As Hindus prepare to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday, Janmashtami, on August 14, it is time to take a look at what the lord’s flute stands for…
MUSIC IS integral to faith; it works its powers over both man and God. In Hindu mythology, some deities are depicted with musical instruments, such as Lord Shiva with the damaru and Goddess Saraswati with the veena. With Lord Krishna, however, the flute is more than a mere musical instrument.
The bamboo flute, made of a single length of bamboo, with six or seven holes and with no mechanical parts, is the oldest musical instrument known to man.
Lord Krishna is associated with the bansuri, a flute with eight holes, and which is an integral part of Hindustani classical music. It is said that the flautist sings in his heart and blows the same song through the flute. This makes the bansuri particularly melodious, and Lord Krishna is known for his mastery at playing the flute.
Legend has it that one time, Lord Krishna asked his devotees what form they would like to take, should they be in his hands. One wanted to be a lotus, some opted for the conch, while others wanted to be a chakra. No one mentioned the flute. It was then that Lord Krishna advised them to become his flute. According to him, the human personality, as in the case of the flute, has eight main aspects: the five senses, as well as the mind, intellect, and ego. If you get rid of your ego and become like a hollow reed flute, then the lord will come to you, pick you up and breathe through you and out of the hollowness of your heart.
Spiritual leader Swami Sukhaananda (WHO IS HE?) narrates an interesting anecdote about the flute and Lord Krishna’s consort, Princess Rukmani.
Rukmani loved Lord Krishna so much that she was very possessive about him, especially since she got very little time to spend with him. She realised that the flute accompanied Lord Krishna almost all the time. So she decided to ask the flute what made it so special to Lord Krishna.
One day, when Lord Krishna was in the bath, Rukmani took his flute and breathed life to it. ‘Why are you so close to Krishna? Despite being his wife, I am not able to spend that much time with him,’ Rukmani said.
Surprised, the flute looked at Rukmini and said: ‘Even I don’t know why it is like that. Look at me; I am empty. I am just a stick with some holes; I am of no use to anyone. But once Krishna breathes air into me, the melodies come out, on their own. I don’t have any mental blocks, so I am close to him. You too can take out all blocks – and here the blocks represent the ego – be empty and ready, and then only you will be close to Krishna.’
Rukmani realised that Lord Krishna’s flute represented a devotee who has overcome his ego and has become a medium for the music of the soul.
