Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Music Tantra/Ragas-Benefits.


Ragas yield various benefits!Most of the time,the names of the ragas suggest what they are capable of yielding.Careful analysis of the formula of the raga(Aarohanam/Avarohanam) also lend deep insight into the raga's tatwa(nature) and its capacity to grant a variety of boons to the practitioner.
Such effects of ragas were well understood and implemented by our saint composers in most of their compositions."Darini thelusukonti,Tripura Sundarini thelusukonti" by Sri Thyagaraja Swami has been composed in the raga SUDDHA SAVERI ("DURGA" in Hindusthani).The Hindusthani name of the raga is a give away of the Goddess forming the raga swaroopa of SUDDHA SAVERI.The fierce and protective Durga is materialised by practising the scale of Suddha Saveri.Sri Thyagaraja himself has conveyed through this raga that the path("Daari") to attain the Goddess is the raga SUDDHA SAVERI.
Similarly,the grand composition of "Devi Brova" in CHINTHAMANI by Sri Syama Sastri is yet another revelation that Kamakshi who resides in "Chintamani Gruha" resides in this krithi too.Tapas or japam (musical term of japam is "sadhana") of this krithi,bestows the grace of Sri Kamakshi.
A few ragas and there benefits are given below:-
VASANTHA:-New beginnings,promotion on the professional and personal fronts (enhancement of personal image).The Aarohanam,especially,the stress on Sa Ma Ga Ma(the long gap between Sa and Ma is a significant leap towards progress,aided and stabilised by Ga Ma.Practice to be done (till attainment of promotion or a new beginning) in the Aarohanam only.After achievement of desired objective,Avarohanam is practised for stability in the new arena.
BRINDAVANI:- Reconciliation.Prolonged sanchara involving the two nishadas thereby harmonising the two swaras bring together estranged couples or even friends / business associates.
BHAIRAVI,SUDDHA DHANYASI,KALYANI:-Spiritual upliftment.Many krithis on Devi have been composed in the above ragas.Kalyani is an embodiment of Amba,mastery of the same raga is equal to the attainment of the Grace of Devi.
SHAMA:-To curb anger and short temper.Sri Thyagaraja's krithi"Shantamu leka sowkhyamu ledu" reveals the raga's attributes.
SARANGA:-To de-stress and for severe depression.The Avarohana sanchara "Pa Ma2 Ri Ga Ma1 Ri" is the antidote for de-stressing and treatment of depression.
ANADABHAIRAVI:-For high blood pressure.
VALACHI:-To obtain desired object/relation.Sanchara of the entire scale while contemplating on one's desire.
SHANMUKHAPRIYA,KHARAHARAPRIYA:-To defeat enemies.
HAMSANANDI:-For valour. and to curb cowardly feelings and nature.
HINDOLAM:-For attracting masses.
KADANAKUTHOOHALAM:-For rejuvenation.
MOHANAM:-To attract particular person or relationship.
VIVADI RAGAS:-Confrontation,at times when subtle persecution is endured in silence.
GRAHA BHEDA,SCALE CHANGE IN RAGAS:-Unexpected changes in life/to escape from given situation or a tight spot.Shift-over to major scale is highly recommended(resulting in positive developments),shift-over to minor and melancholic ragas (resulting in negative changes)are to be avoided.Repeated sanchara at the point where the raga shifts to a different scale and the corresponding octave will yield desired results.
SUVARNAANGI:-For strong limbs and joints.Very good for treatment of rheumatism and arthritis.
NAYAKI&DARBAR:-For hormonal imbalance. For the balance of yin and yang(feminine and masculine factors in one's body and mind),both ragas are to be practised together.Sri Dikshitar's krithi ,"Ardhanaareeswaram"in the raga Kumudakriya is an excellent antidote for hormonal imbalance.
MALAHARI:-Purification,cleansing of sins,release from the cycle of births and karma.
SAHANA:-To treat hyper-activity,for relaxation.Tranquliser.
NEELAMBARI:-Tranquiliser,for inducing sleep.
AMRUTHAVARSHINI,MEGH MALHAR,MEGHA RANJANI:-To bring rains.
KAMAS:-For love and romance.
KANTHAMANI:-To enhance feminine nature,attraction and magnetism.The closely woven"Ma Pa Dha Ni" denotes the intricacies of woman's mind,"Dha Ni Ri..." - coyness,"Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa"-yielding.
OMKARAM in pure Adhara sadjyamam:-To dissolve all qualities for realization of the 'nirgunatwam" of Atma(soul).
There are many more ragas that yield different results and benefits.There are also unexplored avenues such as effects of octaves and swaras on human beings.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Gayatri ji,
Great blog! Never heard such details explained anywhere. Are these elaborated in any of the ancient music treatises? Or, is it based on your rich experience?
Wish you wrote a book with all such details.
Thanks so much for this wonderful blog.
Music lover

Veenaagayathri said...

Thank you very much!It is based on my experiences and inferences.Investigation has always been my passion.I shall certainly think of publishing all this material,in the meantime,it gives me immense pleasure to share the evidences with genuine music lovers like you.Gayathri

Unknown said...

Hats off to you.You have become a different Gayathri.May be I had to wait such a long time to fully understand you,amazing information for a lay man like me.I am happy that you have been so unobtrusive all along proving "NIRAKUDAM THULUMBADU".Please keep it up.

TCN

Veenaagayathri said...

Hi Narendran,
Thank you so much,coming from you it is very touching.You were instrumental in my musical growth,by introducing me to the incarnation of Saraswathi,Sri.T.M.Thyagarajan.A world devoid of my Guru is devoid of music for me.
Thank you for all the support and encouragement!Gayathri

Sankar said...

Aunty,
Its really informative.
I am very much attracted by Raagas like mohana kalyani, madhuvanthi & darmavathi, sindu bairavi, revathi, suba banthuvaralai,varali, rekeshri, behag, dwijavanthi. I am listening to them repeatedly. Could you pleas share your views on the above raags?

Sankar said...

aunty, pl answer na!!

Veenaagayathri said...

Dear Sri. Sankar,
I am extremely sorry for not realising that I hadn't replied to your query for so long! I must have thought I had replied ! Regrets anyway!
Even I happen to share your liking for all your favourite ragas. They are all beautiful ragas, and cannot be described in words! I will see what I can write about them in my forthcoming postings!
For now, all I can say is that I like the ragas mentioned by you immensely!
Regards,
Gayathri

akshay said...

any link to download above ragas

Sankar said...

Thanks a lot aunty. :)

Veenaagayathri said...

My pleasure, thank you!

Amarnath Vangara said...

Hi Gayathri mam..Im a SW engineer learning carnatic from past 15 years near my mother. I'm an ardent fan of your Veena and blog as well. Please keep posting the same informative blogs.

Thanks & Regards,
Ananth

Veenaagayathri said...

Hello,
Glad to know your details and thank you for your appreciation!
All the best in music, sure I will post more articles in future.
Regards,
Gayathri

FEATURED POST

Tune O Rangeele