Sri Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati [Maha Periyava] of Kaanchi Kaamakotipeettam on the glory of Namasankirtan in Deivathin kural [Part – I] – Bhakti – Naama mahima

Like Dhyana, japa, puja, yajna and pilgrimage, the practice of getting together to sing the Divine Name of the Lord is a long standing practice in our country. Singing the Divine Name of the Lord is being practiced in our country since ancient times, as a great means for the ‘jivaatma’ [the ordinary soul] to commune with the ‘Paramaatma’ [the Lord]. The existence of rich tradition of Bhajan [Naamasankirtan] in our country can be deduced from the fact that almost in every Village and Town a Bhajan mutt/hall has been established. Every Saturday and on every Ekadasi people would get together in this Bhajan mutt/hall and do Bhajan [Naamasankirtan], i.e. sing the Divine Names of the Lord.

In Temples we watch the performance of puja; we meditate on the Deity; whereas, in Bhajan we fix our mind on the Lord by singing His Divine Names, His ‘gunaas’ [dispositions] and His Lila [Divine Play]. Bhajan has the unique feature of doing Bhakti involving the whole community. Even though the Hindu Religion is predominantly structured on individual basis [i.e. every individual should attain the Self and thus bring about the welfare of humanity] there is also congregational worship in Temples, Utsavs and Bhajans.

Melodious Bhajan with musical accompaniments easily draws all minds and hearts to the Lord. The thought of the Lord is easily brought up by melodiously singing simple words like ‘Raghupati Raaghava raja raam!’, ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!’

Apart from performing Bhajan in a Bhajan hall there has also been the practice of ‘nagara sankirtan’. On auspicious days like Ekaadasi people move on the streets singing the Divine Name of the Lord. This is called ‘nagara sankirtan’. The Divine Name is spread in this manner especially in the Tamizh month of ‘Maargazhi’ [mid-December to mid-January]. During this month, every day, people wake up very early and go on the streets singing the Divine Names.

This good habit [of singing the Divine Names of the Lord] should revive and spread. The Bhajan mutts in Villages should not be allowed to go empty of the Divine Names of the Lord. It makes me happy to find rejuvenation of Bhajan tradition in recent times. Even in this day whence our Vedas, Aagamaas, Scriptrual injunctions [‘aachaara’], etc. have almost disappeared, the only phase of our Religion that has not died out but is growing day by day is ‘Rama Bhajan’. Today, the only Satsang for our Religion in every Village or Town is the Namasankirtan groups. One feels happy about this.

As Bhakti for the Lord spreads, performance of Bhagavan Naamakirtan and singing the Lord’s ‘gunaas’ [qualities] have bagged the main seat. Sri Bhagavannaama Bodendra swami says, “The ever-blissful Supreme Lord, out of compassion for the welfare of the world, took up forms such as Sri Vishnu, Sri Siva, etc. Feeling that these Forms alone will not suffice for redemption of the world He also became the Divine Names such as ‘Hari!’ ‘Siva!’ and is ever alive in these Names.” That is, the Divine Names’ [‘Naamaas’] are not mere names. Like the Deities they are also verily the Lord. ‘Naama’ possesses all the powers of the Lord.

By the performance of Naamasankirtan of holy kirtans born out of great souls who have ‘Realised’ the Lord, sins [‘paapa’] are eradicated and merits [‘punya’] earned. The kirtans of Jayadev, ‘teertha’ Narayana, Ramadasa, Purandara dasa, Sri Thiagaraja, Sadasiva Brahmendra, Tamizh kirtans, Hindi and Maratti Bhakti kirtans are sung in the Sampradaya Bhajan [traditional way of performing Bhajan] set by Sri Marudaanallur Sadguru Swami. Bhajans are conducted as a big festival with Dolotsav, Kottanotsav, Vasanta kelli, etc. These are not difficult but easy sadhanas to fix the thoughts of the Lord in the mind, in a joyful manner of dancing and singing.

Shastraas like Srimad Bhaagavatam themselves say that Naamasankirtan is the only way to Liberation [‘Moksha upaaya’] in this Age of Kali whence there is not the requisite strength and favourable circumstances for practising difficult Sadhanas – ‘kalau sankeertya Kesavam’.

Apart from people coming together to do Bhajan, every family should get together at home, every evening, and do Naamasankirtan for at least ten minutes. This entails no obstacle of any kind. All the members of the family should gather in the puja room and, in a home which has no separate puja room light a lamp [‘kuthu villakku’] and sitting in front of the lamp, sing kirtans. They must sing the Divine Names [‘Naamaavallis’]. Performing the prescribed daily rituals without fail one should also perform Bhajan. One need not feel self-conscious for singing the Divine Names of the Lord. Does embarrassment have any place in uttering the Name of the Lord who is the very form of compassion? The only criterion for the performance of Naamasankirtan is the feeling of devotion [‘Bhakti bhaavana’] and not deep knowledge of music, raga bhaava and melodious voice. Does not a child who is involved in playing some games, on suddenly remembering the mother, rush to her crying out, ‘oh, Amma, amma’? There is neither embarrassment nor musical splendor in it. Likewise, even amidst our worldly business we should think of the Universal Mother, God, for at least a few minutes and cry out ‘Rama! Krishna! Siva! Amba!’ This is a very healthy habit. It is a treasure that is capable of swelling our day-to-day life’s comforts and joy.

Home • e-MM • Contact

Radhe Krishna