Singing Unto Infinity…

Singing Unto Infinity…

An atmosphere soaked in music, a heart swelled with sorrow: this was the mood that Playback Singer K.S. Chitra owned while visiting Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba every time. Each visit was the result of salvation from previous births… and each song led to the Ocean of Milk – Sai Love!!!

(K.S.Chitra, popularly known as the “Nightingale of South India”, lends her voice in the South Indian Film Industry, whose foray into the field of playback singing earned her a distinct name in the Indian Music Industry. She has the rare distinction of highest number of national awards awarded to any female playback singer in India. She has also been conferred the prestigious “Padma Shri” by the Government of India in 2005, apart from winning several other state and national level awards) This article that was originally published in Dec 2009 is being republished now.

It was from my mother that I first began to hear about Swami. Her narrations of Sai Charitham and accounts about what she had heard about Swami brought me close to Swami very long ago. But a darshan was possible only years later.

That was when Swami had come to Chennai. At that time, for the function, Susheelamma (P. Susheela) asked me if I could sing a bhajan. It was the first time Susheelamma asked anything out of me and that itself was a happy incidence. I agreed immediately. Besides me there were Mano, Shailaja, Sunanda and many other singers as well. A special and close darshan was not possible that time but since the singers were allowed padanamaskaram I was fortunate to get it. That was my first darshan.

During that visit Swami stayed in ‘Nandanam’—a house next to famous Tamil heroine Anjalidevi Amma’s residence. Since Susheelamma had got permission for us singers alone to have one more darshan, the next day we waited for Swami. As we waited in that pin drop silence of expectation Swami walked in. And He spoke to everyone! He even joked!

The next darshan I got of Swami was during His birthday celebrations at Puttaparthi. It was a function where many artistes were participating in the name of national integration. M.S. Subbalakshmi, Pundit Jasraj, Kavitha Krishna Murthy and Parveen Sulthana were there.

It was during this visit that an unforgettable incident took place. I had started for Parthi without completing the recording of a song. The theme of the song was that of a woman angrily crying out to the gods who were going to take back the life of her husband. Hence, the ending of the song required exerted emotion where I had to sing very high. I was afraid that if I sang at that top note I would find it difficult to sing in front of Swami. So, I told the music director that I would sing the rest of the song after I returned.

That day, at Parthi, I sang for about 45 minutes. After singing, I bowed reverentially at Him and received the silk He gave me joyfully. “Why are you afraid to sing high?” He asked and surprised me by telling me to sing without any fear. Eminent personalities like M.S. Subbalakshmi were also present there.

Afterwards, I got an opportunity to sing Sai devotional songs for a Telugu album. It was with this album’s music director and producer that I got a chance to visit Parthi again. I sang before Him during this visit too. During that trip my mother’s memories weighed heavily upon me.

My mother had wanted to join me on my first trip to Parthi. But as she was suffering from heart disease the doctors refused to grant permission. Still, she was insistent, saying that if she was to die she was happy that it would be in Parthi. Yet, taking into account her health I did not let her accompany me. Then, when this next opportunity came to meet Swami she was no more. She would never accompany me again… pain gnawed me throughout the journey.

The next morning I was fortunate to have Swami’s darshan. The orchestra members who accompanied me were also there. He said, “Sad that you have lost everyone? Everything is for the good…” I felt peace enveloping, as if guilt was getting null. He continued, “You have something to tell me…” I did not answer. He repeated the question. Yes, there was a deep desire within me—to have a child. But how was I to ask for it there? My mind did not allow it. And then, as if reading my mind, Swami called the women alone to the inner room. Here, He repeated the question.

“I don’t have a child,” I said hesitantly. A hearty laugh was Swami’s immediate answer and then He said, “Want a child… the next time you come to see me you will bring your child also.” Then He materialized a chain from the atmosphere and presented it to me—a gold chain with a locket on which the word Om was written with white stones. He then blessed me: “Like the word Om let your sound fill the world…”

After that, somehow, it took very long for me to see Swami again. Usually, when Swami came to Chennai P. Leela (Chechi) used to inform me. But once I came to know of His visit only after He left. It was when my husband read from the newspaper and told me about it that I knew about the visit. Years later, when I knew I was to become a mother I still could not meet Him. After I had a child too I sent letters and faxes. There was no reply. Yet, I was happy. My mind was in bliss.

Then, once when Swami came to Chennai I saw Him from far. Swami looked from far, but I did not get close darshan.

