Bhajan

Bhajan

A bhajan is a devotional song in the Hindu tradition, sung to a deity, a saint or the divine in general. Its focus is devotion through words and melody.

Vaishnav Jan To, a Gujarati bhajan by Narsinh Mehta, is one of the best known examples. Bhajan words also come from poets such as Kabir, Meera, Surdas and Tulsidas, or from later writers.

The form is usually simple: a refrain, the part that returns, and verses. A singable melody and a steady rhythmic pattern support the words.

Where you will hear a bhajan

You will hear bhajans, devotional songs in the Hindu tradition, in temples, at home and in concert. Many film songs borrow the form too. The devotion may be directed towards a deity, a saint or the divine in general.

For an example, listen to “Vaishnav Jan To”, a Gujarati bhajan by Narsinh Mehta. It is one of the best known. Other bhajans draw on words by Kabir, Meera, Surdas and Tulsidas, or by later writers.