Friday, June 22, 2012

Sweeter than Tansen


Akbar was happy whenever Tansen, his court musician sang.  Tansen was the greatest musician of his day.  When he sang the raag, Meghamala, clouds thickened in the sky; when he sang the raag, Varuna, showers of rain fell.  When he sang the Naageswara, snakes gathered.  Akbar was very proud that he had in his
 durbur, a musician of such eminenace.

But one day, while he was engaged in prayer, he heard the distant music of Haridasa, a wandering minstrel, a beggar singing to the tune of a single-stringed instrument he held in his hand, and Akbar was thrilled, enchanted, deeply moved.

He asked Tansen why that song appealed to him more than all the songs Tansen sang in his durbar.  Tansen replied, "Lord!  I sing looking at your face to see any sign of appreciation, in the hope that you will give me a few gems or some acres of land.  He sings looking at the face of God, with no greed for material wealth or ambition for earthly goods.  That is the difference."


(Chinna Katha from the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

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