The sarod is smaller than the sitar, it sits comfortably in the players lap, and is leaner and cleaner in sound.  It is no less demanding to play.  The fact that there are no frets make it harder to locate the notes.  It is nails on steal that gives the sarod its clear muscular sound.  There is an expression in hindi, “Swara hi ishwara hai” and that means “sound is God”.  And whilst you are playing you can feel God.  The sarod is more than an instrument, it is a friend and spiritual companion.

"The sarod should have human expression, it should sing, yell, laugh, and cry - all of the emotions, music has no religion, in the same way flowers have no religion. Through music and through this instrument, I feel connected with every religion and every human being - or every should, I should say". - Amjad Ali Khan