Bhajan as Saadhana

Discourse of Sathya Sai Baba, 15 Jan 1972
Published by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust
Web posted at Feb 17, 2002

The scriptures lay down Bhajan (group devotional singing), Naamasmaran (remembering God's name) and Sankeerthan (devotional music) as the Saadhanas (spiritual practices) of this age. Bhajan is the process of singing your prayers to God, praising His glory and compassion, and pleading that He may fill you with His grace. Dr. Hislop has as a result of many years of research, declared that prayer has a highly curative effect on the body and mind of man. That is the result of constant Bhajan and recital of the name. Every unit of the organisation is enjoined to arrange for Nagarasankeerthan (moving choirs) to go around the streets, in the early hours of the day, Bhajan every evening and morning, for this very reason.

But, Bhajan should not be gone through, as a painful necessity; it has to be a thrilling experience, which must leave the participants full of pure energy and elevated enthusiasm. But, this does not happen now. Either it is too mechanical or it is a medium for some people to exhibit their talents. The Bhajans are sung to parade one's compositions and these are sung during the group sittings, as if they are rehearsed there. The others are not able to follow; so they allow their minds to wander. Sing familiar Bhajans, so that all can share in the Aanandha. Also, pay attention to the tune, the meaning, the variety, the voice, the Raaga, the Thaal (the tune and the beat) and other fine points of the Bhajans. If your voice is not pleasant or sweet, keep quiet; that is the best service you can do.

Do not cause discontent, discord and disharmony, insisting on singing, because you are an office-bearer, or something! The Bhajans must be sweet to the ear, arousing pictures of the glory and grandeur of Godhead, in the mind of the singers and listeners; they must refer to various names and forms of God, so that the Bhajan sessions might fill every one with ecstasy. Bhajan is a Saadhana for all who share in it; that is why it is prescribed, for every unit.

Advice should come out of personal Experience

Youth is often found fault with by elders today, that they have lost reverence, humility, and piety that they ridicule temples, religious services and all signs of adoration or devotion directed towards God. They do not learn the art of meditation or sense-control, but, cater to the most trivial whims, without regard to their harmful effects. All this is due to the hypocrisy of the elders. Those who teach them or preach to them about the rules of morality and religion, are patently breaking those very rules. They lead such atrociously wrong lives; but, they admonish, advise, and harangue, without the slightest twinge of conscience. This is easily discovered by the sharp-eyed young men and women. How then can they revere the parent or teacher, the elder or leader, the writer or the speaker, who sets about the task of 'educating' the rising generation? Let advice come out of personal experience; otherwise, keep mum! The very fact that you are happy and contented, while having faith in God, will induce others to develop faith; that is the best method of preaching.