(Lady playing a tanpura)

Music, which is invincible, is one; but the ragas (melodies) are many. Each raga has a unique form of its own. Likewise, taste (rasa) is one, but has a variety of forms. In Indian musicology, 64 different raagas are listed. They are called Chatuhshashthi, meaning 64. However, great a musician may be, even if it be Narada or Tumbura, the celestial singers, if he were to sing tune for long, his music will pale on the audience. Hence a variety of raagas are required.

God, who is the embodiment of sweetness, manifests Himself in many forms. The Upanishads have declared; Raso Vai Saha (He is sweetness itself). He invests that sweetness with infinite variety. (D3 , p. 45)

We have forgotten the majestic might and purity of Indian music which was intended to calm the cauldron, or to change the metaphor, tame the beasts of sensuality and steer the mind spiritward. Forgetting the depth and dignity of classical music, people lose themselves in lapping up the degenerate sound seduction and verbal gymnastics of cinema tunes. Music, whose solemn strands were spun by noble souls like Tyagaraja to secure man with his Master, has been snapped into a stringy mass by the onslaught of the cinema to stimulate the sensory cravings. (BSS Part I, p. 67)

In this world there is nothing that you cannot achieve with love. I am the best example for this. Love is My greatest property. I love everybody, but I do not desire anything except love. Here is a small example: Many students are coming here for studies. But this education is not doing any good to the world. All the subjects like Physics, Botany, Chemistry will only help to eke out a livelihood. But none of them can attract the human heart as music does. Even God is attracted by music. Once Narada asked Vishnu, ‘Swami, you have various branch offices like Vaikuntha, Kailasa and Swarga. But I want to know the address of Your head office so that I can contact You without delay.’ Vishnu said, ‘Na Hum Vasami Vaikunthe Yoginam Hridaye Nacha Madbhakta Yatra Gayanti Tatra Tishtami Narada (you will find Me installed wherever My devotees sing My glory)’ That is why God is extolled as Ganapriya and Ganalola (lover of music).

So, I wanted to start a music college here. But I did not tell anybody about this. I usually do not tell what My plans are. Whatever I Will certainly happens. Last week a devotee by name Puri from Indonesia came here and prayed to Me that I should start a music college here for which, he said, he would donate 10 crores of rupees. The culture of Bharat is contained in music. The modern music too is essential. But along with that Street plays. Harikathas (singing the stories of God) have to be encouraged. Music plays a vital role in fostering Indian culture. The construction of this college will commence in the next month i.e.,Shravana. The current month is Ashadha, in which, according to the elders, no new construction is to be taken up. That is the reason I postponed the commencement of construction to next month. (DD on 28-07-1999, p. 7)

God is moved by the devotee’s heart-felt song. He becomes one with the devotee. No other form of worship has the same effect of God. It is enough if you do the singing within yourself. (Bhagavan demonstrated by singing the opening lines of a song, ‘Rama nanu kapadu’, how a melodious prayer can move the heart of anyone). Make music the passport to merger with the Divine. Music is the gift of God. Only the gifted ones can sing sweetly, appealingly and delightfully.

We have here M. S. Subbulakshmi. From her early years, she dedicated herself to music, which filled her heart. This kind of soulful music cannot be acquired by anybody. It can come only through God’s grace.

When you sing in public you can give delight to many. But if you cannot do so, you can sing to yourself. It will delight your heart and sweeten it. Immerse yourself in all work with love. Whatever you do, consider it as gifts from God. When you have malaria, you have to take the bitter quinine mixture. But that is the medicine for your ailment. Likewise, when adversity confronts you, treat it as a kind of medicine for your good. Gold has to be melted and beaten to make a jewel. A diamond is cut to make it more brilliant. Likewise troubles in life serve to refine a person. Love should enable you to welcome even hardships as meant for your own good. (SSS Vol.29, p. 389)