FOREWORD
This book is a brilliant effort by the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Hostal for Senior Students, Prashanti Nilayam, to compile almost all the songs, carols, Stotras and Vedic hymns that have been offered by His students, in the Divine physical presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Over the years the Vandana book has become an indispensable part of a Sai student's life in Prashanti Nilayam. Bhagavan Baba - The Divine Musician Bhagavan, was Himself a Divine singer and loved music. The language of music rises above geographic, religious and cultural diversities and unites all heart to heart. Even in His Divine Discourses, Bhagavan often referred to Saint Tyagaraja's song "Rama Nannu Kaapaadu' (Oh Rama! Please protect me). If only spoken, the words were not so attractive, but if sung melodiously they could even attract the Almighty Lord. Bhagavan would very often sing this line and demonstrate this point very beautifully. Not just that, Bhagavan would sometimes even name the 'Raaga" and "Taala', in which we sang songs. For Swami, the words and their meaning were inseparable. During an interview, when one student had selected the song 'Do Din Ka Jag Me Mela' (The world is a transient two-day fair) for Krishnashtami, Swami chided, "Why a serious and philosophic song? It is the joyous birthday of the Lord. You should rejoice and sing something happy and bright!" In fact, the melody and rhythm of the song were indeed bright and happy, but Swami had straightaway focussed on the meaning! Swami gave utmost importance to the lyrics, whenever He heard a new song. I still remember how He would ask what had been newly written, rather than what had been newly tuned. During one interview session Swami said, "A song without meaning is like a tree without fruits". On another occasion He was so pleased with the lyrics and the meaning of the Telugu stanza in the song 'Jyoti Jalaayenge Hum', that He wanted the same to be repeated in Hindi and English in the same song. During another interview while hearing the song 'Magnify the Lord', we sang, 'His Name is Absolute, He is the Prince of Peace'. Swami corrected us and said that the Lord was the 'King' of peace and not just the Prince'! Swami spent so much of His precious time calling us to the interview room and listening to the songs that we (the Music Group) had composed/selected for the convocation dramas or other programmes. He would give us the opportunity of His Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan and guide us. In the process we learnt many important lessons that are worth recollecting for all. Music with Feelings - The Importance of Bhaavam in Music Swami always gave utmost importance to the Bhaavam or feelings. Even as the Bhagavad Gita teaches us to enter the din of the battle with the mind ever fixed on the Lord, we should remember the Lord at all moments. Amid the finest nuances of 'art', the 'heart' should never be forgotten. Swami often narrated to us the story of Emperor Akbar and his court singer, Tansen. Akbar wondered how the naive singing of a mere beggar could touch his heart, while Tansen's artistic and ornate expositions did not do so. Tansen explained that while he sang to please the king, the beggar was singing to please the King of kings, the Lord God Almighty; thus, the difference. Raaga (melody) and Taala (rhythm) are no doubt important, but without Bhaava (feelings) they will not take us near the Lord. What this also means is that individually, any one, a musician, or not, can connect with the Lord within, through the medium of devotional singing. During one evening Bhajan session, as Swami came and sat on His chair in the Bhajan hall, a student was singing the Bhajan 'Sai Pita Aur Mata Sai (Sai is the Mother and the Father). This boy's mother was very seriously ill, and on her death bed, in a room in East Prashanti. Swami suddenly got up and walked straight out of the Mandir to East Prashanti, and miraculously and completely revived the lady. Later Swami told us that in spite of the boy's mother being very serious, since the boy was singing with feelings for His Divine Mother, Swami revived his earthly mother! That is the power of singing with Bhavam! Swami emphasised the need to practise music and singing as a Sadhana (spiritual practice). Unless we practise many times, we will not be able to sing with feelings. All our attention will only be on the melody and rhythm. Only when the music comes out effortlessly and naturally, the Lord. We can become, not just near, but also dear to Him.
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