"Hari Bhajan bina Sukh Shanthi Nahi"

Swami ends many of his discourses with this Bhajan (devotional song) roughly translating to "without singing to the Lord, there is no peace or happiness". Singing devotional songs to praise the glories of the Lord is a common spiritual practice in the path of Bhakti (devotion). Sathya Sai Centre or group members meet regularly at a fixed time and venue to participate in communal devotional singing called as Bhajans. Once a year, Global Akhanda (without break) Bhajan is held (usually in the second weekend of Novermber) by the members of Sathya Sai Organisation from all across the world starting from 6 pm on Saturday to 6 pm on Sunday thus constituting 24 hours of non-stop devotional singing for Global Welfare and World Peace.      

"Fire emerges from the rubbing of two sticks. Butter emerges from the churning of milk. By constant meditation on name and form Divinity is experienced. Listen, oh valiant son of Bharat". [Telugu poem]

Not all realize the potency and efficacy of reciting the Lord's name. The first requisite is purity of thought, word and deed. The name that is uttered by the tongue should be meditated upon by the mind. What is uttered and dwelt upon should be hailed by clapping the hands. This threefold concentration on the Divine name--unity of mind, speech and action--purifies the heart and nourishes the feeling of devotion.  

Sravanam (hearing the Glory of the Lord), Kirtanam (singing the Glory oneself), Vishnosmaranam (allowing the mind to dwell on that Glory), Padasevanam (adoring he feet of the Lord),  Archanam (ritualistic worship), Vandanam (experiencing gratitude and joy at His Grace), Dasyam (feeling oneself as His instrunent), Sakhyam (awareness of His being one's constant and closest companion), and Atmanivedanam (dedicating one's full being to him) -- these are the nine steps in the path of devotion. 

There is a big difference between Keerthanam and Sankeerthanam. Keerthanam is an individual affair. It is singing by an individual for the fulfillment of his prayers. Sankeerthanam 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 of Sikhism. 

Samkirtan or devotional singing is of four types: guna-samkirtan, leela-samkirtan, bhava-samkirtan, and nama-samkirtan. Guna means 'attributes' (of God). So guna-samkirtan is the adoration in song of the manifold attributes of God - omnipresence, omniscience, compassion, majesty, etc. Leela means 'sport', therefore leela-samkirtan is the adoration in song of the various expressions of these attributes as evidenced by the accounts of sages and seers of all faiths. Bhava means 'attitude' (of the mind). So bhava-samkirtan means the adoration in song of God pictured and contacted under various relationships. Some may prefer to adore Him as the giver of equanimity, others as a friend, guide, and guardian, still others as the child one loves and tends, and yet others as the lover whom one loves with sovereign love. Nama means the name of God, and so nama-samkirtan means the adoration of God, calling upon Him by various names, each describing His glory, His achievements, His relationship with the individual. 

What then is the essence of Sankeerthana? Its essential purpose is to earn the love of God. Combining one's voice, tune, feeling and rhythm to the appropriate beat of the song, the devotee should immerse himself in the 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.

When the song is rendered without understanding the meaning of the words and without any inner feeling or genuine love for God, it is a mechanical performance. Bhaava (feeling), Raaga (melody) and Thaala (rhythm) are the essentials for proper singing. 

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. Breathing in this purified atmosphere, our hearts get purified. 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. It should be remembered that the sounds we produce reverberate in the atmosphere. They remain permanently in the ether as waves and outlast the individual uttering the sounds. 

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Sathya Sai Baba gave the first glimpse of his divinity on 20th October 1940 when he left his family home saying "I am no longer Sathya, I am Sai, my bhaktas are calling me, I have my work". This day is commemorated as Avatharhood declaration day every year. He later wrote in a letter to his elder brother, explaining the divine purpose for which he has taken human form.  

Sai has come in order to achieve the Supreme task of uniting as one family all
mankind, through the bond of brotherhood; of affirming and illumining the Atmic
reality of each being in order to reveal the Divine, which is the basis on which
the entire Cosmos rests; and of instructing all to recognize the common Divine
heritage that binds man to man, so that man can rid himself of the animal in
him and rise to the Divinity which is his goal. I am the embodiment of Love;
Love is My instrument. Those who have recognized My Love and experienced that
Love can assert that they have glimpsed My reality, for the path of Love is the
royal road that leads mankind to Me.

A special 30 part video serial is being telecasted by Radio Sai to commemorate this special day which includes interviews with past devotees and various events that took place since then including the construction of schools, hospitals and water projects. You can watch the videos as they are released daily and added to the archive by clicking on the link below.

“Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish, let the glory of God be sung in all languages in a variety of tunes. That should be the ideal. Respect the differences between the faiths and recognize them as valid so far as they do not extinguish the flame of unity. “ - Saibaba

The Teachings of Sathya Sai Baba:

Sathya Sai Baba has inspired millions all around the world to lead a spiritual life based on five human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Love, Peace and Non-violence. He himself is a prime example of how one should lead a life of simplicity and use our resources for the benefit of others.

