Guest guest Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Sai Ram brothers & sisters During the Akhanda Bhajan, can an invited Sai group start their bhajan/kirtan session with kirtan of Ganesha and finish with Sarva Dharma or kirtans of Ganesh is done only at the start of the Akhanda Bhajan and end up with Sarva Dharma? aum369 <aum369 wrote: AUM SAI RAM,I thought this might be useful information to share with my Sai Brothers and Sisters.Jai Sai RamSuniel,JHB,South AfricaAKHANDA BHAJANS1. Background to Festival (Why is it celebrated)This is a continous 24 hour devotional singing session. This event is held all over the world in all countries." Nine families started an Akhanda Bhajan Mandali in 1944, consisting mostly of relatives. We had bhajans every thursday evening regularly. In 1946 , we requested swami to attend our first annual Akhanda bhajan, which He did. Swami stayed with us for full 24 hours of the bhajans. We had originally planned the Bhajans for about 150 people with our limited means. As Bhagavan attended the function, over 500 people attended, including several distinguished devotees who came with swami. We had problems how to give prasadam to all of them, as we had not anticipated such a situation. We represented our problem to Swami. Baba with his merciful love, came to the kitchen and blessed the food. after the function was over we served Pongal to over 1000 people till the evening. it never got finished. This miracle is one of the earliest experiences in our lives, which is still green in our memory. We did this annual Akhanda Bhajan for twenty five years continuously. In the year 1974, we celebrated the 25th year of our Akhanda Bhajan in the golden Jubilee Hall, Lalbagh. By then our Akhanda bhajan had become very popular and ever increasing numbers of people attended the function. Nearly 10.000 people attended the 1974 celebrations. Swami, in his concluding speech, declared that in future instead of our family conducting this akhanda bhajan, the entire world should conduct the bhajan on the same day . He materialised a Navarathamala and gave it to me as a benedictory blessing to our family. "From the book Sanathana Sarathi, page 128from the chapter " five decades at the lotus Feet" from Dr.R.S.Padmanabhan.Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust2. How should it be celebrated?The Akhanda Bhajan that is observed by Sai devotees all over the world for full twenty-four hours in November is an annual event of global significance. Starting from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Akhanda Bhajan concludes at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Bhajans (spiritual songs) start with the lighting of the Akhanda Jyoti (the sacred lamp) that is kept continuously burning for 24 hours. "Let your whole life be a Bhajan. Believe that God is everywhere at all times, and derive strength, comfort and joy by singing His Glory in His presence." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 75 3. Inner significance & symbolism of festivalThis is being done not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. 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."Akhanda means uninterrupted, without any gap. "Akhanda-Bhajan" means that it should not be just a twenty-four hour, or even a seven-day affair. It must go on from birth to death. Bhajan (devotional song) has to start in childhood and continue onward. It must be constant companion of man, his solace and strength. Do not postpone it until old age, for it is the essential food for the mind." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, 125 4. How does it affect us in our spiritual transformation?"Bhajan is a good disciplinary process by which these two (Kama and Krodha) can be kept away. Kama is the lust for physical pleasure, power, fame, wealth and scholarship. Krodha is anger, which is the result of foiled lust." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 79 "Measures for the elimination of egoism: the chief among these is the Bhajan." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 2375. What does Swami say about the festival?"Wherever my devotees sing, there I install myself. So sing from the heart, conscious of the layers of meaning each word has. You can have God installed in your heart." Sai Baba "As a matter of fact, Bhajan is a constant exercise. It has to be as essential as breathing." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238 "Bhajans always give joy and peace." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, p. 190 "Those who sing Bhajans get what can be called 'double promotion', for they derive joy and distribute joy. Life today is filled with sorrow. It is beset with fear and despair. The only time you can forget these thoughts and strengthen yourself to meet the hard times is when you contact the source of all strength. God. You cannot get that peace while you bend under the burden of daily life." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 81 5.References & prescribed readings on the festivals1. Sathya Sai Speaks – various volumes. 