kirtana

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> Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura writes in his Madhurya Kadambini that devotees

> should not judge a kirtana by its musical merits. What is that reference?

 

from the MK, Fifth shower of Nectar:

 

Ruci is of two types: that which depends on excellence of elements, and that

which does not. Excellence of elements refers to an excellence relating to

such things as the Lord's name, qualities, form. For instance a person may

only experience pleasure from kirtana if it is pleasing to the ear and

artistically sung, or may only relish topics of the Lord if they are delivered

skillfully with literary ornaments and qualities, or may only enjoy Deity

worship if all the implements, place, and materials are of high standard. This

is just like a person with a weak appetite who, when notified of a meal, will

ask what types of preparations there are and of what quality. The first type

of ruci is in which a slight trace of impurity remains. Therefore if a person

depends on the excellency of the material elements of kirtana to experience a

spiritual taste, one should understand that this is evidence of impurity in

his heart.

 

A person with the second type of ruci will experience great pleasure wherever

and whenever there is a performance of kirtana. He does not depend on

excellence of the elements because he has actual depth in his taste. One

should understand that he has no trace of impurity in his heart.