Following guidelines are expected to be followed during bhajans:
- Everybody should be seated a few minutes prior to start of the bhajan.
- Men should sit on one side of the prayer hall and women on the other.
- Maintain silence and restrict your movements to a minimum while sitting in the prayer hall.
Leading Devotional Singing:
The bhajan sessions are led by pre-assigned lead singers. The key ingredients for a member wishing to lead Bhajans are – a reasonably good voice, ability to sing in rhythm, ability to maintain the melody and sing with devotion. Practice sessions are held on the first and third Sunday of every month to promote the maturity of lead singers. All who have the motivation to become a lead singer are invited to attend these practice sessions. Special practice sessions may be conducted before special events or celebrations. Members are requested to participate in practice sessions. Bhajan Practice is essential for members who would like to lead bhajans during our programs. Bhajans and lead singers are selected each week from the repository of the practiced bhajans.
Devotional Singing
Devotional Singing (Bhajans) are held every Sunday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Hindu Center. This hall is located, at 45-52 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11355. On certain occasions, depending on need and availability, the Devotional Singing (Bhajans) sessions are conducted at alternate locations in Queens. Please listen to announcements at the center and look out for updates on the website for any changes.
Everyone is welcome to attend these devotional singing sessions.
The following format is followed for the Devotional Singing Program
- Om – 3 times
- Devotional Songs / Bhajans
- Sarva Dharma Prayer (Om Tat Sat Sri)
- Samasta Loka Sukhinobavantu (May all the beings in all the worlds be happy) – 3 times
- Gayathri mantra – 3 times
- Sai Gayathri mantra – 3 times
- One minute silent meditation
- Asatoma Sadgamaya prayer
- Thought for the day
- Announcements
- Vibhuthi prayer
What benefits can be derived from devotional singing?
Devotional singing allows us to all join in unison, reciting the many names of God, thus invoking divine vibrations and sanctifying the whole atmosphere. Devotional singing is a process by which you can train the mind to expand into eternal values. Teach the mind to revel in the glory and majesty of God. Wean it away from petty horizons of pleasure. It induces in you the desire for experiencing the truth, to glimpse the beauty that is God and to taste the bliss that is the self.
Why is it important to participate in devotional Singing?
The sole objective of devotional singing is to make us conscious and aware of the omnipresence of God. It is essential to earn the love of God. Combining one’s voice, tune, feeling, and rhythm to the appropriate beat of the song, the devotee should be fully immersed in singing by harmonizing this feeling with devotion and love. The intensity and devotion with which you sing will surely confer joy and bliss.
FAQ
Tutoring offered by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust website
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Specially/BhajanTutor.htm
Audio Archives of Center Bhajans – Please click here
Can anyone participate in devotional singing?
Yes, everyone is encouraged to participate in devotional singing. Devotional singing is viewed as food for the mind. Thus, chanting the name of God through devotional singing is seen to be an invaluable spiritual practice in this time and age. Devotional singing removes negative thoughts, soothes the nerves, purify the mind and fill the body and heart with a sweet love. As one sings devotional songs, the mind gets saturated with God-consciousness and a great ecstasy wells up from within.
Devotional Singing Resources
Resources from International Sai Organization Website
http://www.sathyasai.org/songs/content.html
Radio Sai Bhajan Tutor:
http://media.radiosai.org/journals/archives/Bhajan_tutor_archives.htm
QUOTES
Faith is like our life breath. It is impossible to live even for a minute in this world without faith.
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