Hari
OM
Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are
about!27th
The Narada Bhakti Sutra is our guide for a while… the
nature of Love (with the capital 'ell') and a full exploration of it. As
always, you are encouraged to seek out the full text from Chinmaya Publications
(links in side-bar); but for those who prefer e-readers, this version is recommended. Whilst awareness and interest can be
raised by these posts on AV-blog, they cannot substitute for a thorough reading
and contemplation...and practice!
Where
to source this great devotion called Bhakti? How does it arise? These are the
focus of chapter two, section two of the Narada sutras. They take the form of
quotes and assessment of other Gurus.
tSya>
}anmev saxnimTyeke.28.
tasyaaH
jnaanameva saadhanamityeke ||28||
For this (devotion), Knowledge alone is the means -
say some achaaryas.
There
is some basis for this argument. Whilst it is possible to become enamoured of
someone/thing based on outward appearance, enduring association building to
Love requires that we learn about that other entity and, what is more, accept
what we learn. Love expands and deepens with the completeness of Knowledge. The
more the seeker learns of the Supreme, the Source of All from which has arisen
all names and forms, the stronger becomes their devotion.
The
risk, for those following jnaanamarga, as mentioned before, is that they get caught up with intellectualism, arguing for argument's sake and quibbling
over semantics, losing sight of the purpose of their research. It is not a
competition of one mind against another, but a process of self-investigation
towards the goal of Realising the True Self. This requires a level of trust and
Love which 'lubricates' the intellectual process. Thus it is clear that Bhakti
is much improved by the inculcation of Jnaana, but that Jnaana is equally
improved by Bhakti. There are some examples in shaastra of devotees who attain
moksha through Jnaana only, and equally, examples of a few who attain
moksha through Bhakti and without Knowledge - but, frankly, these are the
exceptions rather than the rule. In general, the majority of seekers require a
balance of head and heart in the pursuit of the spiritual goal and the next
sutra addresses such seekers.
ANyaeNyaïyTvimTyNye.29.
Anyonyaashrayatvamityanye
||29||
Mutually dependent - declare others.
Devotion
and Knowledge are interdependent, is the premise here. Each encourages and
supports the other. At times when one is lacking for any reason, the other can
'pick up the slack'.
Without
devotion to an ideal one would not be inclined to make proper inquiry.
Conversely, having made such research and having learned from it, our devotion is
strengthened from the improved understanding. Then, as devotion strengthens, so
does the desire to learn even more...and so it goes. This is the mutual
dependence which many great teachers have indicated and which is referred to here.
Further, there comes a point in the process where the two are but the one thing
with two 'faces', as it were. It becomes almost impossible to separate them.
Bhakti is the revelling in Knowledge and Knowledge revels as Bhakti.
Svy<
)lêpteit äükumara>.30.
Svayam
pfhalaruupateti brahmakumaaraaH ||30||
It
(Bhakti) is its own fruit - so say the sons of Brahma (the creator)
First
we had Knowledge touted as the ultimate means to Truth, which equalled
devotion; then we heard that Knowledge and Devotion were required in equal
balance; now we are given the argument that Devotion alone can bring about the
Realisation. The basis of this argument is that, if one has come to understand
what is the true nature of Love Divine, then what else is there to know? Love
begets Love. It is impossible to Know the Love Divine and not become a fountain
of that Love oneself. This is the 'fruit'.
Sri
Narada is not content with these arguments, however, as we will find in the
next sutra… next week.
