ABSTRACT
Philosophical underpinnings of traditional Indian music provide a depth inspiring to many composers and listeners. Vedic chanting and imagery related cosmic origins to sacred sound. Sanskrit texts Nāṭyaśāstra and Sańgītaratnākara explored music as spiritual discipline. Sańgītaratnākara relates musical ability to petals of cakras. Nādayoga became a path of liberation and subtle aesthetic enjoyments. The brahman represented the chanter of cosmic vision; the king was agent of harmonious order. Bhakti saints sang philosophical wisdom in devotional song.
