The "Seven Songs" in the Bhagavata Purana (also known as "Saptasvara") refer to seven famous hymns or verses that are sung in devotion to Lord Vishnu or Krishna, particularly in the context of bhakti (devotion). These songs are often associated with the worship and adoration of Lord Krishna as described in the Bhagavata Purana. While different interpretations exist, the most commonly recognized are as follows:
1. The Song of the First Skandha (Canto 1) – These hymns are dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s greatness, his transcendental nature, and his role in the creation and sustenance of the universe.
2. The Song of the Prahlada – In the story of Prahlada, the young devotee of Lord Vishnu, his prayers and songs of devotion are seen as a model of unwavering faith.
3. The Song of Dhruva – Dhruva's song represents the expression of devotion and determination in the face of adversity. He praises Lord Vishnu and expresses his desires for salvation and eternal peace.
4. The Song of the Gopis (Gopi Geet) – In the 10th Skandha, the Gopis (cowherd girls) sing a song in devotion to Lord Krishna, expressing their intense love and longing for him during the separation when he leaves Vrindavana.
5. The Song of Uddhava – Uddhava, a great devotee and friend of Lord Krishna, sings a song of praise, expressing deep spiritual wisdom and the significance of Lord Krishna’s teachings.
6. The Song of the Prayers of the Vedic Sages – The Vedic sages sing hymns of praise to Lord Vishnu, recognizing his supreme nature and the importance of devotion and surrender to him.
7. The Song of the Death of Kamsa – In this part of the Bhagavata, the defeat and death of the tyrant Kamsa are celebrated, symbolizing the triumph of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness), and it involves a song of rejoicing and praise for Lord Krishna’s victory.
These songs are meant to highlight different aspects of devotion, divine intervention, and the philosophy of surrender to the Supreme. They are often sung in temples, during festivals, or in spiritual gatherings to celebrate Lord Vishnu's or Krishna's divine qualities.
Seven Soulful Songs of the Bhagavatam: A Journey Through Devotion, Wisdom, and Divine Love
The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, one of the most sacred and poetic scriptures of Hinduism, is not merely a narration of divine events—it is a symphony of devotion, philosophy, and spiritual longing. Scattered throughout its twelve skandhas (cantos) are exquisite stutis—over 60 of them songs and prayers offered by sages, kings, celestial beings, and simple devotees. These hymns are not just praises; they are windows into the inner world of those who have seen God and felt His presence.
1. The Song of the First Skandha – Hymns of Cosmic Glory
In the opening canto, we hear voices of sages and seers glorifying Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendental. These early hymns establish the theological foundation of the Bhāgavatam—that Vishnu (or Krishna) is the origin of creation, the sustainer of the cosmos, and the final refuge of all souls.
janmādy asya yato 'nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
(Canto 1.1.1)
“From whom this universe was born, by whom it is sustained, and into whom it dissolves—He is the self-sufficient Lord, who imparted knowledge to Brahma. Even the greatest sages are bewildered before Him.”
This is not just a philosophical verse—it is the overture of the Bhāgavatam. It invites the reader into a spiritual world where the Divine is both unknowable and intimately knowable through devotion.
2. The Song of Prahlada – Hymn of Fearless Devotion
The story of Prahlada, a young prince and devotee of Lord Vishnu, shines in the seventh canto. Amidst persecution by his own father, the demon-king Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada never falters in his devotion. After Lord Narasimha slays the tyrant, Prahlada offers humble, profound prayers.
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ sakhyam ātma-nivedanam
(Canto 7.5.23)
“Hearing about Vishnu, chanting His names, remembering Him, serving His feet, worship, prayer, servitude, friendship, and complete surrender—these are the nine forms of devotion.”
Prahlada’s song is a devotional guidebook. It teaches us that even in the darkest moments, one can turn inward and upward—to the Lord who responds not to power, but to purity.
