The meaning of sacred chants

In Sanskrit, the song or chant that glorifies the Ultimate Truth is called “Kirtan”. The Kirtans that are written by bona fide spiritual persons describe the qualities of God, using different nouns and adjectives to do so. Each of these names has a multi-layered meaning, and is absolutely universal. We should understand that kirtans are not about following a particular religion, but rather following our hearts that thirsts for God, the Ultimate spiritual truth. Singing kirtans is a way to express this spiritual thirst by glorifying the qualities of the One our heart desires. These qualities and names are for everyone, and are not limited to a particular culture, religion or language. 

Haribol!

The word Haribol often comes up in Kirtans. In this context, Bolo means “to chant”, or “utter”. It involves singing from the depths of ourselves, as if we were standing in front of a mirror and addressing our own heart.

Hari, in Haribol, refers to the One who can free us from all kinds of burdens, including the consequences of our past deeds. The scripture say “Hari harati papani, papani cha dukhani cha”: Hari will not only free us from the negative consequences of our past deeds, but from all our miseries as well. 

Miseries?

There are three kinds of miseries in this material world: miseries caused by natural events, by other living entities or by our own mind and inner life.  

The first kind of sufferings is the result of natural events: harsh winters, tsunami, storms, floods, starvation… 

The second kind of sufferings is caused by other living entities: a dog is barking all night and prevents you from sleeping peacefully; the son makes the mother’s life impossible, the husband mistreat his wife; insects bites you, bacteria and microbes induce illness in your body…

The third type of sufferings is caused by our own mind and inner life: someone scolds you in front of a crowd, and you keep remembering this humiliation for the rest of your life. Every time you think about it, you can feel that bitterness filling your mouth and your whole body, as if it had just happened.

The spiritual quest often begins with the desire to free oneself from these three kinds of suffering that follow us from birth to death. This quest eventually leads to the only place where suffering can end: the spiritual reality. In Sanskrit, Hari means “the One who delivers”. Only the Supreme Person, Hari, can heal our miseries and pains, accumulated throughout our endless wanderings in this universe. 

Mukunda

Mukunda is not the name of any god or goddess. It is the name of the Supreme Person, Who bestows pure love upon us, provided we open our hearts to it. Mukunda refers to this Eternal source of love who pervades and owns all the galaxies, universes and plans of existence. The one who imparts love is called Mukunda. 

Some may argue that we humans can perfectly share love on a daily basis, so why don’t we all call ourselves Mukunda? Well, the problem lies in the word “love” itself. What you think of as love down here is really just the desire to get pleasure from an object or a relationship. In truth, he whose vision is material does not even love himself! For if he truly loved himself, would he not grant himself the highest good? And what can this highest boon be, if not the refuge of God’s eternal and unconditional love?  

Thus, when we chant the name of Mukunda, we are reasserting our willingness to take shelter in Him who bestows eternal love, which cannot be found in worldly dealings.

Madhava

Madhava means the Enjoyer, as in the ultimate destination of any pleasure and happiness. God is endowed with innumerable potencies and energies, including one whose function is to give pleasure. Madhava is that dimension of God who receives this transcendental pleasure, and who, in an eternal virtuous circle, redistributes this happiness to the souls who sincerely approach Him. 

Govinda

In the Name Govinda, Go refers to the senses. This manifestation of the Divine who delights the eleven senses and gives them pure spiritual joy is called Govinda.  

Hari, Mukunda, Madhava, Govinda…  The Divine has as many Names as qualities, that is to say an infinite number. During kirtan, we strive to open our hearts to this or that aspect of the Divine, and we repeat this Name tirelessly in hopes of experiencing this divine quality.