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
Eight; Section 2 - Obstacles and Remedies; Cultivate Devotion. The first
section of this chapter exhorted the need for discretion for the sadhaka when
in comes to stating one's position against another's stance. Now, the chapter
shifts into 'how to' mode.
_ai´zaôai[
mnnIyain tdud!baexkkmaRi[ kr[Iyain.76.
Bhakta-shaastraani
mananiiyaani tadud-bhodaka-karmaani karaniiyaani ||76||
Books on devotion should be reflected upon and their
instructions must be pursued diligently.
A
clear, unambiguous instruction! Here, the paths of bhakti and vedanta-jnaana
are very similar indeed.
There
are many texts upon the subject of choice and in the case simple love, the
place to read is the Puraanas (stories of saints and sages); but in the case of
Divine Love, the place to read is the Upanishads. Depending on the level of
attainment thus far for the student, something can be found from each of these
sources in order to rise higher.
In
the Puraanas there is sufficient inspiration to live the path of devotion. The
enchanting life-histories of great devotees add steam to the mounting
enthusiasm of a bhakti-sadhaka. It was told to us in earlier suutras that the
measure of a Bhakta's advancement is taken in terms of their identification
with their Beloved Lord. The very essence of love is seeking our identity with
the Lord in a spirit of selfless service to that Beloved. The bhakti texts
explain one's total identification with the Infinite. These are to be read and
reflected upon, again and again… not just a single reading, note! As one
develops, there is always something more to extract in meaning and value.
Key among the texts would be the Srimad Bhagavatam in which we find
the history Sri Krishna in Vrindavan and the tale of the devotion of the gopis,
highest among them Radha-ji. We read of the submissions and sacrifices made in
the state of Love. To contemplate deeply upon the examples given is to deepen
our love, broaden our embrace and heighten the desire to reach for the Eternal
Truth ourselves.
In
the spiritual vocabulary, 'manan' suggests the reflections upon the Upanishad
declarations (i.e. mananam - cogitation/reflection/contemplation). More
specifically, it means to reflect upon the declarations of the Rsis. By
incorporating the word here as 'mananiiyaani', it is expanded to embrace the
bhakti texts whilst pointing to the need to consider jnaana through Upanishads
as worth following also - when one is ready.
This
suutra could stand alone in answer to the question of the eager student as to
"HOW to grow into this Love Supreme?!" For not only is it said that
one must read and contemplate, but that it necessary to 'carry out the
instructions' … that is to say, put into practice what is learned. Actions
which will engender and nourish Love are to be played out; they must be
carefully chosen, diligently cultivated and sincerely practised. Thus we find
in this single sentence the completeness of saadhana! Both mental and
intellectual qualities are called upon, quickly followed by the physical
transformation of the concepts with, perhaps, all the necessary readjustment of
one's behaviour in the world. Applying the mind (vichaara) and the
transformation in action (aachaara) is the essence and motivation given.
In
starting the new life of devotion no seeker should wait 'for the right time',
or a more favourable circumstance to trigger it. The time to start is the
minute you think of it. Here and now!
