The essence of Ananda
Devotional chants of divine
invocation
Nada (sound) for Hindus plays an
essential role in the Creation: in mythology the sacred sillable Om represents
the essence of the universe, the murmur of the atoms and the music of the
planets, while sound in general represents the primordial energy uniting the
material world. Since the sound Om precedes all things, it is used as an
invocation in prayer and in hymns, and often is used as a final exclamation, in
a similar manner to the Jewish and Christian Amen.
In Yoga it is a fundamental
component of meditation methods based on sound. Singing is considered to be the
purest expression of music, but a musician can also be acclaimed if the
audience considers his/her instrument to be completely in tune with the human
voice, so that both are in perfect harmony.
Each Raga (melodic mode) is
permeated by a Bhava (specific mode) and by a Rasa (specific sentiment), can
only be sung in certain periods of the year or in particular moments of the day
or night. Rasa is a Sanskrit word for ‘lymph', but the term is also used to
indicate the aesthetic pleasure generated by works of beauty. Rasa is felt when
music is played. Rasa also indicates the essence of Ananda (Bliss).
At a higher level, Rasa means the
transcendental ecstasy and the bliss which unite the musician or singer with
the audience in a particularly elevated sentiment. Therefore, for the spiritual
search, music and hymns are an essential element.
