A Private Concert - Offered by Pandit Jasraj

Excerpts from the introduction by Mallikarjun Rakala: Pandit Jasraj says when he sings, sometimes he feels he is on the verge of samadhi. He will always sing for God. His music is his aradhana or worship of God. His first teacher was his own father, Pandit Motiram-ji, and his second teacher was his older brother, Maniram-ji. His career began at the age of 22, when he performed for King Vikram of Nepal. He has been performing for 50 years and has received innumerable titles and awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Busha from India. ¹³

Sri Chinmoy, after the concert: Because you sang and we listened, you have transported us into Heaven. Before you sang, we were on earth. Now we are in Heaven because you have transported us into the realm of the highest Heaven. This is what you can do for the aspiring humankind. My heart will cherish and treasure this moment sleeplessly and breathlessly. You have blessed our Aspiration-Ground. This particular Aspiration-Ground today you have raised to the highest realm of Heaven. Therefore, our gratitude to you will be ever-blossoming.

Pandit Omkarnath (Thakur) came to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and he sang. His voice is thunder-like, so powerful. But your voice is not only powerful, but also sweet. The power aspect Pandit Omkarnath showed us. How loudly he could cover four or five blocks! But forgive me to say, the sweetness, the inimitable sweetness, immeasurable sweetness that you have, we could not find in his voice. The power aspect he showed, tremendous power. But along with power, you have shown us sweetness, tenderness, softness and all the qualities of light and delight. Light and delight embody all the divine qualities. You embody those divine qualities.