Its perfection : Revered Dada began his Sadhana Mission by perfecting Bhakti Sadhana with the blessings of Shri Pant Maharaj of Balekundri. Bhakti Sadhana comprises 145 hymns altogether of these 92 were composed by Pant Maharaj himself during his life time, 22 are the ones sung in the Shri Sai Samadhi Mandir at Shirdi at different hours of the day and night, 20 composed by our Senior Gurubandhu Late Shri Mohan Kasabekar and 8 traditional ones. For nearly 35 years Dada used to sing these hymns to the beats of only the cymbals (zanja) in the company of his devotees. No other musical instrument was involved. The Aarati Sadhana so perfected does not include any hymn or song composed by Dada's devotees after his Nirvana in 1991.

When Pant Maharaj, in an inspired State, sang the hymns, his followers experienced wondrous powers of spiritual potency in both the tunes and wording (Nadbrahma & Shabdabrahama) of the hymns. Dada skilfully wove these hymns in mellifluous notes and won the approval of Pant Maharaj himself for the pitches he lent to these hymns. Devotees enjoyed identical experiences when Dada sang these hymns as they did when Pant Maharaj was singing. Revered Dada was particular that the hymns be sung in Swar - Tal - Laya.

A deep study of these hymns convinced me that unless they are rhymed on the basis of a standard intonation of Swar - Tal - Laya, the Sadhaks will not experience the same feeling of joy as they did while Dada was singing. On broaching the subject with Dada, he instantly agreed and gave me his blessings. This incident took place in 1982. To achieve the above said goal, several practical experiments were undertaken in the years that followed.

In 2008 I recorded all the hymns in my own voice but was not satisfied with the quality of the rendition in the flow of the lines. Next five years were spent in attempting to get it accomplished through several prominent singers of the day. But all these efforts yielded no satisfactory result. At long last Shri Sanjeev Chimmalagi, a worthy singer of the rising younger generation, accepted the challenge and Revered Dada's blessings thus came to fruition after a long period of 31 years. This incident decisively brings out the innate truth of Shri Saibaba's advice of Shraddha (faith) and Saburi (patience) to his devotees.

Five audio cds containing 145 hymns of Bhakti Sadhana entitled Bhaktiprem Lahari were released on 6 th October 2013 at a function sponsored by the Datta Sansthan of Shri Pant Maharaj of Balekundri. Notable features of the audio CDS are :

1) Swar Siddhata (perfection of musical notes) : Despite lack of formal training in classical music, Dada's setting of the hymns to the rules of music in 37 different Ragas. (Raga - a mode of music or of song) is nothing short of a miracle.

2) Rendition of the hymns by Shri Sanjeev Chimmalagi a leading artist of the upcoming generation, with a flow and in a voice which deeply touches one's heartstrings.

3) This colossal and challenging task of recording 145 hymns involving 12 hours of sound recording was accomplished in just about 8 months in one single studio, by one single producer and with only singer and orchestra. The achievement may well be regarded as a record of some sorts considering the excellent quality of the product, cost of such a production normally ranges from Rupees twelve to fifteen lacs.

4) Presentation of the hymns is such as to make the listener contemplative and desirous of hearing them over again as also humming their tunes. Since the use of musical instruments has been kept to the minimum, the listener is able to unravel the Tatvabodh projected through the hymns without much difficulty. It is the experience of many that the assuaging quality of the wording of the hymns helps bring tranquility to the mind. Also as the hymns have been sung by one single singer there is continuity in the tone of singing which is pleasing to the ear. The CDS would be a lesson to believers as to how Bhakti Sangeet ought to be sung. The message conveyed by the hymns helps cleanse layesr of ignorance on one's soul. They are best suited for chorus singing and agreeable to all age groups, the old and the young alike.

In the Bhakti Sadhana the Sadhak is expected not merely to hear but also to sing the hymns in his own voice and should his voice not complement him then at least hum them on a regular basis. Then only the Tatvabodh outlined in these hymns will touch his heart and help cleanse it. Bhakti Sadhana as perfected by Revered Dada with the blessings of Shri Pant Maharaj of Balekundri, is an effective instrument whereby a Sadhak can develop his Atmik Power and achieve Karmavimochan of his self all by himself.

Audio - Visual demonstration of a few select hymns has been given in this very section click here for the same.

May maximum number of Sadhaks and lay followers benefit from the Bhakti Sadhana. That is our sincere prayer at the sacred feet of our Revered Guru Shri Dada Maharaj.