Objective:

By presenting this write-up, I am not trying to show my Paandithya in Bhajan nor am I trying to dilute the Sampradaayam but am trying to share my knowledge and understanding with those amateur Bhajan aspirants, who are looking for the meaning, Paddhathi and the usefulness of doing Bhajan with a time constraint. This is with a view to sustain the Sampradaayam even in a nutshell, if the Sampradaayam cannot be followed in its fullness in the present day life. We are witnessing a degeneration of the Sampradaayam in today's life. I would like to state the importance of the Sampradaayam handed over to us by great Bhagavathaas/ Sanths in the manner in which it appealed to me and my own bhava with which I participate in it. I do not intend harming anyone's feelings or belief nor do I argue on relaxation of the rules therein.

My Views and appeal:

I am not trying to dive deep into the ancient Sampradaayams existed prior to Sri Sadguru Swamigal. My presentations, you will find, are based on the Paddhathi Krama handed over to us by Maruthanallur Sri Sadhguru Swamigal and finally modified by my Guru Sri Gopaalakrishna Bhagavathar, which some find difficult to follow in full in a time-constraint situation and hence certain relaxations/ variations are being practiced. My appeal is that try to follow as far as possible the Paddhathi Kramas prescribed by the Gurus and Sanths, without compromising and adjust your timings accordingly rather than vice-e-versa. Do not club too many parts of it within a time-constraint situation. Do full justice to the Paddathi and take only that part which can be performed fully without compromising within the given time frame. If anyone finds it difficult to follow the Paddhathi Krama as prescribed by our predecessors , it will be appropriate if they take up to Naama Sankeerthana method (Devotional Songs), where there is no restrications as in the Paddhathi Krama. One can chant or sing the names of God in any order. If one desires to become a Bhagavatha, one has to observe the Bhagavatha Dharma and follow a definite Paddhathi Krama prescribed by one's own Guru, who was/is established in and/or propagatiing Sampradaaya Bhajan. To me, a Bhagavatha is he, who has understood the Sampradaaya Bhajan and Paddhathi Krama and follows it as prescribed and who observes daily the Nithyakarmaanushtanams, Unchacrutthi, Bhajans, Dolothsavam etc. and practices samabhaava, Egoless and desireless attitude, Kshama, Karuna, simplicity of living, Compassion, Prema Bhakthi and total surrender to the Lord etc. Please view this write-up from this point of view and not from the real origination of the Sampradaayam and the chronological history.

In following the Bhajan Sampradaayam, I value it for the aspects of Bhaava, Bhakthi and total surrender to the Lord with which one approaches it. Instead of Sringara Rasa, which is very difficult to understand in its real sense and to practice, I view it with a philosophical import, as it should help us to rise in Atmeega Chintanai (Self Enquiry) path shown by my Vedantic Guru Sri Ramana Maharshi, rather than stay in Bhakthi state alone. To go beyond Bhakthi even the Saathwic Ahamkaar should be overcome, which is possible only with the grace of the Lord and the Ashirvadam of Guru, for which total surrender with Bhakthi is the way.Once the surrender is full and unqualified, then the Lord will take care of us. I have tried to project rather the inner meaning (philosophical import) in the Bhajan Sampradaayam than the literal or Sringara aspect and it is based on the way I take it and enjoy during the Bhajans. Many of the explanations you may find foreign to you or new. They are my personal feelings/bhaava, based on my own experience and knowledge gained through Satsang with many learned/eminent Bhagavathaas and my Guru. If you find them acceptable, I feel "Dhanyoham".

My background:

I hail from a family of Bhajana tradition and I have been associated with Bhajan from the age of 8 with the guidance and encouragement from my parents and elder brother and have participated in Paddhathi Bhajan, Deepa Pradakshinam, Dolothsavam, Kalyaanam, Poorna Ashtapadi Bhajan, Vasantha Kelikkai, Pawwalimbu etc. with many contemporary Bhagavathaas, hailing both from Bombay and outside. In Nurani, I participated in the Bhajans of Nurani Appu & party and I am indebted to shri Seshadri Iyer (Checha mama) with whom I had been dancing in Deepa Pradakshinams. In Bombay, I have been associated with my brother Shri Nurani Chuppamani Avargal, who is instrumental in spreading Deepa Pradakshinam in Bombay in those days. Later, I associated myself with Late Sri (Kalyan) Krishnamoorthy Avargal, Harihara Puthra Bhajan Samaj etc. to mention a few. At present I am associated with Mulund Bhajan Samaj. Mainly, I perform abhinaya and dance during Deepa Pradakshinam, Dolothsavam & Kalyaanams and explain the important aspects of Bhajana Sampradaayam. I have also conducted, with the help of other Bhagavathaas, Paddhathi Bhajan, Deepa Pradakshinam, Dolothsavam, Unchavrutthi and Kalyaanams in public functions.    

However, I attained poornathwa - i.e. performing Bhajan, following a definite Paddhathi, with Bhakthi knowing the meaning (overall import) of the songs -- only after I had the opportunity of Guru Kula Vaasam with my Guru for about 15 days, who initiated me, against my wish, into Bhajan Sampradaayam through "NAAMOPADESAM" in the year in which he attained the Lotus Feet of the Lord. This shows, that whatever one has acquired with self effort and involvement, its culmination is possible only with Guru Krupa. Any knowledge gained, to be permanent and full, should be gained through Guru or must have Guru's approval .

Acknowledgements:

I would like to express my gratitude to those friends who have prompted/ encouraged me to attempt on this noble work and particularly to (Ashtapadi fame) Sri Naarayanaswamy Avargal, Sri Aanand Avargal of our Samaj, Sri Srinivasan Avargal of Sri Premi group etc., who took the trouble to review this and suggest improvements. I am indebted to Sri Ramakrishnan of Voltas Ltd., who has offered to get this printed for circulation, once it gets final shape. I shall thank the readers to please contact me through the Email link below with their feedback/critical views/suggestions, to make it a fool-proof edition. Please click on the links against "Bhajan Topics:-" below to read the desired Sections.

Samarpanam:

In reverence I place this article titled "DAKSHINA BHAJANA SAMPRADAAYAM" along with the "BHAJAN ATTAVANAI" and "NAAMAAVALIS" at the lotus feet of my Guru for his Grace and dedicate the same to him.

Cli\ck for ->Gurukeerthanam on Gopalakrishna Satguru

Achala Bhakthan