KIRTAN
Explanation of Kirtan and it’s glories. Lessons in musical instruments and in performing kirtan.harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā
‘In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realisation than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari’ (‘Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita’ Ādi 17.21)
Kirtan is a very important part of the life of every vaisnava. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to this world (in order) to bring Harinama Sankirtan, the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra, to all the people of Kali-yuga.
Kirtan is very easy to perform. The Skanda Purana states that chanting the name of Hari (a name of Krishna which means one who takes away all inauspicious things from His devotees) just once, guarantees liberation. Because it is easy, it is also described as the most practical method for attaining spiritual perfection, particularly in this age. You can chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra anywhere, in any situation, loudly or softly. You can do it while driving, while doing your chores, while waiting for bus, anytime, anywhere.
Sri Krishna says, ‘I am not in Vaikuṇṭha nor in the hearts of the yogīs. I remain where My devotees engage in glorifying My activities.’ The word ‘kirtan’ means ‘glorifying the Lord’, so it can actually be a list of different activities: krsna-katha (discussing the activities of the Lord); glorifying the devotees (because He is present in their hearts); chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra loudly; singing together the names of the Lord.
Usually, the latter is implied when ‘kirtan’ is mentioned. And we will be discussing exactly this here.
harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā
‘In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realisation than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari’ (‘Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita’ Ādi 17.21)
Kirtan is very easy to perform. The Skanda Purana states that chanting the name of Hari (a name of Krishna) just once, guarantees liberation. It´s the most practical method for attaining spiritual perfection. You can chant Hare Krishna maha-mantra anywhere, in any situation, loudly or softly. You can do it while driving, while doing your chores, while waiting for bus, anytime, anywhere.
Kirtan is a very important part of the life of every vaisnava. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to this world (in order) to bring Harinama Sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra, to all the people of Kali-yuga.
Sri Krishna says, ‘I am not in Vaikuṇṭha nor in the hearts of the yogīs. I remain where My devotees engage in glorifying My activities.’ The word ‘kirtan’ means ‘glorifying the Lord’, so it can actually be a list of different activities: krsna-katha (discussing the activities of the Lord); glorifying the devotees (because He is present in their hearts); chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra loudly; singing together the names of the Lord.
IN THIS ARTICLE YOU WILL FIND ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
- WHAT IS CONSIDERED A KIRTAN?
- MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, LESSONS
KIRTAN IS THE LOUD CHANTING OF THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A KIRTAN?
It benefits not only the individuals who chant but everyone who hears them. It is the fundamental practice of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas. You can sing alone, however, it is said that kirtan really becomes a kirtan when at least two devotees chant together (as a sankirtan). It can be done with or without musical instruments. For example, if you cannot play an instrument, it does not mean that you cannot perform a kirtan. And, similiarly, if you do not know any fancy melody it also does not mean that you cannot sing a kirtan. The main thing to have is the mood: the mood of longing for Krishna and singing for His pleasure.
Watch a Video in order to hear the basic tune for singing – the so-called ‘Srila Prabhupada’s tune’
THE MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR ACCOMPANYING THE SINGING
CLAPPING AND DANCING
While singing in kirtan, it is highly recommended to dance for the pleasure of the Lord and clap your hands.
“…Anyone can chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. There is no need for instruments, although Caitanya Mahāprabhu introduced the mṛdaṅga (drum) and karatālas (cymbals). Otherwise, clapping in itself is sufficient. Anyone can sit down with his family, clap hands and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa…” – Teachings of Lord Kapila, text 41, purport
CLAPPING AND DANCING
‘In the Dvārakā-māhātmya the importance of dancing before the Deity is stated by Lord Kṛṣṇa as follows: “A person who is in a jubilant spirit, who feels profound devotional ecstasy while dancing before Me, and who manifests different features of bodily expression can burn away all the accumulated sinful reactions he has stocked up for many, many thousands of years.” In the same book there is a statement by Nārada wherein he asserts, “From the body of any person who claps and dances before the Deity, showing manifestations of ecstasy, all the birds of sinful activities fly away upward.” Just as by clapping the hands one can cause many birds to fly away, similarly the birds of all sinful activities which are sitting on the body can be made to fly away simply by dancing and clapping before the Deity of Kṛṣṇa.’
(Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9)
USE THESE LESSONS TO GO DEEPER
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, LESSONS
We have gathered for you some lessons in musical instruments. You can use these lessons to go deeper into relishing the nectar of singing the Holy Names (remembering that any instrument is dull without being used for kirtan and without the player uttering the Holy Names). Below you can choose with which instrument to get started!
Remember! When learning a Vedic instrument, always keep in mind that all these instruments are holy and are the paraphernalias of the Lord, so it is very important to take care of them and never slap/throw/put them in an unclean place.
THE EASIEST INSTRUMENT TO START WITH
KARATALS
it requires only the feeling of a rhythm. The two basic rhythms are 1-2-3, 1-2-3, repeat until the end; and 1-2, 1-2, repeat until the end. That is all tto it. Any other rhythms are based on these two and are learnt later to make the kirtan even more beautiful. We have gathered some videos for you where those rhythms are explained.
Karatals were the instrument that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would use the most. We find evidence of this in bhajans that glorify Him.
‘He (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) plays karatals as His throat emits sweet melodious sounds and the vibrant notes of the vina are softly played.’ (‘Sri Saci-Sutashtakam’ by Srila Sarvabhauma Battacarya)
Watch Video to learn more!
MRDANGA IS SRI NITYANANDA HIMSELF
MRDANGA
Mrdanga is also a rhythmic instrument, but it is more complicated to learn because this particular instrument requires a lot of dedication and practice. It is not for the lazy ! It is very important to start with the simplest beat, te-re-ke-ta, and then come to the basic rhythms. Then your journey in learning mrdanga will become your best memory.
Try to avoid placing a mrdanga on its drums (big or small one). Put it only on the side and not on a floor directly, to show respect. Mrdanga should always be ‘dressed’ in cloth!
‘Conchshells, bells, and karatals resound, and the mridangas play very sweetly. This kirtan music is supremely sweet and relishable to hear.’ (Gaura-arati song by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur).
Watch Video to learn more!
THE MELODIC INSTRUMENT
HARMONIUM
armonium is a keyboard like instrument that makes its sound by blowing air through reeds, which are tuned to different pitches to make musical notes. Nowadays, it has become a popular choice in the kirtan. Learning it requires practice and understanding of musical notes: either Western (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti) or Indian (sa-re-ga-ma-pa-da-ni). But, it is a very interesting journey, opening for yourself a world of sound and beauty.
It was Srila Prabhupada’s favourite instrument. The instrument is a form of Goddess Sarasvati, thus it is good to cover the harmonium to protect it from dust, and to offer your respect by folding hands before starting to play.
‘He (Srila Prabhupada) used to play harmonium. We accompanied him for meeting people and preaching his mission. The main thing was to perform kīrtana and give a lecture on the Bhagavad-gītā and the life of Kṛṣṇa. Caitanya Mahāprabhu was his Lord, and I also loved Him.’ (‘Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita’, Chapter 5)
Watch Video to learn more!
Compiled by
ISKCON
Chowpatty
VAISNAVA SONGS
Hundreds of them! Read and Downlaod PDF