Impact of Bhajans...

Today is the Bhajan day of our 'Prarthana' group in San Antonio. The group assembles monthly in a rotation at the homes of the members. Bhajan starts at 6.30pm continues till 8 pm. After the bhajan, aarathy is offered to 'Lord' together and pranaamam individually by all the members. Prasadam (a sweet rice thick preparation) will be served followed by a light vegetarian dinner (pot luck). Today our four year old grandson is preparing to sing a song. He loves to be in the group singing along with us and other kids till the programme of  lasts. Today he loves to lead a song by his own which is sung in our group. After bhajan the kids will have their own fun time with their peers.
Back in India I belong to the bhajan group named 'Sree Bhadra Narayaneeya Samithy', Aluva. Being part of the bhajan group helps to cleanse our mind and makes to feel 'oneness'. Regular participation in bhajans is very important in the dusk of our life to get engaged and involved in spiritual activities and to get enlightened spiritually.
Bhajan literally means 'sharing'. Bhajan also refers to a group of religious people and to any song with religious or spiritual ideas in a regional Indian language. Bhajans have no stipulated form or rules. Bhajans are assembling with like group spiritual souls with devotional songs. Bhajans are performed as a devotional musical tradition. Bhajans help one to sing along with concentration, understanding and be in a non ego state. Singing devotional songs in bhajan allows one to forget others mistakes and to remind not to repeat the mistakes done by self. Everyone participating in the devotional gatherings are able experience a higher state of consciousness through music, wisdom and meditation. It also helps to focus on self and brings clarity of minds. Singing along with others in the group brings calmness and peace by immersing into the sounds, floating with the 'bhavas',  forgetting the 'ego' and offering self in the lotus feet of the 'Almighty' with a lighter self of love and peace and become spiritually enlightened to live in humanity.