The role of music in Hinduism
Music plays a very important role in the Hindu religion. Children are taught verses through the form of bhajans and other song forms. Bhajans are devotional songs and they help the listener to connect within and establish a bond between the soul and the supreme.
Devotional songs are usually taught to children and sometimes elders too through Balvikas classes which is somewhat like the Sunday school. Children who have an aptitude for singing are enrolled in classical music courses. If you are lucky enough to get a good teacher, the student will shine and become famous, especially in the social media era. Teachers like Kuldeep Pai were able to give stardom status to child prodigies like Suryagayatri and Rahul Vellal.
Songs can transform the soul and comfort the turbulent mind. That is how bhajans came to be so popular in India and those who follow the Hinduism religion. Even branches like the Hare Krishna group have adopted Bhajans and have sessions every day. The cultural diversity is so huge that it would take a person a lot of time to hear and study every bhajan sung in this country. There are various branches propagated by the Bhakti era. Saints like Tulsaidas, Jayadeva, Chaitanya, Meera Bai, Purandara Das, and Tyagaraja Swamy are some examples. Many songs written by these saints may have been lost over time but many have been taught and recorded by disciples and with the help of modern technologies, preserved.
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The song above is by Rahul Vellal who is a child prodigy. He has received a scholarship from the central government. If possible, do hear this song and search for the lyrics along with the meanings. Every song has a deep meaning and will help an aspirant to learn more about Hinduism.
People usually associate Hinduism with many gods but such songs will help you go beyond what is seen and make you understand the teachings that are being tried to convey through such songs.
Bhajans should be listened to when the environment is silent and you can enjoy. Imagine hearing a bhajan on a crowded train where you are trying to hold on for dear life or in an apartment where there are lots of people all talking at the same time. I hope you get my point. Despite all the disturbances, if you can hear and remain oblivious to the noise, then you are truly above par.
Music is also a form of meditation. Listening to bhajans without having other thoughts or conflicts in the mind is meditative and you should try doing it when you are disturbed as it will help comfort you. Many people have confessed to getting closer to god because of such devotional music. In the modern age when people are feeling more depressed, such devotional music helps to calm the disturbed mind.
Hinduism is a way of life as I have stated earlier and no one will ever be forced to follow a certain set of rules because there are no such dictates.
Hinduism is a journey of the soul to merge back into the supreme.
@sayee, You have said absolutely the truth. Hinduism is the journey of the soul to merge back into the divine. The power of a small whole to become a universal whole. Music has been given unique importance in the Hindu religion. Our devotion seems incomplete without music. Really, the talent of this child is tremendous, he has sung very beautiful bhajans. You have given a very beautiful and practical description of the Hindu religion and music in this post. We get inspiration from your every post. Music controls our emotions. Therefore, in Hindu religion, bhajans are organized to make the mind devotional through music. Thank you very much.
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This is probably the right upbringing through songs. Children learn and perceive the information they receive more easily. Poems are well remembered. It's a good tradition!
Great insights! Music in Hinduism indeed plays a vital role, connecting souls with the divine. It's a beautiful form of devotion and meditation. Thank you for sharing this enlightening perspective.