The Vrindåvan Gosvåmins on Kîrtana: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

Whether on the streets of a Western metropolis or in the courtyard of a temple in rural Bengal, there is nothing more typical for
Gau­∂îya Vaishnavism than kîrtana. This Sanskrit word has general meanings such as “mentioning, repeating, saying, telling” (Monier-Williams 1995: 285), but here kîrtana or saõ­kîrtana means the congregational singing of the names or exploits of God (in Gau∂îya Vaishnavism generally identified with Krishna) to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Such kîrtana is often seen either as a means towards awakening loving emotions (bhåva) towards the Lord or as an overflow of such feelings, and it is not
un­usual to see participants break out in dance, laughter or tears.