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Akhanda Bhajan |
This year's Akhanda Bhajan will be on the weekend of November 12-13. This is a continous 24 hour devotional singing session. This event is held all over the world in all countries. We encourage all of you to take part in your center's devotional singing program.
The bhajan commences
with the lighting of the sacred lamp - the Akhanda Jyothi - that is kept burning
for 24 hours. Thus the sacred lamp will be lit in each country during the 24
hour period based on local time and by the time a Sai centre at Honolulu lights
the Akhanda Jyothi, centres in the East would have completed their Akhanda
Bhajan.
Before the Bhajans are completed the world would be a girdle of Akhanda Jyothis
lit round the globe in Sai Units. The Akhanda Jyothi not only helps to
concentrate the minds of devotees but promotes also a sense of spiritual unity
and harmony among the devotees. The prayers will be for Peace in the world.
This is being done not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. The Bhajans that are sung permeate the ether in the form of sound waves and fill the entire atmosphere, thereby, the whole environment gets purified." - Baba
Baba's miracle at Akhanda bhajan
Nine families started an Akhanda Bhajan Mandali in 1944, consisting mostly of our relations. We had bhajans every thursday evening regularly. In 1946 , we requested swami to attend our first annual Akhanda bhajan, which He did. Swami stayed with us for full 24 hours of the bhajans. We had originally planned the Bhajans for about 150 people with our limited means. As Bhagavan attended the function, over 500 people attended, including several distinguished devotees who came with swami. We had a problemas to how to give prasadam to all of them, as we had not anticipated such a situation. We represented our problem to Swami. Baba with his merciful love, came to the kitchen and blessed the food. after the functionwas over we served Pongal to over 1000 people till the evening. it never got finished. This miracleis one of the earliest experiences in our lives, which is still green in our memory. We did this annual Akhanda Bhajan for twenty five years continuously. Once or twice Baba could not attend the function, but we took into account only the years when He attended.
Bhajans becomes global
In the year 1974, we celebrated the 25th year of our Akhanda Bhajan in the golden Jubilee Hall, Lalbagh. By then our Akhanda bhajan had become very popular and ever increasing numbers of people attended the function. Nearly 10.000 people attended the 1974 celebrations. Swami, in his concluding speech, declared that in future instead of our family conducting this akhanda bhajan, the entire world should conduct the bhajan on the same day . He materialised a Navarathamala and gave it to me as a benedictory blessing to our family.
From the book Sanathana Sarathi, page 128
from the chapter " five decades at the lotus Feet" from Dr.R.S.Padmanabhan.
Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust
Bhagavan's 70 th birthday.
In Sai love, Titia de Groot-Boelens,
Holland
AKHANDA BHAJAN
An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Importance Of
Bhajans
"As a matter of
fact, Bhajan is a constant exercise. It has to be as essential as breathing."
Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238
"Bhajans always
give joy and peace."
Sai Baba, SSS,
Vol. 1, p. 190
"Wherever My
devotees sing, there I install myself. So sing from the heart, conscious of the
layers of meaning each word has. You can have God installed in your heart."
Sai Baba
"The Name (of
God) undoubtedly brings in the grace of God. Meerabai, the queen of Rajasthan,
gave up her status, riches, fortune and family, and dedicated herself to the
adoration of the Lord, "Giridhara Gopala". Her husband brought a chalice of
poison and she was ordered to drink it. She uttered the Name of Krishna while
she drank it. It was transformed into nectar by the grace the Name invoked."
Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 217
"Cast away
ignorance; you are free, liberated from all bonds that very moment. All
spiritual disciplines have this liberation as their goal. Nama-sankirtana
(repetition of God's Names), too, helps you get rid of this basic ignorance."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 70
"Measures for the elimination of egoism: the chief among these is the Bhajan." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 237
"Let your whole
life be a Bhajan. Believe that God is everywhere at all times, and derive
strength, comfort and joy by singing His Glory in His presence." Sai Baba.
SSS. Vol. X. p. 75
"Bhajan is a
good disciplinary process by which these two (Kama and Krodha) can be kept away.
Kama is the lust for physical pleasure, power, fame, wealth and scholarship.
Krodha is anger, which is the result of foiled lust." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X.
p. 79
"Bhajan
(devotional singing) is more important than Bhojan (food). Prayer is more
important than pining for meals. Birds, beasts, insects and worms, all feed and
keep fit. Man is the crown of creation, the monarch and master of all beings in
creation. If he, too, seeks only food and shelter as inferior species do, it is
deplorable indeed. From the moment of waking until the moment when he lays
himself down again to sleep, man is engaged in endless errands, unceasing
turmoil, never-ending tangles and boundless anxiety. And what does he gain
therefrom? More confusion, more mental agitation." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p.
79
"You will relish
the Bhajan as you make it a daily function, like eating and sleeping. You eat
twice a day for the upkeep of the body. Should you not do Bhajan at least once
for the upkeep of the mind? Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 81
"Those who sing
Bhajans get what can be called 'double promotion', for they derive joy and
distribute joy. Life today is filled with sorrow. It is beset with fear and
despair. The only time you can forget these thoughts and strengthen yourself to
meet the hard times is when you contact the source of all strength. God. You
cannot get that peace while you bend under the burden of daily life." Sai
Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 81
"Whenever an
idea of hurting others or taking someone's belonging or spreading falsehood
about others enters your mind, turn to God for help. Ask Him to give you
strength. Repeat the Name of God or hum a Bhajan. You will find that all your
bad thoughts will flee, leaving you free from evil." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X,
p. 154
"The hands
should be lifted in prayer and words should come out full-throated. It is
unfortunate that even those who are gifted with good voices do not sing aloud in
Bhajans. Man has been endowed with a tongue to sing the praise of God. If he
fails to do so, he remains indebted to God." Sai Baba, SS. 8/96. p. 206
"The recitation
of the Names of the Lord will help to purify the atmosphere as a result of the
sacred sound waves getting absorbed in the atmosphere. The power of the sound
waves is evident from the way radio Waves are transmitted and received over long
distances. The atmosphere that has been polluted by impure sound waves can be
purified by chanting the Divine Name. Likewise, sacred thoughts, pure speech and
pure actions will purify other polluted elements. There is no better purifying
agent than this." Sai Baba. SS. 4/92. p. 71
Meaning Of
Akhanda Bhajan
"Akhanda means
uninterrupted, without any gap. "Akhanda-Bhajan" means that it should not be
just a twenty-four hour, or even a seven-day affair. It must go on from birth to
death. Bhajan (devotional song) has to start in childhood and continue onward.
