The Divine Essence of Veena
The establishment
of the Sai Mirpuri College of Music has added a new dimension to
the Ashram life. Verily music is the highest form of devotion,
through which God is most easily obtained. The musician not only
redeems his own life through his music, but also carries the
listeners along with him to divine ecstasy. Indian classical
music is very devout and God-centered and generates in one and
all Bhakthi Bhava or divine love
consciousness.
So
it is no wonder that the occasions when the students of the Music
College play for the Lord are most enjoyable and pleasing. The
students not only play on formal occasions like
Thyagaraja Aradhana or on special
festival days, but also enthrall the Lord on a lazy afternoon with
an impromptu concert in Sai Kulwant Hall. On Wednesday, March 10,
2004, the students of the Music College presented a veena concert
that provided immense pleasure to the Lord and all the devotees
present.
Playing as they did
at the end of the academic year, it was also an occasion for them
to fully present to the Lord, who is also the Chancellor of the
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning to which the Music
College is affiliated, what they had imbibed during the academic
year and earn His approval and Grace.
The
Veena, a musical instrument from
South India, has played a leading role in the development of
Indian music.
Carnatic music (as South Indian
Classical music is called) regards the veena
as God’s gift to humanity. The belief is that the
veena music takes us to cosmic
consciousness. The veena nada or
sound kindles the fire in the kundalini
that lies curled up in the mooladhara chakra,
the lowest of the six nerve centers that lie along the spinal
column. The vibration set in motion by the body heat and the life
breath gathers momentum as it travels up the spinal column,
eventually releasing immense powers of concentration and
meditation leading to cosmic consciousness. This is known as
Nadopasana, and is considered to be
the easiest path to salvation.
The students started
their concert with Vatapi Ganapathim
Bhajeham; a piece in Hamsadwani
composed by Dikshithar, a famous poet sage of South India. In
India all auspicious tasks are begun with an invocation to Lord
Ganapathi, the Lord who removes all obstacles along the path and
ensures success.
It is only through
ceaseless practice that a Vainika or
veena player acquires mastery over
this musical instrument. This practice enables him to acquire a
clear intellect, a steady mind, and control over the senses, a
sweet voice and absolute freedom from fear of any kind. Swami also
has on occasions extolled the qualities of a
veena player. Thus the study of the
veena is itself sadhana.
The
second song played was Endaro Mahanubhavulu.
It is said that a great musician Shatkala Govinda Marar from
Kerala once approached Sri Thyagaraja and sang in front of him.
The composition was sung in six speeds. Thyagaraja appreciating
the genius of this musician composed this musical piece,
Endaro Mahanubhavulu, in his honor.
The
veena itself is considered to be
divine. The veena dandi or the stem
represents Shiva, the seven strings represent His consort
Paravathi, the dragon head- Vishnu, the bridge represents Lakshmi,
the metal cone – Saraswati, and the resonator represents the
creator Brahma. In recognition of these Gods being represented in
one instrument, the students next played
Brahmam Okate, God is one, in
Bhoopalam. This was followed by a composition called
Marubalkakunnavemera in
Sri Ranjani.
The veena finger
technique is dynamic and is capable of producing a wide range of
sounds. Relatively easier to learn, it still takes two decades to
become a successful veena player. But the students of the Music
College, seem to make very rapid progress in a fraction of the
time, even in just a year or two, entirely due to His Grace.
The virtuosity
of the veena was brought forth in full by the next piece
Ninnu Vina Namadendu (in
Namarasa Kannada), a piece eminently
suitable for instrumental music. This had everyone in Sai Kulwant
Hall in raptures.
The short concert
concluded with the instrumental rendition of the
Vedic hymn – the
Mantra Pushpam. This
Mantra Pushpam expounds the truth
that from the Atma, the Self, first
emerged the sky. From the sky came air; from the air emerged fire;
from the fire, the water; and from the water emerged the earth.
Thus the source of the all the 5 elements (i.e. the material
creation) is the one single Atma.
Similarly, whatever
may be the system of music, whatever may be the theories,
technicalities, skill and traditions of a particular system of
music, still all systems of music emanate from Him. Music thus is
a divine art and brings about Divya Ananda
or happiness in everyone’s heart and peace in everyone’s mind, and
makes everyone feel near to God.
Swami, we are very
grateful to You for establishing the College of Music. The
devotion and dedication of these students elevates our devotion
also and establishes You firmly in our hearts and minds and makes
us feel very close to You.
Source:
Radio Sai
E-Magazine 15th April 2004
http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/08April15/07_Prasanthi_Diary/Prashanthi.htm
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