Bhajans
“Bhajan is one of the processes 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. That is all that Bhajan or puja or Vratha can do. Bhajan induces in you a desire for experiencing the Truth, to glimpse the Beauty that is God, to taste the Bliss that is the Self. It encourages man to dive into himself and be genuinely his real Self.”
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba, February 24, 1971
Bhajans or devotional singing is considered one of the most important activities of a Sai Centre. Bhajans are sung to purify our hearts, minds, and surroundings. It aims to invoke the greatest power latent in all Names of God. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has told us that while singing bhajans, we should dwell on the names and their attributes being sung. While doing so, we initiate a process of automatically cleansing our minds.
Initially, our participation in bhajans begins at the body level, subsequently moving to the mind level, and finally to the soul level, at which time the entire assembly of devotees becomes an assembly of souls. This is the reason why after bhajans, we feel as if our “spiritual batteries” have been recharged. This is the process of real spiritual transformation.
We should immerse ourselves in bhajans by combining our voices, feelings, tunes, and rhythms to the appropriate beats of the songs. Feeling (Bhaava), melody (Raaga), and rhythm (Thaala) are the essentials for proper singing. Harmonizing our feelings with devotion and love, the sacred words of each song should be an outpouring of love towards God.
Bhajans are not just devotional singing, but group devotional singing, which Sri Sathya Sai Baba refers to as “Naam Sankirtan”. He has said that this process goes beyond cleansing individual minds, but also cleanses the societal mind. The effect of singing in a group helps us all to more effectively bring about our spiritual transformations.
Join us for Bhajans!
At the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough, we hold bhajans twice a week on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Please visit our Home page for the current bhajan schedule and timings.
For devotees who wish to sing at our bhajans, please visit our Contact page for details on how to contact our Bhajan Coordinator.
In addition to in-person bhajans, we also offer virtual bhajans. Please visit: listen.saicentre.net to listen to bhajans on either YouTube or Mixlr.
Vedic Chanting
Sri Sathya Sai Baba stated that the study of the Vedas is beneficial for everyone as they are rich in spiritual knowledge and contain fundamental principles for governing our lives. Vedas constitute the scriptural texts which are the source of Sanathana Dharma, the eternal spiritual tradition practised by Bharateeyas (residents of India). The Vedas are revelations made by God to Man. The Vedas teach us the goal and purpose of life.
It was Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s wish that all people, irrespective of religion, nationality, or caste, learn the Vedas and chant Vedic Mantras. At the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough, we hold weekly Rudram Chanting. Rudram is considered the most important section from the Krishna Yajur Veda. Rudram Chanting is held every Tuesday online from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and in-person from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m . For more information please contact rudram@saicentre.net