8 April 2009


Kirtans-Devotional Songs

Jai Swaminarayan

We pray that you are in good health upon reading this e-letter.

‘Music is food for the soul’ said a very renowned poet, and rightly said too. Music is one of the few instruments human beings have to express emotions and sentiments. There are many kinds of music, and each one is able to invoke a different kind of emotion within you.

Today’s society produces countless numbers of smash-hits that sound great because of their thumping bass-line or their catchy beat however the lyrics usually require substance. The music is also repetitive and lacks a certain artistic flare; yet this being said, millions of people the world over spend countless hours attached to their iPods and MP3 players listening to the stuff!

From the time of Maharaj till today the music created in the form of bhajans and kirtans, by the Paramhansas, Sadhus, Devotees and well-wishers has been a soul-stirring and an ideal in explaining true love towards God and the Ekantik Satpurush.

During the time of Maharaj, a total of eight Paramhansas were known as Maharaj’s foremost poets – the ashtakavio; Brahmanand Swami, Premanand Swami, Muktanand Swami, Devanand Swami, Nishkulanand Swami, Bhoomanand Swami, Manjukeshanand Swami and Jagdishanand Swami.

Their devotional songs were expressions of love for Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Through their magical musical talent and lyrical finesse they made various kirtans that invokes the divine image of God and His divine incidents in ones mind as well as understand His divine philosophy.

Also there are various kirtans composed to teach us the principles of Satsang. These are known as the updesh na pado – these were mainly composed by the likes of Nishkulanand Swami, Muktanand Swami and Devanand Swami. They teach us the essential Satsang values of perseverance, loyalty, love, and recognising the true Ekantik Satpurush.

In short, the songs you hear in the outside world are songs that one cannot learn much from, and thus cannot find much inspiration. The Bhajans and Kirtans created by the devotees of Bhagwan Swaminarayan are songs that invoke heartfelt emotions within the soul.

If you make a habit of listening to the kirtans of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, then the words of the bhajans and kirtans become a morale booster and help evoke great spiritual strength which aids us through times of trials and tribulations.

Words make you think a thought. Music makes you think a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought, and it is the thoughts of devotion, loyalty, capitulation, love, understanding and countless other virtues that one feels when they sing the bhajans and kirtans composed by our Paramhansas.

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