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
Ten; Section 2 the Teachers - Attainment Promised.
We
are at the final suutra of the text and in it Narada-ji makes of himself the
'third person', humbly acknowledging the Higher Authority.
Ya
#d< nardàaeKt< izvanuzasn< ivñisit
ïÏte
s _ai´man! _avit s> àe:q< l_ate
s>
àe:q< l_ate #it.84.
Ya
idam naarada-proktam shivaanushaasanam vishvasiti
Shraddhate
sa bhaktimaan bhavati saH preshtam labhate saH preshtam labhate iti ||84||
He who believes and has faith in this exposition,
given out by Narada as taught (commanded) by Lord Shiva, he gains the Love of
God and attains his objective; yes he attains his goal.
The
conclusion of all masters, and more particularly here, of Narada-ji who is
handing down the message directly for the Lord Himself, is that those who are
prepared to adhere to there belief and are solid in their faith cannot fail in
the spiritual quest.
This
verse is given as a form of promise and an emphatic one, at that, using
repetition to underscore the point of it all.
There
it is then. Find first the spark of Love within you. Nurture it with the water
of bhajans/hymns, feed it with satsanga/group discussion, fertilise it with
puja and japa, continue its propagation with the teachings of the masters.
Build within yourself the temple of Love Divine; live the philosophy of Unity
in Creation. Having read and listened to those who expound the teachings, do
not bemoan the lack of Love in your life… act upon the knowledge gained, apply
the methods and principles, practice the skills, discover the change within
yourself and note how this reaches out and effects the world around you.
You
cannot 'fix' the world - you can fix
yourself. In doing so, you may surprised to find that the world, or at least
the part of it in which you experience, improves too. Love spreads. Be the Love
Divine.
Here
ends the Narada Bhakti Suutra… the teaching. Go forth and make it your own.