2. Summer Showers3 Swami's Discourses 6. Integrated Nature of festival (how does festival apply to seva, youth, ladies, ehv wing etc)Continue this attitude of devotion and humility, of service and tolerance, and the atmosphere will not be polluted by hatred. Do not contaminate the air by voices of acrimony, scandal, insult, or slander. Keep silent when you feel like expressing such ideas; that itself is a service to you and to others.Life is a song, sing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 DEAR SAIRAM KEERTANS OF GANESH ARE ONLY START OF THE AKANDA BHAJAN AS PER SUNDARAM CHENNAI CULTURE YOURS AFFECTLY SHANKAR SAIRAM.P.N.Aukul Pravish <prav276 wrote: Sai Ram brothers & sisters During the Akhanda Bhajan, can an invited Sai group start their bhajan/kirtan session with kirtan of Ganesha and finish with Sarva Dharma or kirtans of Ganesh is done only at the start of the Akhanda Bhajan and end up with Sarva Dharma? aum369 <aum369 > wrote: AUM SAI RAM,I thought this might be useful information to share with my Sai Brothers and Sisters.Jai Sai RamSuniel,JHB,South AfricaAKHANDA BHAJANS1. Background to Festival (Why is it celebrated)This is a continous 24 hour devotional singing session. This event is held all over the world in all countries." Nine families started an Akhanda Bhajan Mandali in 1944, consisting mostly of relatives. We had bhajans every thursday evening regularly. In 1946 , we requested swami to attend our first annual Akhanda bhajan, which He did. Swami stayed with us for full 24 hours of the bhajans. We had originally planned the Bhajans for about 150 people with our limited means. As Bhagavan attended the function, over 500 people attended, including several distinguished devotees who came with swami. We had problems how to give prasadam to all of them, as we had not anticipated such a situation. We represented our problem to Swami. Baba with his merciful love, came to the kitchen and blessed the food. after the function was over we served Pongal to over 1000 people till the evening. it never got finished. This miracle is one of the earliest experiences in our lives, which is still green in our memory. We did this annual Akhanda Bhajan for twenty five years continuously. In the year 1974, we celebrated the 25th year of our Akhanda Bhajan in the golden Jubilee Hall, Lalbagh. By then our Akhanda bhajan had become very popular and ever increasing numbers of people attended the function. Nearly 10.000 people attended the 1974 celebrations. Swami, in his concluding speech, declared that in future instead of our family conducting this akhanda bhajan, the entire world should conduct the bhajan on the same day . He materialised a Navarathamala and gave it to me as a benedictory blessing to our family. "From the book Sanathana Sarathi, page 128from the chapter " five decades at the lotus Feet" from Dr.R.S.Padmanabhan.Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust2. How should it be celebrated?The Akhanda Bhajan that is observed by Sai devotees all over the world for full twenty-four hours in November is an annual event of global significance. Starting from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Akhanda Bhajan concludes at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Bhajans (spiritual songs) start with the lighting of the Akhanda Jyoti (the sacred lamp) that is kept continuously burning for 24 hours. "Let your whole life be a Bhajan. Believe that God is everywhere at all times, and derive strength, comfort and joy by singing His Glory in His presence." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 75 3. Inner significance & symbolism of festivalThis is being done not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. 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."Akhanda means uninterrupted, without any gap. "Akhanda-Bhajan" means that it should not be just a twenty-four hour, or even a seven-day affair. It must go on from birth to death. Bhajan (devotional song) has to start in childhood and continue onward. It must be constant companion of man, his solace and strength. Do not postpone it until old age, for it is the essential food for the mind." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, 125 4. How does it affect us in our spiritual transformation?"Bhajan is a good disciplinary process by which these two (Kama and Krodha) can be kept away. Kama is the lust for physical pleasure, power, fame, wealth and scholarship. Krodha is anger, which is the result of foiled lust." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 79 "Measures for the elimination of egoism: the chief among these is the Bhajan." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 2375. What does Swami say about the festival?"Wherever my devotees sing, there I install myself. So sing from the heart, conscious of the layers of meaning each word has. You can have God installed in your heart." Sai Baba "As a matter of fact, Bhajan is a constant exercise. It has to be as essential as breathing." Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238 "Bhajans always give joy and peace." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, p. 190 "Those who sing Bhajans get what can be called 'double promotion', for they derive joy and distribute joy. Life today is filled with sorrow. It is beset with fear and despair. The only time you can forget these thoughts and strengthen yourself to meet the hard times is when you contact the source of all strength. God. You cannot get that peace while you bend under the burden of daily life." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 81 5.References & prescribed readings on the festivals1. Sathya Sai Speaks – various volumes. 2. Summer Showers3 Swami's Discourses 6. Integrated Nature of festival (how does festival apply to seva, youth, ladies, ehv wing etc)Continue this attitude of devotion and humility, of service and tolerance, and the atmosphere will not be polluted by hatred. Do not contaminate the air by voices of acrimony, scandal, insult, or slander. Keep silent when you feel like expressing such ideas; that itself is a service to you and to others.Life is a song, sing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 Sairam Brother, Ganesh Bhajan is usually sung at the beginning of the Akanda Bhajan i.e., 6.00pm and one more ganesh bhajan (which is optional not mandatory) soon after Suprabhatam next morning (around 5.30am). As far as Sarva Dharma bhajans, Swami's guideline is to sing as many sarva dharma bhajans as possible in every bhajan session. Hope this helps. Sairam Always in Sai Sankeetran On Nov 8, 2007 12:25 AM, Aukul Pravish <prav276 wrote: > > > > > Sai Ram brothers & sisters > > During the