One should be as humble as the grass and as tolerant as the trees, one should give respect to those whom no one respects, and always do kiirtan to the Lord. – Anandamurti
Definition & Origin
- Kiirtan is the practice of _____________________________________________.
- Kiirtan is only found in the Ananda Marga tradition. True. False.
- Kiirtan originated in the year:
a) 5,000 b.c.e. b) 2,000 b.c.e. c) 1955 d) 1969, e) 1486 f) 1500
The mind cannot remain vacant. Whenever there is no important job to do, do not waste your time in idle thinking, because idle thinking means mental deterioration, mental degradation, psychic degeneration. So utilize each and every moment of your life in doing something good, in thinking something good. When you are not physically doing something good, then mentally do something good. And the best mental work, the best mental engagement is…(to) Do the kiirtan of Parama Purusa. – Anandamurti
The Goal & Benefits
..now the time has come to manifest the glory of kiirtan. And I also want to say further that those who wish to attain spiritual progress in their sadhana will have to do more and more kiirtan. By kiirtan, the mind becomes pure, and with this pure mind, one can do sadhana. – Anandamurti
- The goal of kiirtan is to move closer and closer to the Supreme One, Parama Purusa. True. False. Maybe.
- Kiirtan is never centered around yourself because: a) It is a waste of time and energy. b) There are better things to be doing. c) The ideation should always be on a highly evolved spiritual entity. d) It crudifies the goal of the practice.
- With 5 minutes of kiirtan the mind becomes very pure. Sadhana will be very good. There will be spiritual progress. True. False. Maybe.
He loves those who do kiirtan still more. He will say to them, “Come, come, come, – come near to Me.” – Anandamurti
- Kiirtan does the following: a) Frees one from complexes. b) Attracts Cosmic Grace. c) Banishes physical troubles and all mundane difficulties, d) Alleviates physical suffering, e) Dispels flood, famine, and drought, f) Removes all the diseases of the intellect.
- One minute of kiirtan enhances problem solving and proper thinking. True. False.
- Kiirtan can affect those who are not engaged in it. True. False.
I have made a rhyme: Baba Nam Kevalam. The repetition of even once kills so many sins that the worst sinners could not accumulate them. – Anandamurti
- Kiirtan is more beneficial than bhajan because __________________________________
- Service to Parama Purusa is a very important aspect of human existence and the best way to serve Parama Purusa in the mental sphere is to _______________________.
According to Narada: Where my devotees sing kiirtana, there I reside. This means that Parama Purusa as the nucleus of creation reaches the place where the devotees are singing kiirtana. Although Parama Purusa is all-pervading, He shifts the nucleus to that particular place. This is why devotees should sing bhajana (devotional songs) and kiirtana as much as possible, and the result will be that the (Divine) nucleus … will be shifted to the place of kiirtana, producing a very powerful devotional vibration that elevates all human minds. – Anandamurti
The Meaning
- “Baba” means: a) Only that Goal is yours, b) Dearest One, c) There is no second entity, d) The central point of the “I” feeling of each and every entity, e) The Entity closest to my heart, f) Guru.
- “Nam” means: a) I am taking the name of that Singular Entity, b) Divine Essence, c) To take only His name, d) Name, e) That is the Only Name!
- “Kevalam” means: a) The way, the route. b) There is no alternative, c) Suspension,
d) Everywhere, e) In all living beings.
- There are 8 syllables in Baba Nam Kevalam. True. False. Maybe.
- What are the syllables? ____________________________________
- A siddha mantra is one in which: a) Is never recited in the sitting down siddhasana pose. b) Is given to you by a Jane Siddha. c) Every syllable has its importance.
- Is there any other ideational significance other than the literal meaning?
Wherever you do kiirtana, there Parama Purusa will have to come because he Himself has said, “I do not reside in heaven, nor in the hearts of yogis; but wherever my devotees sing Kiirtana I remain there. – Anandamurti
How It Works!
During kiirtana what happens? The mind gets lifted, exalted, and as a result you will enjoy a particular nature of peace. And if you start your sadhana just after doing kiirtana, you will enjoy bliss. So kiirtana is a necessity, is an indispensable necessity for proper sadhana. – Anandmurti
- There is a psycho-philosophy behind kiirtan regarding the engagement of the sensory and motor organs. What is it?
____________ __________ sing. ________ hear. ___________ and ________ dance. _______ _____________ are preoccupied with the Divine.
- When performing kiirtan, it is important to think about: a) How you are missing the football game, b) Love, c) What you need to pick up at the store, d) Your Divine Identity.
- It is important not to sing kiirtan too loudly as this will destroy the sentient vibration, is not respectful, and may be considered a violation of Ahimsa.
True. False. Sometimes.
- It is advisable to play _______ during kiirtan. Why?
- If you have committed any mistake, your singing kiirtana wholeheartedly, will free you from all sins and your future will always be bright. True. False.
- The vibration that kiirtan creates sends a sympathetic vibration in (what organ) your ______, and vibration is produced in your _______ nerves, Those vibrations are carried to the (what organ) _____ where they produce a corresponding vibration, which is also finally reproduced in the _____.
Where my devotees sing my praise, do kiirtan, there I go – I cannot help going there.- Anandamurti
- In kiirtan the mind gets automically _____________.
Mudslinging and criticizing is thereby stopped forever, and hence kiirtana averts the degradation of the human mind. – Anandamurti
The Supreme Entity within you will always help you. He will always help you. It is His duty to help you. So you are never alone. You are never helpless. And you are always with the Supreme Entity. You are the strongest personality of the entire universe. Don’t be affected don’t be assaulted, by any complex – inferiority, superiority, defeatist, or any complex. You hail from the noblest family of the universe. Parama Purusa is your Father. – Anandamurti
Lalita
- Parvatii, the spouse of Shiva, invented lalita marmika, which means: a) the dance toward the Divine, b) the dance from the Philippines, c) voice of the inner spirit, d) voice of the Divine.
- Are you using your mental power or your psycho-spiritual power? _________
- The ideal hand position relative to being at your sides is at: a) 45 degrees, b) 360 degrees, c) 90 degrees, d) more than 90 degrees.
- This is because: _________________________________________________________
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- It is recommended that the arm is extended up above the elbow because: a) It elevates the heart function, b) Indicates complete self-surrender, c) Better prepares us for sadhana.
- Ananda Marga Kiirtan is unique in that it combines lalita marmika dance with kiirtana. Most other yogic systems do not include yogic dance. True. False. Oh, I really don’t have the faintest idea.
- There are 2 mudras used when performing lalita. What are they and how do they affect us?
All the microcosms are part and parcel of Parama Purusa. So when Parama Purusa is with you in all circumstances, and when you are not alone, then how can you say that the world is full of sorrows! Rather the world is certainly full of joy because it is from joy that the universe has emerged, in joy it is being maintained, and finally the culminating point of all movement is the Supreme Bliss. – Anandamurti
Utilize that time, utilize each and every aspiration of your existence, in doing the kiirtana of the Supreme. – Anandamurti