BHAJAN, KIRTAN and JAPA – DIFFERENCES!
Now a days, both Bhajan and Kirtan is used in the same meaning.
However, we can try to find the minute differences like this:
DIFFERENCE – (1):
BHAJAN USUALLY SUNG BY THE AUDIENCE TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME. KIRTAN IS SUNG BY A LEADING PERSON FIRST AND THEN FOLLOWED BY THE WHOLE AUDIENCE.
Therefore, it is clear that Bhajan can be sung by the whole aucience at the same time, ONLY IF all the devotees know the song sung in the bhajan.
Since all of them sing at the same time, everyone should sing simultaneously.
So, everyone should have known the song well.
This may make the new comers difficult to join the Bhajan.
(Will chanting change the basic nature of a person? Explain loud chanting! READ HERE!)
So, Bhajan is for the new comers – only to hear, not to sing back.
In Kirtans, a devotee sings first and the audience repeats the song as a follow up.
In the kirtans, there is no need for the audience to have known the song and even the new comers can join the kirtans.
So, kirtans are for both new comers and the experienced devotees!
A song can be finished earlier if it is sung as bhajan.
It will take double the time if sung as kirtan because every line is sung by the Lead singer first and then by the followers.
(32 WAYS OF HOW NOT TO CHANT! READ HERE!)
DIFFERENCE – (2):
GENERALLY, BHAJAN MEANS SINGING THE SONGS THAT CONTAIN EVEN THE STORIES & GLORIES OF GODS.
KIRTAN IS USUALLY REPEATING THE SAME VERSES AGAIN AND AGAIN. EG: HARE KRISHNA KIRTAN.
However, both the cases are used for both bhajans and Kirtans now a days. So, nothing wrong in doing so.
Both Bhajans and Kirtans are aimed to please the God.
In the Vaishnava traditions, mostly the kirtans are followed in all the temples. In other traditions, Bhajans are followed more.
(What is the difference between GOD and LORD? READ HERE!)
DIFFERENCE – (3):
BHAJAN-KIRTAN Vs JAPA:
Both the Bhajans and Kirtans are sung loudly. Whereas, the JAPA is done silently or with low voice.
For example, if the Hare Krishna Maha Manthra is chanted silently or in low voice, it is Japa.
If the same Hare Krishna Maha Manthra is sung as a chorus, it is a bhajan. If it is sung following the Lead singer, it is kirtan.
Hope you are now clear about the BHAJAN, KIRTAN and JAPA – DIFFERENCES!
Simple.
(Science behind loud kirtans and active dancing in devotion! READ HERE!)