This kirtan performance dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom, demonstrates how structured repetitive chanting combined with tabla rhythm and movement creates a state of flow—a dissolution of ordinary consciousness into presence. The chant "Om Naraayani Om" paired with invocations to Saraswati Shaarade Devi (the knower of all hearts) illustrates a foundational practice of bhakti yoga in which devotion becomes a vehicle for transcendence. The video is part of "Everyday Transcendence," a series examining how simple, repetitive activities across cultures enable the mind to quiet and access states of calm connection.
What is Kirtan and How Does It Function as a Contemplative Practice?
Kirtan is a call-and-response form of congregational chanting rooted in Hindu and Sikh devotional traditions. Unlike meditation, which typically involves silence or internal focus, kirtan uses structured sound, rhythm, and often group participation to direct the mind away from discursive thought. In this performance, Nina Rao initiates melodic phrases—"Om Naraayani Om," "Namasthasye Maata"—which are anchored by tabla percussionist Arjun Bruggeman and echoed through repetition.
The mechanism mirrors what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls "flow": a state in which the conscious mind becomes so absorbed in activity that self-consciousness dissolves. Because the chant follows a fixed melodic and rhythmic pattern, the frontal cortex—responsible for planning, judgment, and self-referential thought—receives enough structure to occupy it without strain. The practitioner is neither relaxed nor effortful; they are fully present. The repetition creates a hypnotic groove that quiets the internal narrator, allowing what many traditions call the "witness consciousness" or the deeper self to emerge.
Who is Saraswati and Why Invoke Her in Chant?
Saraswati, also known as Sharada Devi, is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, arts, music, and wisdom. She is depicted as seated on a white lotus, holding a veena (stringed instrument) and sacred texts, symbolizing the marriage of sound, knowledge, and creativity. In the chant text—"Namasthasyai Maata Saraswati Shaarade Devi" (I bow to the Mother Saraswati, Sharada, Shaarade Devi)—the practitioner is not worshiping an external deity but invoking the principle of clarity, discernment, and eloquence within consciousness itself.
The invocation specifically calls her "Antarayaami," the knower of all hearts. This epithet suggests an omniscient, all-pervading awareness—a consciousness that transcends individual limitation. By chanting to Saraswati, the devotee is directing attention toward the universal principle of consciousness that knows all minds, beyond personal ego. This inversion—calling outward to invoke the inward—is central to bhakti yoga. Saraswati represents not escape from the world but the awakening of wisdom within it.
How Does Tabla Rhythm Support the Chant's Transcendent Effect?
Arjun Bruggeman's tabla accompaniment is not mere percussion; it is a structural anchor that synchronizes the nervous system of the chanter with an external pulse. In Indian classical music, the tabla establishes a "taal" (rhythmic cycle) that creates what neuroscientists call "entrainment"—the tendency of the brain to synchronize its rhythms with external periodic stimuli. When the breath and voice align with the tabla's beat, the parasympathetic nervous system begins to activate, signaling safety and coherence to the body.
The tabla also serves a compositional function: it marks time in a way that frees the melodic voice to explore and embellish. Unlike a metronome, which is rigid, tabla is alive—responding, adjusting, and sometimes pushing the chanter slightly ahead or behind the beat, maintaining engagement. This dance between voice and percussion creates what musicians call "swing" or "pocket"—a sense of spacious timing that feels neither rushed nor slow. The body naturally relaxes into this pocket, and with relaxation comes the dissolution of mental chatter.
What Role Does Embodied Movement Play in Kirtan Transcendence?
In this performance, dancer Bhavani Lee's movement is not ornamental. Kirtan is a full-body practice, and movement—whether swaying, hand gestures, or choreography—deepens the state of flow by engaging proprioception (the body's sense of its own position and movement in space). When the mind is occupied by chanting and the body by synchronized movement, the usual anxiety-producing narratives of self ("Am I doing this right?" "What do others think?") have no room to operate.
