Nada Brahman - God is sound

[Jainarayan]

I first encountered the phrase "Nada Brahman" in an interview with Ravi Shankar. The line he said was something like (I'm remembering this from 45 years ago)... "the rishis considered music to be nada brahma*, a way to reach God". I was never able to find out anything more about the phrase.

Until now.

Worship of Nada Brahman

I think this just knocks my padukas off with its depth and complexity. I've always been drawn to music and sound, and I understand how complex Indian music is, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it was to such a degree.

*brahma is an inflected form of brahman, not to be confused with Lord Brahmā.

 

[wizanda]

I was never able to find out anything more about the phrase.

Could explain it in poetic beauty, how the rhythms of reality flows from Brahman's sanctity; yet scared of sanctions against me, of being in the wrong section see; plus wouldn't know all the Hindu terminology.

 

[Viraja]

Sometime ago, I was trying to learn about Fibonacci numbers/sequence. I learnt that in nature, Mathematics, *Music* and even planetary allignments in space, all concur with the Fibonacci sequence, which is why they do not fail. May be you can get some wonderful hits if looking up at Fibonacci numbers and music? I'm just wondering about this because Brahman seems to me as an entity having a precise formula which is perhaps explained by some basic all-pervading concepts.

 

[Shantanu]

I first encountered the phrase "Nada Brahman" in an interview with Ravi Shankar. The line he said was something like (I'm remembering this from 45 years ago)... "the rishis considered music to be nada brahma*, a way to reach God". I was never able to find out anything more about the phrase.

Until now.

Worship of Nada Brahman

I think this just knocks my padukas off with its depth and complexity. I've always been drawn to music and sound, and I understand how complex Indian music is, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it was to such a degree.

*brahma is an inflected form of brahman, not to be confused with Lord Brahmā.

That is a phase that many go through. But music is not the way to reach God: God is not to be worshipped in any form let alone through music. All music does is to assuage those centres in ones brian that require tingling and release endorphins.

The only way to reach God is to surrender to Him and take guidance though thoughts.

 

[Jainarayan]

God is not to be worshipped in any form l

Bhagavad Gita 18.65?

 

[Shantanu]

Bhagavad Gita 18.65?

It says:
Have your mind fixed on Me, be My devotee, be a sacrificer to Me, and bow down to Me. Thus you will come to Me alone. This truth do I promise to you For you are dear to Me.
In my understanding Bhagavad Gita is not all true. For example, here it says be a sacrificer to Me and bow down to Me. No way: that is Jihad and totally untrue.
I use the term one surrenders to God. That is not the same thing. One does so because one knows He is more knowledgeable and more intelligent so can guide you through your life. He can help you combat your enemies. He will protect us. Through such surrendering one ultimately one attains 'the supreme position of Vishnu', where one is getting all one's directions from God and does not make mistakes in running one's life. That is what living is all about.

Further, the word worship needs to be clarified. If one surrenders to God, is that worshipping God? No. It is just the reality that one has adopted out of self-interest. One does not offer prayers or music as an offering. God does not need us to do that. When we do it it is for our own needs. God does not need us: we need God out of self interest.

Have I made this easier to understand?

 

[Jainarayan]

Have I made this easier to understand?

This is verging on debate. The article is intended for informational and thought purpose, not debate on what someone thinks is or is not correct Hindu practice.

 

[Shantanu]

This is verging on debate. The article is intended for informational and thought purpose, not debate on what someone thinks is or is not correct Hindu practice.

In our Hinduism, there are all kinds of practices. These practices are often stepping stones on a spiritual journey that may be undertaken for those who are so inclined. In my days gone by I was well into bhajans and classical Indian music. So I craved for God through such means. On reflection they were not anything more substantial than just passing phases in the search for knowledge.

 

[Frater Sisyphus]

Is this not "Om"?

The universe vibrates on a note, notes are frequencies and frequencies are energy, loud sound is a force (of sorts)

 

[Aupmanyav]

The Sound of Big Bang.

The hymn created by the Demon king Ravana in praise of Lord Shiva
"Shiva Tandava Stotra" (Shiva's Dance)

 

[ajay0]

I first encountered the phrase "Nada Brahman" in an interview with Ravi Shankar. The line he said was something like (I'm remembering this from 45 years ago)... "the rishis considered music to be nada brahma*, a way to reach God". I was never able to find out anything more about the phrase.

Until now.

Worship of Nada Brahman

I think this just knocks my padukas off with its depth and complexity. I've always been drawn to music and sound, and I understand how complex Indian music is, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it was to such a degree.
*brahma is an inflected form of brahman, not to be confused with Lord Brahmā.

Great thread.

I think this could be a reason why Sarasvati holds the Veena, Krishna the flute, Shankar the Damru ,and Sage Narada carries the tampura.

Indian Heritage - Music - Instruments

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had stated that the picture of Saraswati holding the veena and book of Tarka (logic) in her hands is a symbolic teaching that emphasizes the importance of logic, music and silence in expansion of consciousness.

Musical bhajans have great importance in bhakti yoga.

In sufism as well, music is emphasized in contrast to orthodox Islam, and music has been used as a way to increase love for God easily.

 

[Jainarayan]

I think this could be a reason why Sarasvati holds the Veena, Krishna the flute, Shankar the Damru ,and Sage Narada carries the tampura.

Well bust my buttons! I never thought of that!