Music, Singing and Devotion,
the teaching of Sathya Sai Baba
Russian Choir in Song, Prashanti Nilayam
Bliss is induced in the Singer and the Song:
Saint Thyagaraja is in a class by himself, not because he sang in Telugu, but because his songs are marked by the rare excellences of sincerity of devotion, poetical beauty and musical melody. The musical composition is suited to the emotional tempo of the idea elucidated in the song; the marking of time quite appropriate to the movement of the meaning; the words which automatically dictate the thala and guide the musician along the notes; and the entire structure of the song helping the arousal of the yogic urge in the singer – such spontaneous mastery of the science and art of both music and Sadhana is seldom found in the history of any language or country. He sang unaware, out of the fullness of his realisation, and so the songs have that strange communicative force imparting Bliss to singer as well as listener (Sathya Sai Baba, 11 July, 1957}
Meaning has to be clear; Tempo and Rhythm elucidate emotional participation
Sathya Sai Devotees singing Bhajans, Mumbai
The Tamil devotees of music have adopted Saint Thyagaraja and have practised
his songs more than the Telugu speaking people ... The Tamils specialise in
melody and beat and they sing with scrupulous adherence to these ...
After all, the melody, beat and the notations are to help in the more easy
assimilation of the message contained in the song and in the transmission to
the singer and the listener of the live emotion out of which the song arose in
the first instance. This can happen only if the meaning is clear. (11 July, 1957)
Sathya Sai Devotees singing Bhajans, Sathya Deep, Mumbai
Songs aid spread of devotion and generate rest within
Music as a vehicle of peace is universally popular; men, women and children of all lands are amenable to its subtle influence. Even animals and plants are susceptible to music. The Lord has said, Where My devotees sing, there I seat Myself. So the songs (of Saint Thyagaraja) sung well and with the full realisation of the context and the meaning are excellent media for the spread of devotion.
Every man seeks rest, but the dust of sense-craving accumulates on the mind, producing rust and threatening to “burst” it; so he has to test it off and on, keep it in perfect trim. To move that rust, the music of Saint Thyagaraja's musical compositions will be useful. Lay aside your cynicism for a while and listen to the captivating tunes and imbibe the sense. The science of spiritual culture and of the control of the mind has been developed and practised in this country for thousands of years; and that is why Indian civilisation has stood the shock of ages and the fury of typhoons that swept whole peoples off their feet. India is still green and fresh, on the threshold of a new era, under the leadership of her own ancient ideals.
The taste for good music has also gone nowadays with the coming of catchy lilts and croonings from the cinemas and the craze has spread for imitating them even in devotional songs! Sing the golden tunes of saint Thyagaraja in the classical compostions and I am sure they will have great appeal. They are not mere songs, they are precious stones; they take you along the roads to God.(11 July, 1957)
Derive Joy when you sing and serve
Sathya Sai Students lead Bhajans, Sai Kulwant Hall, Prashanthi Nilayam
Yesterday and today the overseas devotees filled everyone with joy by their music programs. God is a lover of music and enjoys music. Saintly devotees like Narada and Thumburu, who are always in the proximity of God, are always singing the glory of God. Nothing else can give so much joy as music. You can please God with your music. God revels in music. Music is therefore holy. It reflects the state of one's inner being. Singing the glories of God, render service to the people.
You will derive the greatest joy when you sing and serve. (Sathya Sai Baba, 25 December 1997)
Music is a royal road to Self Realisation
God's mysteries can be understood and appreciated only by people who are full of love for God. These are sung in the form of songs.
Songs have the capacity to lure and attract one and all. They have a lot of sweetness enshrined in them. Be it a theist, or an atheist, he is beside himself with joy when he hears melodious music. Music has the capability to make us forget ourselves and become one with Him with ecstasy and Love. It rejuvenates and lightens our mind. By music we can convey and share the miracles and mystery, the divine qualities of God. There are many great devotees who have done this.
Music is also a royal path leading to the culmination of God realis ation. God can be pleased by singing the praises of God. God is beyond comprehension and understanding. Even Brahma (God the Creator) cannot describe, narrate or extol His divine mystery. The mind and intellect fail to understand or comprehend Him. Thus singing together praises of such a Lord, there is every possibility for us to blossom our devotion, expand our hearts and fill it with God consciousness.
