In English
Devotional singing which attracts the Lord
Where the singers merely emphasise the and the (tune and rhythm), He will not be present. It is only when the song is melodious combining , and (the tune, the rhythm and the feeling) only there will He be present. The singing must be full of feeling. The Lord is moved only by the feeling that is expressed, not by musical talent as such. It does not matter if the is not perfect and the is not perfect. Those appeal only at the worldly level. The Lord loves only the sincerity of feeling. There was a great musician in 's Court known as . He used to sing night and day and the music was mellifluous. It was perfect music but there was no deep feeling in his singing. One day and were going round the city. found an old man singing to himself songs in praise of God. stopped his chariot and went on listening to the song of the devotee and even without his knowing it, tears started flowing from his eyes. His heart was deeply moved. He went some distance and told : "You have been singing for a long time before me and I have always found your music very sweet to the ears but it has never moved my heart, but the music of this devotee has melted my heart. I wish to know the difference between your singing and the singing of this devotee!" replied: "! I have been singing to please you, but this devotee is singing to please God, that is the difference." So something which is sung to please a man cannot move the heart. Only that which is addressed to God can have that effect. What pleases the Lord alone can change the mind of man. Both the devotee and the great musician were singing well, but only the song filled with devotional feeling could appeal to God.