By V R Ganapathy

Naamsankeerthanam is the only way to attain Moksha and Peace in this Kali Yuga. This is a statement that is vouched by all our spiritual texts. All of us must have heard of Bhajana, which nothing but singing in praise of the Lord Almighty. What is meant by Sampradaya Bhajana?

Sampradaya Bhajana is a series of Naamavalis, Keerthanas, of various gods, goddesses, Saints and others, which have been formatted in a particular way. Maruthanalloor Sadguru Swamikal has done this formatting. Sampradaya Bhajana begins with a naamavali on Hari. Then begins what is known as Thotaya mangalam, which are 5 krithis penned by Shri.Bhodendhra Swamigal, which represent the pancha prana. Thodaya mangalam is followed by Guru Dhyanam, which begins with a Keerthana on Loka Guru Dakshinamoorthy. Followed by Shankaracharya, Bhodendral, Maruthanallor Swamikal Shridhara Venketesa Ayyaval, and Sadguru Swamigal. After Gurus, start Geetha Govinda Kavyam composed by Jayadeva, the krithis being more popularly known as Ashtapadi. Ashtapadi is followed by krithis of Narayana Theerthar, Bhadrachala Ramdas, Purandaradas, Sadashiva Brahmendar, Gopalakrishna bharathi, Oothukad Venkatasubbayar, Thyagaraja, Meera Bhai, Kabirdas, Surdas, Jnandev, Tukaram, Muktha bai, etc, etc. Singing of these songs depends on the time available, as it may not be possible to sing songs composed by all the above mentioned Gurus. After Guru parambara vandanam, starts, Shodashopachara Pooja which is done as per Vedic rites (all offerings as per Shodashopachara pooja such as sugandham, doopam, deepam, nivedyam, thamboolam, harathi, are offered through songs also) and Upachara Keerthanam is sung. Ganeshadi Dhyanam starts after this pooja, when songs in praise of Ganapathy, Saraswathy, Murugan, Siva, Ambal Ayyappan, Raman, Krishnan, Venkatramanan, MahaLakshmi, Narasimham, Pandurangan, Vynadheyan, and Vital are sung followed with a song on Anjaneya. After Ganeshadi Dhayanam starts Divyanaamasankeerthanam. During Divyanamasankeerthanam, Lord Krishna is represented as the deepam (Lamp) and is kept in a central position and those who participate in it are considered (Sankalpam) as Gopis. This part is known as deepa pradakshinam. The various keerthanas sung during deepa pradakshinam are sung in his praise and Gopika geetham which is the essence of Bhagavatam (Dasama Skandam) is chanted. After that rasakreeda songs of the lord are sung, concluded with a Vittal dhyanam and Paramasiva dhyanam. After which the deepam is placed back in its original position, signifying the return of the Lord to his abode. After deepapradakshinam starts what is known as Dolostvam. During Dolotsavam, as in our marriages, where there is nalungu, poo pandh vilayadal etc is performed for the Lord. This is also performed with the help of selected keerthanas of various composers mentioned above.

In the Sampradaya Bhajana Padathi, there is also an extension to the above, which is Radha Kalyanam/Seetha Kalyanam. In this part, Kalyanam as per our traditional ways are performed for Radha and Krishna or Seetha and Raman. This Kalyana Mahotsvam is also conducted by singing songs of various composers mentioned above and as per vaidika parambara also.

Sampradaya Bhajan is spread all across Kerala, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Andhra, Karnataka and in many North Indian states as well. Sampradaya Bhajan is nothing but a way to the eternal goal "Paramatman". Namasankeerthanam is a great yajna, but at the same time it is a simple and effective means in this Kaliyuga for all of us who are longing for mental peace and salvation.

V R Ganapathy is a graduate in commerce and is an entrepreuner in the Water & Waster Water treatment industry. He is a shishya of Shri Calicut Kannan Iyengar, a great bhagavathar

The author acknowledges the guidance provided by Shri.Calicut Kannan for compiling this article