Gurbani: Rasa of Kirtan

Indian Classical Music And Sikh Kirtan
by Gobind Singh Mansukhani (M.A., LL.B, Ph.D.) © 1982

Rasa of Kirtan

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Rasa of Kirtan
Though in aesthetic theory, Rasa (aesthetic delight) belongs to the realm of poetry, it is generally extended to the field of music. There are nine types of rasa including shant rasa [34]. The Gurus added the tenth rasa which is called Nam or Amrit rasa. Though three main rasas, shringar, veer, and shant, are generally found in the Gurbani, the key factor is Amrit rasa- the feeling of transport or ecstasy-which Guru Nanak describes as:
“Whatever rasa, other than the true rasa, I have experienced appears to me to be tasteless and unsavory.
I have tasted the Amrit rasa in Guru’s company; it is sweeter than the juice of the sugar-cane”[35].
Even rivers of milk and piles of sugar and mountains of gold and gems will not attract one who has tasted the nectar of God’s praises.
Guru Ramdas tells how the Amrit rasa can be obtained:
“The rasa of the immortalising Nam- nectar is exquisitely fine.
In what way can I obtain the nectar as my food?
The word of the true Guru is the emerald. He who acts thereon quaffs God’s elixir.....
Showing His mercy, God Himself gives the Name-nectar to the virtuous and pours in into his mouth.
Then, O Nanak! Man’s body and soul are invigorated and God dwells in his mind” [36].
After the devotee has tasted the nectar of kirtan, he is overjoyed and his mind in full of peace. Guru Nanak states:
“If one drinks God’s elixir, he is wrapped in trance in his own Home and he then obtains peace.
By the Guru’s grace, he understands his Lord.
His mind wanders not and he restrains its movements” [37].
The divine word continues to haunt the heart and there by the devotee recaptures the moments of peace and fulfilment at his own sweet will. The Guru describes the condition of the devotee who is transported into a mystic world through the performance of or listening to kirtan, in the following lines:
“Man’s desire is eliminated and his mind is imbued with the Lord’s Name.
His eyes are fixed on the eyes (vision) of the Lord and God’s consciousness rings in his ears.
His tongue sucks is perfumed with the Name’s fragrance and this experience is invaluable”[38].
The Gurus called Kirtan Har-rasa and Amio-rasa. He who drinks this nectar becomes the denizen of a mystic world. HE loses all sense of pain and materialism and his mind becomes exalted. Guru Arjan Dev describes the condition of the devotee thus:
“Within him, the torrent of nectar uniformly rains;
The soul drinks, hears and reflects on the Holy Name.
It rejoices and delights day and night and sports with God forever” [39].
This is a condition of spiritual exaltation which is beyond description and analysis.

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