3. The Song of Dhruva – Child’s Praise of the Eternal
Dhruva, a five-year-old boy rejected by his stepmother, goes into the forest to seek the Lord. After months of penance, Lord Vishnu appears before him, and Dhruva, filled with awe, sings his heart out.
yo 'ntar hṛdayeṣv evaśrīṇvānaṁ śrīyamānaya
sandarśayati yaḥ sākṣāt yathā mṛgatṛṣṇikām iva
(Canto 4.9.10)
“The Lord resides in the hearts of all beings, yet appears directly to those who seek Him sincerely—just as a mirage vanishes before real water.”
Dhruva’s hymn shows the innocence of a child transformed by divine encounter. He wanted a kingdom, but on seeing the Lord, he says: “I came for broken glass, but found a diamond.”
4. The Song of the Gopis (Gopī Gīt) – Love Beyond Limits
In the 10th canto, when Krishna leaves Vrindavan, the gopīs are heartbroken. Their song, the Gopī Gīt, is a timeless lament, filled with love, longing, and surrender. It’s not mere emotion—it is the highest form of devotion: mādhurya-bhakti.
jayati te 'dhikaṁ janmanā vrajaḥ
śrayata indira śaśvad atra hi
dayita dṛśyatāṁ dikṣu tāvakās
tvayi dhṛtāsavas tvāṁ vicinvate
(Canto 10.31.1)
“Your birth in Vraja has made it glorious, dear beloved. The goddess Lakshmi ever dwells here for You. We have given our hearts to You; please appear to us, for we live only for You.”
The gopīs' song is love made divine. Their separation is not a sorrow—it is a flame that burns away ego and merges the soul with Krishna.
5. The Song of Uddhava – Wisdom at the Threshold
Uddhava, Krishna’s dearest friend and disciple, receives final instructions before Krishna’s departure from the world. These teachings, known as the Uddhava Gītā (Canto 11), are a spiritual goldmine.
yad-anudhyāsina yuktaḥ karma-granthi-nibandhanam
chindanti ko vidāstasya ko na kurvīta kathā-ratim
(Canto 11.20.8)
“By meditating on the Lord, one cuts the knots of karma. Who, hearing this wisdom from the wise, would not develop love for such teachings?”
The Uddhava Gītā is Krishna’s gentle farewell—a reminder that though the body may go, His words remain to guide us forever.
6. The Song of the Vedic Sages – Praise of the Inconceivable
Throughout the Bhāgavatam, Vedic sages offer songs of praise to Lord Vishnu, especially during cosmic events like creation, the descent of avatars, and great battles. Their hymns affirm that devotion surpasses ritual knowledge.
sattvaṁ viśuddhaṁ vasudeva-śabditaṁ
yad īyate tatra pumān apāvrutaḥ
sattve ca tasmin bhagavān vāsudevo
hy adhokṣajo me namasā vidhīyate
(Canto 4.3.23)
“In the pure state of being, known as Vasudeva, the Supreme Person becomes visible. To Him—who is beyond material perception—I offer my respects.”
These sages see what eyes cannot—Vishnu as the all-pervading light behind every name, form, and sound. Their songs urge us to shift from outer ritual to inner realization.
7. The Song on the Death of Kamsa – Triumph of Dharma
Kamsa, the tyrant king who persecuted Krishna’s family, meets his end at the hands of the Lord. His death is more than a plot twist—it is a cosmic correction. The people sing in relief and joy, praising Krishna as the protector of dharma.
"All the gods, sages, and common folk sang praises: 'Glory to Krishna, the destroyer of fear, the restorer of righteousness, and the delight of the Yādavas.'"
This song is a reminder: no matter how strong adharma seems, it will fall before the Lord’s will. When we align with truth, we invite the music of freedom into our lives.
Each song in the Bhāgavatam is like a gem on a necklace of divine wisdom—different in color, but strung together by love for the Lord. Whether it's a child’s prayer, a lover’s lament, or a philosopher’s praise, they all lead to the same goal: to remember, to surrender, and to rejoice in the presence of the Divine.
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