Why is there Dancing in Bhajans or in Mandir Settings?

Aaja Aaja Radhey - Divine Keertan by Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj in Rangeeli Mahal Barsana, India

HINDU'S SANT DANCIN' ON " TWIST - LOVE AJ KAL "


Namaste and Sat Sri Akal

 
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I cannot speak for swamis who do the twist. However, the classical Hindu dance forms are ancient and historically were performed in only in religious spaces like temples. Only recently have they become associated with YouTube and theater performances. Shiva has been depicted as dancing to destroy old and worn out forms within the universe and clear the way for Brahma to begin the process of recreation. He is sometimes depicted as the Lord who is dancing in the flames, signaling new beginnings. Vishnu also dances to represent the cohesive force of the deity, holding creation together in his dance.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hinduism/34547-why-there-dancing-bhajans-mandir-settings.html

A comprehensive review of classical dance forms at this link http://hinduism.about.com/gi/o.htm?z....narthaki.com/

So this is a continuation of tradition. Nothing in the YouTubes seem to be representative of classical Hindu dance forms imho. More like swami'spiration.

Thanks.

That is what I was thinking too for today's stuff too.

It is like "feel good vibes" and is getting popular as it helps you digest ("preeti bhojan") loving meal. At the other extreme it is Pakhand (misleading ritual) to get offerings/mulah/money/maya/etc. from Shardaluhs (followers).

To many examples not just restricted to Hinduism (Hiduism, Sufism, Christianity specially black Gospel churches) I call it "Disco Satsang", "Disco Bhajan","Disco Jesus", etc.

Perhaps our Gurus wanted us to live Gurbani at its fullest by first feeling it through singing this beautiful poetry and then practicing it through deeds. Prose, which is the springboard of doing good needs no twist in the steps but determination of the mind-Munn.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34547

On the other hand Gospel music which is also known as Soul music was invented by the slaves as they were forbidden to attend the Churches owned by the Whites. So, they gathered in open places and sang. Now many White churches have bands and singing but nothing like what is in the Black churches. It is a totally different and more pleasant event to participate in.

Ah, from the dreaded scientific point of view :P
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34547

Singing and dancing can induce altered states of conciousness that can be (and usually are) associated with religious or divine experiences—Not unlike meditation.

What spnadmin said is interesting as well. Good historical context.

Dear Khalsa Ji,

It is in line with Indian tradition. In temples it is mostly performed by ladies.

The essense of this ritual is single mindedness. When some one sings, the entire mental faculty responsible from making the melodious song flow gets involved. When one dances the entire system of the brain devoted to locomotion gets involved. The person who is singing listens to what it is singing and thus the mental faculty associated with hearing gets involved. The breathing of the person singing to gets regulated to produce the melody of the Bhajan. If the person is singing with understaning the meaning of the words of Bhajan then the thought process of the brain to get invoved with it and when the person dedicate all this to the God it leads to the person's entire being getting directed towards the God. This leads to single mindedness as other worldly thought cannot intrude.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34547
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34547

The same Guru Sahib has achieved by introducing Kirtan with musical instruments. The dancing is replaced be the locomotion faculty of mind producing the tune through the instrument. All other faculties of the brain get involved in Kirtan in the same way as in case of dancing under discussion. The absence of physical gestures in Kirtan helps the devotees in not getting distracted by the physical features of the performer.

This is my understanding.

With love and respect for all.

Amarpal Singh

I believe there is some/more merit to the following to be appropriate for consideration,

Does it apply in this instance? I believe it does.

How about the following,


It will be great if a Hindu member could comment too.

Sat Sri Akal.

From the science angle :P

It depends...

If we are talking about altered states of consciousness akin to meditation. Then from a scientific point of view—It wouldn't really apply. There is evidence that uttering "nonsense" can induce the same mental states that uttering meaningful prose induces. There are many schools of meditation that focus on uttering nonsense. (Perhaps the christian tradition of Speakin in Tongues is the most notable one, But I am only aware of Hindu and Buddhist schools of meditation that utilize "nonsense" and unlike christians—They will freely admit its nonsense :P).

But I'm not sure if the above quote is in reference to practices of meditation in general (For example, comparing sikh meditation to other forms of meditation).

Or whether the above quote talks about the difference between understanding and meditating. Which I talked about in a previous post. And the futility of empty prayer over action?
(In this case the act of meditation is looked down upon even if it produces an effect because it is baseless without an understanding. And its kind of obvious how Action would be better then praying for Action)

BTW. The way in which dance and singing work is kind of like inducing sensory deprivation via sensory overload. If that makes sense? Just thought I would add to what Amarpal said.

With regards to the video :P. Its safe to say that if it wasn't "working" for them. They wouldn't be doing it. But its been working for them for this long so there must be something (however small or insignificant) to it. It is not completely meaningless then. Lol :P But I guess "almost meaningless" is no consolation.

Ambarsaria ji,
Define the actions you believe are referred to by the quote you give? I understand actions to be your actions towards others, the way you behave constantly, the way you think and whether you follow Gurbani. Referring to dance moves as actions seems a shallow interpretation.