Bhajan

 
Part of a series of articles on the Science of
the Spoken Word

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   Main article    Spoken Word

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   Forms of the spoken Word    Affirmation Call Chant Decree Fiat Invocation Mantra Prayer

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   Eastern forms    AUM Bhajan Bija mantra Golden Mantra Om mani padme hum

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   Western forms    Hail Mary Rosary

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   Specific rituals    Mother Mary’s Circle of Light Fourteenth Rosary Archangel Michael’s Rosary Ritual of the Resurrection Flame Kuan Yin’s Crystal Rosary

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   Related topics    Violet flame Violet-flame decrees Balance of violet-flame and blue-flame decrees Pranayama Djwal Kul's breathing exercise  

A traditional form of musical devotion still popular in India today. A bhajan is a spiritual song as well as group worship through music and song. Bhajans are customarily performed in a soloist-group format.

For centuries, Hindu devotees have embraced the bhajan as a source of deep spiritual renewal. Today bhajans are performed on holy days, special occasions or with a gathering of relatives, friends and neighbors. An evening of bhajans can last for several hours, often lifting the participants to a state of religious exaltation. A soloist sings a verse and the group repeats it to the accompaniment of percussion and other instruments. Generally the recitation begins slowly and then speeds up.

A distinctive element of the bhajan is the repetition of the names of God. According to Hindu tradition, singing and meditating upon the names of a deity evoke his or her power and presence. To the Hindu, the bhajan is also a medium of divine grace, bringing salvation to those who have erred.

See also

Spoken Word

Sources

Shiva: Sacred Chants from the Heart of India (audio CD)