Gurbani: Best Raga

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

Best Raga

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Best Raga
When Guru Ramdas was requested to name the raga he like the most, he answered that any raga which produced inner joy and devotion and brought him into tune with God was the best:
“Of all the ragas, brother, that one is the best,
Through which the mind gets attuned to the Lord;
True is the melody of the Lord; its value is inestimable.
Those ignorant of the qualities of divine music
Are ill-equipped to comprehend the message of God”[22].
Similarly the other Gurus warned the Sikhs not to get lost in the technicalities and intricacies of ragas, because it is just a medium of expression of devotion. Those ragas alone are good which help in spiritual sadhana and divine love. Mere love of classical music as art or as a hobby for an individual may be feasible, but its exploitation as a money-spinner through kirtan is not approved. Guru Nanak says:
“The Guru-oriented renounces the love of ragas and other tastes”[23].
Regarding Sorath, which is a delightful raga, Guru Nanak imposes a condition:
Sorath is always pleasant if the True One is in the heart”[24].
Guru Amardas too has expressed his views about certain ragas. He regards Sri raga good if it strengthens devotions and piety:
“Sri raga is the choicest of ragas if it creates love for Truth” [25].
About Wadahans, he says:
“To be imbued with the Divine Word is the essence of Wadahans raga;
Clasp the True Name to your heart” [26].
Similarly he expresses his view on Dhanasri:
“Dhanasri raga is considered rich, O brother, when it serves the True Guru”[27].
About Bilaval raga, the third Guru states:
“Sing the Bilaval raga, O dear ones, by concentrating on One God”[28].
He clarifies his idea further and tells us that if devotion and meditation are not induced by the raga, singing is of no avail:
“There can be no Bilaval in duality;
The self-willed person does not reach the goal”[29].
About Kedara, the Guru states:
“Amongst ragas, Kedara is considered great, O brother, if through it one loves the Name.
Then one continually associates with the saints company and develops love for the True Lord”[30].
The third Guru lays down a stipulation for singing hymns in Malar raga:
“Malar raga is cooling; contemplating God in it, peace is obtained”[31].
Guru Ramdas has shown a liking for Bilaval raga, but he insists that it must be used for praising the Lord:
“Singing in the Bilaval measure, I hum the praise of the Sublime God, my Lord Master”[32].
Guru Arjan reiterates the idea that hymn-singing in any raga must be accompanied by adoration and deep faith.
He states his view specifically on three ragas, Gauri, Sorath and Maru:
“Gauri raga is most auspicious if it creates love for the Lord in the heart”[33].
“Through Sorath melody, drink the nectar that never becomes tasteless;
Nanak says, singing the praise of the Lord’s name, one gains perfect glory in the Lord’s Court”[34].
About Maru raga, he says that its singing with devotion subdues the five passions:
“Through the Guru’s Word, man contemplates the Name with love and becomes detached.
When he overwhelms the five enemies (vices), O Nanak, then Maru raga becomes fruitful”[35].

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