MESSAGE FOR HUMANITY
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| Guru Nanak |
Surrender does not mean offering your body to God. Real surrender is the chanting of the Divine Name and making it the basis of your life. It is for the same reason that Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs, started community singing. He told His followers that they should seek fulfilment in life by chanting the Divine Name. Therefore, all Sikhs give highest priority to chanting of the Divine name in their life. In the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holy place of the Sikhs, the Divine Name is chanted constantly. Therefore, consider the chanting of the Name of God as the most important spiritual practice.
- “Namasmarana is the Highest Spiritual Practice”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 41,
May 24, 2008, Brindavan
Guru Nanak declared that only through good thoughts, good speech and good actions can one realise the Divine. All faiths are one in proclaiming the supreme importance of purity of heart.
- “Inherit Sai Wealth: Love”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 19, November 23, 1986, Prasanthi Nilayam
From this land (Bharat), the Embodiment of Equanimity and Compassion, Nanak the Great, preached His highly wonderful message of Love. His all-embracing heart blossomed in this land.
- “The Miracle of Miracles”, Sathya Sai Vahini
Persons like Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind have helped the country to become prosperous and also gave spiritual strength to the country. This is the reason why they are so much respected.
- “No One Can Separate a Real Devotee from His Lord”, Summer Showers in Brindavan 1977, Brindavan
Sikh mode of worship (Sikh-Upasana): The preceptor (Guru), who reveals the Atma and makes one conscious of its existence as one’s reality, has the highest place in this system of worship. The collection of the teachings of the Gurus, referred to as Granth Sahib is extolled and revered by the Sikhs. It is derived from the spring of Indian (Bharatiya) spiritual traditions. Its ideas form the very core of Indian cultural traits.
- “Modes of Worship”, Sathya Sai Vahini
The Guru of the Sikhs, Nanak declared that only a man with a pure heart can be regarded as a true Sikh.
- “The Bliss of Divine Love”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 17, July 14, 1984, Prasanthi Nilayam
GURU NANAK AND BHAJANS
In the year 1459 A.D., Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, started the practice of Bhajans (community singing).
- “The Immortal Bhaktas” Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 19, October 8, 1986, Prasanthi Nilayam
Guru Nanak was the initiator of the practice of community singing of devotional songs. He believed that through such community singing the common man can ennoble his life and experience the presence of the Divine in everyone. Through that experience, one can become a knower of the Brahman (Jnani).
- “Glorify the Lord’s Name”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 19, November 8, 1986, Prasanthi Nilayam
It was Guru Nanak who introduced the concept of community singing in Punjab. All should sing the Divine glory in unison. This was the ideal propagated by our ancients.
- “Rise Above Body Consciousness”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 36, April 2, 2003, Brindavan
‘Samyak Kirtanam Sankirtanam’ (congregational singing of Bhajans is the best of Bhajans). There is a big difference between Kirtanam and Sankirtanam. Kirtanam is an individual affair. It is singing by an individual for the fulfilment of his prayers. Sankirtanam aims at the well-being of the whole universe. This is also described as Samajika Bhajans (community singing). This method of singing Bhajans was first initiated by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Sankirtana aims at demonstrating unity in diversity. When all the participants combine to sing in unison with one voice, it is described as Sankirtanam.
- “Purify the World by Sankeerthana”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 25, March 3, 1992, Prasanthi Nilayam
It was to promote unity among people of different faiths that Guru Nanak started community Bhajans which generate vibrations of harmony and peace.
- “Truth and Faith”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 19, December 25, 1986, Prasanthi Nilayam
Whatever work we may be doing, we should constantly chant the Divine name. In Kali Yuga, Namasmarana is prescribed as the means to attain liberation. Realising this truth, Guru Nanak started the practice of community singing. All should come together and sing Bhajans.
- “Seeing Unity in Diversity is True Spirituality”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 41, April 31, 2008, Brindavan
When all the participants in a Bhajan sing in unison, what sacred vibrations are produced and what Divine energies are released! When these vibrations fill the world, what changes cannot they bring about! When one sings alone, the heart is merged in the song. But when many sing together, it acquires a Divine power. That was the reason why Guru Nanak commended community singing.
- “No Global Disaster to be Apprehended” Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 24, February 13, 1991, Prasanthi Nilayam
Guru Nanak favoured community prayers in preference to individual prayer in isolation. When all people join in unison to pray to God, their prayers will melt the heart of God. In a large gathering there must be at least one who prays with a pure heart. That prayer will reach God. Hence, devotees should take part in community Bhajans. They should participate in community service and involve themselves in the life of the community. This is the noblest path.
- “Love: Sacrifice: Unity”, Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 23, December 25, 1990, Prasanthi Nilayam
Note:
Guru Nanak was born in 1469 near Lahore, modern day Pakistan. He is the founder of Sikhism and the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. His teachings can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book and central scripture for the Sikhs. Guru Nanak travelled far and wide, mostly on foot, covering major parts of the Indian and Arabian Peninsula, and taught the truth that there is only One God who dwells in everyone. In the year 1539, after appointing his successor, Guru Angad, Guru Nanak took Samadhi at Kartarpur, modern day Pakistan, at the age of 70.
Source: Sai Vani: Avatar on Mahapurushas
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