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!
We
have seen some arguments in favour of jnana, bhakti and combination of these as
being the means best to develop spiritually. At the conclusion of these three,
there comes now this point of view;
rajg&h_aaejnaid;u
twEv d&:qTvat!.31.
raajagRhabhojanaadishu tathaiva dRwhtatvaat ||31||
Because it seen demonstrated as such
in the examples of palace and dinner etc.
What kind of example is this, do you wonder? Think on this. You have
an opportunity to attend a royal dinner. It is an opportunity few would refuse.
Going along is one thing, being seen at court is certainly a boon. To sit down
to a meal with many others in that hall brings its benefits. However, does the
King even know your are there?
All in the hall have demonstrated loyalty through following the law
of the land (jnaana), by voicing their allegiance (bhakti), or both.
It is one thing for the chef to prepare the menu (scripture) but
what matters is that the ingredients and preparations are matched carefully to
produce the finished dish which is put before the diners at this banquet.
Likewise it is one thing for administrators of the law to know what is written,
but applying that law faithfully and to the benefit of all, not to abuse or
misuse or think 'how do these words apply to me, I can work my own law' and
then go into argument with other law-keepers over who has the better variance…
forgetting the original author of the law and the key purpose it is meant to
serve. It is not for their intellectual 'biggiying' and gratifying… it is
actually to bring them out of that!
Sitting down at the meal which has been thoughtfully prepared, how
do we eat it? Paying no attention, letting it enter our bodies, then
eliminating it with no regard to the benefit it brings in terms of nutrition
and health? Or with thought and thanks for the food and its preparation?
Likewise the scriptures can be read, but if we pay no attention to the
digestion and absorption of the 'nutrients' therein, we have wasted our
'meal'. We sit to a meal for the satisfaction
of our hunger and it is to satisfy our spiritual hunger that we read philosophy
and scripture. If we understand the Love and skill in the preparation of our
meal, our enjoyment of it increases and our gratitude flows, this combines
jnaana and bhakti. Similarly, knowing that the shaastra has been handed down
for our fullest benefit, and treating what we read and hear there with respect
and Love, we can only grow from it. This is the combination aspect.
Further, although the meal may be its 'own satisfaction', (bhakti
alone), it is bettered for being
acknowledged by the King from his table is it not? Having attended, having
taken a great meal, the 'dessert' we desire is the King's favour. The
tradition, at such tables, would have been to raise a toast to the King,
bringing his eyes upon you and perhaps a smile or a nod. The bhakta who is
fervent in their devotion will be rewarded with a warmth in their heart and a
glow only true faith can bring.
Merely sitting at the table and gobbling the food down then leaving
the hall will bring little benefit. Sri Narada explores this further.
n
ten rajpirtae;> úauxazaiNtvaR .32.
Na tena raajaparitoshaH xudhaashaantirvaa ||32||
Because of it (jnaana alone) neither the favour of the king nor the
appeasement of hunger can happen.
Making it very clear here, Guru says that simply by accepting the
invite, nor by gobbling the meal do we gain anything. The king, despite our
name being on the list, will not be likely to greet us personally and will
certainly not favour us with a promotion to his team. By eating the meal, we do
not necessarily quell our hunger - we may be picky eaters and chose only the
sweet parts or avoid the greens…
We restrict ourselves from the full opportunity provided.
We must learn to 'court the king'. We need to demonstrate our
worthiness of being in his presence, either by being of good service to him and
the country, or by giving service in the kitchen and dining room, supporting
those who directly serve the king and country. We must demonstrate our
worthiness for spiritual advancement by going out and speaking the words of
wisdom and by living them and in doing that we also serve; in the serving we
must be humble, and at all times be singing the praises of 'the King'.
What is Narada-ji attempting to convey? That simply having book
knowledge, by showing up for devotional services to be 'seen' as a devotee, or
to be 'seen' serving only when there are watchers - whilst useful enough - will
not give one the desired and true result. Any one of the three paths can yield
results, but none will if we do not have pure and unadulterated devotion to the
purpose. Therefore he concludes this section with;
tSmaTsEv ¢aýa> mumuúaui_a> .33.
Tasmaatsaiva graahyaaH mumukshubhiH ||33||
Therefore, that Supreme Love for God alone is to be sought after by
seekers of complete Liberation.
Now the Guru puts the stamp on what he considers the most necessary
requirement to attain moksha. Bhakti alone. It is true, when one looks
carefully at all those who attain any form of success in whatever field, not
only sheer knowledge, or sheer determination or 'connections' will bring them
the fullest results; the most successful people of the world are those who
clearly seek to serve the word which is giving them their living and this
involves Love. How much more, then, the spiritual pursuit?!
Even as Vedantins, spiritual seekers of high intellect and clear
logic, it avails us of nothing if we do not have the Love of spirit to drive us
forward in our researches. It is this Love which opens up the flower of our
hearts so that the words are not dry and fall on barren ground. To move forward
in any vocation, Love must be present.
By using the term 'mumukshu' it is also being made clear that the
true seekers have courage, the ability to root out their own imperfections and
acknowledge their flaws and understand fully the singular path upon which they
now choose to travel.
