Nadabrahmananda Saraswati, Swami(1896-?)

A Hindu musician who developed a yoga of music, involving the arousal of kundalini energy through the psychic power of sound vibrations. Born May 5, 1896, in Mysore, India, he studied music under Shri Sadasiva Bua, and Ustad Alladiya Khan of Dolahpur, eventually becoming a disciple of Tata Bua of Benares. He spent 15 years in perfecting his skills and was a devotee of the late Swami Sivananda. Saraswati taught music to students at the Sivananda Ashram (Divine Life Society), Rishikesh, Himalayas, North India.

He not only played various instruments like swara mandala (Indian zither) and tabla (Indian drums), but was also a master of the intricate graces of Thaan or vocal exercises. During his vocal performances he directed the sound vibration to various parts of his body, and sent out vibrations through his ears and the top of his head when his mouth was covered. In his performances on the tabla, he suspended respiration for nearly half an hour in a state of trance, playing the most intricate and complex rhythms without movement of his eyes or head. He also used sound vibrations for psychic healing.