‘Benaras is older than history, older than the tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together’. – Mark Twain
The ‘word’, the primordial sound (nada), is the prime cause of the world, the origin of all manifestations. Sound forms, and music in particular, are thus essential at all rites, initiations, direct contacts with ‘spirits’ and their prophetic manifestations. They play a fundamental role in the relation between mankind and the sacred.
– The Origins of Sacred Music – Alain Danielou
Sanjer sankhya saje
Beje uthe bramha naad
Dhvanir pada dhulir padukay
Chinnito khethre baye jaay ganga
Chute jaay samayer rath
Achena oli goli mridu hashe
Anander ghawobar hate ekti stuti padma
Phuteye tole chabi
Rupo bramher arati
Srtoter ange madhur sparshe
Bheshe ashe bhorer agamani
All exist as nothing
Still the flower breathes life into stillness
Making the morning sing it’s song
And the dusk settles on its own
On the edge of the river
Flowing-without-flowing…
-J