Hari
OM
Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are about!
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!
Chapter
Seven; Section 1 - The Glory of The Sage; Glory of the Path. In this section
there will be much lauding of those who commit themselves fully to worship and
Love of the Higher. It may be worth remembering here, that for most of us
reading this text, we are not yet at that exalted level of spiritual adherence!
Due to this, it might seem somewhat overweening and possibly even a touch
narcissistic. Keep perspective and try and recall any time in life when you
have been so enamoured and overwhelmed with emotion about something that you
have ended up gushing about it to whoever would listen! Now elevate that to
something of such validity is True Self…
_a´a
@kaiNtnae muOya> .67.
Bhaktaa
ekaantino mukhyaaH ||67||
Devotees, whose single-pointed focus upon the Higher
and exclusive of all other, are the primary (best).
This
is the expression of Love with the capital 'ell' manifesting in daily life and
in every activity undertaken by the bhakta.
Just as in jnaana-marg it is necessary to meditate uninterrupted and
with only the goal of mukti in mind, so for the bhakta-marg it is necessary to
express Universal Love to the exclusion of all else.
This
is not just a going out and about and declaring the Lord's name, then going
home and behaving with old habits and misbehaviours. Lip service is NO service.
This
is the absolute culmination of many months, years even, of service to one's
community, in the name of the Higher, and with always that Higher centred in
one's heart and mind. There is no deviation from that process of True Love
regardless of where one finds oneself or in what situation. Thus, when tested,
all that will come from one's lips is the praise of that Love and expressions
of forgiveness, understanding, acknowledgement… the 'turning of the other
cheek', the 'Father, they not what they do…'
k{QavraexraemaÂïui_a>
prSpr< lpmana> pavyiNt kulain p&iwvI< c .68.
Kantaaavaro-dharomaangcha-shrubhiH
parasparam lapamaanaaH paavayanti kulaani pRthiviim cha ||68||
When (they) with throats choked with emotion, body
covered with horripilation and tears flowing down, converse with each other in
broken words, they sanctify their family and tribe - nay, they very earth
itself they come to glorify.
As
hinted in the opening para today, we have all, at one point or another, been so
affected by someone or some happening that we cannot help ourselves, the tears
will flow and we will gush words to express that emotion. Here, Narada-ji tells
us that the sage-bhaktas know only this state when reaching to this level of
spiritual growth. Everything is amazing and glorious and beautiful… and is
recognised as being part of that Whole which we call 'Lord'.
If
you have ever attended any function where a group of like-minded enthusiasts
have gathered (for example a science fiction convention or a medical
conference), then you will be able to grasp a little of what is meant about the
'broken words' communication. Each is on such a good wavelength with everyone
else at that level, that 'shorthand' language suffices and, indeed, to the
outsider, may sound like a completely foreign tongue! There is mention here,
also, of the physical condition of the sage-bhaktas; throats choked with
emotion, tears flowing from joy and their bodies perhaps shaking and covered in
goosebumps. This may seem a bit overblown a description, but don't forget that
even in the Christian tradition, there are tales of saints and martyrs who
would tremble with spiritual ecstasy. (It is not
spoken of in jnaana-marg, because that is one step further, where one leaves
the physical altogether.)
A
further comment in this suutra is that such sages are a blessing to their
families - indeed to the very world. This is something that the Western society
has perhaps lacked for some time now, that sense of awe and inspiration which
comes from one who is touched by such faith and connection with the Divine.
Indeed the world has become cynical and is inclined to think of this as some
kind of insanity!
The
last time the world truly accepted that there was a connection to be made with
the Higher through the presence of another was through Yeshu. Whilst the
Catholic church still acknowledges 'saints', the true value to the world is
often missed. Gone are the days when the arrival of a spiritual person into
one's home was seen as a blessing and that person treated as a royalty. In
India, this is still present, to some degree, with bhiksha (food) being
provided to the sadhus and sages in return for their prayers and teachings.
Indeed, every guest is to be treated thus, for one can never know who will turn
out to be the Satguru, the true teacher of life; even if they are present for
only one meal ever, there may be words given out which can transform one's
outlook and bring new life.
Look
for the Love Divine in every eye. If it is not there, seek to share what you
have of it yourself, because the well from which it is drawn is bottomless and
you will be replenished!
