From time immemorial, the soul, immersed in worldly desires and passions, increasingly gets entangled in the dark environment of this Kali Yuga. Enjoying the pleasures of speech, hearing, sight, and touch leads to deeper immersion in the cycle of birth and death. In such times, to save humanity from the abyss of rebirth and to make human life meaningful by connecting it with God, the saints of Swaminarayan Bhagwan have made relentless efforts and continue to do so. In the present era, the easiest way to connect with God amidst the chaos of Kali Yuga is through Kirtan Bhakti.

Kirtan Bhakti involves singing praises of God's glory, expressing emotions that arise from the depths of the heart, love, longing for divine communion, joy of divine attainment, and feelings of separation. It is a means to convey these emotions.

Shreeji Maharaj also had a deep fondness for Kirtan Bhakti. He would always have the saints sing kirtans before assemblies. The heartfelt and profound words of the kirtans composed by the saints would touch the hearts of listeners, filling them with divinity. Sometimes, the atmosphere would transform so profoundly that the sense of time and place would be forgotten.

Kirtan Bhakti is a unique medium to please God and to cultivate love for Him. It serves as a powerful tool to elevate the soul from worldly entanglements and direct it towards the divine. Through the joyous and devotional practice of Kirtan Bhakti, one can achieve a deeper connection with God and experience spiritual fulfillment.

The beloved and the lifeline of countless devotees, Lord Shri Hari, highly valued the greatness of saints. Sometimes He would visit to serve them food, and other times to give discourses. Most often, He would certainly visit the saints during their mealtimes.

At that time, there was a rule that when a meal was offered, everyone would be served together. One day, the meal was ready. Maharaj came to serve the saints. The line of saints was formed, and Maharaj glanced through them. However, He did not see the embodiment of love, Sadguru Premanand Swami, because Swami had a rule that he would create four kirtan verses every day before offering meal. Today, that rule was not fulfilled, so he did not come for a meal.

Maharaj personally went to Sadguru Premanand Swami’s seat and said, “Swami, the meals will get cold, come and serve.”

Sadguru Premanand Swami was composing kirtans, and upon the sudden darshan of Maharaj, he was overjoyed. Overwhelmed with love, he said to Maharaj, “Maharaj, please be pleased! You may serve the meal. My rule of composing four kirtans daily is not yet completed. Merciful once, I composed two verses, and two are still left. I will be there for a meal only after completing them. You may serve the meal.”

Maharaj said, “Swami, what is the problem with that? Here, let me dictate the remaining two verses, and you write them down so that your rule of writing four verses is fulfilled.” And thus, a new historical event took place. Shriji Maharaj himself composed the third and fourth verses. In these verses, He expressed His inner sentiments, His own glory through His own words, showering immense compassion on the devotees! Here are those two verses...

Kirtan 1

Bolya Shrihari re, saambhalo narnari harijan;
Lord Hari spoke, "Listen, men and women devotees;

Mare ek varta re, sahune sanbhalaavyanu chhe man.
I wish to narrate a story to all.

Mari murati re, mara lok, bhog ne mukt;
My form, my abode, pleasures, and liberation;

Sarve divya chhe re, tya to joyani chhe jukt.
All are divine, it can only be understood by seeing.

Maru dham chhe re, akshar amrut jenu nam;
My abode is called Akshar Amrut;

Sarve samrathi re, shakti gune kari abhiram.
It is full of all capabilities, adorned with virtues and beauty.

Ati tejomay re, ravi shashi kotik varane jay;
It is extremely radiant, outshining millions of suns and moons;

Shital shant chhe re, tejani upma nav devay.
It is cool and peaceful; no comparison can describe its radiance.

Tema hu rahu re, dvibhuj divya sada sakar;
In it, I reside, always in a divine, visible, human-like form;

Durlabh devne re, maro koi n pame par.
Difficult even for the gods to comprehend, no one can fathom my depth.

Jiv ishwar tano re, maya kal purush pradhan;
I am the controller of Jivas, Ishvaras, Maya, Time, Purush, and Pradhan;

Sahune vash karu re, sahuno prerak hu bhagwan.
I control everyone, I am the inspirer of all.

Aganit vishvani re, utpatti palan pralay thay;
Innumerable universes are created, sustained, and destroyed;

Mari marji vina re, koithi taranu nav todai.
Without my will, not even a blade of grass can move.

Em mune jano re, maram asrit sau narnari;
Know me thus, all men and women who depend on me;

Me to tam agale re, varta satya kahi chhe mari.
I have spoken my truth before you.

Hu to tam karane re, avyo dham thaki dhari deh;
I have come from my abode and taken a body for your sake;

Premanandno re, valo varsya amrut meh.
For Premanand's sake, the shower of nectar has rained."

Kirtan 2

Vali sahu saambhalo re, mari varta param anup;
"Listen again, all of you, to my supreme and unique story;

Param siddhant chhe re, sahune hitkari sukh rup.
It is the highest principle, beneficial and joyful for all.

Sahu haribhaktane re, javu hoye mare dham;
All devotees who wish to come to my abode;

To mane sevjo re, tame shuddh bhave thai niskam.
Should serve me with pure, selfless devotion.

Sahu haribhaktane re, rahevu hoye mare pas;
All devotees who wish to stay close to me;

To tame meljo re, mithya panchvishay ni ash.
Should relinquish the false desires of the five senses.

Muj vina jano re, bija mayik sahu akar;
Know that, except for me, all other forms are materialistic;

Priti todjo re, jutha jani kutumb parivar.
Break your affection, recognizing your family and relatives as false.

Sahu tame paljo re, sarve dradh kari mara nem;
Follow firmly all my commands;

Tam par rijhashe re, dharm ne bhakti karshe kshema.
Dharma and devotion will bless you and protect you.

Sant haribhaktane re, didha shikshano updesh;
The teachings given to saints and devotees;

Latkam hathna re, karta shobhe natvar vesh.
Adorn the appearance of one with raised hands.

Nijan upare re, amrut varsya anand kand;
Upon my true followers, I shower nectar of joy;

Jem sahu aushadhi re, prite poshe puran chand.
As the full moon nurtures all herbs with its love.

Shobhe santma re, jem kai uduganma udu raj;
In the saints, it shines like the moon among the stars;

Ishwar uday thaya re, kalima karva janna kaj.
God has incarnated in Kali Yuga for the welfare of people.

Aa pad shikhshe re, gashe sanbhashe kari pyar;
Those who learn, sing, and listen to these verses with love;

Premanandno re, Swami leshe teni sar.
Premanand's Swami will take good care of them."