Akhanda Bhajan, can an invited Sai group start their > bhajan/kirtan session with kirtan of Ganesha and finish with Sarva Dharma or > kirtans of Ganesh is done only at the start of the Akhanda Bhajan and end up > with Sarva Dharma? > > aum369 <aum369 wrote: > > > > AUM SAI RAM,I thought this might be useful information to share with > my Sai Brothers and Sisters. > > Jai Sai Ram > Suniel,JHB,South Africa > > > AKHANDA BHAJANS > > > 1. Background to Festival (Why is it celebrated) > > This is a continous 24 hour devotional singing session. This event is > held all over the world in all countries. > > " Nine families started an Akhanda Bhajan Mandali in 1944, consisting > mostly of relatives. We had bhajans every thursday evening regularly. > In 1946 , we requested swami to attend our first annual Akhanda > bhajan, which He did. Swami stayed with us for full 24 hours of the > bhajans. We had originally planned the Bhajans for about 150 people > with our limited means. As Bhagavan attended the function, over 500 > people attended, including several distinguished devotees who came > with swami. We had problems how to give prasadam to all of them, as > we had not anticipated such a situation. We represented our problem > to Swami. Baba with his merciful love, came to the kitchen and > blessed the food. after the function was over we served Pongal to > over 1000 people till the evening. it never got finished. This > miracle is one of the earliest experiences in our lives, which is > still green in our memory. We did this annual Akhanda Bhajan for > twenty five years continuously. > > In the year 1974, we celebrated the 25th year of our Akhanda Bhajan > in the golden Jubilee Hall, Lalbagh. By then our Akhanda bhajan had > become very popular and ever increasing numbers of people attended > the function. Nearly 10.000 people attended the 1974 celebrations. > Swami, in his concluding speech, declared that in future instead of > our family conducting this akhanda bhajan, the entire world should > conduct the bhajan on the same day . He materialised a Navarathamala > and gave it to me as a benedictory blessing to our family. " > > From the book Sanathana Sarathi, page 128 > > from the chapter " five decades at the lotus Feet " from > Dr.R.S.Padmanabhan. > > Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust > > 2. How should it be celebrated? > > The Akhanda Bhajan that is observed by Sai devotees all over the > world for full twenty-four hours in November is an annual event of > global significance. > > Starting from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Akhanda Bhajan concludes at > 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. > > The Bhajans (spiritual songs) start with the lighting of the Akhanda > Jyoti (the sacred lamp) that is kept continuously burning for 24 > hours. > > " Let your whole life be a Bhajan. Believe that God is everywhere at > all times, and derive strength, comfort and joy by singing His Glory > in His presence. " Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. X. p. 75 > > 3. Inner significance & symbolism of festival > > This is being done not for the sake of one individual, one nation, or > one community. It is for the welfare of humanity as a whole. 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. > > " Akhanda means uninterrupted, without any gap. " Akhanda-Bhajan " > means that it should not be just a twenty-four hour, or even a seven- > day affair. It must go on from birth to death. Bhajan (devotional > song) has to start in childhood and continue onward. It must be > constant companion of man, his solace and strength. Do not postpone > it until old age, for it is the essential food for the mind. " Sai > Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, 125 > > 4. How does it affect us in our spiritual transformation? > > " Bhajan is a good disciplinary process by which these two (Kama and > Krodha) can be kept away. Kama is the lust for physical pleasure, > power, fame, wealth and scholarship. Krodha is anger, which is the > result of foiled lust. " Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. X. p. 79 > > " Measures for the elimination of egoism: the chief among these is the > Bhajan. " Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VI. p. 237 > > 5. What does Swami say about the festival? > > " Wherever my devotees sing, there I install myself. So sing from the > heart, conscious of the layers of meaning each word has. You can have > God installed in your heart. " Sai Baba > > " As a matter of fact, Bhajan is a constant exercise. It has to be as > essential as breathing. " Sai Baba. SSS. Vol. VI. p. 238 > > " Bhajans always give joy and peace. " Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. 1, p. > 190 > > " Those who sing Bhajans get what can be called 'double promotion', > for they derive joy and distribute joy. Life today is filled with > sorrow. It is beset with fear and despair. The only time you can > forget these thoughts and strengthen yourself to meet the hard times > is when you contact the source of all strength. God. You cannot get > that peace while you bend under the burden of daily life. " Sai Baba, > SSS. Vol. X. p. 81 > > 5.References & prescribed readings on the festivals > > 1. Sathya Sai Speaks – various volumes. > > 2. Summer Showers > > 3 Swami's Discourses > > 6. Integrated Nature of festival (how does festival apply to seva, > youth, ladies, ehv wing etc) > > Continue this attitude of devotion and humility, of service and > tolerance, and the atmosphere will not be polluted by hatred. Do not > contaminate the air by voices of acrimony, scandal, insult, or > slander. Keep silent when you feel like expressing such ideas; that > itself is a service to you and to others. > > Life is a song, sing it. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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