Bhajans have a therapeutic quality to them. When sung and listened to with devotion they lift up the conscience from the physical plane to one that somehow feels closer to the Lord. Even more uplifting, are the participatory Kirtans, where the whole assembly sings along with the lead singers and as the combined love of all the bhaktas finds expression in heartfelt and unbridled utterance of His name, even Bhagavan joins in into the festivities and one can feel his distinct presence.
Honestly this is no exaggeration. I have felt this connection many times in my childhood during our father's Kirtan sessions. The prayer hall would resound with the words "Hari bol, Hari bol, Hari bol mon aamar", tears of ecstasy would roll down the cheeks of all the grown ups around me as the joyously sang his glory. Father would have this serene smile in his lips as he led on the proceeding feeling the Lords love in every word and every note. Unobstruously a feeling of boundless joy would lay claim to the heart and I would always cry. Connection to the divine or collective histeria, I don't know, but it surely felt good and blissful.
The ironical truth however is that for most of us the effects of the uplifting love is not long lasting. During the time we zone in into a Kritan, sermon or whatever form of rememberence that suits us, His love envelops us and seems all encompassing. And as soon as these are over we descend back into our lives of crib-fests and into our rat races seeking ephemeral sense satisfaction. How easy is it to talk of Bhakti and how hard is it to lead a life of a bhakta.
I heard something in Astha channel the other day that's so moving. The sant was talking of Krishna's flute being the ideal bhakta. The flute cares not whether the tune Krishna is playing on it is a happy tone or a sad one, it produces the Lord's divine music unquestioningly. The whole purpose of the flute's being is to do the Lord's bidding. Ever immersed in the service of Lord, perhaps the bliss it experiences in love of God, the Ananda, transends the egoistic emotions of personal happiness and sadness that assils us the ignorants.
Perhaps that's why Krishna loves this para-bhakta so much and is never visualized without his trusty flute.
Dahe Chetan Thakita Ek bar Gaur-Hari Bol
Gaur-Hari bol re Madhai, Gaur-Nitai Bol
1 comment:
Speaking of Sri Krishna's flute, Srimad Bhaagavatam goes a step beyond to say that even the Gopis (considered to be exemplars of divine Love) are jealous of the flute because, it has the unkempt pleasure of kissing the Lord's lips.
surata vardhanam soka naasanam
svarita venunaa sushtu chumbitam
...
(SB 10:31:14)
An epitome of Prema Bhaava indeed!
From an Aadhyaatma angle, one saint explains thus:
Sri Krishna's Venu Gita entrances one and all (SB: 10:21:7 - 10:21:20). Hearing the melody of the flute, everything springs to life. The udders of the cows overflow with milk, all the plants begin to shoot, flowers bloom and its happiness all round. But then, some skeptical soul has a doubt: if that is true, then the flute which is mere dry bamboo, should burgeon too. The answer comes: This piece of bamboo has been the cause of all happiness in unison with the Lord. Rendering the selfless help and serving the Lord and being in constant touch with Him, it has attained Jivan Mukti -- the ultimate deliverance! So no more janmas, no more shoots!
thought of mentioning this, as it was an interesting piece of read.
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