This is from the news published in Times of India by ACHARYA PRIYASHIVANANDA

The music of devotion and neo-humanism

The devotional sentiment is the highest and most valuable treasure of humanity and so needs to be protected. All molecules, atoms, electrons, pro
tons, positrons and neutrons are the veritable expressions of the same.

Supreme Consciousness. When devotion does not remain confined to a mere practice, when it is elevated to a devotional mission, to the realm of devotional ideation ^ when the underlying spirit of humanism is extended to everything animate and inanimate in the universe ^ it could be called neo-humanism. When this operates in the external sphere, internal devotion is transformed into ‘devotion as mission’.

This is a novel interpretation of devotion. The spiritual master Shri Shri Anandamurti aka Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar had been developing it quietly in south Kolkata through a series of discourses. Thus was born neo-humanism, a new philosophy and vision that is likely to shape the course of our lives in the years to come. It could lead us to a new world governed by a new philosophy where “devotion will turn into a mission”.

Shri Sarkar turned to music, for music touches the deepest chords in human hearts. The founder-preceptor and the life and soul of a global mission, Ananda Marga, took upon himself the work of composing songs.

This is from the news published in Times of India by ACHARYA PRIYASHIVANANDA

The music of devotion and neo-humanism

The devotional sentiment is the highest and most valuable treasure of humanity and so needs to be protected. All molecules, atoms, electrons, pro
tons, positrons and neutrons are the veritable expressions of the same.

Supreme Consciousness. When devotion does not remain confined to a mere practice, when it is elevated to a devotional mission, to the realm of devotional ideation ^ when the underlying spirit of humanism is extended to everything animate and inanimate in the universe ^ it could be called neo-humanism. When this operates in the external sphere, internal devotion is transformed into ‘devotion as mission’.

This is a novel interpretation of devotion. The spiritual master Shri Shri Anandamurti aka Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar had been developing it quietly in south Kolkata through a series of discourses. Thus was born neo-humanism, a new philosophy and vision that is likely to shape the course of our lives in the years to come. It could lead us to a new world governed by a new philosophy where “devotion will turn into a mission”.

Shri Sarkar turned to music, for music touches the deepest chords in human hearts. The founder-preceptor and the life and soul of a global mission, Ananda Marga, took upon himself the work of composing songs.

The first song ‘Oh Parama Purusha, lead me on towards the fountain of effulgence’ flowed out of the poet-musician in the calm and serene surroundings of Deoghar. The exercise continued for nearly a decade when the number of songs stood at 5,018. Composed in as many as eight languages ^ Bengali, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, English, Angika, Magahi and Maithili ^ and christened ‘Prabhat Samgit’, Sarkar’s songs acquire great significance in the post-Tagore era.

However, Prabhat Samgit does not mean songs to be sung at dawn. Nor does it derive its name from its composer. Against the backdrop of the contemporary cultural world, Prabhat Samgit heralds the dawn of a ‘new renaissance’, a reawakening with the promise of a new glorious era with a new light and hope for humankind. Herein lies its true significance.

The songs present a wide spectrum of melodic styles like tappa, baul, jhumur, kirtan, thumri, khayal, ghazal and qawwali. Scandinavian, Persian, Israeli and Iberian tunes and Indian classical and folk tunes find a unique confluence in Prabhat Samgit. The wide-ranging themes of songs include mysticism, spiritual fulfilment, optimism, social awareness, celebration, nature, songs for children and songs on Shiva and Krishna, covering the gamut of human existence and transcending it to embrace the plant and animal worlds, and the inanimate world as well. That is why it is called ‘neo-humanistic music’.

The songs are devotion-specific. Devotion is their essence. It breathes in every line; it resounds in every melody and rhythm, and always remains committed to neo-humanism, the ideals of service to entire Creation. The music lights the lamp of love in every heart, for to transform life, love is the key and love divine is devotion.

Prabhat Samgit could play a significant role. If humanism was the cry of the European Renaissance, neo-humanism could be the cry of the neo-renaissance of the future.

In a world shaken by wars, conflicts and strife, plagued by poverty, hunger, ignorance and disease, Prabhat Samgit could usher in neo-renaissance and we can turn this planet into an ideal home for neo-humanity, if not a paradise.

The writer is a disciple of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. September 14 is Prabhat Samgita Divas.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3476449.cms