It must be constant companion of man, his solace and strength. Do not postpone
it until old age, for it is the essential food for the mind." Sai Baba, SSS,
Vol. 1, 125
"This day (4
December r976), you have resolved to imbibe Divine Bliss by reciting the glory
of God in chorus and with music, continuously for twenty-four hours. You call it
Akhanda Bhajan, even though it will end after that period. Still the idea is
good and programme will yield good results." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. X. p. 79
"This has been
named an Akhanda Bhajan, that is to say, Bhajan done without a break. But was it
really an Akhanda Bhajan? It is begun at 6:30 on the evening of one day, and is
closed at 6:30 on the evening of the next day. Can we call it 'unbroken Bhajan'?
What is a period of 24 hours when we consider the vastness of the universe and
the eternity of time? It is just a wink, a minute part of the life of man on
earth. By engaging yourselves in the recitation of the Name of God for one
single day, you claim to have done Bhajan 'without a break'. Akhanda Bhajan must
be as continuous as breathing itself if it is to deserve its name." Sai Baba.
SSS. Vol. X. p. 67
Meaning Of
Global Akhanda Bhajan
"The Akhanda
Bhajan that is observed by Sai devotees all over the world for full twenty-four
hours in November is an annual event of global significance. Starting from 6:00
p.m. on Saturday, the Akhanda Bhajan concludes at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The
Bhajans (spiritual songs) start with the lighting of the Akhanda Jyoti (the
sacred lamp) that is kept continuously burning for 24 hours." V.K.N, SS.
12/87, p. 341
Special
Significance Of Global Akhanda Bhajan
"This programme
of Akhanda-Bhajan continuously done for 24 hours all round the world in all
lands, has therefore spread the message of love through the Names of the
Embodiment of Universal Love. It has saturated the atmosphere with thoughts of
God and peace and joy that He showers. The Bhajans that you have done here
(Prasanthi Nilayam) has affected not only this particular area and its
environment, but it will transmute the entire atmosphere. Continue this attitude
of devotion and humanity, of service and tolerance, the atmosphere will not be
polluted by hatred." Sai Babu, SSS. Vol. X, p. 75
"What is
significant about the global Akhanda Bhajan is that while apparently the
duration of the Bhajan is identical, the time sequence varies from country to
country. For instance, when Bhagavan lit the Akhanda Jyoti in the Prasanthi
Mandir at precisely 6:00 p.m. on November 14, 1987, the Akhanda Bhajans had been
going on for many hours in countries east of India from Japan to Singapore. This
means that as the earth revolves, lamps are lit at different Sai centres
according to the local time, and by the time the westernmost centre in Vancouver
lights the Akhanda Jyoti, (Sai) centres in the east would have completed the
Akhanda Bhajan. Before the Bhajans are completed all round the world, there
would be a girdle of Akhanda Jyotis lit around the globe in Sai centres as far
as Fiji in the '"east" and Hawaii in the "west" V.K.N. SS. 12/87, p. 341
Purpose Of
The Global Akhanda Bhajan
'Today we are
having Akhanda Bhajans (non-stop twenty-four hour global Bhajans by Sai devotees
all over the world. This is being done not for the sake of one individual, one
nation, or one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. The
Bhajans that are sung permeate the ether in the form of sound waves and fill the
entire atmosphere, thereby, the whole environment gets purified." Sai Baba,
SS, 11/86. p. 280
"Today the
atmosphere is polluted by unholy and vicious sounds. This results in the growth
of evil thoughts and feelings, which lead to evil deeds. If the atmosphere has
to be'purified. it has to be filled with pure and sacred sounds." Sai Baba,
SS, 11/86, p. 281
"Singing with
intense yearning for God and enjoying the experience of adoring Him. helps to
purify the atmosphere. Man is forced to breathe the air polluted by sounds that
denote violence, hatred, cruelty and wickedness. Therefore, he is fast losing
the high attainments that are in store for him. The vibrations of the
Namasankirtans can cleanse the atmosphere and render it pure, calm and
ennobling. It is with this high purpose in view that this programme of global
Sankirtan was designed." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 67
"No man can
escape the influence of the pollution of the air he breathes. The sounds that we
produce, with good intent or bad, spread throughout the air around us. This is
our daily experience. The sounds produced by radio stations pass through the
atmosphere and reach our homes when we tune in. The vibrations travel vast
distances and affect the nature of those who inhale them. The atmosphere also
affects the food man consumes. The pollution in the atmosphere is imbibed by the
plants. The plants supply grain, the grain is the basis of the meal and the meal
shapes the character and behaviour of the person who consumes it. When the
environment is clean and free from evil vibrations, the food. too, is pure. and
the person develops a tendency to be loving and simple. It is to ensure such an
atmosphere, this Sadhana (of Akhanda Bhajan) was initiated all over the world."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, pp. 67 & 68
"The air, even
of these villages, is polluted by vulgar film songs, by demeaning and disgusting
conversation. The 24-hour long Bhajan will purify it by divine vibrations, and
those who breathe. The pure air will be healthier and more upright in
behaviour." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. X, p. 81
"Bhajans have a
place of pride in Bhagavan Baba's scheme of spiritual Sadhana. Devotional
singing in groups serves not only to concentrate the minds of the devotees on
the Divine but promotes also a sense of spiritual unity and harmony among
devotees." V.K.N.. SS, 12/87. p. 341
"The prayer to
the Lord to light the lamp of wisdom and love in the heart of every devotee,
when it goes up from millions of devotees all over the world, must have an
ennobling and unifying effect which cannot be produced by any other means."
V.K.N. SS, 12/87, p. 341
"The Akhanda
Bhajan should make devotees feel their unity with the Divine and, at the
emotional level, and fill them with love for entire mankind. Bhagavan Baba's
supreme role in His present advent is to unify humanity by promoting recognition
of the inherent divinity present in everyone, transcending all divisions of
creed, caste, language, nationality and sex. The Akhanda Bhajan is like a beacon
and trumpet-call to humanity to jettison ths pretty divisions of the past and
rise to the heights of its divine destiny." V.K.N.. SS, 12/87, p. 341
Meaning Of
Bhajan
"The word
"Bhajan" has been derived from the Sanskrit root "Bhaj" which means to render
service. Bhajan singing is indeed a mode of providing service for the audience
to purify their head and heart." Sai Baba
Meaning Of
Kirtana
"Kirtana is the
word used for the recital or singing of the Name and the Glory of God." Sai
Baba, SSS, Vol. VI, p. 217
"Kirtana is
singing aloud the Glory of God." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 67
"Keertanam
(Kirtanam) is an individual affair. It is singing by an individual for the
fulfillment of his prayers." Sai Bubu. SS, 4/92, p. 67
Meaning Of
Sankirtana/Sankeertanam
"Samyak-K-eertanam Sankeertanam (Congregational singing of Bhajans) is the best
form of Bhajans. Sankeertanam aims at the well-being of the whole universe. This
is also described as "'Saamaajika Bhajans (community singing). This method of
singing Bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak. the founder ot'Sikhism.
'Sankeertana' aims at demonstrating unity in diversity. When all the
participants combine to sing in unison with one voice, it is described as
"Sankeertana." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92, pp. 67 & 68
"San-kirtana
means reciting or singing well, or aloud with joy in ecstasy." Sai Baba, SSS.
Vol. VI. p. 217
"Combining one's
voice, tune, feeling and rhythm to the appropriate beat of the song, the devotee
should immerse himself in singing. Harmonizing the feeling with devotion and
love, the sacred words of the song should be an outpouring of love towards God.
That alone is devotional singing (Sankirtana)." Sai Baba. SS, 4/92, p. 69
"Sankirtana is the process of singing that originates in the heart, nor from the tongue. It is the expression of the joyous thrill that wells up from the heart when the Glory of God is remembered. It is the spontaneous manifestation of the inner ecstasy. No attention is paid to blame or praise that others may give. It does not seek the admiration or the appreciation of the listeners. It is sung for one's own joy, one's own satisfaction, and one's own delight. Kirtana of this supreme type alone deserves the name Sankirtana" Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 67
Purpose
"What is the
essence of Sankirtana? Its essential purpose is to earn the love of God." Sai
Baba, SS. 4/92. p. 69
Different
Forms Of San-Kirtana
The name of the
Lord has been glorified in different ways all over the world. Jayadeva was one
who enjoyed always the sports (Leelas) of the Divine." Sal Baba. SS. 4/98. p.
68
"Hanuman was
proficient in music. There was none that could excel him in singing. Even Narada
Tumbura could not prevail against him." Sai Baba. SS. 4/98. p. 69
"We can
distinguish four different forms of Naama-sankirtana:
(a)Bhaava-naama-San-kirtana. (b) Guna-Naama-Sankirtana, (c)
Leela-Naama-San-kirtana, and (d) sheer Naama-Sankirtana." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol.
VI. p. 219
a.
Bhaava-Naama-Sam-Kirtana:
"Bhaava
Sankeertana is illustrated by Radha alone who expresses her different feelings
towards God and identifies herself with the Divine in every mood of devotion.
She expressed her devotion in five forms of Shanta (Serenity), Sakhya
(friendliness, Vaatsalya (maternal love), Anuraag (affection), Madhura
(sweetness). Radha and Mira were the exponents of' Bhaava-Sankeertana." Sai
Baba, SS, 4/92, p. 68
"Bhaava-Naama
San-kirtana is the name given to recitals where (God's) Name is sung with one
emotion, or mental attitude (Bhaava) toward the Lord.(l) It can be
Madhura-Bhaava (sweet emotion) as Radha was overpowered only by that sweetness
at all times and places. Her adoration of God is the supreme example of
Madhura-Bhaava. (2) Then we have Vaatsalya-bhaava-sankirtana. Yashoda, the
foster mother of Krishna, can be taken as the ideal for this type of Bhaava
(emotion). Though she had a series of experiences of Krishna being Divine, she
preferred to save him as mother and adore him as her son. (3) Then there is
Saakhya-Bhaava- Sankirtana (comrade feeling), as found in Arjuna who believed in
Krishna as his intimate friend and brother-in-law (for he married Krishna's
sister), and confided in him as a comrade. That too is an attitude that will
attach you to divinity and sublimate the tower impulses. (4) Daasya-Bhaava-
(servant-master attitude) Sankirtana is another type. Serve the Lord as His
faithful unquestioning servant. This is the path of Hanumana in the Ramayana.
(5) The last attitude is Sat-Bhaava-(unruffled, unconcerned) Naama-Sam-kirtana,
praising the Lord, whatever may happen, undeviated by ups and downs, bearing all
vagaries of fortune as His play. In the Mahabharata, you will find Bhishma
saturated with this attitude. He adored Krishna even when Krishna was advancing
towards him to kill him." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 219
"Bhava means
'attitude' (of mind). So, Bhava-Sankirtan means the adoration, in song, of God
pictured and contacted under various relationships. Some may prefer to adore Him
as the giver of equanimity (Santam), others as a friend, guide and guardian
(Sakhya). still others as the child one loves and tends (Vatsalya) and yet
others as the Lover whom one loves with sovereign love (Madhura)." Sai Baba,
SSS. Vol. X, p. 68
b.
Leela-Naama-Sam-Kirtana:
"Another method
of Naama-Sam-kirtana is to remind oneself of the various exploits and sports,
the various acts of grace and compassion, which the Lord has manifested in the
world, while reciting His Name. This is called Leela-Naama-Sam-Kirtana.
Chaitanya and Thyagraj realised the Lord through this path." Stii Bubu, SSS.
Vol. VI, p. 219
"This is (also)
exemplified by the 'Gita Govindam' of Jayadeva. “Sai Babti. SS, 4/92, p. 68
"Leela means
'sport', therefore Leela-San-kirtana is the adoration, in song, of the various
expressions of these attributes as evidenced by the accounts of sages and seers
of all faiths." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 68
c.
