Jupiter Knowledge: Shyama Sangeet ( Divine Mother's Music)

In Hinduism, the Almighty God is also venerated as The Divine Mother. The Divine Mother has been given many forms and names. One of the most loved and worshipped form of Divine Mother in Hinduism is that of Kali. Kali literally means time in feminine form. Kali is the destroyer of evil forces. She has been worshipped by devotional movements and tantric sects variously as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Adi Shakti, or Adi Parashakti. Shakta Hindu and Tantric sects additionally worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman( the still Absolute Formless God). She is also seen as divine protector and the one who bestows moksha, or liberation. Kali is often portrayed standing or dancing on her consort, the Hindu god Shiva, who lies calm and passive beneath her. Kali is worshipped by Hindus throughout India especially in West Bengal. The most famous devotee of Kali is undoubtedly Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the Divine Mystic Avtaar from India. Pleased with the childlike, pure and selfless devotion of Sri Ramakrishna, Kali bestowed Her Grace and Love on him. She would literally talk to him and physically take food fed by him. The famous Dakshineswar Kali temple near Kolkata (West Bengal, India) is the place where Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa worshipped Her with pure devotion. Many saints in Bengal of the past composed wonderful devotional songs to Kali. These devotional songs to Kali are called as Shyama Sangeet. Shyama is another name of Kali. Sangeet means music. Traditionally Shyama Sangeet has always been sung in Bengali language. Bengali is one of the sweetest languages in the world. It has no harsh sound. It is sweet and soft just like French. So the songs infused with devotion create a wonderful sweet atmosphere and the listener tastes the sweet love of Divine Mother. Sri Ramakrishna was an avid Shyama Sangeet follower and would himself sing the songs. Since centuries saints have carried on this tradition and there is a heavenly collection of Shyama Sangeet available now. The wordings of the devotional lyrics, sweet Bengali language and the traditional Indian music all combined for the love and service of Divine Mother make Shyama Sangeet a sublime devotional experience to the listener. Even though you don't understand Bengali, the powerful Shyama Sangeet transcends all barriers of language and makes a way into your heart. Listen to Shyama Sangeet and fill your heart with devotion for the Divine Mother !