Edited by Ashwin Batish

To gain some insight into this period, I am including some popular stories and anecdotes that have come down through the generations.

In India, it is believed that music was created by Brahmā, the god of creation. Shivā learned it from Brahmā, who then passed on this knowledge to the goddess Sāraswati. Nārada learned it from Sāraswati, and he taught the Kinnarās, the Gāndharvas, and other nymphs and fairies of paradise. Musicologists like Bharata, Nārada II, and Hanumān learned the art there and projected it to the earth.

The early Aryans worshiped the trinity of gods:

1. Brahmā - the creator of the universe
2. Vishnu -the manipulator
3. Mahesha or Māhādeva -the destroyer.

According to the Purānās, the conch shell in the hands of Vishnu was found at the time of the churning of the ocean. Māhādeva, also called Shivā, invented a musical instrument from the hunting bow, called Pinnaka, which is said to be the father of all string instruments. After killing the demon Tripurā, Shivā danced in happiness and, to accompany him, Brahmā innovated the Damaru drum and gave it to Shivā's son, Ganesha. (Sangeet Kā Itihās, Hindi, by Bhagwat Sharan Sharmā).

In an ancient story, Sage Naarada did penances for years on end. This pleased Lord Shivā, who then rewarded him with the knowledge of music. In another story, Lord Shivā - romantically inspired by the beautiful figure of his wife Paarvati in a sleeping posture-imitated her limbs in the shape of the Rudra Veenaa, which is still played in South India. In yet another popular tale, it is said that from his five faces, Shivaa introduced the five major Raaga melodies, and the sixth Raaga was created from the mouth of Pārvati. From the Poorvamukha (the Eastern face of Shivā) was created Rāga Bhairava; from Paschimmukha (the Western face) Rāga Hindola (the swing) was born; from Uttramukha (the Northern face) Rāga Megha (rain & cloud melody) was born; the Dakshinmukha (the Southern face) gave Rāga Dipak (light); the Akāshmukha (skyward face) gave Shri Rāga. The Rāga Kaushika was born from the face of Pārvati.

Another episode is found in a poem in praise of Shivā called Shiva Pradosh or Sompradosh, built around a traditional fast that is observed in honor of Shivā. At the time of sunset when this fast was broken, Shivā, in one of his pleasant moods, expressed a desire to dance. The other gods and goddesses were also pleased at the prospect and stood around him forming a circle and chanting praises in his honor. Sāraswati took her Veenā and played, Indrā played on his flute, Brahmā accompanied on his Khartāl, Lakshmi started singing, and Vishnu played on the drums. People who came to witness this ethereal music festival included the Gandharvās, Kinnarās, Yakshas, and others.

The book Adhbuta Rāmāyanā portrays how strongly ancient music was protected from disintegration or deterioration. Music was held in the highest esteem. Vedās (books of complete knowledge) were written in ancient times. The Sām Veda dealt in particular with various aspects of music. With religious control over musical thought, it produced some very obedient musicians who believed that if they broke the rules they might suffer the wrath of God.

The moral of all this is that the observance or neglect of the rules for rendering a Rāga or Rāgini can make or mar its melodic image (swaroopa). There is a popular story on this topic. Once upon a time sage Nārada, thinking that he had thoroughly mastered the art and science of music, went with Lord Vishnu, who took him to the abode of the gods. On the way they passed a gathering of women whom they found weeping and lamenting over the broken limbs of their bodies. When Lord Vishnu enquired how such a misfortune had befallen them, they told him that they were Rāga and Rāgini creations of the god Shiva Mahādeva and that the unskilled and neglectful musical renditions by sage Nārada had distorted their features. Unless they heard these Rāgas and Rāginis sung properly by either Shivā himself or some other equally skilled musician, there was no hope of their ever being restored to their original form. Nārada became ashamed, kneeled down at the feet of Lord Vishnu, and begged forgiveness.

Continued in the Next Issue

Special thanks to Dr. Ralph Abraham for proof reading this article.

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