Dance in kirtan also serves a social and energetic function. In group settings, participants mirror each other's movement and breath. This mirroring activates mirror neurons—brain cells that create empathy and social bonding—and generates what practitioners report as a sense of unity or "group consciousness." Even in this filmed solo performance, Bhavani's movement demonstrates that the body is not a passive vehicle for the mind; it is an agent of transcendence. The integration of sound, breath, and movement creates a coherent state in which the artificial boundary between "self" and "environment" softens.
What is "Everyday Transcendence" and How Does Kirtan Fit This Framework?
The documentary series "Everyday Transcendence," directed by Sandy Chase, explores how ordinary, repetitive activities—from Japanese calligraphy to endurance running—reliably produce altered states of consciousness. The thesis is that transcendence is not exotic or rare; it emerges naturally when the conscious mind is given enough structured activity that it can stop performing and simply be. Kirtan fits this framework precisely: it is a simple, ancient practice that uses melody, rhythm, and language to occupy the conceptual mind while awakening a deeper presence.
The series' central question—"How do you find your Transcendence?"—acknowledges that the gateway to flow is different for each person. Some find it in athletic movement, others in artistic craft, others in prayer or chant. Kirtan, as demonstrated here, requires no special attainment, no belief system, and no equipment beyond voice and rhythm. The practice is accessible, repeatable, and—crucially—leads to measurable shifts in physiology (lower heart rate, deeper breathing, reduced cortisol) and subjective well-being.
What Happens to Consciousness During Extended Chanting?
As the kirtan extends over the video's four minutes, a listener can observe how the mind's habitual commentary begins to thin. The repetition of "Om Naraayani Om" acts as a mantra—a tool for concentrating attention. In Vedantic philosophy, "Om" is considered the primordial sound from which all creation emerges; it is both the beginning and the ground of existence. By chanting "Om" with full attention, the practitioner is not merely making sound but aligning with a vibrational principle believed to permeate all of consciousness.
The neurological correlate is measurable: brain imaging studies of mantra practitioners show decreased activity in the default mode network (the brain system responsible for self-referential thought and rumination) and increased activity in areas associated with attention and emotional processing. Over time, regular kirtan practice literally rewires the brain toward states of presence and equanimity. The transcendence is not a one-time experience but a gradual recalibration of consciousness itself.
Why Does Kirtan Remain Relevant in Modern Secular Settings?
Though rooted in Hindu and Indian classical traditions, kirtan has spread into secular Western yoga studios, meditation centers, and even corporate wellness programs. This is because the mechanism of transcendence through structured sound and rhythm is neurologically universal—it does not require religious belief or cultural immersion. A person unfamiliar with Hindu philosophy can still enter deep flow through kirtan; the practice works on the body and nervous system regardless of ideological commitment.
However, the traditional language and devotional context add a layer of meaning. By chanting to Saraswati and invoking her as "Antarayaami" (the knower of all hearts), participants engage not only neurologically but symbolically. They are placing their individual effort into a tradition larger than themselves, connecting with lineages of practitioners spanning centuries. This combination—neuroscientific effectiveness plus cultural depth—may explain kirtan's growing presence in secular contexts while retaining its traditional integrity.
Where to go from here
To explore kirtan practice further, seek out live sessions at yoga centers, temples, or devotional communities in your area. Nina Rao (http://www.chantkirtan.com) offers recordings and teaches regularly. Begin with simple chants—"Om Naraayani Om" or "Hare Krishna Hare Rama"—and practice with consistent rhythm, allowing your breath and voice to synchronize with the pulse. Track your experience: notice changes in mental clarity, emotional tone, and sense of presence after even 10–15 minutes of practice. Consider the broader question posed by the "Everyday Transcendence" series: What repetitive activity naturally dissolves your ordinary consciousness? Whether through movement, sound, art, or breath, the capacity for transcendence is available in any present moment when attention is fully engaged.
