At the feet of Baba: Chapter 15, Leela 1: Naradiya Kirtan-Paddhati

Leela:

Generally our Haridasas, while performing the Kirtan, wear a gala and full dress. They put on a head-dress, either a pheta or a turban, a long flowing coat with a shirt inside, an uparane (short dhotar) on the shoulders and the usual long dhotar from the waist below. Dressed in this fashion for some Kirtan in the Shirdi village, Dasganu once went to bow to Baba. Baba asked him - ""Well, bridegroom! where are you going dressed so beautifully like this?"" 'For performing a Kirtan' was the reply. Then Baba said - ""Why do you want all this paraphemalia-coat, uparani and pheta etc, doff all that before Me, why wear them on the body?"" Dasganu immediately took them off and placed them at the Baba's Feet. From that time Dasganu never wore these things while performing the Kirtan. He was always bare from waist upwards, a pair of `chiplis' was in his hand and a garland round his neck. This is not in consonance with the practice generally followed by all the Hardidasa, but this is the best and the purest method. The sage Narada, from whom the Kirtan-Paddhati originated, wore nothing on his trunk and head. He carried a 'veena' in his hand, and wandered from place to place everywhere singing the glory of the Lord.

Shri Sai Satcharita, The wonderful life and teachings of Shri Sai Baba, Translated by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji (Mumbai: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, 20^th Edition 2002), p83

Teachings from Leela:

1) For spiritual practice, your inner preparation is very important, but your outward appearance is not

Baba taught us via this leela that there is no need for pomp and show while praying to God. To prepare for prayer, ritual or other spiritual practice, pay attention to your inner self, as your inner spiritual experience is what’s truly important. Your outward appearance, and the outward appearance of your prayer or ritual, is irrelevant.

2) During your spiritual practice, avoid outer distractions and focus your mind

Focus your energy inwards so that your mind will not wander. It is important to keep your mind calm, peaceful and care-free during your practice. Fix your mind on God.

Putting into Practice

Here are some suggestions on how we could use this leela in our daily lives.

1) For spiritual practice, your inner preparation is very important, but your outward appearance is not

Guard yourself from getting caught up in physical appearances when following your spiritual practice, prayer or ritual. You will find this is most likely to happen when you are practicing this with a group.

2) During your spiritual practice, avoid outer distractions and focus your mind

You might have noticed that when you pray, your mind wanders to mundane thoughts and you have to struggle to bring it back to task over and over again. You will find that, if at the start of your practice, you take a minute to remind yourself how important this task is to you and that you need to give it your undivided attention, you will find this to be less of a struggle. Also, this will get better with practice.

Mantra:

Om, Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ

Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ

Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu

Mā kashchit duḥkha bhāgbhavet

Oṁ Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ

Meaning:

May all be prosperous and happy

May all be free from illness

May all see what is spiritually uplifting

May no one suffer

Om peace, peace, peace