Rhythm Is Silence – In Gita Verse 1.19 The blowing of these different conch shells became uproarious. Vibrating both in the sky and on the earth, it shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
The reverberation of the Panchjanya conch shells created an overwhelming sound that filled the sky and the earth, merging with the resonances of other conch shells. This collective noise pierced the hearts of Dhritarashtra’s sons, relatives, and soldiers, demonstrating the profound impact of rhythm. The Pandavas’ response echoed through the entire existence, while the Kauravas’ reaction was equally tumultuous.
When the Kauravas responded, the conch shells, drums, bugles, trumpets, and horns all sounded simultaneously, creating a tumultuous cacophony. This tumultuous sound illustrates the impact of rhythm, which possesses the remarkable ability to penetrate and influence various aspects of life, emotions, and experiences. It fosters connections and creates a sense of harmony, transcending barriers and uniting individuals and cultures through its universal language.
Rhythm can disrupt structures, even the strongest ones. For instance, rhythmic vibrations can compromise an iron bridge, which is why soldiers are instructed to break their marching rhythm when crossing a bridge to prevent harmonic oscillations that could cause structural failure. Rhythm is a powerful force, capable of influencing and transforming life.
When you feel one with nature – the trees, birds, rivers, rocks, ocean, and sand – you will discover many rhythms in your breath, ranging from the most violent and miserable to the most silent and heavenly. Once you discover your rhythm, practice it until it becomes an unconscious part of your life. With this rhythm, your life will be that of a yogi: free from anger, excessive sexuality, and hatred. You will experience a profound transmutation.
Rhythm conveys a message of silence within us, while tumultuousness signifies excitement and anxiety. The Pandavas’ silence, which reached the sky and the earth, reflected their gratitude towards existence. They expressed their readiness to fulfill their duty without enmity towards the Kauravas, accepting their assignment with gratitude.
Music has the power to invoke immediate silence within us. Amidst the world’s activities, we suddenly feel a sense of life and aliveness, a flow that is not dead but vibrant. The Pandavas’ rhythmic message to the universe conveyed their readiness to deliver their assignment without resistance. For them, it was not about right or wrong, winning or losing, but about fulfilling their duty assigned by the universe.
At the highest level of universal consciousness, there is no division between right and wrong because there are no divisions at all. Awareness is right; unawareness is wrong. Labeling actions as right or wrong is simplistic. Sometimes, violence can be right, and love can be wrong, depending on the context and purpose. Love for a wrong person or cause, such as nationalism or religious fanaticism, can lead to harmful actions.
Awareness is the key determinant of right and wrong. If you are angry with full awareness, even anger is right. Conversely, if you love without awareness, even love is not right. Let awareness permeate every act, thought, and dream. When you are suffused with awareness, everything you do becomes virtuous, good, and a blessing to yourself and the world.
The rhythmic sound of the conch shells was so profound that the silence it created shattered the hearts of Dhritarashtra’s sons. When you are excited, others may not be affected because they can easily uproot or divert you. However, when you are silent and rooted in yourself, it becomes difficult for others to uproot and defeat you. For the Kauravas, the war was about winning, but the profound uproar of silence from the Pandavas conveyed that they could not be defeated.
Tags: Rhythm Is Silence