Finally, it was for this year’s Onam that I went to Parthi and got Swami’s darshan. I sang 9 songs. Throughout, Swami was on stage. After singing He blessed me. He then called me and gave permission for Padanamaskar. He called my daughter and put a chain around her neck. He also allowed a group photo and blessed me with the permission of doing Aarathi during prasadam distribution. Then He said, “Come often.” “I’ll come whenever you call,” I replied.

(Originally published in “Devaragam”, Sathya Sai Birthday Supplement in Malayalam by Mathrubhumi Daily…translations by Ms Vidya K. Murkoth)

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Singing Unto Infinity – A Devotional Journey Beyond Limits

Singing Unto Infinity is a beautiful expression of devotion that rises beyond ordinary sound and reaches toward the eternal. When a heart sings with love for the Divine, the song is no longer just music. It becomes prayer, surrender, remembrance, and a sacred bridge between the human soul and the infinite presence of God.

Music has a special power because it can touch places within us that words alone cannot reach. A simple melody can calm a restless mind, soften a wounded heart, and awaken feelings of faith and gratitude. When singing is filled with devotion, it carries purity. The voice may be trained or untrained, loud or soft, but if the heart is sincere, the offering becomes precious.

Singing Unto Infinity reminds us that devotion is not limited by language, rhythm, or musical skill. One person may sing in Sanskrit, another in Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, or any other language. One may sing classical bhajans, another may sing a simple prayer. The Divine listens not to perfection of sound alone, but to the sincerity of feeling. A song offered with love can travel farther than the voice itself.

In spiritual life, singing helps gather scattered thoughts. The mind often runs behind worries, desires, memories, and plans. But when we sing the name of God, the mind slowly becomes focused. The heart begins to feel lighter. The repeated remembrance of the Divine name cleanses inner restlessness and brings peace. This is why bhajans and devotional songs have always held an important place in spiritual practice.

Singing Unto Infinity also teaches humility. A singer may receive appreciation, but the true devotee knows that voice, breath, rhythm, memory, and opportunity are all gifts from God. When music becomes a reason for pride, its sacredness becomes weaker. But when music becomes an offering, the ego becomes smaller and the heart becomes purer.

The word “infinity” gives this thought a deeper meaning. The Divine is endless, beyond time, beyond space, and beyond human understanding. No song can fully describe that greatness, yet love still tries. A devotee sings not because the Infinite can be captured in notes, but because the heart cannot remain silent before such love. Devotional singing becomes the soul’s natural response to divine grace.

Singing Unto Infinity becomes especially meaningful when many voices join together. In a group bhajan, people from different backgrounds sit as one family. Personal worries, social differences, and worldly identities fade for a while. Everyone becomes united by one feeling: love for God. Such collective singing creates an atmosphere of peace and spiritual strength.

A devotional song can also become a form of healing. Many people carry hidden pain. They may not be able to express their sorrow clearly, but while singing or listening to a sacred song, tears may come and the heart may feel relieved. Those tears are not weakness. They are signs that the soul is releasing its burden before the Divine.

Singing Unto Infinity is not only about the sound made by the lips. It is also about the silent song of life. When we speak kindly, work honestly, serve humbly, and forgive sincerely, our actions become music in the eyes of God. A life lived with love becomes a continuous bhajan, even when no physical song is being sung.

This idea reminds us that every person can offer something. Not everyone may have a strong singing voice, but everyone can carry devotion. Someone may clap in rhythm, someone may listen with closed eyes, someone may silently repeat the divine name, and someone may serve water to the gathering. All these become part of the same sacred offering when done with love.

Singing also trains the heart in surrender. A song begins, rises, flows, and ends, just like life itself. We cannot hold one note forever. We must allow the melody to move. In the same way, life teaches us to accept change, trust divine timing, and continue with faith. The devotee learns to sing through joy and sorrow, success and failure, nearness and separation.

When devotional singing becomes regular, it slowly changes the atmosphere of the home and mind. Harshness reduces. Peace increases. Children learn sacred feelings naturally. Elders feel comfort. The name of God begins to fill ordinary life with sweetness. Even a few minutes of sincere singing can refresh the heart and bring divine remembrance into daily routine.

In the end, Singing Unto Infinity is a journey from sound to silence, from emotion to surrender, and from personal longing to divine union. The song may end outwardly, but its vibration can continue within the heart. When the voice sings with devotion and the life follows with love, every breath becomes worship, every action becomes offering, and the soul moves closer to the infinite grace of God.

The You Inside Of You Is Waiting For You…