Autobiography Chapter 15, Part 6: Yogananda’s Cosmic Chants and Ragas

This episode covers the next section of chapter 15 from: “The foundation stones of Hindu music are ragas...” to “... all its subtle microtonal and rhythmic variations.” Summary: We dissect Paramahansa Yogananda’s detailed explanations of the significance of chants and music in the context of Indian classical music and ragas, highlighting their role in connecting with God and our own path. The subject matter is brought to life with extracts of commentary and explanations from experts in the fields such as Pundit Ravi Shankar. We also explored the historical and scientific aspects of music, including the wild application of using sound to extinguish fires! The oral tradition of teaching in Indian classical music is well established and deserves some appreciation due to its unique experience, spiritual basis and subtleties that are difficult to grasp without a peeping through the looking glass. 0:00 The importance of this episode; 3:12 Prior episode; 4:42 Structure and types of ragas; 15:24 Mantra and the primal sound; 34:42 Octaves and Scales; 58:50 Looking ahead. Links discussed in this episode: Akhanda Mandalakaram: https://youtu.be/mD1S6mz88Is?si=hee_glyDuOSVBu8A&t=3274 https://youtu.be/J1ifDRJL1Wo?si=ukFeYvZeUFCQoKwl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tansen Rain Chant - https://youtu.be/c_BoiSfAN78?si=jWsH6BYo5VMHv2yH https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akbar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birbal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kellogg_(naturalist) https://youtu.be/X0fSUOiar0k?si=1nGtyk9cK1vSRp4s&t=332 https://youtu.be/X0fSUOiar0k?si=9LabmjTmC2UCO9Su Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 15: “Bach, among Western composers, understood the charm and power of repetitious...” to “...I joyously sang the refrains, beating time with our hands.” #autobiographyofayogi #autobiographylinebyline #paramahansayogananda Autobiography of a Yogi awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India #SRF #YSS