Krusṭa

By Swami Harshananda

The sapta svara system, seven fundamental notes, of Indian music gradually evolved from the seven notes of sāmagāna. These notes are used in chanting the hymns of the Sāmaveda . Kruṣta is the last of the arranged note. The seven notes of Sāmagāna and their equivalents in the saptasvara system of Sāmaveda are given below:

1. Prathama - Ga (gāndhāra)
2. Dvitīya - Ri (ṛṣabha)
3. Tṛtīya - Sa (ṣaḍja)
4. Caturtha - ni (niṣāda)
5. Mandra - dha (daivata)
6. Atisvārya - pa (pañcama)
7. Kruṣta - ma (madhyama)

Thus, kruṣṭa corresponds to ma or madhyama of Indian music.

References

• The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore