Bhajans have become very popular now a days. It is also called “ Nama sankirtan.” It is a way of singing the glory of God by chanting His innumerable names or describing His attributes through simple songs called ' Namavali.’ Bhajan has come down to us from time Immemorial. It has become a part of our culture handed down by our Sanatana Dharma. Bhajans have become so common and frequent that they have lost their true significance in society! People take these bhajans very lightly and consider them as occasions to while away their time. Bhajans can be called as the first step for initiation into Spirituality. It is through bhajans that one can develop eternal values. The mind is taught to enjoy the glory and Majesty of God. It encourages man to go into himself and try to recognize his inner Self! It is significant to note what Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba says: “ Bha” in the word ' bhajan' means that which is ‘bhavyam' (sacred or holy). What is bhavyam? The Atma Tatwa ( principle of Atma) which is divyam ( self effulgent). The letters ‘ja' in the word Bhajan connotes japa ( chanting of the Lord's Name). Hence, Bhajan and Japa are one and the same” (SSS: Vol X)
Bhajans are sung with a lot of musical instruments like drums, cymbals, violins and others. More than the actual Bhajan, too much of instrumental noise is produced during the bhajans. The most essential things for an ideal Bhajan like feeling, emotion, yearning, sincerity and faith are lost and covered up by sounds produced by the accompanying instruments! In group singing the evil qualities of envy, competition, pride, and factionalism raise their heads! It is, therefore best to do bhajans to the Lord in our homes. Bhajans can be sung on as many days as possible or at least once a week. It can be on any convenient day on Thursdays or Sundays. Is there any fixed time for the Bhajan? No. It can be done always, in the waking state or while bathing, walking or eating! How should you sing the Bhajan? It must be done as a felt experience. It is immaterial what effect it creates on the listeners. It should be sung in such a way that it has its effect on God. If there is a sincere yearning for God, the raga and tala shall surely be correct and pleasant. Bhajans should be sung by persons with good voice and musical talent. The Bhajan song itself must be pleasant and not jarring to the ear. Those who cannot follow should repeat the namavali in their mind but not disturb the melody.
Bhajan is the only and the easiest way to get to the Proximity of God in the present world. The Sastras too emphasize this point. “ Kalau kalmasha chittanam papa dravyopa jivinam vidhikriya vihinanam gatir Govinda keertanam.” For evil minded people in the Kali Yuga who live with Ill gotten money and who violate all mandates of the Sastras and the Vedas, Govinda kirtanam is the only recourse! God's Name acts as the effective tonic and a remedy for all illnesses. There are a few doubting Thomases who decry bhajans and laugh at them saying that it is all a mere show. On the other hand bhajans in a group diminishes the egoism of the individual. You are kept away from distracting thoughts. Singing in praise of God purifies the atmosphere. Unfortunately man is compelled to breathe the air polluted by the sounds of violence, hatred, cruelty and wickedness. The vibrations of namasankirtan or Bhajan purify and cleanse the ambience making it calm and ennobling. A clean environment free from evil vibrations tends to develop love and simplicity. Bhajan and sankirtan should be spontaneous and from the heart, not from the lips or tongue. Every organ of our body should be for the service of God says Sri Kulasehara Azwar. “ Jihve kirthaya Kesavam Mura ripum cheto bhaja Sridharam” O Tongue! Sing the glory of Kesava, O Mind! Worship Sridhara”
“ For the busy age of fear and anxiety, the remembrance of God and the repetition of His Name is the one means of liberation that is accessible to all……….But in the effort to gain the Grace of God, they do not evince even half the interest,” deplores Swamy in his discourse. SSS: (Vol X). Namasmarana is the right royal road for attaining God's Grace. Short cuts like Pranayma and Hatha Yoga are difficult and dangerous. People are enamored of costly and widely advertised drugs and remedies. They are not for simple and easily available medications! Developing faith in the Name shall fulfill all wants and desires of man. Faith in God cannot come suddenly especially in this modern age. It has to be cultivated and nurtured very carefully from the early years of the individual. Parents themselves are a hindrance sometimes since they dissuade their children from joining Bhajan and namasankirtans. This is a Sadhana that has to be performed continuously throughout one's life.
Mechanical recitation of the name of Rama and systematically reading the Ramayana as per a fixed time table or worship the images of the Lord with pomp and paraphernalia shall not help the individual in his progress! There should be purity of thought and intention as well as an urge to serve and compassion. Namasmarana and Bhajan helps in building up these qualities. God's name should be recited with ' awe and wonder'. “ The bow has to be drawn full before the arrow is released, then it will Pierce the target. Feeling is the force that draws the string taut and makes the name reach the ' nami', the bearer of the name”. ( SSS: Vol 4) Man has time to do everything but not Bhajan or namasmarana! It is a false excuse and cannot be entertained. “ The Grace of the Lord is always flowing like an electric current. Attach a bulb and the current will illumine your home to the extent of the voltage of the bulb. The bulb is the spiritual practice in which you engage; the home is your heart.” Let this Spiritual practice of Bhajan or Namasmarana bring in an evolution and elevation in man!
I
Bhajans are sung with a lot of musical instruments like drums, cymbals, violins and others. More than the actual Bhajan, too much of instrumental noise is produced during the bhajans. The most essential things for an ideal Bhajan like feeling, emotion, yearning, sincerity and faith are lost and covered up by sounds produced by the accompanying instruments! In group singing the evil qualities of envy, competition, pride, and factionalism raise their heads! It is, therefore best to do bhajans to the Lord in our homes. Bhajans can be sung on as many days as possible or at least once a week. It can be on any convenient day on Thursdays or Sundays. Is there any fixed time for the Bhajan? No. It can be done always, in the waking state or while bathing, walking or eating! How should you sing the Bhajan? It must be done as a felt experience. It is immaterial what effect it creates on the listeners. It should be sung in such a way that it has its effect on God. If there is a sincere yearning for God, the raga and tala shall surely be correct and pleasant. Bhajans should be sung by persons with good voice and musical talent. The Bhajan song itself must be pleasant and not jarring to the ear. Those who cannot follow should repeat the namavali in their mind but not disturb the melody.
Bhajan is the only and the easiest way to get to the Proximity of God in the present world. The Sastras too emphasize this point. “ Kalau kalmasha chittanam papa dravyopa jivinam vidhikriya vihinanam gatir Govinda keertanam.” For evil minded people in the Kali Yuga who live with Ill gotten money and who violate all mandates of the Sastras and the Vedas, Govinda kirtanam is the only recourse! God's Name acts as the effective tonic and a remedy for all illnesses. There are a few doubting Thomases who decry bhajans and laugh at them saying that it is all a mere show. On the other hand bhajans in a group diminishes the egoism of the individual. You are kept away from distracting thoughts. Singing in praise of God purifies the atmosphere. Unfortunately man is compelled to breathe the air polluted by the sounds of violence, hatred, cruelty and wickedness. The vibrations of namasankirtan or Bhajan purify and cleanse the ambience making it calm and ennobling. A clean environment free from evil vibrations tends to develop love and simplicity. Bhajan and sankirtan should be spontaneous and from the heart, not from the lips or tongue. Every organ of our body should be for the service of God says Sri Kulasehara Azwar. “ Jihve kirthaya Kesavam Mura ripum cheto bhaja Sridharam” O Tongue! Sing the glory of Kesava, O Mind! Worship Sridhara”
“ For the busy age of fear and anxiety, the remembrance of God and the repetition of His Name is the one means of liberation that is accessible to all……….But in the effort to gain the Grace of God, they do not evince even half the interest,” deplores Swamy in his discourse. SSS: (Vol X). Namasmarana is the right royal road for attaining God's Grace. Short cuts like Pranayma and Hatha Yoga are difficult and dangerous. People are enamored of costly and widely advertised drugs and remedies. They are not for simple and easily available medications! Developing faith in the Name shall fulfill all wants and desires of man. Faith in God cannot come suddenly especially in this modern age. It has to be cultivated and nurtured very carefully from the early years of the individual. Parents themselves are a hindrance sometimes since they dissuade their children from joining Bhajan and namasankirtans. This is a Sadhana that has to be performed continuously throughout one's life.
Mechanical recitation of the name of Rama and systematically reading the Ramayana as per a fixed time table or worship the images of the Lord with pomp and paraphernalia shall not help the individual in his progress! There should be purity of thought and intention as well as an urge to serve and compassion. Namasmarana and Bhajan helps in building up these qualities. God's name should be recited with ' awe and wonder'. “ The bow has to be drawn full before the arrow is released, then it will Pierce the target. Feeling is the force that draws the string taut and makes the name reach the ' nami', the bearer of the name”. ( SSS: Vol 4) Man has time to do everything but not Bhajan or namasmarana! It is a false excuse and cannot be entertained. “ The Grace of the Lord is always flowing like an electric current. Attach a bulb and the current will illumine your home to the extent of the voltage of the bulb. The bulb is the spiritual practice in which you engage; the home is your heart.” Let this Spiritual practice of Bhajan or Namasmarana bring in an evolution and elevation in man!
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