Hindu Article-Music as devotional aid

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Music as devotional aid

 

 

CHENNAI Dec.13 .The ideal of every human being, be it

the religious scholar, the man of science or the

layperson is to be a good person. This is the basic

premise on which a devotee can build his spiritual

foundation to ultimately realise God. There is no

quick fix method to achieve this goal. Limited by his

responsibilities and duties to family and society at

large, one may justifiably feel nonplussed with regard

to the correct path to tread.

 

The wise concede that it is difficult to switch over

to spiritual life overnight. However devotion to God

can run concurrently with worldly life, which is

punctuated by minor vices and struggles. Once a person

embarks on this journey, sinful thoughts, words and

deeds diminish progressively, and as Lord Krishna has

said in the Bhagavad Gita, devotion to God consumes

all evil and purifies even the lowliest of the low.

True values will gain ascendance over baser instincts

in proportion to one's spiritual development.

 

In his lecture, Sri Ma. Ki. Ramanan said the lives of

saints and mystics were a source of inspiration. The

paths of devotion and knowledge are prescribed means

to liberation. One can also realise God by adopting

devotional music as an aid. Devotional music advocates

soulful singing, whereby body, mind and soul attain

union.

 

Jnanadeva has said that when devotees sing in praise

of God there is no need for penance. Arunagirinathar

was one of the proponents of this path and his work is

steeped in devotional fervour and stresses the need to

stay tuned constantly to God. Saint Thyagaraja best

exemplified that music can be a tool to reach God.

There are recorded instances where music has wrought

miracles. Thirugnanasambandar, who was gifted a pair

of golden cymbals by God, is credited with having

brought back to life Poompavai; Appar's devotion

worked as an antidote to snake venom, while Sundarar's

hymn saved a child from the jaws of a crocodile and

breathed new life into her. Manikkavasagar's verses

helped a hearing disabled person to break out into

song.

 

The guidelines for spiritual life include developing

immunity to worldly pleasures, embracing a charitable

way of life in both word and in deed, and respecting

one's mentor at all times. Arunagirinathar says when a

devotee approaches God through music He blesses the

seeker with all that is required for one's happiness

in this world and the next.

 

 

 

 

copy right: The HIndu-daily

 

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