The words of this chant are those of an ancient Sanskrit temple chant. Cosmic Chants prints the Sanskrit words with an English adaptation sung to the same melody, and gives the English translation and a pronunciation key on the same page.

Hymn to Brahma is a Free chant, without a steady beat, so the leader should sing it slowly and smoothly so others can follow.

It is written in E♭ in Cosmic Chants, but it is commonly played in the key of D, and both keys are represented in the videos on this page.

Song Form

A Full of bliss, giving joy transcendent, Of higher knowledge the abode;

B Dual no more, clear as the heavens, known to all as “Thou art That.”

A′ He is pure, permanent, unmoving, the everlasting seer of all;

B′ Far, far beyond qualities and thought, Guru-Lord, I bow to Thee.

This chant is sung in free time.

Notes

• A and A′ share the same melody, as do B and B′; only the words change. Memorizing the lyrics can be a challenge, so take care not to mix up the first half with the second half.

• The original Sanskrit follows the same form: A “Brahmānandam parama sukhadam, kevalam gyāna mūrtim;” B “Dwandwātītam gagana sadrisham, Tattwamasyādi lakshyam.” A′ “Ekam nityam vimalam achalam, sarvadhī sākshī bhūtam;” B′ “Bhāvātītam triguna rahitam, Sadgurum tam namāmi.”

• The Sanskrit words on p. 59 can also be sung in this chant, to the free-time Hymn to Brahma melody. On that page they’re set to the Jai Guru melody, which is sung in time.

Listen to SRF Recordings

Videos on YouTube

• 2020 Convocation Nuns' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2020 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2020 Convocation YSS Monks' Kirtan at Smriti Mandir

• 2021 Convocation YSS Monks' Kirtan at Smriti Mandir

• 2021 Convocation Nuns' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2022 Convocation Nuns' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2022 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (90-minute)

• 2022 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2023 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2024 Convocation Nuns' Kirtan (3-hour)

• 2021 Convocation Monks' Kirtan (3-hour)

Audio Recordings

• Hymn to Brahma (Sr. Premamayee), from the album Ever New Joy
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Hymn to Brahma (Br. Bhaskarananda), from the album O Blazing Light
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Hymn to Brahma (Sr. Premamayee), from the album Listen to My Soul Song
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Hymn to Brahma (Bro. Kamalananda), from the album The Ocean of Love
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Hymn to Brahma (Sr. Ishwari), from the album When My Dream's Dream is Done
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Hymn to Brahma (instrumental), from the album I Am the Sky
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Aum Intro / Hymn to Brahma (Br. Bhaskarananda), from the album Come Out of the Silent Sky
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Brahmanandam, from Atma Ki Pukar (sung in Hindi), at the SRF Bookstore