We often complain about tension in life. Tension has its origin in stressful situations and manifests both physically and emotionally. A stringed musical instrument requires tension to produce sound. A proper string tension is crucial for the instrument’s overall ability to produce pleasing musical notes. Tension in life is not that bad. It can bring out melody in our life. It depends on how we perceive it. If we perceive in a negative way, it manifests as chatter in the mind. It we are accepting and willing, it can take up the form of melody.

In Hindu mythology, Tumburu and Naradha are two celestial musicians who carry Veena, a traditional stringed instrument with them. Tumburu’s veena is known as Kalavathi and Naradha’s veena is known as Mahati. Tumburu is a Gandharva and a prominent musician along with Naradha in the Hindu mythology. Bhagavatha purana says that Naradha is the teacher of Tumburu. Both Tumburu and Naradha are excellent musicians. Tumburu is horse-faced. The horse represents freedom, power, strength and grace. Tumburu’s music played on Kalavathi is said to be so enchanting that it could freeze the universe. Whereas Naradha’s music played on Mahati is said to be so enchanting that it could melt the universe.

Tension is the string of our life. It can both freeze and melt us. In freezing, we experience stillness and become aware of the body and mind, our entire being. Every movement stops and we accumulate all the energy within ourselves. We remain in the moment. Now we are ready to melt. We can melt and flow along with life just like a river navigating its course. Remember that only ice, which is frozen water, has the capacity to melt and flow. Tension can bring the melody of Kalavathi and Mahati in our life by freezing and melting.

Next time when you visit an ancient temple, search for the sculpture of Tumburu in one of the pillars.