Sangeet as Sādhanā: Exploring the Spiritual Dimensions of Indian Classical Music

Indian traditional music is more than just beautiful music; it’s also a deep spiritual practice called Sādhanā. Sangeet has been thought of as a holy way to reach self-realization and connect with God for a long time. It comes from ancient philosophical and devotional practices. This essay looks at the deeper meanings and experiences of Indian classical music as a type of sādhanā. It starts with Nāda Brahma (sound as the ultimate reality), then moves on to bhakti (devotion), and finally ends with the yogic practices that guide its practice. It looks at the spiritual beliefs of famous musicians and performers like Tansen, Swami Haridas, Tyagaraja, and Kumar Gandharva to see how playing and listening to Indian classical music can help people reach enlightenment, silence, and inner peace. The study uses texts from the Nātyaśāstra, Sangita Ratnakara, and Upanishadic texts to explain how Indian musical practices connect the performer’s mind with cosmic rhythms, creating an inner discipline that mirrors the search for moksha (liberation). In a world that is becoming more and more focused on performance and business, this paper reclaims music as a spiritual practice—a journey within that is full of harmony, acceptance, and change.