This was first started by Guru Nanak. He made all his disciples sing devotional songs. Sant Kabir, Tulasi, and Ramadas were also redeemed by devotional singing. The word God itself is a name that refers to Him. (Sathya Sai Baba, 19 July, 1996)
The Music that God Loves
Devotees singing bhajans at Dharmakshetra, Mumbai
There is special merit in singing the Lord's name with due regard for melody and rhythm. The Lord is a lover of music. Moreover, when singing is done with fervor, it helps to drive out all bad thoughts from the mind. Melodious music can move the Lord and move all the participants. [Swami demonstrated the effect of melodious singing by rendering the song: “Oh Rama, protect me” ]. Melodious music will move the Lord Himself. Hence, when you take part in devotional singing, sing with all your heart and soul. You must sing with such love for the Divine that you forget yourself. When you sing the praise of God with a pure heart, you will purify your environment, your country and the world. (Sathya Sai Baba, 11 April, 1997)
Sing the Glories of God
God is moved by the devotee's heartfelt song. He becomes one with the devotee. No other form of worship has the same effect as singing with a full heart the glories of God. It is enough if you do the singing within yourself. (Sathya Sai Baba demonstrated by singing the opening lines of a song, “Oh! Rama! Please protect me”, how a melodious prayer can move the heart of anyone). Make music the passport to merger with the Divine. Music is the gift of God. Only the gifted ones can sing sweetly, appealingly and delightfully. We have here one lady by name M. S. Subbalakshmi. From her early years, she dedicated herself to music which filled her heart. This kind of soulful music cannot be acquired by anybody. It can come only through God's grace.
When you sing in public you can give delight to many. But if you cannot do so, you can sing to yourself. It will delight your heart and sweeten it. Immerse yourself in all work with love. Whatever you do, consider it as gifts from God. When you have malaria, you have to take the bitter quinine mixture. But that is the medicine for your ailment. Likewise, when adversity confronts you, treat it as a kind of medicine for your good. Gold has to be melted and beaten to make a jewel. A diamond is cut to make it more brilliant. Likewise, troubles in life serve to refine a person. Love should enable you to welcome even hardships as meant for your own good.{Sathya Sai Baba, 23 November 1996}
Devotional Singing wins God's Grace
Sathya Sai Students chant vedam, Sai Kulwant Hall, Prashanthi Nilayam
Great Singer-saints like Thyagaraja made sweet offerings to God in the form of refrains suffused with feeling, melody, and rhythym and won His grace. There is so much sweetness in such devotional songs. God's grace can surely be obtained by such devotional singing. You cannot win the grace of God by empty rhetoric. It is only through devotional singing suffused with feeling, melody and rhythm that Divinity can be attained. God will be moved by such devotional singing. Even the ancient scriptures (Vedas) have extolled the efficacy of devotional singing.
Even by chanting the Vedas, God cannot be attained. There are several hymns in praise of God in the the various scriptures. But not even a single individual chanting those hymns could obtain vision of the divine form. However, when these hymns are set to tune and sung with devotion, they could experience Divine Love. That is why God is extolled as “the one who is easily pleased by devotional singing”. Therefore, you pray to God with devotional singing.
You can easily win the grace of God. Some people may have a doubt, "We cannot sing well; we have not learnt the art of singing. How can we please God?" Do not worry. You may not have knowledge of music or a mellifluous voice. It does not matter. Sing the glory of God with intense love, in some tune that you know. That is enough to move the heart of God.
International Christmas Choir, Sai Kulwant Hall
What is music? It is not necessary to make a special effort to learn music. A simple song with intense love and yearning will move God. For example, you recite a poem, “Oh! Rama! Please protect me” There will be no sweetness in the poem. It is simply a literary rendering of your feelings. Similarly, if you make an appeal to God saying “Oh! Rama! Please protect me”, it becomes an empty repetition of words. The same feeling, if it is expressed in a song set to a beautiful tune, “Oh! Rama! Please protect me”, it will be so sweet and endearing to Divinity. There is so much sweetness in music. Therefore, if you want to attain God, you have to do it only with devotional singing.
You need not be disappointed if you have not learnt music. Why disappointment? If there is an appointment, there will be disappointment. Therefore, do not make any appointment in the first place. Sing the glory of God in your own way. That is the easiest way to attain God. The Divine bliss enjoyed by the cowherd maids in the time of Lord Krishna is unparalleled. Therefore, remember that divine bliss and try to please God with your love and devotion.
Singing the Lord's very name with devotion is enough to move the Lord Himself
Sathya Sai Devotees singing Bhajans, Sathya Deep, Mumbai
On no previous occasion of Divine birth and incarnation have devotees merged in the Divine Love to such a great extent as was during the time of Lord Krishna. Thousands of devotees merged in Lord Krishna during His incarnation. Hence, if you want to merge in divinity, devotional singing is the only means. God is said to be the one who is easily pleased by devotional singing. The life of Lord Krishna is the best example for this statement. One simple name, “Krishna”, sung by a devotee is enough to move Him. The divine sport and miraculous deeds performed by Lord Krishna during His Avatar are unparalleled. (Sathya Sai Baba, 6 September 2004 )
Sathya Sai Devotees offer Arathi, Mumbai