music. This way, one would be able to control the violent animals and expel or eliminate the insects by special effects of music. Some effects of music on humans are well known. Its melody offers instant relief from physical and mental fatigue. Eminent poet Homer has stated that – “The remedy for mental agony lies either in an open cry and weeping or in the melody of music”. Renowned poet, Thakur Ravindra Nath Tagore had discovered even higher level effects of music. According to him, “The origin of music is supernatural and is beyond the reach of human beings. Music can liberate the human consciousness, which otherwise remains bond in the routine chores of the worldly activities of life.