Guna-Naama-San-Kirtana:
''Many recollect
more of the majesty, the glory, the might, the mystery, the magnificence, the
munificence, the love with which God has clothed Himself, while reciting His
Name. This attitude is spoken of as Guna (attributes, characteristics)
Nama-San-kirtana. Most of the saints gradually honoured in many lands are of
this category." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI, p. 219
"Guna means
'attributes' (of God) So, Guna-Naama-Sankirtana is the adoration, in song, of
manifold attributes of God - omnipresence, omniscience, compassion, majesty,
etc." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 68
"Guana-Sankeertana applies to the kind of Bhajan in which the devotee recites
the auspicious qualities of the Divine, experiences oneness with the Divine, and
acquires the godly qualities. Thyagaraja had recourse to this type of singing.
In one of his keertanas, he exclaimed: " Oh Lord! You are beyond all words. Is
it possible for even Brahma or other gods to extol your glorious exploits? I am
waiting for your grace. Hearken to my entreaties. You restored life to the
preceptor's son whom the Lord of Death had taken. away. You conquered the God of
Love. You liberated from prison Vasudeva and Devaki. You protected Draupadi when
appealed in despair. You were the guardian ofPandavas. You relieved Kuchela of
his poverty. You saved 16,000 damsels from subjection." In this manner,
Thyagaraja recounted the great qualities of God in his songs." Sai Baba, SS.
2/92. p. 68
d.
Naama-Sam-Kirtana:
"Another
category is denoted by seekers who attach value to the syllables and sound of
the Name (of God) irrespective of the meaning thereof. When the Name is
pronounced, they say, it draws the aspirant toward God and His grace, whatever
may be the Bhaava (emotion), whether the Leela (sports) or Guna (attributes) is
associated with the Sam-Kirtana or not. The Name (of God) has a strength, a
power, a capacity to redeem, cure and save, alone and unaided, they aver."
Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI. p. 219
"Nama means the
'Name of God'. So, Nama-Sankirtan means the adoration of God, calling upon Him
by various Names, each describing His glory. His achievements, His relationship
with the individual. The Names are many. or even countless. It is so in all
languages. We have many groups of thousand and eight Names, which can be used
for God, as the Vedas declare, has a 'thousand heads', a thousand eyes. and a
thousand feet. Devotees can adore Him and derive bliss through that adoration,
filling each Name with the meaning and significance it carries." Sai Baba.
SSS. Vol. X. pp. 68 & 69
"Chaitanya was
the exponent of this form of Kirtana. "All Names are yours. There is nothing in
this cosmos which does not bear the imprint of your Name or Form,' Chaitanya
revelled in singing the Names of the Lord as signifying all that was beautiful
and glorious in the universe." Sai Baba. SS, 4/98, p. 68
Congretational Bhajan Singing
Founder Of
Community Bhajan Singing
This method of
singing Bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism."
Sai Baba, SS. 4/92, p. 67
Importance
"Community
singing sets up vibrations which will cleanse the atmosphere." Sai Baba, SS,
2/98. p. 33
"When all the
devotees participate in the Bhajan, the vibrations that are produced will
generate joy and harmony." Sai Baba. SS. 11/86. p. 280
"Bhajans that
arc sung permeate the entire ether in the form of sound waves and fill the
entire atmosphere; thereby the whole environment gets purified. By breathing in
this purified atmosphere, our hearts get purified." Sai Baba
"Bhajan has been
part of our (Indian) culture, part of the Sanatana Dharma tradition. But it has
survived, however, in an attenuated form, in the villages only. It has
disappeared from the towns, where people have more 'exciting' ways of spending
time and recuperating their spirits. But this programme of congregational Bhajan
by all, must be fostered, developed and transplanted in the towns later. I am
glad to note that the young men of this (Seegehalli) village and of the adjacent
villages, especially those who are attending the Sri Sai College, are evincing
keen interest in these Bhajans. That is indeed a promising sign fraught with
great potential for the future of this country. They are cleansing their own
minds and helping to cleanse the atmosphere of these villages." Sai Baba, SSS,
Vol. X, p. 81 (Seegehalli, 4-12-76)
Rules For
Conducting Community Bhajans
"When the
chanting of the (Divine) Name is done in community singing, it should be done in
a form in which the entire group can participate easily.
The tune, the
rhythm, etc. should be such that all can follow the Bhajan. If the lead singer
takes up a song that is not familiar to others, the response from the group will
be poor. There will be no enthusiasm or genuine participation. Their minds will
be distracted." Sai Baba. SS. 11/86. p. 280
"Reciting the
Lord's name is a process of 'give and take'. Singing the Lord's name should
become an exercise in mutual sharing of joy and holiness. Sai Baba, SS.
11/86. p. 281
"Community
Bhajans should not be treated as a pastime. When thousands of persons join in
singing Bhajans, they should be fully absorbed in the devotional process and the
ecstasy of that experience." Sai Baba. SS. 11/86. p. 281
"The singing
should be vibrant arid soulful and not mechanical or drawling and uninspiring.
It should combine feeling (Bhavava), melody (Raaga) and rhythm (Taala) Sai
Baba, SS. 11/86, p. 281
"Songs should
glorify the Name rather than describe the attributes. When attributes are
praised, some may develop doubts." Sai Baba. SS, 11/86, p. 281
General
Guidelines For Conducting Bhajans
"In the Sadhana
(spiritual practice) of Nama Smarana (remembering God's Name), which I
prescribe, two other complementary processes are included along the recollection
of the Name and the fixation of the mind on the Name: (i) there must be purity
of feeling, (ii) and dwelling on the meaning of the Name. That will ensure
success." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. 177.
"When the Puja
(worship) with 108 or 1008 names is progressing, do not be satisfied when the
sound falls on the ear. Try to grasp the meaning too, so that you can ruminate
over the glory which each name denotes." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VII, p. 287
"Many people do
Japa (reciting God's name) and join Bhajans, but they are not aware of the
meaning and value of the words they utter mechanically." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol.
IX, p. 167
"Take the Name
of the Lord and repeat it always. Do Bhajans with faith and enthusiasm. Let the
whole city shake with devotion you put into the Name." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. 1,
p. 132
"When you sing
Bhajan songs, dwell also on the meaning of the songs and the message of each
Name and Form of God. Do not waste time purposelessly; let every moment be a
Bhajan." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. V, p. 331
"Discipline has
to be observed in speech, sport and every kind of relationship. For instance,
during Bhajans, all those singing in chorus have to maintain the same tune.
