Why is music so universally loved and appreciated? Because it creates joy—the melodies and rhythms of music produce an upsurge of happiness inside. Music is a flow of sound, and sound is a vibration or frequency. From physics we know that everything in creation at its basis is also a frequency. Maharishi explains that the frequencies of Nature are constantly changing throughout the day

"Every level of creation is a frequency," Maharishi says. "One frequency melts into the other, and this is how the process of evolution takes place. The night comes to an end and the dawn begins. At dawn, when the darkness and dullness of the night is over, some inspiring freshness comes and there is a different frequency in the whole atmosphere.

"At midday there is another big change in frequency; at evening, a different frequency; at midnight, a different frequency. This cycle of change is perpetual, and because everything is a frequency there is sound at every stage. From morning to morning the melody of Nature is changing, changing. 

"Gandharva music goes with the time, setting its melodies according to the changing Nature. It sets forth those very natural melodies which match with the process of evolution. It provides a harmonizing influence in the whole atmosphere to balance imbalances in Nature."

Gandharva Veda music is based on melodies called ragas. Each raga has its own personality or mood—a unique blending of scale, rhythmic pattern and musical composition. Most ragas are traditionally played during a particular time of day.

The knowledge of when to play or sing each raga is described by the time theory of Gandharva Veda. Each 24-hour day has eight 3-hour periods called Praharas, which correspond to the changing frequencies throughout the day.

Playing Maharishi Gandharva Veda music 24 hours a day in your home and office will enliven this influence of harmony and integration in your surroundings. The atmosphere will feel more soft and supportive throughout the day and night. And the music contributes to world peace by neutralizing negative trends and tendencies in the atmosphere.

It’s best to listen to Maharishi Gandharva Veda music sitting comfortably or lying down with the eyes closed. Playing the ragas as background music while performing other mental activity is not recommended.

Many people program a CD player to play in rotation eight compact disks, one for each three hour time period. They keep the music playing quietly in a room of their home or office building where it won’t interfere with the focus of their activity. Sets of 8 CDs are available for the flute, sitar, santoor, and shehnai.

Maharishi calls Gandharva music "the eternal music of Nature, the melody of Nature eternally the same, going on and on and on in swings of bliss everywhere." Now everyone and everything in our environment can enjoy this blissful influence 24 hours a day.

Maharishi Gandharva Veda music audiotapes and CDs can be purchased by calling 1-888-437-0855 or they can be ordered online. 

Renée Erickson has studied Maharishi Gandharva Veda music for 10 years, and is a member of the expansion team for Enlightenment magazine.