H2H Articles Feed Get the latest article feeds from Heart2Heart E-Journal and the Sai World. Sai Geeta AFTER THE STORM MUSINGS FROM PRASANTHI NILAYAM by Prof. G. Venkataraman Loving Sai Rams and greeting from Prasanthi Nilayam. I am sorry I have been off the air for sometime. Many have written to me and some have even phoned to me about this ‘silence’ of mine. While some have been gently critical, others have expressed annoyance; for a change, one listener or reader – I do not know which – admonished me in what I would say unusual language (that’s putting it politely!), telling me that I would be doing a service if I were to j ust shut up! Such diversity of opinions is common in the broadcasting world and does not bother me. As for my prolonged silence there are several reasons, but I shall not go into that now. Instead, let me now turn to what I wish to say now. < br / > < br / > SAI SHINES IN US AND THROUGH US Speech by Mr. Narendranath Reddy on May 4, 2011 (Aradhana Mahotsavam Day) in Sai Kulwant Hall On the morning of May 4, 2011, a special Aradhana Mahatsovam – a ceremony of Prayer beseeching Lord Sai to incarnate again was conducted in the Sai Kulwant Hall; it was the 11th day since Bhagawan Baba had shed His mortal coil. In the evening of the same day there was a special congregation of devotees again in the Sai Kulwant Hall and four distinguished el ders of the Sai family addressed the gathering. < br / > < br / > The third speaker that evening was Mr. Narendranath Reddy who was introduced to the audience by Mr. G. S. Srirangarajan. Presented below is the transcript of this talk along with the introduction. RI SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST PRESS MEET ,June 28, 2011, Prasanthi Nilayam On the morning of June 28, 2011 the members of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) interacted with the Media in the Indoor Stadium in Prasanthi Nilayam. This was the second such Press Meet after Bhagawan Baba's Maha Samadhi on April 24, 2010. < br / > < br / > Their first press meet was held on April 28, 2011 as the members of the SSSCT had felt the need to organise such a Media Interaction session because sadly at the time there were plenty of stories floated by the Media which were imaginative untruths garnished with unsubstantiated and malicious allegations. Unfortunately the scenario remains the same even today. < br / > < br / > In the past few weeks the Media has again circulated many a fabricated and totally baseless news items about the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, its members and its activities. To clear all this confusion the Trust addressed the Press for the second time. < br / > THE GIFT OF DARSHAN - I - A video presentation from Radio Sai " After My darshan, always find a quiet corner, where you may enter into the stillness and receive the completion of My blessings. As I pass you, My energy goes from Me into you. If, immediately after darshan, you start talking, the precious energy gifted to you gets dissipated and returns to Me unused. Be assured that whatever My eyes see, becomes vitalised and transmuted. You are being changed day by day - never underestimate what is being accomplished by the act of My Darshan. < br / > < br / > " My walking amongst you is a gift yearned for by the gods of the highest heavens; but here you are receiving this Grace without much effort. Be grateful for what you are getting. The blessings you receive would express themselves in due course, when the time comes. But also remember: To whom much is given, from him much also would be demanded! � BHAGAWAN BABA – THE SOLE ETERNAL INDWELLER OF OUR HEARTS Speech by Mr. V. Srinivasan < br / > on the occasion of Aradhana Mahotsavam Day (May 4, 2011) in Sai Kulwant Hall BHAGAWAN BABA – THE SOLE ETERNAL INDWELLER OF OUR HEARTS Speech by Mr. V. Srinivasan < br / > on the occasion of Aradhana Mahotsavam Day (May 4, 2011) in Sai Kulwant Hall AGONY OF THE FLESH AND ECSTASY OF THE SPIRIT Speech by Mr. B. N. Narasimha Murthy < br / > on May 6, 2011 (Easwaramma Day) in Sai Kulwant Hall TOWARDS AN ENLIGHTENED LIFE... SOAKING IN THE SPIRIT OF THE BUDDHA Two thousand and five hundred years ago a warrior prince turned into an ascetic and so tremendous was the power and spiritual intensity of his new personality that even now millions all over the globe find solace and peace by just remembering Him and ruminating on His teachings. < br / > < br / > The Buddha demonstrated to mankind how even an ordinary person can unlock the power of the spirit within and reach super human heights of Love, Peace and Sublimity. TIRED FALSEHOOD AND THE ACTUAL FACTS What follows relates to a recent article in the OPEN PAGE of THE HINDU, and Prof. Venkataraman's response, also published in the OPEN PAGE by THE HINDU on May 29, 2011 (Sunday). This exchange in the OPEN PAGE has also been covered by Radio Sai. 2009 Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation