A bhajan or kirtan is a Hindu devotional song, often but not necessarily of ancient origin. Great importance is attributed to the singing of bhajans within the Bhakti movement. It is also one of the pillars of Sikhism and in that context refers to the singing of the Sacred Hymns from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, or "SGGS". The Sikhs place huge value on this type of singing and a Sikh is duty bound to listen to and/or sing Guru-Kirtan as frequently as possible. In Surat Shabd Yoga, bhajan means listening to the i ...

Including:

• Bhajan - History and Origin
• Bhajan - Types of Bhajans
• Bhajan - Kirtan in Sikhism
• Bhajan - Ragas in Sikh Kirtan
• Bhajan - Tala in Sikh Kirtan
• Bhajan - Meaning According to the SGGS
• Bhajan - Great Exponents
• Bhajan - Popularity with the Masses
• Bhajan - Modern Forms
• Bhajan - Usage in Surat Shabd Yoga

Read more here: » Bhajan: Encyclopedia - Bhajan

Including:

• Mantra - Introduction
• Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism
• Mantra - Mantra Japa
• Mantra - Some Hindu mantras
• Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth
• Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
• Mantra - The shanti mantras
• Mantra - Universal prayer
• Mantra - Other examples
• Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra
• Mantra - Remarks
• Mantra - What is Dharma?
• Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om
• Mantra - Mantras and Prayers
• Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan
• Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound
• Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
• Mantra - Om mani padme hum
• Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists
• Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia - Mantra

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib (“SGGS”) is the main spiritual authority for the Sikhs. The Sikhs hold their Granth (which literally means “scripture”) in uniquely high regard, wherein the Scripture is treated as a living guru (“religious master”). When Kirtan is sung by Sikhs, the lyrics are usually lines from the SGGS. The Shabads (“Hymns”) of the Sikh Scripture are arranged in Chapters and each Chapter is a name of a Raga (“musical theme”). Each of these Ragas is unique and all the Shabads in that Chapter have ...

See also:

Bhajan, Bhajan - History and Origin, Bhajan - Types of Bhajans, Bhajan - Kirtan in Sikhism, Bhajan - Ragas in Sikh Kirtan, Bhajan - Tala in Sikh Kirtan, Bhajan - Meaning According to the SGGS, Bhajan - Great Exponents, Bhajan - Popularity with the Masses, Bhajan - Modern Forms, Bhajan - Usage in Surat Shabd Yoga

Read more here: » Bhajan: Encyclopedia II - Bhajan - Kirtan in Sikhism

For the living, death is certain and for the dead, birth is certain. Since death is definite for all embodied beings, the Bhagavad Gita enjoins the seeker to aspire for that state of attainment, after which there is no return or rebirth.

Among the paths leading to the deathless state, Krishna discusses jnana -yoga, the path of contemplation, and karmayoga , the path of action. All actions, he says, finally culminate in knowledge.

For the common man, whose senses and desires are rooted in this world and who craves desired results, the shrutis - the Vedas and the Upanishads - prescribe various types of yajnas . Among the yajnas , the Maharudrabhisheka is accorded high status.

(See also: Mantra, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The Sound Of Your Name

In the famous Tantra Book, Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, there's one sutra, "Enter the sound of your name and through this sound, all sounds", that talks about the science of mantra. Your name can be used as a mantra wich serve you a double purpose.

Read more here: » Mantra: The Sound Of Your Name as a Mantra

Mantras & Yantras

Mantra meditation is often called " Mantra Yoga", considered to be a part of "Nada Yoga", which means the "yoga of sound". The great rishis, seers or saints of ancient India passed down these sacred sound vibrations for the benefit of all life but especially for human society for only in the human form of life can one obtain spiritual realisation. These sacred sound vibrations are known to promote healing on all levels, whilst, at the same time, awakening the chakras within our ethereal, or subtle, bodies.

Read more here: » Mantras

Special Planetary Mantras, Name and Shakti Mantras

The following are the name (nama) mantras for the planets as preceded by their Shakti or power mantras. These can be used to connect with the planetary deities and to energize all the higher powers of the planets.

Read more here: » Planetary Shakti Mantras: Special Planetary Mantras, Name and Shakti Mantras

Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra is a Mantra that is a part of Taittiriya Upanishad. It can be quoted as (Language Sanskrit) "Om Tryambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaat Mrityor Muksheeya Ma-Amritaat" It means that "Let us worship Shiva (the three-eyed One), who is sacred (fragrant) and who nourishes all beings.Just as the ripe cucumber is automatically released from its attachment to the creeper, may we be liberated from (total identification with) death (our mortal body and personality) an ...

Read more here: » Mrityunjaya Mantra: Encyclopedia - Mrityunjaya Mantra

The common masses indulge in bhajan-singing without realizing that such traditional methods of invoking the divine can have a tremendous stress-removing impact. Bhajan mandalis, or gatherings, that have existed in the Indian villages since the beginning of the Bhakti era, have proved to be great social levelers, where individuals unhesitatingly participate in the singing, relegating their petty differences to the background. This participatory action elicits recreation and consequently a kind of mental relaxation. They close their eyes to ensure that they concentrate and thereby meditate on this near ecstasy ...

See also:

Bhajan, Bhajan - History and Origin, Bhajan - Types of Bhajans, Bhajan - Kirtan in Sikhism, Bhajan - Ragas in Sikh Kirtan, Bhajan - Tala in Sikh Kirtan, Bhajan - Meaning According to the SGGS, Bhajan - Great Exponents, Bhajan - Popularity with the Masses, Bhajan - Modern Forms, Bhajan - Usage in Surat Shabd Yoga

Read more here: » Bhajan: Encyclopedia II - Bhajan - Popularity with the Masses

Kirtan:  Mantras that are sung to music.  Chanting and singing devotional songs.

(See also: Kirtan, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

A mantra is a sacred syllable, word or verse, which has been revealed to a sage in deep meditation. A mantra, when recited with devotion, concentration and understanding, revitalizes the body and mind with mystic power, and harmonizes thought and action. A mantra, when repeated constantly during meditation, first loudly and then through silent and mental chanting, changes the consciousness. Prayer is uplifting inspiring and fascinating for the mind and it has great power. Therefore, it is very important that each of you learns to pray. Through prayer you purify your mind and gain spi ...

See also:

Some Hindu mantras, Some Hindu mantras - What is Dharma?, Some Hindu mantras - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Some Hindu mantras - Mantras and Prayers, Some Hindu mantras - Kirtan and Bhajan

Read more here: » Some Hindu mantras: Encyclopedia II - Some Hindu mantras - Mantras and Prayers

kirtan:

hymn in praise of a deity

(See also: kirtan, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

The symbol Om (also called Pranava), is the most sacred symbol in Hinduism. Volumes have been written in Sanskrit illustrating the significance of this mystic symbol. Although this symbol is mentioned in all the Upanishads and in all Hindu scriptures, it is especially elaborated upon in the Taittiriya, Chandogya and Mundaka Upanishads. The goal, which all Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which human desire when they live a life continence, I will tell you briefly it is Om. The syllable Om is indeed Brahman. This ...

See also:

Some Hindu mantras, Some Hindu mantras - What is Dharma?, Some Hindu mantras - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Some Hindu mantras - Mantras and Prayers, Some Hindu mantras - Kirtan and Bhajan

Read more here: » Some Hindu mantras: Encyclopedia II - Some Hindu mantras - The Significance of the Symbol Om

Kirtan:

Kirtan: singing devotional songs.

(See also: Kirtan, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

KIRTAN: singing the Lord's Name

(See also: KIRTAN, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhajan:

Devotional song or chant, to God

(See also: Bhajan, Body Mind and Soul)

Bhajans:

Songs in praise of God. Bhajans in Shri Swamiji's presence are sung in very lively tempos that allow him to induce varying levels of spiritual trance and bhava.

(See also: Bhajans, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

bhajans:

hymns in praise of a deity

(See also: bhajans, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

KIRTAN: Singing devotional songs.

(See also: KIRTAN, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Bhajan:

Bhajan: devotional song

(See also: Bhajan, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)