Swara-gyaan

How many combination can you get with just seven objects? If you hear the answer as 'zillions' then do not be surprised! That's what the seven swaras do. All the music that you hear is a combination of 7 swaras; सा (sā), रे (re), गा (ga), म (ma), प् (pa), ध (dha) and नि (ni). The word सरगम (sargam, in Europe its called "solfege") is derived from the first four swaras, sa re ga ma collectively called sargam! The notes of sargam are called शुद्ध (Shuddha or Naturals)Swaras. Between them are the कोमल (komal or flats)and the तीव्र (Tivra or sharps). They can be equaled to C, D, E, F, G, A, B of the western music. Just like E and B do not have Sharps and F & C do not have flats, Ga & Ni do not have tivra and Ma and Sa do not have komal swaras! What do these swaras mean? Each shuddha swara (i.e., Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni) is traditionally held to have originated in the sound of a different animal, and some have additional meanings of their own. Also, each swara is associated with one of the seven chakras of the body. Just as the swaras ascend through the saptak (Octave), so they are mapped onto the chakras in the body in ascending order. Komal notes are associated with the left side of each chakra; the left channel, Ida Nadi, is the side of emotion and intuition. Shuddha and tivra notes are associated with the right side; the right channel, Pingala Nadi, is the side of logic. Ragas, therefore, have more or less of an effect on a given chakra depending on the notes they contain. Swara influences the bio energy structure of the human organism performed by means of art.Through music, vocal, or dance one can induce resonant states in certain chakra of the listeners or viewers, or in certain meridian. In particular, these structures can be developed simply by letting into them the vibrations coming from the artist. Sa is derived from Shadja which means Sagar (Ocean) and the chakra associated with it is Muladhara. Re is derived from Rishabh (bull) and the corresponding chakra is Swadhisthana . Ga is taken from Gandhar which means Gagan (Infinite Sky) and the associated chakra is Manipura. Ma is the Madhyama or the Middle (Chakra: Anāhata) Pa is the Panchama or the Fifth Note (Chakra: Vishuddha). Dha takes its form from the word Dhaivata meaning Dharti (Earth) (Chakra: Agya). Ni is taken from Nishād which means an outcast/hunter (Chakra: Shahastrar). Combination of the Swaras can have Positive effect on the body mind and the consciousness. Listening to right music at right time can ameliorate the Sativic Gunas in oneself. What time is suited for which ragaa, I will come up with it, shortly. Till then enjoy listening to good music! Jai Gurudeva. -- O.A.K. Tree