Indian Classical Music And Sikh Kirtan by Gobind Singh Mansukhani (M.A., LL.B, Ph.D.) © 1982 Guru Arjan's Instructions to Kirtaniyas |
| Guru Arjan’s Instructions to Kirtaniyas Guru Arjan composed a hymn offering instructions to kirtaniyas. Included in the Sikh Scripture under Ramkali raga, the hymn is as follows: “The Lord’s singer imbibes love for the One and sings the melody of only one God. He abides in the country of one God and shows the way to God and sees the one Lord pervading all. He visualises one God, serves only the one Lord, who is known through the Guru. O praiseworthy, praiseworthy is such a kirtaniya! He sings the praise of the Omnipresent Lord, shedding all relishes of worldy goods. The five virtues like contentment (etc.,) he makes his musical instruments and walking in the Lords’s love his seven notes. The forsaking of pride of his power he makes the drone-note of his musical instrument and places not the circuit of coming and going ever again. To play like Narad is for him to realize the Lord to be just present. To shed his sorrow is for him the tinkling of ankle-bells. To abide in celestial beatitude in his exhibiting his dalliance. Such a dancer is not subject to birth again. If anyone becomes pleasing to the Lord, out of million that mortal alone thus sings the Lords’s praise. Says Nanak, I repair to the support of the saint’s society; They sing there the praise of the one Lord alone”[3]. The instructions of the Guru to the singers may be summarised as follows; (1) The singer must be mentally alert and his heart should be full of devotion to God. (2) He must keep himself detached from worldly affairs and must not run after money. (3) He must cultivate good habits and practise the five virtues of truth, contentment, faith, compassion and patience. (4) He must neither be proud of his talent nor be hypocritical. (5) He must practise the presence of God and expereince real joy and peace. (6) He must regard himself as a devoted servant of the sangat (congregation). |