Navavidha Bhakti in Shri Sai Satcharita – 2
Second Step – Kirtan Bhakti
1. "Whoever sings My praises, I will bestow upon him complete happiness, permanent pleasure and contentment. Believe this as the Truth." ll14ll – C. 3
2. The Lord Himself would be pleased as He prefers the stories sung of His own devotees or the description of their virtues. ll9ll – C. 40
3. In Kritayuga, it was controlling the senses and subduing of passions; in Tretayuga, sacrifices; in Dwapara, rituals; and in Kaliyuga, reciting the name and singing the praises - a simple means of salvation. ll53ll – C. 3
4. Now there are other modes of devotion. In the opinion of Gargacharya (author of science and astrology), when the mind is completely absorbed singing the praises of God, it becomes one with Him (a mode of worship). ll94ll Continuously being aware of one's Real Self, relating religious tales and songs, having disciplined behaviour, is another form of Bhakti as described by Shandilya (author of law book). ll95ll – C. 1
5. Ramnavami was a Hindu festival. He would celebrate this as His own, by having the cradle tied up in the sabha-mandap and have kathas and kirtans said. ll6ll – C. 7
6. Bhishma was a versatile man, well-versed in narrating kathas. The kirtan was very enjoyable and all the listeners were very pleased. ll82ll Baba too was very pleased. According to His consent, the festival had taken place, along with bhajan, kirtan etc. ll83ll - C. 6
7. Once, the people of Thane requested that peerless kirtankar, Ganu Das, to perform kirtan at Koupineshwar (temple). ll18ll With the grace of Sai Samartha, Das Ganu composed stories describing the saints and performed kirtans free. Thus, he became famous. ll31ll – C. 15
8. Next year, Bhishma was not available. Balabuva Satarkar was to be brought for the kirtan. But, he had to go to Kavathe (in Satara district). ll94ll Even if he (i.e. Bhajani) had not been available, Kaka would have performed the kirtan, because he knew by heart the composition about Ramnavami composed by Das Ganu. ll96ll – C. 6
9. Not a single pie was paid for the kirtan. He did not wear garments on his upper body and was bare-headed, wearing only a pancha (poor man's dhoti which was short and also used as a towel). Still, listeners flocked to the kirtan. ll20ll Only the lower half of the body is covered. Chiplis are used and the veena (Indian lute) is played. Hari's name is loudly chanted. Such is the well-known and pure image of Narada. ll30ll – C. 15
