As we immerse ourselves in the Global Akhanda Bhajan, Bhagawan reminds us how the simple Sadhana of singing can be transformed into a liberating penance. The word Nama has great significance numerologically. ‘Na’ is equal to zero. ‘A’ is equal to two and ‘Ma’ equals five, the total being seven, indicating that the Nama Sankirtanam needs seven elements for success: Shruti, Laya, Raga, Tala, Bhava, Prema, Samhita. Seven cannotes the seven swaras, the seven sages, the seven days of the week known as the sacred Saptaha. Sankirtanam must be done with emphasis on tone, timing, tune, rhythm, attitude, love, and the attainment of the highest good. It is not singing for singing's sake. The melody must emerge from the heart, must be saturated with genuine feeling, should be soaked in love, and must make you forget yourself, then it is a tapas or penance. Sankirtanam of such kind will save not just the individual, but will save the entire world. Embodiments of love! Even if you are unable to do meditation, recitation, yoga, or yajna, engage yourself in singing the Name of God. From a simple person (pamara) to an awakened one (Paramahamsa), Namasankirtana can be taken up. - Divine Discourse, Jan 26, 1982
As we immerse ourselves in the Global Akhanda Bhajan, Bhagawan reminds us how the simple Sadhana of singing can be transformed into a liberating penance.
The word Nama has great significance numerologically. ‘Na’ is equal to zero. ‘A’ is equal to two and ‘Ma’ equals five, the total being seven, indicating that the Nama Sankirtanam needs seven elements for success: Shruti, Laya, Raga, Tala, Bhava, Prema, Samhita. Seven cannotes the seven swaras, the seven sages, the seven days of the week known as the sacred Saptaha. Sankirtanam must be done with emphasis on tone, timing, tune, rhythm, attitude, love, and the attainment of the highest good. It is not singing for singing's sake. The melody must emerge from the heart, must be saturated with genuine feeling, should be soaked in love, and must make you forget yourself, then it is a tapas or penance. Sankirtanam of such kind will save not just the individual, but will save the entire world. Embodiments of love! Even if you are unable to do meditation, recitation, yoga, or yajna, engage yourself in singing the Name of God. From a simple person (pamara) to an awakened one (Paramahamsa), Namasankirtana can be taken up.
- Divine Discourse, Jan 26, 1982