Devotional Singing

In Czech Sai organisation, we sing a lot of spiritual songs in Czech. Most of them are original songs composed by Sai devotes, others are e.g. Christian praises. We also sing Indian bhajans (in Sanskrit bhajana means worship), which are sung in Sai Baba's abode in India. The text of bhajans is typically in Sanskrit (an old sacred language of India) or Hindi. Otherwise spiritual songs can be in any language – English, Latin etc.

When singing these songs, it is good to keep in mind that all names and forms belong to the One, which is always present in our heart are spiritual “I” – Atma. In bhajans, there appear a lot of names and aspects of God. Often they come from Hinduism (like Ganesha, Vishnu, Krisna, Rama, Shiva, Divine Mother Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, etc.). In other songs there appear other forms of God and religious personalities, who all personify the supreme Divine (e.g. Heavenly Father, Jesus, Zoroaster, Mahavira, Buddha, Allah), as well as spiritual values (love, peace, etc.).

The Way Bhajans Are Sung

Classical indian bhajans have a given structure of singing—each verse is sung first by a foresinger and the others then repeat. A bhajan is sung typically twice—first in slower tempo with repeating each line four times (forsinger – all – forsinger – all), second time, each line is sung only with two repetition and in faster tempo. The song is concluded by singing the first verse in slow tempo. It is possible to do an exception from this rule at a particular song. Musical accompaniment is typically rendered by drum, harmonium and other instruments. In our region, it is common to use a guitar.

Czech and English songs are sung directy together by all.

Meetings

Singing of bhajans and devotional songs has a form of a meeting in Sai centre or group.

Devotional singing in Sai centre in Prague takes place every Thursday. The actual programme starts at 18:20, however in order not to have time to sit down comfortably, it is good to come around 18:00 (latest at 18:15). In addition to regular Thursday meetings, there are monthly weekend meetings (typically the first Sunday in month).

Meetings in other cities take place in České Budějovice (every Monday), in Brno (every other Thursday), in Pilsen (monthly) and in Nové Strašecí (monthly). You can find more information in Event schedule.