Bhakti is known by many names

      ‘ Many Facets of the Vital Element Called 'Bhakti' ‘

          -    P.Natarajan.

   

                                            

                         

1. Bhakti when integrated with the  ‘Meals’  becomes ‘Prasad’

     (2) Bhakti during ‘ fasting’  is known as ‘Vratam’ or ‘ Ritual ‘’

     (3) Deliverance of  ‘Water’ absorbed in bhakti is called ‘Theertham’

     (4) When you undertake journey in a pious mood of bhakti, it gets a new name as ‘Yatra’

    (5)’ Activities ‘  engrossed in bhakti is redefined as noble ‘Service’

    (6) When the whole house is immersed in bhakti , the premises become a ‘Temple’

                                              

    (7) Musical Melodies harmonised in bhakti is ‘Keerthanai’ or ‘Sangeetham’ or in short

        ‘ Classical Music ’

   (8) Employment resulting as an outcome of bhakti or devotion is as  ‘Prarabdham’

   (9) Brahmacharyam with firm bhakti leads for a transformation called as ‘ Sanyasi’’  

                                                              

          or ‘ Munivrithi’  ( Hermitage)

   (10)  Married Life together with staunch bhakti leads to a state ‘Anmeegam’ or ‘ Philosophic

             Life ‘                    

                                                       

   (11)  A person full of devotion or staunch believer of Godliness becomes a

              ‘ a wholesome man ‘

                                                              

                                                                   ( Narada Muni )

                                 

                                                                  

                                                  (Narayana responses instantaneously to Prahlada's Call )

                                                                

  (12) A man immersed in the deep waters of bhakti is transformed into a ‘ jnani ‘

                Or a wise and holy man.

• pn

‘ मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ‘

‘ मधुराधिपतेरखिलं मधुरम् ‘

• P.natarajan.

‘Sri Venugopalaswamy’ attracts the whole world from all directions. Gopis, cowherds rush to surrender at his feet . Kasturi Tilak adorns his forehead. ‘Karatale Venum’ - krishna plays the flute and music flows melodiously - Everything is so sweet and for the Lord of Mathura, no wonder, it is ‘Akhilam’ madhuram. Look at ‘Kutti Krishna’ above and you can notice the new pearl protruding from his nose is dancing to the the tunes of the melody from the flute. ‘ - viz ‘‘Nasagra nava moukthika “ !

‘ krishnam vande jagadgurum’ - krishna playing the flute seems to teach us a lesson. Playing the flute can be compared to how we can lead our life. Flute has many ‘dwaras’ or holes. Life is not on the bed of roses. Stresses and Strains, Ups and Downs, Imperfections and Inequalities, Success and Failures come in galloping style and it is time for us to finger the holes in the ‘ flute of life ‘ carefully. The flute renders the notes only when we decide so. Flute brings out melodious or sweet notes only and this happens to be a permanent feature.

Likewise, we should speak only when it is necessary. There is no need to give a bit of one’s mind which is also known as ‘advice’ to others. There is no welcome sign for advice which is otherwise mistaken as ‘ showing off ‘ or egoistic or simply ‘unpleasant’.

I can put this in a rhythm as follows:-

Speak for pleasure but speak with  measure

Speak with grammars’ richest treasure

Not too much for the Deeds

Would follow the Words’ direction.

प्रिय वाक्य  प्रदानेन सर्वे तुष्यन्ति जन्तव :

तस्मान्तदेव  वक्तव्यं वचने किं दरिद्रता

Sweet and soft words inspire even animals

So it is a must - why be a miser in finding soft and sweet words ?

Speak low when you speak love !

There is another lesson the flute seems to portray. The flute looks empty as an instrument. In other words, we can keep our mind unoccupied. I agree this exercise is not possible for an ordinary person. However we can attempt to forget the past misery or such happenings. At the same time we need not worry or think bleak about the future. As you forget the past and don’t brood about the future while listening to the daunting melodies flowing from the flute, you can live comfortably in the moment and enjoy the present. That is why the word ‘ present ‘ has also another meaning as ‘gift’ viz the present is a gift.

Melody is a form of music in linear succession. Melody is a combination of pitch and rhythm having a periodicity or frequency.The listener perceives the melody as a single entity. The goal of music lies in its melody. Harmony comprises of the notes and chords of the music which holds up the melody and makes the song a success. Melody is a direct reflection of the skills of the musician. It would be futile to question which is more significant- whether melody or harmony. Beyond doubt the means is subordinate to the ends. Flute Mahalingam and, N.Ramani excelled in playing the flute - superb ‘venugana’ taking the listener to the doors of dwaraka.

When we talk of music, my mind pays homage to Saint Composer Thyagaraja Swamy. His *pancharatna keerthanas are majestic in composition, poetic in diction, lifting in rhythm, moving in appeal and fills one’s mind with a sense of devotion.

‘Devaki paramanandam Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum’ !.