9 - Devotion Through Keertan

It so happened one day. Narayan was singing Keertan sitting in front of Ghanshyam Maharaj in the temple. He was singing with full involvement and with closed eyes. All his senses were engrossed in God. Narayan’s voice was sweet and melodious. And he was singing with total devotion. What a wonderful combination it was! Everyone visiting the temple for Darshan was attracted by his Keertan. They would sit down to listen to Narayan’s Keertan. Narayan would sing such beautiful Keertans one by one that everyone felt fully immersed in devotion. A Haribhakta went to Swami Bhaktijivandasji to inquire, ‘Who is this young boy! I have never seen him before. How beautifully he sings the Keertans! I feel so attracted.’ Swami replied, ‘He is Narayan. He is a great Mukta of Shreeji Maharaj. Ghanshyam Maharaj talks to him every day. He sings beautiful Keertans fully absorbed in Maharaj.’ Haribhakta said, ‘Wow! What devotion this kid has towards God! Maharaj talks to him! Wow! That is great.’

Once, Acharya Maharaj came for the Darshan of Maharaj. He stopped there listening to Narayan’s voice. He was fully immersed into the divine form of God. Narayan’s Keertan was over. Acharya called Narayan. Narayan bowed down to him and sat down. Acharya said, ‘Bal Muktaraj, what is your name?’ Narayan replied, ‘Narayan.’ Acharya asked, ‘Who taught you to sing such beautiful Keertans with such devotion?’ Narayan replied, ‘Nobody.’ Archarya was astonished. He said, ‘Oh great! What a sweet voice God has given you! Your concentration while singing Keertans is wonderful. Narayan, you were singing all the Keertans with closed eyes. Do you remember so many Keertans by heart?’ Narayan replied politely, ‘With God’s grace, I remember one hundred Keertans by heart.’ Acharya was surprised. ‘Narayan, How old are you?’ he asked.

Narayan informed, ‘I am eight years old.’ Acharya and everyone sitting there were astonished. One hundred Keertans by heart at the age of eight years!!! Acharya congratulated, ‘Narayan, your devotion through Keertans is great and blessed are your parents who have attained such virtuous son!’

Difficult words:
Politely - With good manners
Immersed - Involved deeply
Absorbed - With great interest
Involved - Taking part wholeheartedly

Points to ponder:
- Anadimukta of Shreeji Maharaj are not bound by the age limits of this world.
- Muktaraj teaches us that we must worship God with total involvement in the divine form of God.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. How was Narayan singing Keertans in front of God?
2. Why did Haribhaktas sit down around Narayan?
3. How many Keertans did Narayan remember by heart? How old was he at that time?
4. What did Swami reply to Haribhaktas?

Fill in the blanks:
1. Wow! What a _____________ voice God has given you!
2. You were singing with closed ____________, how many _____________ do you remember by heart?
3. I am _____________ years old.