This page collects live recordings from spiritual events. The idea is to share in a non commercial way unedited (long) Live-Kiirtan Recording so that that everyone can enjoy the bliss of Kiirtan chanting and feel the vibration of these events.
What is Kiirtan?
Kiirtan is chanting or singing mantras. It can be done at any time, and it is particularly good to do it before meditation. It certainly makes the mind easier attuned for meditation.
There is a universal mantra that has a deep spiritual meaning: Baba Nam Kevalam. Baba in Sanskrit means ” my most beloved one”, nam means “name” and kevalam means “only” – “Only the name of my most Beloved One”. The idea being that you feel for yourself the inner significance. So, the ideation of this mantra is: “Everywhere I look, in everything I feel, hear, taste, smell and see, I perceive that one Supreme Consciousness which pervades all things”. In general, we can say that Baba Nam Kevalam means “Infinite Love is all there is”.
Kiirtan has many benefits. It prepares the mind for meditation by focusing body and mind in cosmic thought. Disturbing thoughts disperse, and peaceful feelings arise from within. Because the mind clears, one can find solutions to problems easily after finishing kiirtan. And when many people sing and dance kiirtan together, a strong spiritual force is created which can prevent and remove afflictions, calamities and miseries.
Kiirtan is usually accompanied by Lalita Marmika, a simple and ancient dance done with upraised arms and a gently swaying motion of the body. The movements of the dance open the heart and create a feeling of surrender and joy.
The kiirtan dance is easy to perform. Important points to note are as follows.
Arms are held out above the horizontal level of the heart, with palms upward. This represents surrender to the Cosmic Consciousness. The hands should not go below the level of the elbows. If the hands are not up in the air, then they are kept clasped or cupped at chest level or may be used for clapping or playing instruments, particularly percussion instruments such as small drums, cymbals, triangles, bells, maracas and the like.
The feet should move alternately, placing the ball of one foot near or behind the heel of the other foot. The step is 1-2-3. That is, begin to raise the toes on the first foot (1) to start, move that foot behind the heel of the other foot (2), and bend the supporting knees (3) of both feet slightly; then as you move the first foot back to its original position (1 or 4), start 1-2-3-etc on the other side of the body.
Everyone should keep step together. When done in akhanda kiirtan (i.e. kiirtan in a circular movement) this creates a nice swaying flow as the dancers move counter clockwise in a circle. When done in straight lines it creates a sense of harmony of movement.
When danced in circular fashion, mostly on special occasions, festivals or retreats, the movement will be counter clockwise.
Kiirtan can be done solo, and as mentioned is particularly beneficial before meditation. Even 5 minutes kiirtan will be sufficient to lighten the mind and to create a calm, cool effect ideal for meditation.