The term 'Shruti' is a Sanskrit word. It is derived from the root 'SHRU' which means 'to hear'. And 'Shruti' means that which can be heard Our writers on music have defined 'Shruti' in a very simple way thus : "Shruyate Iti Shruti" which means any sound capable of being heard is called "Shruti". This definition of Shruti seems to be very simple. But from the musical point of view it is not possible to give such a wide connotation to the word 'Shruti'. Because music is concerned with that sound alone which is capable of being used in music and not any kind of sound. Besides, the term 'Shruti' connotes that sound which can be distinctly identified by the ear. So we will have to restrict the meaning of 'Shruti' to the above said two conditions. Therefore, in order to understand the correct definition of 'Shruti' the following properties should be remembered :-
(1) Sound which is capable of being used in music.
(2) Sound which can be clearly heard.
(3) Sound which can be distinctly identified by the ear.
DEFINITION OF SHRUTI : The sound which is capable of being used in music and which can be distinctly identified by the ear is called 'Shruti'. In other words, musical sounds which can be heard and distinguished one from the other are called 'Shrutis'. In Short, every distinct and audible musical sound is called 'Shruti'.
The definition of 'Shruti' given in the Sanskrit book entitled 'Abhinava Raga Manjari' is as under :
Nityam Geetopayogitwam Bhigyeatwam Pyatu,
Lakshae Proktam Supariyaptam Sangeet Shritu Lakshanam.
EXPLANATION : That sound which is capable of being used in music and which can be distinctly can be distinctly identified by the ear is called 'Shruti'.
As a matter of fact both 'Shruti' and 'Swara' are musical sounds capable of being heard. The distinction between the two is something like that which exists between the snake and its coil or between gold and the ornaments made out of it. All 'Shrutis' are capable of being used as 'Swaras' in various Ragas. The Shrutis that are actually used in a particular Raga become 'Swara' for that Raga and those that are not used in that Raga remain 'Shrutis' only. 'Swaras' or notes are musical sounds at large intervals while 'Shrutis' are musical sounds at very small intervals between two consecutive notes and are known as micro tones.
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