In Chapter Fourteen of the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna talks to Arjuna about the three gunas — Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. These gunas can be most simply described as three types of characteristics a person can adopt into his or her lifestyle. In one of my past posts, Chapter 14: Discrimination of the Three Gunas, I had discussed how each of us needs a good combination of the gunas (one where Sattva is predominant) so that we may grow spiritually. I’d like to bring in another part of our culture that I feel can also be related to the three gunas — music. There are so many genres of music that can be analyzed and categorized into the three gunas. For now, I am going to concentrate on Hindustani classical music, (north Indian classical music) which is similar to Carnatic music (south Indian classical music). In Hindustani music, the notes, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha and Ni, similar to the Do Re Mi Fa Sol La and Ti from western classical music, are put together in a series of patterns that compose a certain raag.
There are so many different raags in Hindustani music that can be used to describe the different times of the day. What I have also realized is that if a morning type of raag, or a Sattvic raag, such as Bhoop or Mohanam in Carnatic (Sa Re Ga Pa Da Sa) at a medium pace, is played in the morning, the listener can truly enjoy the raag and his or her sattvic characteristics will be brought out. Similar is the case with the other times of the day — if one listens to Rajasic raags at a faster pace, during the Rajasic part of the day, it helps him or her maintain the energy need to perform the action. Also, if a Tamasic raag, such as Darbari Kanada or Todi at a slow pace, which have a combination of mellow notes, is played at night, it will help to calm the mind and body, getting them ready for sleep.
These direct relations between the raags and the times of the day form an important part of Hindustani music. Because of this, if one were to listen to a raag at a time other than its ideal period of the day, it will not have as much of an effect on the person. It may even have a negative effect at times.
However, in today’s world, we are exposed to so many types of music from all over the world. Along with that, there are countless different genres of music that are being introduced to us. Obviously if we are to listen to music, it won’t always be Hindustani or Carnatic classical music. From my own experiences with music and its effects at varying hours of the day, I have come to realize that the genres of music can also be related to each of the gunas.
Generally speaking, I’d like to think of all types of classical music to have Sattvic quality, which will enhance our spiritual self and also will inspire us with better thoughts for the day. When it comes to Rajasic music, there are so many different genres I can think of; pop, hip-hop, R&B. These genres, I feel, get our minds and bodies moving and excited, which will keep us energized for the day. Something interesting I realized, though, was that when I think of Tamasic music, I think of rap, heavy metal, rock and even techno to some extent. I kept wondering to myself why I thought of these genres to be Tamasic when I know that none of these types of songs help me go to sleep. I then realized that when I listen to Tamasic raags, not only is my body being put to sleep, but my spiritual body was being put to sleep as well. When I listen to the Tamasic genres, maybe the music puts my spiritual self to sleep while my body stays wide awake.
This is not to say that people that listen to a certain genre of music that is related to a certain guna is good or bad. However I feel that there is a time and place for each type of music. One wouldn’t want to listen to classical music while he or she is at the gym. And one wouldn’t want to listen to heavy metal while he or she is meditating or getting ready to go to the temple in the morning. We must know which music will be ideal for us depending on the situation and the time of the day. I feel that listening to certain types of music at certain times would not only help us grow spiritually to some extent, but also will help us be more productive and will give us the determination and motivation to get through the day.
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One Comment
Namaskara!
Do You really consider Gunas as kind of quality of music or genre? I am in doubt about this .
Good classical requiem probably not so Sattvic, as well as good Hard-n-Heavy may force Rajas in listener. And what about hindu “Vedic group” with speaking name Rudra?
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