Importance of kirtan
Methods of kirtan
Saint Prahlāda, considered the crest jewel of devotees, says in Bhāgvatam:
श्रवणं कीर्तनं विष्णो: स्मरणं पादसेवनम् ।
अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यमात्मनिवेदनम् ॥ भा. ७.५.२३
"śravaṇaṃ kīrtanaṃ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṃ pādasevanam,
arcanaṃ vandanaṃ dāsyaṃ sakhyamātmanivedanam" Bhāgvatam, 7.5.23
अर्चनं वन्दनं दास्यं सख्यमात्मनिवेदनम् ॥ भा. ७.५.२३
"śravaṇaṃ kīrtanaṃ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṃ pādasevanam,
arcanaṃ vandanaṃ dāsyaṃ sakhyamātmanivedanam" Bhāgvatam, 7.5.23
There are nine methods for developing your attachment to God. Out of these, one is kīrtan or chanting: Externally singing God's names, pastimes, or attributes while internally practicing loving remembrance or roopadhyan. Mahaprabhu Chaitanya gave maximum importance to this way of remembering God, because it is easiest for anyone in family life. One can chant the names of God anywhere while doing anything. There is no restriction of place or time.
It's value is further augmented if this is combined with the use of musical instruments. The sound of the instruments prevents outside noises and other disturbances from interfering with one's meditation. It also prevents lethargy and sleepiness, even as its vibrations benefit anyone who may be sleeping in the next room. Even animals, birds, insects and other living beings are also be benefited merely by listening to the sound of the names of God.
Mahaprabhu Chaitanya said
It's value is further augmented if this is combined with the use of musical instruments. The sound of the instruments prevents outside noises and other disturbances from interfering with one's meditation. It also prevents lethargy and sleepiness, even as its vibrations benefit anyone who may be sleeping in the next room. Even animals, birds, insects and other living beings are also be benefited merely by listening to the sound of the names of God.
Mahaprabhu Chaitanya said
पशु पक्षी कमीट आदि बोली ते न परे, शुनि लेइ हरि नाम तारा सब तरे।
जप ले ते हरी नाम, आपनी ते तरे, उच्च संकीर्तन पर उपकार करे।।
Paśu pakṣī kamīṭa ādi bōlī tē na parē, śuni lē'i hari nāma tārā saba tarē.
Japa lē tē harī nāma, āpanī tē tarē, ucca saṅkīrtana para upakāra karē..
जप ले ते हरी नाम, आपनी ते तरे, उच्च संकीर्तन पर उपकार करे।।
Paśu pakṣī kamīṭa ādi bōlī tē na parē, śuni lē'i hari nāma tārā saba tarē.
Japa lē tē harī nāma, āpanī tē tarē, ucca saṅkīrtana para upakāra karē..
There are three methods of doing kirtan:
A devotee can practice kirtan using any of these methods at any time according to his circumstances and choice.
- Vyas method - When an aspirant listens to the glories of His names, pastimes and attributes silently from his heart.
- Narad method - When a devotee sings the kirtan and also plays an instrument to accompany himself, as Sage Narad , who played the Vīṇā (वीणा), does.
- Hanuman method - When a devotee dances while singing the glories of God as Hanuman Ji does.
A devotee can practice kirtan using any of these methods at any time according to his circumstances and choice.
