Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.6.32
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
The musical stringed instrument called the vīṇā, which was handed to Nārada by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is described in the Liṅga Purāṇa, and this is confirmed by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī. This transcendental instrument is identical with Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Nārada because all of them are of the same transcendental category. Sound vibrated by the instrument cannot be material, and therefore the glories and pastimes which are broadcast by the instrument of Nārada are also transcendental, without a tinge of material inebriety. The seven singing meters, namely ṣa ( ṣaḍja ), ṛ ( ṛṣabha ), gā ( gāndhāra ), ma ( madhyama ), pa ( pañcama ), dha ( dhaivata ) and ni ( niṣāda ), are also transcendental and specifically meant for transcendental songs. As a pure devotee of the Lord, Śrī Nāradadeva is always fulfilling his obligation to the Lord for His gift of the instrument, and thus he is always engaged in singing His transcendental glories and is therefore infallible in his exalted position. Following in the footsteps of Śrīla Nārada Muni, a self-realized soul in the material world should also properly use the sound meters, namely ṣa, ṛ, gā, ma, etc., in the service of the Lord by constantly singing the glories of the Lord, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Nārada’s paraphernalia, not available to any other person in the material world, is also constantly with him at all times wherever he goes. That is explained in two verses. The vīṇa was given by Kṛṣṇa. This is narrated in the Liṅga Purāṇa. Svara refers to the seven notes of the scale. Because they manifest brahman (the Lord) they are called brahma (svara-brahma). Mūrcchayaitvā means that he played music filled with mūrcchana, ālāpa and other expressive modes.
- What 'instrument' has been given to me to glorify the Lord?
- Where am I letting my instrument gather dust while I look for a better one?
My note
Source: vedabase.io