Discordant singing will jar the ears. Singing Bhajans in unison is a form of
discipline." Sai Baba. SS. 7/96. p. 174
"When the Name
is repeated without concentration and without reverence, it cannot cleanse the
mind. Now the Name is on the tongue, the word is in the mind and the owner of
the Name is in the heart." Sai Baba, SSS. VI, p. 165
"Bhajans must be
sung from the heart and just should not emanate from the lips." Sai Baba.
SSS. Vol. X. p. 140
"Bhajan must be
a felt experience. Let your heart pant for God, then Raaga (tune) and Taala
(rhythm) will automatically be pleasant and correct. Sincerity will blot out all
errors in Raaga and Taala." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VIII. p. 57
"The Bhajans,
this time, were done in a ritualistic fashion. Greater attention was paid to
Raaga, Taala, Laya and Shruti (the melody, the beat, the rhythm and the tone).
All these are conventional qualities (Vyaavaahaarika). To elevate the Bhajans to
a spiritual level what are required are true feeling and the ecstasy of
devotion. The (devotional) songs should flow not from the lips but from the
heart. When the songs come out of the heart they will be blissful for the
ears.'^ Sai Baba. SS, 4/97, p. 94
"Let melody and
harmony surge up from your hearts and let all take delight in the love that you
express through that (devotional) song." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 75
"The words of a
song can be expressed in a prosaic manner which has no appeal to the listener.
But when they are sung melodiously, they tug at the heartstrings. (As in the
song "Rama! Nannu Kaapaadu"- "Rama!" save me. Swami sang the song to demonstrate
its appeal.) Such sweetness is contained in the song when it is rendered
melodiously." Sai Baba, SS, 4/92, p. 70
"Conduct your
Bhajans with a pure unsullied heart, oblivious to all worldly desires. When you
chant the Lord's Name with a pure heart, you will experience the Divine." Sai
Baba, SS. 4/97. p. 94
Crores (millions
of rupees) are being spent to purify the Ganges water. Of what use is this
exercise if the Ganges continues to be polluted by the discharge of drainage
water into the river? First prevent the flow of filthy effluents into the
Ganges. In the same manner, the evil thoughts arising in the mind should be
diverted and it should be filled with pure godly thoughts by reciting the Divine
Name. Everyone participating in Bhajans should sing the Name of the Lord and
thereby serve to purify the atmosphere and promote the well-being of the
nation." Sai Baba. SS. 4/92. p. 71
"Bhajans have to
be sung to please the Lord, not your fans. With each Bhajan sung, the mind must
be rendered purer, freer from passion, and stronger in faith." Sai Baba. SS.
12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX, p. 162
"You should sing
whole-heartedly with the desire to please God. God makes no distinction between
a proficient musician and a beggar in the street. It is the devotion and
sincerity that matters. Merge your soul in the Bhajans you sing. Spiritualize
your Bhajan-singing. Then you will experience real bliss." "Once Emperor Akbar
asked his court musician how he would account for the fact that a wayside
beggar's music moved him more profoundly than the music of the state musician?
The latter replied that while the beggar sang from his heart to please God, his
music constrained by the desire to please the Emperor." Sai Baba. SS, 4/97,
p. 96
"The hands
should be lifted in prayer and the words should come out full-throated. It is
unfortunate that even those who are gifted with good voices do not sing aloud in
Bhajans." Sai Baba. SS. 8/96. p. 206
"Bhajans have to
be sung and offered to God in an attitude of utter humility. They are not to be
taken as exercises in an exhibition of talent and competitions for mastery of
musical skill." Sai Baba. SS, 12/74, p. 297 & SSS, Vol. IX. p. 162
"When a man
falls into a well, of what use is it if he controls his voice and his emotions
and whispers quietly, 'I have fallen into this well, I have fallen into this
well. I am in a great danger. Please save me.' No one will be able to hear or
save him. He must shout full-throated, with all anguish he is experiencing and
with extreme desire to be saved, "I HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WELL! SAVE ME! SAVE ME
SOMEONE!" Then only can he hope to get succour. Similarly, when you are caught
in the coils of this world, when you have fallen into this deep well of worldly
misery, shout with all your might, with all your heart that God may save you.
There is no use of muttering faintly and half-heartedly. 'Save me; I am
floundering in this Samsar.' When the prayer comes shrieking through the heart,
help is assured." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 68
"Some persons
attending Bhajans do not move their lips at all. They may say that they are
singing the songs mentally within themselves. This is not proper. If you have a
devotional feeling, it should be expressed by the tongue joining in the Bhajan.
Only then it can be called "Sankirtana"- singing in unison with others. You must
sing the Names aloud, full-throated, as far as the voice can reach. Only then
the Divine will respond in full measure and shower His grace. No one will go to
the rescue of a drowning man if his cries are feeble. Only when he cries aloud
at the top of his voice, the cries will be heard and people will rush to save
him." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92. p. 70
"Attitudes of
difference and distinction should not enter the hearts of devotees so far this
sacred Sadhana is concerned. It would be far better for all parties if such
self-important and conceited folk stay away from Bhajans rather than pollute the
sacred atmosphere by spirit of rivalry and factionalism." Sai Baba, SS,
12/74. p. 297 & SSS, Vol. IX, p. 162
"Bhajans where
you quarrel and compete, and revel in putting down others and raising
yourselves, might give you satisfaction. But, let me announce here, they do not
please Me at all." Sai Baba, SS. 12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX. p. 163
"In singing
Bhajans, there should be no spirit of competition and no caviling of others. The
entire concentration should be on the Name and Form of God." Sai Baba. SS,
3/96, p. 61
"Remember! All
are the sons and daughters of Sai Maataa (Mother). How can I tolerate when the
sons and daughters quarrel among themselves into rival groups? Unless you sing
Bhajans for your own joy, you cannot bring joy to others." Sai Baba, SS.
12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. DC. p. 163
"During Bhajans
the women are engaged in mutual recrimination. They quarrel over seats. Can't
they experience Bhagavan wherever they are?" Sai Baba,
SS. 7/96, p. 184.
"The
office-bearers in the units of our (Sai) Organization should be ever vigilant,
that this poison does not creep into the working of the units, either in
Bhajans, or in the activities ofMahila Vibhag (women wing),-or Seva Dal (human
service wine of volunteers)." Sai Baba, SS, 12/74. p. 297 & SSS. Vol. IX. p.
