Flowers of devotion

“Thank goodness for music and wonderful tones For this thing called music can melt hearts of stone” Says litterateur George Bernard Shaw. When profound thoughts mingle with melody, the result is sheer aural divinity, like adding honey to milk, like polishing glittering gold. Just the words themselves, bereft of musical embellishment are enough to transport listeners to realms of noble thinking.

In India, an added allurement to this combination is the element of Bhakti or devotion, a confluence of music, words and devotion. An outstanding example of this is seen in the compositions of the venerated South Indian saint composer Thyagaraja. Poesy, musical acumen, exalted human virtues- all these have combined in this great soul, exemplifying the words of the Bhagavad Gita that such a birth is indeed rare on this earth.

Thyagaraja’s beautiful composition “Namakusumamulache” in the enchanting ragam “Sri “ is testimony to this. The gist of this song is that external aids and actions are not absolutely necessary to commune with the divine. Not that they are wrong. But, to solely concentrate on matters like offerings, decorations, pomp and show without realizing that the Lord resides in one’s inner being would be a futile effort. “The lord is pleased with even a spoonful of water, even a leaf of the Tulasi plant” says the Gita. It is the devotion and sincerity that matters.

There is no need for you to take trouble to collect materials for worship at great cost and effort. Chant the names of the Lord. Every name is a fragrant flower that you can offer with humility and devotion at the feet of the Lord. You can build a grandiose palace in your imagination with a golden throne, embedded with precious tones. You can seat the Lord on a silken cushion on this throne.

You can slowly place petal after scented petal at his feet. You can immerse yourself in this blissful activity for as long as you like. Embellish your thoughts with the music that emanates from the seven notes. It is your simplicity, your unostentatious, unaffected, uncontrived devotion that will take you closer to the Lord. He who realizes this is truly blessed” says Saint Thyagaraja in this glorious musical offering.