Bhajans (devotional singing)

Bhajan cleanses and purifies the atmosphere by its vital vibrations. It inspires, instructs, it calls and comforts.

Bhajans or devotional singing consists of singing the Lord's name. Every Sunday, a Bhajan practise session is held from 4.00 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. before the commencement of the main congregation at 5.30 p.m. During the prayer session, after chanting Sri Sathya Sai Naamavali (108 names of the Lord) there are 12 bhajans, starting with a Ganesha bhajan and ending with Aarti to Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Vibhuti Prasadam.

Our bhajan format is available for download

Devotees interested in leading bhajans on Sundays are encouraged to join the bhajan practise sessions. This will provide them with the skills and confidence to lead bhajans at larger events like Akhand Bhajans. Coming to the practise also helps ensure the instrumental accompaniment is tuned to the right key.

If you would like to lead bhajans, please contact one of the Spiritual coordinators.







Bhajan Sandhya 2004 - Special Devotional singing event.








The Bliss of Devotional Singing

Guidelines

Music is next to God. That is the reason singing devotional music is an important integral part of any religion, whether be at the Temples, Mosque, Church, Gurudwara etc. As Sai Baba says, Nama-smarana or singing the name and glory of God is the easiest and yet the most effective method of unfolding the Divinity in our heart. When the fire burns the wood, it covers itself by a layer of ashes. You blowout the ash and see the burning fire. So too, the water in a pool gets concealed under its own green scum or marshy foliage. Remove this scum and you see pure water again. Even so, the Atman or the Blissful Self gets concealed under the cover of attachment and hatred and allied dualities. Nama-smarana is the best means to remove this cover and experience Divinity in our hearts. This sadhana (spiritual practise) puts to rest the fickle mind in the sweet love and glory of the Lord while the clapping of hands drives away the birds of attachment and hatred from our heart. The divine names we sing are potent mantras which have the power sublimating our mind and developing faith and devotion. In fact, it becomes Nada-Brahma (Divine Sound) and puts us in touch with God and gives us the experience of His Ananda (Bliss)

Swami's Guidelines for Devotional singing:

  1. Bhajan is a Saddhana (spiritual discipline) for all who share in it. Sing familiar Bhajans, so that all can share the Ananda (bliss)
  2. Pay attention to the tune, the meaning, the variety, the voice, the raga (notes), the tala (rhythm) and other fine points of the Bhajan.
  3. The Bhajans must be sweet to the ear. If your voice is not pleasant or sweet, keep quiet; that is the best service you can do. Do not cause discontent, discord or disharmony, insisting on singing because you are an-office bearer.
  4. Do not monopolize the time in Bhajans in singing one song for six or ten minutes, repeating the same line often. Repeat each line only twice and no more. Have only two speeds - one slow and the other fast. In this way you can have in one hour of Bhajans more songs.
  5. When you sing Bhajans dwell also on the meaning of the song and the message of each name and form of God.
  6. Bhajans have to be sung and offered to God in an attitude of utter humility. They have to please the Lord, not your fans.
  7. Unless you sing Bhajans for your own joy, you cannot bring joy to others. It is only when the devotional feeling arises in the heart that the song will appeal to the hearts of others.
  8. Bhajan has to be a thrilling experience, which must leave the participants full of pure energy and elevated enthusiasm. With each Bhajan song the mind must be rendered purer, freer from passion and stronger in faith.
  9. People should return from Bhajan carrying the elevated, uplifted and sublime mood created by the atmosphere at the Bhajan. Therefore, after the Bhajan people should disperse quietly, Maintaining silence. Then the joy and peace derived at the Bhajan Will linger and abide in the heart.