YJ International Newsletter 2004 Vol 18 No 02

Author(s): Young Jains (UK)
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 18

Musical Metamorphosis
-By Kavit Haria -
Tune into Tabla, harmonize with harmonium, synthesize with sitar...realise rhythm!
hat makes Jainism such a sweet, attractive religion? Is it because it is considered pure, or is it the fantastic architecture of Jain temples? To me, it is the unbreakable bond of Jainism and Music.
Firstly, what is Music? The dictionary definition of music is "an art form using a melodious and harmonious combination of notes." What is the difference between a song and music? A song is the rose, whereas a piece of music is the garden within which it resides. The song is usually of the heart and for the heart however; the music is of the entire being and for the entire being.
Music comes from ragas, and a combination of these ragas help re-enforce the Jain values within us due to its collective devotional elements. Music is just like a catalyst; it helps to enhance our faith (shraddha) and devotion (bhakti) towards the fundamentals of Jainism.
It is said that the sound of music 'touches' the soul like nothing else. Is this why music is appealing to humanity? It is able to change to the needs of our emotions. It cannot be felt physically, yet it touches.
When worshipping the Jinas, prayers are recited in a consistently rhythmic manner. Songs such as the aarti, bhajans, stavans are sung with so much spirit and energy that sheer joy is continuously booming from the room or temple. Simply by listening to devotional songs, you can experience what I'm talking about.
What's the difference between reciting and singing a prayer? The words are the same, yet why is it so different? Well, when one is singing, they find that the soul is praying too. The prayer begins to come from within. This type of praying is helpful in meditation and improves the quality of life. So that's why the famous expression 'prayer heals' is normally used.
Bhakti is a rite and ritual. Rites and rituals are not performed for worldly happiness or for power, but to pay respect to our Tirthankars for the salvation they attained, and for showing us the path to Moksha allowing us to glean inspiration to be like them. Bhakti is interwoven into daily life of a Jain and can be considered as daily conduct. It shows the purest of soul in the form of daily conduct, which should lead us to the path of the realisation of the complete purest form of our own self, the soul.
There are nine types of Bhakti: (1) Shravan God's name (2) Jinpuja - Worshiping (3) Smaran - Remembering (4) Maitri Friendly sentiment (5) Vandana Bowing down
(6) Nivedan Dedication of self
(7) Sharan To seek refuge in complete surrender (8) Kirtan Devotional singing (9) Archana Adorning
Doing bhakti immediately inspires us and awakens the soul in us. If we sing a divine song, a soulful song, it immediately brings purity into our system. Singing purifies our limited consciousness and brings to us universal harmony. In our day-to-day life, we constantly break the universal harmony, but when we sing with pure feelings (bhav), we build and create this universal harmony in and around us. When we chant or sing, our soul is fed. A mother feeds her child whenever the child is hungry. Similarly, we have to feed the soul, the divine child within us, by chanting or meditating. Feeding the soul will allow it to come to the fore and the opportunity for the soul-bird to fly in the sky of Infinity and Eternity arises.
During Bhakti, we should be engrossed completely, but can only do this by having full concentration, everincreasing devotion, admiration/astonishment, delight and appreciation of our Tirthankar's qualities. The Bhakti should be performed with pure feelings (bhav) and can help get rid of karma.
In our inner life, mantras are very important. What is a mantra? A mantra is a syllable, group of syllables or a sentence divinely surcharged with power. In the Indian scriptures it is said that if you want mental illumination, if you want purity, or if you want other good qualities, then you should recite a mantra. For example, if you repeat Aum twice, thrice or hundreds of times, this repetition is japa.
The Navkar Mantra is the most important mantra in Jainism and can be recited at any time. While reciting the Navkar Mantra, one is bowing down with respect to Arihantas (souls who have reached the state of nonattachment towards worldly process), Siddhas (liberated souls), Ächäryäs (heads of sadhus and sadhvis), Upadhyayas (those who teach scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis), Sädhus (monks, who have voluntarily given up social, economical and family relationships) and Sädhvis (nuns, who have voluntarily given up social, economical and family relationships). Collectively, they are called Panch Parmesthi (five
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