163
"I am pleased
only when love is the keynote, when the feeling of unity prevails, when the
melody comes from a cleansed God-loving heart." Sai Baba. SS, 12/74. p. 297 &
SSS. Vol. IX. p. 163
"I do not need
Bhajans which like gramophone records reproduce songs and Naamaavalis, without
any feeling or yearning while singing. Hours of shouting do not count, a moment
of concentrated prayer from the heart is enough, to melt and move God." Sai
Baba. SSS. Vol. IV, p. 149
"Some people
affirm that the Bhajans used at the Prasanthi Nilayam alone should be sung. But
God is omnipresent. He is the in-dweller in every heart. All Names are His. So
you can call on Him by any Name that gives you joy." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VI,
p. 238
"This (Sai)
Organization believes that the Atma (soul) in each is the Atma in all, and the
God that each worships is the God that all worship. You cannot insist that in
the Bhajans, only songs on Sathya Sai should be sung. Fanaticism of that kind I
very much dislike and condemn. For. all Names and all Forms denote Me only. You
betray your ignorance of My Truth when you stick to anyone of My Names and avoid
the rest." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VIII, p. 71
"Do not care for
what others feel about your Dhyana or Bhajan. Do not seek the approval,
appreciation, admiration of others, or refrain from Dhyana because others
dislike it or ridicule it. Be self-reliant, self-confident, see through your own
eyes, hear through your own ears." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 73
"I have been
observing how the Bhajans are sung. When the girls sing, the boys do not follow
in chorus. When the boys sing, the girls do not respond. When both are singing
the Divine Name, why should not they sing in unison? What is the reason for this
narrow separatism? This should be given up." Sai Baba. SS. 4/97. p. 96
"When you sing
Bhajans, take care that words you utter do not convey negative meanings. Here is
an example. Our boys (students) sing many Hindi Bhajans, in which they often use
the word 'Thu'. They sing 'Thu Rama', 'Thu Krishna', 'Thu Sai' which does not
convey the respectful way of addressing the Lord. The Bhajans you sing must
convey sacred meanings. You should not use any disrespectful words in Bhajans."
Sai Baba. SS, 4/2001. p. 114
"There should
not be any wrong word in Bhajans. If you sing in this way, every word that you
utter would have sanctity." Sai Baba, SS, 4/2001, p. 115
"When the
Bhajans end, you should go out in silence. When you get back to your apartments,
you may discuss your private affairs. But as a rule, observe restraint in speech
everywhere. It helps to conserve energy. Excessive talk affects the nerves. You
are liable to forget what you have heard." Sai Baba, SS, 8/96, p. 211
"At the end of a
Bhajan, we say 'Shanti' three times. This prayer is for peace of the body, the
mind and the spirit. Without this trine peace, man cannot have real peace."
Sai Baba, SS, 11/97, p. 289
Sing Bhajans
With Full Concentration - An Episode
"Today there is
no steadiness of mind in man. Some people think of their footwear when they sit
for Bhajans inside. Once Ramakrishna Paramahansa was giving a discourse in a
temple. Rani Rasamani, the owner of the temple, was sitting in the front row.
All were listening to Ramakrishna's discourse with rapt attention. All of a
sudden, Ramakrishna got up, went to Rani Rasamani and slapped on her cheek.
Everyone was surprised. They thought that Ramakrishna had become mad.
Ramakrishna told the public, '0 people, you may think it is a great mistake on
my part to have slapped her. What for you come? You are here to listen to my
teachings. Whether you practise or not, at least you should listen to what is
being said. If you do not like to listen to the discourse, you better stay back
at home. This Rani Rasamani is thinking of her legal disputes. Why should she
come all the way to think of the court affairs?' She accepted her mistake and
promised not to repeat it. In modern age, many people attend spiritual
discourses and get impressed by them. But they do not put them into practice."
Sai Baba, SS. 2/99. p. 48
Music With
Bhajans
"Bhaava
(feeling), Raaga (melody) and Taala (rhythm) are the essentials for proper
singing. Even the name of Bharat (for India) signifies th? combination of these
three elements. (Bh-Ra-Ta). In every action in daily life, the combination of
these three elements should be observed. This rule can be applied even to one's
studies. "Bhaava", in relation to study of a subject, means understanding the
subject thoroughly. "Raaga" implies cultivating love for the subject and "Taala"
means expressing one's knowledge coherently and clearly." Sai Baba. SS,
4/892, p. 69
"Its essential
purpose is to earn the love of God. Combining one's voice, tune, feeling and the
rhythm to appropriate beat of the song, the devotee should immerse himself in
the singing. Harmonizing the feeling with devotion and love, the sacred words of
song -should be an outpouring of love towards Gcd. That alone is devotional
s'rging. When the song is rendered without understanding the meanings of the
words and without any inner feeling or genuine love for God, it is mechanical
performance." Sai Baba. SS, 4/92. p. 69
"Bhajans do not
become effective through drums, cymbals, violins and other accessories. They
cover up essential things- feelings, emotions, yearning, sincerity and faith."
Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. IV. p. 148
"Musical
instruments used during Bhajans should not drown the voice of the singer and
those who follow. If there is mor»than one instrument used, maintain a balance
among instruments along with singing." Sai Baba
"While singing
Bhajans, you should utter the Names (of God) from the depth of the heart, not
concentrating on Raaga (tune) and Taala (rhythm)." Sai Baba, SS, 6/94, p. 150
"Realise that
what matters when they (singers) sing Bhajans is not the tune or the conduct of
Bhajans, but the genuineness of the feeling with which they sing Bhajans. When
their hearts are pure and full of deep devotion, the Bhajans will be full of
feeling and will appeal to the hearts of the listeners. What ensures from the
heart is 'positive', while what comes from the mind is often negative" Sai
Baba. SS, 4/98. p. 92
Attributes To
Be Attained By Bhajan Singers
"When you do
Bhajans and sing the Name of God, you should contemplate on underlying truth.
