Thirdly like the diamond, kirtan is a permanent and stable asset. вЂњGod Name is a diamond and a ruby, with which my soul and body are pierced. Secondly, kirtan pierces the heart just as the diamond cuts through a hard substance. It is beneficial to the physically and spiritually blind, because they can listen to kirtan and thus gain peace of mind. Firstly, just as the diamond emits light, kirtan provides illumination in this dark world. The comparison is appropriate for obvious reasons. Through it, truth, contentment and wisdom are obtained. The Gurus regarded kirtan as an invaluable gem, a diamond, Guru Ramdas says: Such is the great influence of kirtan on people who belong to other faiths. He changed the name of the town from вЂњDuzdanвЂќ to вЂњZahindanвЂќ which means the city of pious. He felt that the name of the town should be changed as it was not a place of thieves but of holy men. The ruler heard the sacred music, while standing outside and was much impressed by their devotion. At that time, the Sikhs who had gathered together in a house, as usual were performing kirtan.

Once the ruler of that country happened to pass incognita through that place early in the morning.

This is a story current in Iran (Persia) about a group of Sikhs who had settled there in the eighteenth century in a place called вЂњDuzdanвЂќ which literally means the place of thieves. This is the characteristic of holy life.вЂќ вЂњHe hears the kirtan and engages himself in meditation. Guru Arjan refers of the noble life of the devotee and says: вЂњBlessed is the destiny of the good people who by performing kirtan becomes virtuous persons.вЂќ It produces a desire in the devotee to emulate the qualities which we associate with God, for example, truth, justice, compassion, fearlessness, etc. Kirtan purifies the mind and leads to a life of virtue. Moreover the homely comparisons and analogies like the seed and the tree, the spider and the web, the river and the sea, the thread and the gems, the river and boat, the puppet and the puppeteer convey clearly moral and spiritual ideas through perfect melodies. вЂњHe who day and night chants kirtan remains detached in his household.вЂќ It produces a kind of detachment in the midst of family life. So the best way of spiritual development for people with social commitment is sacred music. Austerities and penances for family-people are terribly painful and irrelevant. The Gurus thought kirtan particularly suitable to the house-holderвЂ™s way of life. They acquire permanent seat in the Infinite Mansion.вЂќ Referring to the devoted singers, he says: Guru Arjan regarded it as a divine blessing and valued it as an aid to holy living. The Gurus regarded kirtan as their prop of life and their soulвЂ™s nourishment. It removes the root of selfishness-the ego-which leads to action and the consequent chain-reaction of cause and effect. O man, perform kirtan day and night, which is the fruitful avocation of human life.вЂќ ДЄccording to the Gurus, kirtan removes duality and the five vices of lust, anger, greed, wordly attachment and pride. вЂњThe disciple who obtains the panacea of Thy Name, gets rid of the diseases of many births. It removes evil inclinations and wicked thoughts. It is a sure remedy for all the diseases of the mind. Sacred music is regarded as a panacea of all ailments. It gradually washes the inner consciousness and man becomes holy and spotless through the power of kirtan. The devotional music clears the mind of the accumulated filth of previous existence s. In addition to the above benefits, kirtan is the fountain of so many blessings, some of which are mentioned as follows: Nanak the slave says, one who is preordained by the Creator has his tasks accomplished.вЂќ

вЂњMan obtains dominion, comforts, enjoyments and eternal bliss by kirtan of the Holy Name and all his wishes are fulfilled. вЂњWhoever chants or listens to Kirtan, his evil consciousness disappears.ДЄll his wishes are fulfilled and his hopes are satisfied.вЂќ All these four are achieved by kirtan, under the LordвЂ™s will: There are four great objectives of human life: dharam (righteousness), arth (wealth), kam (success) and mokshu (salvation). Guru Arjan who compiled and grouped the hymns of Gurus and Bhagats under different ragas has mentioned the manifold benefits of Kirtan.

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