Kirtan and Bhajan

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Whats the difference between Kirtan and Bhajan?

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Śrīla Prabhupāda Bhakti Siddhānta Sarasvatī Thākura

 

Śrī Nāma-sańkīrtana

In the very beginning of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, in its middle and at its end, we have been repeatedly advised about the efficacy of śrī nāma-sańkīrtana. The principle of śrī nāma-bhajana (loving service to the holy name) is deeply set at the root of the limb of devotion called Mathurā-vāsa, or śrī dhāma-vāsa − residence in the places of Śrī Bhagavān’s pastimes − for these holy places are frequently visited by sādhus who are always engaged in śrī nāma-sankīrtana. Furthermore, the principle of chanting the holy name accompanies the service of śrī mūrti, the transcendental deity, for it is conducted with mantras (incantations) framed with Śrī Bhagavān’s names. Thus śrī nāma-kīrtana is glorified above all, and all success is available through it.

We also have the statement from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmrita (Antya-līlā 4.70):

bhajanera madhye śrestha nava-vidhā bhakti

‘krishna-prema’, ‘krishna’ dite dhare mahā-śakti

 

 

 

<table align="center" border="0" width="60%"><tbody><tr><td>

Among all forms of bhajana (loving service to Śrī Krishna) the nine limbs of bhakti are best, for they have the great power to bestow both Krishna-prema and Krishna.

 

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The foremost of these nine types of bhajana, again, is nāma-sańkīrtana. One who chants the holy names without making spiritual offences (aparādhas) is sure to gain the wealth of transcendent love.”

In the Bhakti-sandarbha (273) we find the following statement:

<table align="center" border="0" width="60%"><tbody><tr><td>Even if, in Kali-yuga, there is some other form of devotion ordained as duty, that duty should be performed along with the limb of bhakti known as kīrtana.

</td></tr></tbody></table>No kind of bhakti − such as residence in Mathurā, association with holy saints, service to śrī mūrti or hearing the message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam− is complete without śrī Krishna nāma-kīrtana. Only one who gives importance to śrī Krishna nāma-kīrtana above everything else has access to the fruit it bears.

 

In Śrī Hari Bhakti Vilāsa (11.137), a verse from an ancient scriptureis cited:

 

 

yena janma-śataih pūrvamׂ vāsudevah samarcitah

tan-mukhe hari-nāmāni sadā tisthanti bhārata

<table align="center" border="0" width="60%"><tbody><tr><td>The holy names of Śrī Hari are always present on the lips of a person who has been properly worshipping Him − Śrī Vāsudeva Krishna − for hundreds of lives.

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Indeed, among all spiritual practices, sańkīrtana is the best and foremost means of attaining the grace of the Supreme Lord Śrī Krishna. Other types of sādhana, or devotional practices, are only worthy of being called sādhana if they favourably assist the performance of sańkīrtana; otherwise they should be known as obstructions to actual sādhana. Whether one is a child or an old or young man, male or female, learned or illiterate, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, pious or sinful − regardless of the condition of life someone may be in − there is no spiritual practice for him other than śrī krishna nāma-sańkīrtana.

Kīrtana is called sańkīrtana when many people perform it together. But will it be worthy of the name sańkīrtana if some worthless people, without any ardour for Śrī Bhagavān’s service, come together to shout in unison? It will be true hari-sańkīrtana when we join the sańkīrtana of true devotees who are serving Śrī Bhagavān according to the principles established in the Vedas and allied śāstras. Contrastingly, it is not hari-sańkīrtana when it is conducted for the prevention of the epidemics of cholera or pox, for prosperity in trade, for gain or for respect and fame. This kīrtana is māyā-kīrtana − chanting within the jurisdiction of the illusory potency.

As long as we do not join the perfect Krishna-kīrtana conducted by genuine devotees, māyā will delude us in various ways. And if we join the kīrtana of the blinded self-deceivers who are not anxious for their true well-being then surely we will not attain our own true well-being. If we follow people who never receive instructions from the true Vaishnavas but just imitate them by decorating their bodies with tulasī beads and other marks, and who shout out what appears to be names of God in external sound alone, we will not find śrī hari-nāma-sańkīrtana.

 

 

 

 

 

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Kirtana- congregational chanting of Maha Mantra

Bhajana- soft sweet song in praise of Lord, often sung alone

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Kirtana- congregational chanting of Maha Mantra

Bhajana- soft sweet song in praise of Lord, often sung alone

 

 

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmrita (Antya-līlā 4.70):

bhajanera madhye śrestha nava-vidhā bhakti

‘krishna-prema’, ‘krishna’ dite dhare mahā-śakti

 

 

 

 

<table align="center" border="0" width="60%"><tbody><tr><td>

Among all forms of bhajana (loving service to Śrī Krishna) the nine limbs of bhakti are best, for they have the great power to bestow both Krishna-prema and Krishna.

 

 

</td></tr></tbody></table>

The foremost of these nine types of bhajana, again, is nāma-sańkīrtana. One who chants the holy names without making spiritual offences (aparādhas)

is sure to gain the wealth of transcendent love.”...

 

No kind of bhakti − such as residence in Mathurā, association with holy saints, service to śrī mūrti or hearing the message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam− is complete without śrī Krishna nāma-kīrtana. Only one who gives importance to śrī Krishna nāma-kīrtana above everything else has access to the fruit it bears.

 

In a lecture from February 21, 1969, Srila Prabhupada states:

 

• "This bhajate, this bhajate, this word, Sanskrit word, it comes from the root bhaj, bhaj-dhatu. It is a verb, bhaj-dhatu. Bhaj means to render service. Bhaja. So this very word is used in this verse, bhaj-dhatu. That means one who is devotee. Who renders service to Krsna unless he is devotee? Suppose you are rendering service here. Why? You can render service anywhere, you get thousand dollars or two thousand dollars every month. But here you come and give your service without any payment. Why? Because out of love of Krsna. Therefore this bhaj, this service, loving service, is based on love of Godhead. Otherwise why one should waste his time for nothing? Here these students, they are engaged in so many things. Somebody is gardening, somebody is typing, somebody is cooking, somebody is cooking, somebody is doing something else, everything. But it is in connection with Krsna. Therefore the Krsna consciousness is prevailing, always, twenty-four hours. That is the highest type of yoga"
  

 

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Kirtana- congregational chanting of Maha Mantra

Bhajana- soft sweet song in praise of Lord, often sung alone

 

I think that is apt.