The Naamaavali, 'Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare; Hare Krishna. Hare
Krishna, Krishana Krishna Hare Hare' has sixteen words. Each of the sixteen
signifies a virtue, which has to be cultivated along with that Bhajan. (i) He
must be a Bhakta (full of devotion), (ii) a Tapo-yukta (prepared to enjoy
sufferings), (iii) a Samsara-mukta (detached from worldly attractions), (iv) a
Padaasakta (eager to serve the Lord), (v) a Vihitha (correct conduct), (vi) a
Daana-sahita (charitable), (vii) a Yashomahita (with unsullied reputation),
(vni) a Kalmasha-rahita (unblemished), (ix) a Poorna (fully content), (x) a
Guna-Gana (endowed with all virtues), (xi) an Utteerna (equipped with all
virtues), (xii) a Vidya-vikeerna (equipped with all fruits of learning), (xiii)
a Jnana-visteerna (ripe in wisdom), (xiv) a Swaantha (self-controlled), (xv) a
Sadguna-Kranta (adorned with social traits), (xv) a Vinaya Vishranta (moved by
humility), and finally (xvi) a Pada-swantha (fully dedicated to God)." Sai
Baba, SSS. Vol. 1, pp. 164 & 165
Location And
Time For Conducting Bhajan Sessions
"The Bhajan
Mahdalis (groups), Satsahgs (spiritual meetings) and Bhakta Mandalis (devotional
groups), are now established, must spread the message of Naama-smarana
(remembering God's name), Bhajan and Naama-sam-kirtana at all times and in all
places." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI, p. 42
"Have Bhajans on
as many days as you can, in your village or area. Have them in places where all
can come and join, not in the homes of some people, for in homes not all may be
welcome." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI, pp. 237
"Bhajans are best held on Thursday evenings and Sunday evenings. But there is no unbreakable rule. for it is not the day of the week that counts. It is the heart that must be ready and eager to imbibe the joy and share it." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238"Group Bhajans must be arranged to suit the convenience of the locality and the people." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 238
Expenses For
Holding Bhajans
"Have Bhajans as
simple as you can, without any competitive pomp and show. Reduce expenses to the
minimum, for God cares for the inner yearnings, and not the outer trappings.
Even this small unavoidable expenditure must be silently shared spontaneously by
a few members of the committee, and not collected by means of a (donation)
plate or Hundi pot. or a subscription or a donation list. The participants must
be bound by love, affection, loyalty, one Name and Form." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol.
VI. p. 237
The Magic Of
Bhajans
"Remembering the
Name is the panacea. When the Name is chanted as a song set to music, it
delights the heart immensely. Many pundits recite the Names as verse (shalokas).
They do no experience the intense yearning expressed in the stanzas. Some actors
are able to pronounce the words loud and clear, but without any depth of
feeling. But when the Names are sung melodiously they appeal to the hearts of
the singers and the listeners. Even non-believers and agnostics nod their hearts
in appreciation when they listen to devotional music. The words of a song can be
expressed in a prosaic manner, which has no appeal to the listener. But when
they are sung melodiously, they tug at the heartstrings. Everyone, whether he is
well-versed in music or not, should listen attentively to the singer and try to
repeat the words of the song with feelings." Sai Baba, SS. 4/92, p. 70
"Do Bhajans and
have the Name of the Lord on your lips. Do not waste even a single moment. By
chanting the name of Rama, Hanuman, the monkey, became all-powenul, the
embodiment of peace and the exemplar of all noble qualities. Sita was full of
praise for him." Sai Baba, SS, 12/87. p. 324
"Kamadhenu, the
wish-fulfilling heavenly cow, can be drawn and tied to a post by means of a
rope. God too. can be drawn towards you by the rope (God's Name), and tied to
the post (the tongue). Then His Name will be dancing upon the tongue forever,
conferring the sv/eetness of His Majesty. The Name (of God) has to be sung for
your own delight, to quench your own thirst, to appease your own hunger. No one
eats to appease another's hunger, nor takes drugs to alleviate another's
illness. So do not care for what others feel about your Dhyana or Bhajan."
Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X, p. 73
Bhajan Should
Be A Continuous Process
''Do not think
that it is enough if you just sing Bhajans when the people from the (Sai) Seva
Samiti come and join you. Sing them in your minds, silently and sincerely, when
you are at work, with your friends or even alone by yourself. Just as a torch in
your hand shows you the way if you are walking at night in the dark, the Name of
God on your tongue will guide you through the night of ignorance in your joumey
of life." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X, p. 154
Origin Of
Akhanda-Bhajan
"Embodiment of
the Pure Atman! Last November (of 1975), on the 23rd, people from all parts of
the world had assembled here to celebrate the Golden Jubilee, and the
office-bearers of the (Sai) Centres were here for the Second World Conference
and other functions that took place. Later, they expressed their desire that
they should be allotted a date before the close of the Jubilee Year, when they
in their own places could celebrate the happy occasion. In order to overcome
their disappointment, it was decided that in all (Sai) Centres all over the
world, Bhajan (Namasamkirtan) be held for twenty-four hours, beginning at 6:30
p.m. on Saturday (yesterday, 13 November 1976), and ending at 6:30 p.m. today
(14 November J 976). Therefore, in 42 countries around the globe more than 7000
centres have enthusiastically taken up this pleasant assignment. This has been
named an Akhanda Bhajan, that is to say, Bhajan done without a break" Sai
Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 66
"Srimati
Sundaramma is one of the old devotees who has known Sri Sathya Sai Baba since he
was a boy of sixteen. Her father, Seshagiri Rao, came to Sri Sathya Sai Baba
after her. Sundaramma continued the weekly Bhajan singing with great dedication
and without interruption for an entire year. Her father, Seshagiri Rao, thought
that they should celebrate the completion of the year of Bhajan-singing in a
suitable style. Each member of the family thought of different ways to celebrate
the anniversary in a befitting manner, but Seshagiri Rao's idea that was
adopted: Akhanda Bhajan (unbroken Bhajans) for the one whole day and one whole
night. The decision having been taken, they got down to planning the performance
at their house - which songs to sing, what Prasadam to distribute and pooling of
resources to obtain the ingredients of Prasadam. This was particularly tricky
as, in those days. there was rationing of rice and the system had to be worked
out fairly in cash and in kind.
After making all
the preliminary arrangements, father and daughter went to Puttaparthi to
announce their attention to Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He was very happy to hear their
plans and responded startlingly, "I have come only for this reason, for the sake
of my devotees. Go ahead with the Akhanda Bhajans. I will go there and be with
you throughout the singing."
