ASHTAMY BHAJANS
By Ashok Kundapur
Ashtamy Bhajans composed by Sri Sri Ramavallabh Das and his worthy disciples are a class by themselves. They encompass all aspects of Hindu philosophy. They have an exceptional summary of teachings of Bhagavad Gita. They also touch upon the ultimate goals set in Vedanta. The songs are meant for Pandiths as well as for Pamaras( ignorent/non pandita). Almost all Bhajans are in Marathi.
I, as a Pamara, will only highlight some of the Bhajans which have impressed me most. Further, I am not going to grade or sequence the Bhajans in any order. Rather, just attempting to make a list of Bhajans which have impressed me.
The ragas assigned to these bhajans are impressive too, though many of the ragas are not in circulation now, are indeed very pleasing and most very apt and appropriate for the lyrics.
God willing, I plan to attach an Audio to this file so that one could listen to the tunes as they are sung at Hattiangadi.
'Maharaja Gajanana re, sindhu anandacha, ridhi siddhicha data, swami trilokyacha ' is the first Bhajan in the Nityaniyama series, which has a set of 15 bhajans. Each Bhajan is followed by a small Shloka, selected form various sacred texts. This first Bhajan is set to Deepchandi Tala and sung in Hameeri Kalyan. Some of these Bhajans are composed by other famous saints of his time.
The first shloka signifies the of Shankarnarayana tathva 'Shivasya Hridayam Vishnu Vishnuncha Hridayam Shivah.'
'Gurucha veegi ghayavi hastaka, tyacha thevuniya charani mastaka' set to Dhumali tal and sung in raga Bhihag, starts at a higher pitch. This song composed by Sri Sri Ramavallabh Das himself praises Guru Mahima. The song is impressive because it has some stanzas which have to be sung a little faster.
This Bhajan is followed by famous shloka 'Naradeha Madhyam Sulabhashchya Durlabham' meaning this human form of life is difficult to attain, so we have to use it to realise God, thus the Guru reminds that we have to turn our mind towards the Lord.
In 'Maza Gopalaraya tuza namo pure samsara maza moha shamo' probably master indicates as to how one should go about attaining enlightenment. For he suggests that 'uchara vase tuze aaso, manasi dhayna tuze vaso' 'let my my mind go into your dhayana'
Next Bhajan is composed by Sri Sri Laxmidhara Das. Sung in Jogia Asavari and set to Dhumali, says 'Me anatha saabade thuze deenara vithoba'
The last bhajan in the Nityaniyama is composed by Sri Sri Ramavallabh Das, subtly expresses the moment of he attaining Sashatkara. The Bhajan set to Deepchandi and in Rag Lalith, says 'Gopalu pavala , skhaya maza Govindu pavala, antharyami mazala swami akandu rahila.....'
Dolara Bhajans are exceptional in every respect - tune, beat, chal and meaning, every thing about it is beautiful.
First song begins in vilambit, that is, slow movement ' Bhai doleeeha dolaaara manditaaa..'. Finally, ' Ramavallabha daasa paahe, deeha bhuddhi mooka taahe, maharaja thevitahahe' once again describing that beautiful moment of God realization.
Next Bhajan sung in raga Bhup and set to Dhumali tal, has fast pieces in-between slow stanzas. ' Paha radha damodara, shobhati dolara sundara....'
The last song in the series is 'Gopi zhuulataa aaaie...' once again is a slow pace, song sung in raga Suruti malhar, and set to Jhumra tal. This bhajan is composed by Sri Krishna Dasa . Like a swinging cradle the octaves oscillate from low note to high note in this bhajan.
In set Bhajans sung under Navavidha Bhakti, revered master sites examples of past achievers. The very first shloka ' Shravanam keertanam Vishnu smaranam paada sevanam ... ' summarizes the whole perception of Bhakti as one of the way to attain moksha.
Sri Sri Laxmidhara Das says that one could get enlightenment just within three steps. In the Bhajan 'Maaza Kanhaye Jagadambe swanande kadambe' he does just this.
First ' pahale uposhana shravana maanaa ....',
Second step or day 'Nama sankeerthana dusare he poojana .... '
Third step ' uposhana keeja shravana beeja, smarate ratran deevasa...'.
resulting in ' jekade paahi tikade toocha bahukade dusare naahi paresha....'
The last bhajan in Navavidha Bhakti composed by Sri Ramavallabh Das beautifully summarises the Sanatana tatva ' vyakta-avakta ateeta bhai ateeta, tuza nakale paara .... para Bhrahmha to saakara, nirguna te tun saguna ...... '
Well understanding the meaning is totally different from realizing, it is my belief and hope that understanding will lead me to realization.
( We are planning to add Audio, and add some more bhajans to the list, please visit again. )