Indian Classical Music And Sikh Kirtan by Gobind Singh Mansukhani (M.A., LL.B, Ph.D.) © 1982 Kirtan in the Dark Age |
| Kirtan in the Dark Age According to Guru Amardas, there is no need of celibacy, self-mortification, austerity, penance and pilgrimage in the modern age which is called the Dark Age-Kalyuga. The singing of the Lord’s Name is the only righteous deed which brings the greatest unit. The Gurus simplified the path of spiritual fulfilment through kirtan. It is the vehicle of getting in tune with Divinity. Guru Ramdas says: “Glorious is the Lord’s praise and the Holy Name. It is the sublime deed in the Dark Age. By Guru’s teaching, man is blessed with the Lord’s praise and he wears the necklace of the Lord’s Name in his mind”[32]. Kirtan overcomes the diseases of the mind and body and of doubt. However, this involves not only the performance and of or the listening to the kirtan, but also following strictly the instructions of the Guru contained therein. It is the means of salvation in these hardened dark times. Guru Amardas says: “One who is dyed in God’s colour sings His praises; Through the Guru’s Word, he naturally merges in bliss” [33]. The teachings of the Gurus penetrate deep within the subconscious mind and thereafter through inclination and tendencies take shape in action. It is an inner transformation like the one which happened to Sajjan Thug when he listened to Guru Nanak’s kirtan.* |