Sundaramma
explained that, up to that moment, they had planned only a very simple
celebration. But, if Sri Sathya Sai Baba was himself going to attend, then, she
felt that she ought to make more elaborate arrangements. Then Sri Sathya Sai
Baba said he would take charge of all the arrangements. He asked her to book a
place in town and to have the Akhanda Bhajans sung there so that all those who
wanted to attend could do so more conveniently. He also advised her to ask other
devotees to assist in the event.
Sundaramma was
in a quandary at this unexpected turn of events. To cope with an occasion, such
as it was turning out to be, was a gigantic task in those days when even
transportation was very difficult. She calculated that about a hundred regular
devotees might turn up for the first Akhanda Bhajan and so she had Prasadam
prepared for that number. However, hundreds of devotees turned up on that day.
They had learned of the event by word of mouth and in dreams and visions of Sri
Sathya Sai Baba. Sundaramma became anxious about how she would provide enough
Prasadam to all.
Puja to Shirdi
Sai Baba's and Sri Sathya Sai Baba's images was performed under a gaily bedecked
floral canopy. Sri Sathya Sai Baba materialized a silver figurine of Sri Shirdi
Sai Baba to keep beside a large bust of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, especially made for
the occasion. Then, with circular movements of hand, he produced 108 golden
flowers for the Puja. After Archana (offering with Mantras) of rare flowers,
Seshagiri Rao performed Paadapuja (worship of the feet) to Sri Sathya Sai Baba
who lighted the Akhanda Jyoti (ever-lasting flame) at the Bhajan meeting.
Sundaramma then
requested Sri Sathya Sai Baba to come into the kitchen and pronounce Akshya
(limitless) blessings over the food. He looked at the cooked food and loudly
said "Akshaya" thrice. Then he sprinkled water on the food and left.
Sundaramma
remembers with awe how food prepared for a hundred people fed several thousands
people easily, even generously. The pot containing the Prasadam simply never
became empty. At last, before leaving the kitchen, Sundaramma entreated Sri
Sathya Sai Baba to let the pot be empty and then it was easily emptied. 'Such
was the nature of Swami's blessing that it ensured an unending stream of food,'
said Sundaramma.
The event was
truly remarkable. The first Akhanda Jyoti, organized by Seshagiri -Rao, has led
the lighting of thousands of other Akhanda Jyotis on Akhanda Bhajan day in Sai
Samithis Bhajan centres throughout the world." Extracted from Shakuntala
Balu's book "Living Divinity", First edition, 1983, pp.175-177
Glimpses Of
The Akhanda Bhajan At Prasanthi Nilayam (1994)
"The Akhanda
Bhajan had special significance this year when Bhagavan lighted the Akhanda
Jyoti on November 12, 1994, in the renovated Prasanthi Mandir. The Mandir wore a
new attractive look with seven artistically designed and exquisitely executed
domes replacing the old ones, besides the huge imposing new Mandap in front for
accommodating the vast concourse of devotees waiting for Darshan. The Mandap
with twenty massive ornamental pillars, covered with shining polished granite
slabs and bearing a lotus-shaped bowl to carry concealed lighting, transformed
the former open Darshan grounds into a spacious hall with polished black and
white marble slabs for the flooring. Two wings of the hall appeared like two
gigantic pianos, with a series of elephant images decorating the frieze. At
night the Mandir appeared like a Fairy Land with multi-coloured illuminations
setting the Mandir in bold relief and enhancing the beauty of the sacred
edifice."
"The Mandap was
filled with thousands of eager devotees from all over the world while the Mandir
was occupied by students from three campuses of the Sai Institute. On the
Akhanda Bhajan day (Saturday, 12th November), Bhagavan came to the Mandap before
the Bhajans started and gave Darshan to all sections of the crowd. The Akhanda
Bhajan commenced at 6:00 p.m. after Bhagavan lighted the Akhanda Jyoti (lamp) in
the Mandir. After the first song on Ganesha sung by the men students, the Bhajan
song, "Akhanda Jyoti Jalao" was sung by the women students. The Bhajans
continued nonstop for twenty-four hours with men and women leading by turns."
"Bhagavan sat
through the Bhajan for nearly two hourc on Saturday. On Sunday morning, Bhagavan
went round the devotees, giving Darshan, and stayed for the Bhajans for two
hours. The Bhajan came to a close at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday, with the distribution
of Prasadam to all the devotees with the-blessings of Bhagavan. Prasadam
consisted of tamarind rice and sweet rice. Bhagavan supervised the distribution
of Prasadam after taking Aarati and stayed on till all were served." Editor.
SS, 12/94, p. 318
Important
Questions Concerning Bhajan
QUESTION:
Years of Bhajan and Meditation have not borne fruit in me; I am where I was
before. Why?
Sri Sathya Sai
Baba: "How can fire be struck from a wet match-stick? Soaked in worldly desires
and caught in material entanglements, how can the light of wisdom shine in your
head? How can you generate the fire of Jnana" SSS, Vol. X. p. 140
QUESTION: The
Lord told Narada that he could find Him installed wherever His glory is sung by
His devotees. Does it mean that He is installed in the thousands of places where
Bhajan is sung?
Sri Sathya Sai Baba: "No. The pre-condition is 'sung by devotees'. The devotees sing to please God, to acclaim His Majesty. They do not crave for exhibition, appreciation or fame, nor have they any envy or pride in their hearts. Tansen was a celebrated singer attached to the court of Emperor Akbar. He was so talented that when he sang the Raga Megahmala, clouds gathered thick in the sky. When he sang Varuna, rain fell. When he sang Nagaswara. serpents flocked before him. One day while Akbar was engaged in prayer, he heard a Haridasa, a wandering mendicant, singing a song which touched his heart immensely. Akbar called Tansen to his presence and asked him why he could not touch his heart so deeply. 'You have all gifts and are the most talented singer, yet Haridasa moved me as never before. Why?' Tansen said, 'Maharaj, while I sing, I look upon your face to discover whether you are pleased or not. The Dasa sings always looking at the Face of God before him, and he is happy only when God is pleased.' Bhajan must be sung from the heart and should not just emanate from the lips." SSS. Vol. X, pp. 140 & 141
From the book - Festivals at Prasanthi Nilayam - An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Compiled and Edited by Suresh C Bhatnagar
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