Azaan - Why our prayers are so vocal

We wakeup every morning at 5:00 am, by hearing the bells of nearby temple. Moments later Azaan from not so far away mosque fills the atmosphere with its own vibration. A typical Indian morning, remembering God is the first thing to start the day.

One could notice that our rituals or prayers are significantly vocal though our folklore / ancient literature says that one can speak with God thru inner self. Our history is full of stories where people attain enlightenment in silence / meditation. One could not comprehend from where the idea of loudspeaker arrives for talking to God. When do we have started vocalizing our prayers, Bhajans with a dholok now turned into full orchestra affair. No religious structure is without Loudspeaker.

One wonders if it is lack of confidence on God or on strength of own prayers. Some says that when you give words to your feelings, it grew stronger but isn’t continuous recitation of even “I Love you” will slay the soul behind the words

At times one can see a competition going on between various religious “shops” to be more audible than other. Prayer is marketing itself, advertising itself.

Mostly praises of God are spoken in temples / mosques & churches. Is our God is so small that he continuously wants a tribute.

Probably this practice would have started with Gosawami Tulsidas ji when he created a poetic wonder of Ramayana. Common man who could not have read the intricate Sanskrit would have been able to recite the verses of Ramayana. And also the smaller gods ( self acclaimed gurus etc. ) would have further strengthen it, they would have feel happy and filled with pride when people sing song of their praises.

Similar practice was also followed for the kings in ancient times & also in today’s time for our politicians. (Long Live the King : Netaji ki Jai Ho and in similar tone God you are great)

Wonder if any difference is left between our worship of netaji on stage and God in religious shrines. We are saluting both with utmost loudness and tried to please them for our interests. (Incidentally both doesn’t care much)

One never heard of anyone getting salvation by reciting bhajans. It may be popular in masses but I hope popularity is not the objective.

Wonders why religious shrines do not provide solace or peace for identifying our inner self.

Why do we need bells to mark our attendance in temples?

We praise god but we seriously doubt its capability to acknowledge us. Probably that is why we are so vocal about our prayers. Why does Allah need to know every morning, that he is great? Why does Jesus need carols to be happy?

We have reduced the God’s aspiration from us to seriously lower levels. We presume praises will please him rather than living a life on his preached principals. I think God would surely listen & respond if we sit quietly and connect our inner self with him.

“.......Kya behara hoi khudaye”

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A Revised Perspective:

After writing the earlier writeup on Azaan, One wonders if the vocal or sound is so irrelevant than why it is prevalent widely in all the religions. Why it has become basis of all prayers and worships since the ancient times.

Studying further reveals a more beautiful & universally accepted principle in philosophy: That universe is born out of a “Word”. In the beginning there was a word which creates universe and which still resides in all living things. It was also known as “Anaahat Naad” means a sound not generated by any musical instrument or by friction of any thing. Anahad literally means the un-struck melody. The music of the spheres. Scientists call it cosmic radiation. The sound or vibration still resounding from the “Big Bang”. Throughout time this sound has been recognized and named by various spiritual paths. Hindus & Sikhs call it the Shabd or Nam(name). Yogis call it the Un-struck melody (anahad) referred to above. Christians have called it the Word. Greek calls it Logos etc.

In Hinduism: “Before creation began it was "Shuny?k?sha", the emptiness or the void. Shuny?k?sha, meaning literally "no sky", is more than nothingness, because everything then existed in a latent state of potentiality. The vibration of "AUM" symbolizes the manifestation of God in form.”

In Christianity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.”

The Japanese also proclaimed their belief in a Divine Word before the Christian era, which, in their language, was Amina.

In Greek philosophy ”Logos” is the word with the divine animating principle pervading the Universe.

Chinese Taoism says the word is primary pattern of the evolving universe reflecting the qualities of the initial emergent consciousness, God.

It is said that the “Naad” or “sound” could be heard above a specific stage of meditation. That sound is still flowing in the universe.

One thinks that probably our practice of blowing conch, ringing bells or making Azaan is an effort to imitate or experience that sound. May be over the period of time we forget the significance of sound and now only using it as a tool, however still our practices are not that baseless. May be we need an awakening of consciousness of masses as we have also seen recently towards yoga and ayurveda.

One thinks that instead of following the traditions or norms blindly, we must tries to find the rational behind them. It would make us more spirited & committed towards the activity rather than being part of a crowd. It is this acknowledgement of purpose in our activities, which will bring good not only to us but also to the universe.

Let’s listen to azaan or temple bells with different perspective. Let’s try to listen & explore the “Anaahat Naad”, The Ultimate Sound.