Devotion is nothing but unquestionable, complete surrender of heart, mind, intellect to God, the Almighty, without expecting any material thing in return but peace. When sage Narada asked Lord Vishnu, where he does he actually stay, Lord Vishnu answered “ Neither I live in Vaikuntha, nor with Yogis, but remain amidst my devotees who sing devotional songs in praise of Me [i.e. God].” When devotees sing bhajans[ devotional songs] they get totally immersed in the thought of Almighty, forgetting all miseries of the world and attain peace and tranquillity.
My preceding reviewers have given very good lists of devotional songs both from films and non-film albums. While there are numerous bhajan albums, I am restricting myself to 10 best selected [not in order of merit] from popular films composed by different music directors [ not more than one song from one composer and one film].
Om Jai Jagadish Hare, Swami Jai Jagadish Hare, Bhakt Jano Ke Sankat, Das Jano Ke Sankat, Kshan Mein Door Kare – A traditional lyrics- singer: Lata Mangeshkar from film Abdullah [Raj Kapoor starrer, produced by sanjay Khan]- Music: R D Burman. I prefer this composition(the instruments played and arranged) over the same song sung by Mahendra Kapoor, Brij Bhushan and Lata for film Purab aur Paschim composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
Man tarpat Hari darshan ko aaj, – from film Baiju Bawra composed by Naushad and sung by Rafi. I prefer this song to O Duniya ke Rakhwale from the same film sung by same singer, because of its detached prayer over the latter which seeks for removal of self distress.
Tum hi ho mata pita tumhi ho – from film Main Chup Rahungi composed by Chitragupt and sung by Lata.
Prabhu tero naam jo dhyaye phal paye Sukh laye… from film Hum Dono composed by Jaidev and sung by Lata. Some how, I prefer this to “Allah tero naam Ishwar tero naam” from the same film.
Na main dhan chahun na rattan chahun, tere charanon kii dhuul mil jaaye to main tar jaauun—from film Kala Bazar composed by S D Burman and sung by Sudha Malhotra and Geeta Dutt.
Satyam Shivam Sundaram. from film Satyam Shivam Sundaram composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and sung by Lata.
Tu Pyaar Ka Saagar Hai tere ek boond ke pyase hum . from film Seema composed by Shankar Jaikishen and sung by Manna Dey.
Ae Malik tere bande hum… from film Do Aankhen Barah Haath composed by Vasant Desai and sung by Lata & Chorus.
Jai Raghunandan Jai Ghanashyam. from film Gharana composed by Ravi and sung by Asha Bhosle and Rafi.
Raghupati Raghav Rajaram from film Puarb aur Paschim composed by Kalyanji Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Manhar Udhas.
Some people include “Tora Man Darpan Kehlaye” from film Kajal; “Man re tu Kahe na Dhir Dhare” from ChitraLekha; “Jyot se jyot jagake chalo” from film Sant Gyaneswar; etc. under devotional category but I would rather categorize them as philosophical, soul searching or directive than purely devotional [sung in the praise of God].