Earlier in June when we had the Jaap Sahib Course here in Espanola, New Mexico, Sukha Singh (UK) showed me an awesome audio recording that he had of a really young Sikh boy from Anandpur Sahib who played the Nagara Drum with amazing skilll. When you hear the rhythm of it, one definitely feels the spirit of Guru Gobind Singh ji. The recording was only for a minute or two long so Hari Singh (Vancouver) looped it to go for 11 minutes. Sukha Singh later led us in a meditation with this audio, as we chanted the Guru Gayatri Mantra "Gobinday, Mukhanday, Udharay, Apaare, Hariang, Kariang, Nirname, Akame" along with the rhythm of the drumming.
Listen to the below audio track and you’ll see what I mean. Sit down and get in a meditative posture and powerfully chant the Guru Gayatri Mantra along with the beat.
Audio of The Ranjit Nagara Drum
Download MP3
RANJIT NAGARA : Literally: the drum (Nagara) of victorious (Ranjit) or the "drum of victory". In 1684, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib got a special drum prepared. It was named Ranjit (the winner of the battle-field). This drum was beaten at Kesgarh Sahib throne, at Aanandpur Sahib, every day, as a declaration of the sovereignty of the Sikh nation. Guru Sahib made it obligatory that before the closing of Gurdwara, Nagara must be beaten. Nagara is a symbol of sovereignty. Only the winner of a battle could beat it. Nishan (flag) and Nagara (drum) are an integral part of a Takht (Khalsa Throne) and all the Gurdwaras.
Ranjit Nagara (A Poem)
Today I hear your thunder.
For the first time. But not the first time.
The rhythm is familiar. Yet, I’ve never heard it before.
You call out to battle, but your echo is your only answer.Maybe you long for a different time.
A time I do not know. But I wish I did.
Your beat would have proclaimed my destiny.
In the last moments of my life, I could justify my existence.Today, your drum still sounds a call to battle.
While many listen, no one hears.
There is no battle, and there is no cause.
There is no glorious death to be had.Perhaps you and I are strangely similar.
Your sound makes me, too, yearn for that different time.
You would sound, and I would answer.
And in my death, we both would find our meaning.~ RMS
Poem from the blog: "Memoirs of an Errant King"
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i always enjoy viewing pics of these twins gurfateh to them!
Wonderfully inspiring and powerful. Beautifully done!
And Narayan Singh can learn too.
Gurumustak Singh Ji,
Do you think you can make NITNEIM banis for download each seperate? And if Possibly Rehraas Sahib and Kirtan Sohila? Thank you so much!
Thanks for sharing the mp3.
Gurumustuk Singh- thank you for all the GREAT stuff you are doing on this blog- I had been hoping to get a copy of this amazing drumming. - Wahe Guru!
The nagara beats are extremely spirited. Thank you for sharing.
Gurfateh
I will ty and post up the meditation soon!
akaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal
Ran = Battle / War / Battlefield
Jeet = Victory
Nagar = an Arabic verb that means to beat.
Nagaaraa = Beating Drum
gagan damaamaa baajeo
pareo neesaanai ghaao
khaeth ju maandio soormaa
ab joojan ko daao !!!!!!!
akaaaaaaaaaaaaal !!!!!
Mohinder Singh ji:try this link http://www.amritbani.com
Fateh ji Gurmustak Paji,
The images are beautiful. I was wondering how u managed to get the images with the “autumn” effect on it. Was it done via a lens you used, or was it done with a special program? If so, what program was it, as i would like to do the same, too on some photos i have. magnificent!!!!!
Randeep… that really was in the Autumn time…and we have huge cottonwood trees. The original image was in color and I changed the image to be a “sepia” color tone. I used picasa (www.picasa.com) to manage and do basic quick edits to pictures for blogging (it’s free).
Satsri akaal
It is always a privileage to see all these true gursikhs playing Nagara.You true sikhs are motivating power for sikhs around the world regardless of caste, background and colour.This website is a good inspiration for mankind.
Thanks for posting these nice pictures and keep up the good work.
Vaheguroo ji ka Khalsa
Vaheguroo ji ki Fateh
it’s harian not hariang
and karian not kariang
As far as i see there is no Gaga in harian or karian.
Same thing with Saibhan, not Saibhang
Correct me if im wrong