RE: Following the rules/orthodoxy/stages of devotion

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

| Ann Murphy wrote:

|

| Mani defined devotional Bhakti as 'No right to question

| God". I believe we have that feeble right. But no right to expect an

answer!!.

 

I have been lurking for awhile enjoying the erudite discussion but this

brings me out of my shell. I may not know much Jyotish but have been a

practicing Bhakti-yogi for over 30 years.

 

In our line of understanding (Gaudiya-Vaisnava sampradaya) there the 3

stages of development of Bhakti. In third-class or beginning stage of

devotion there is strict obedience to rules and regulations, it is true.

However questioning must be there since at this stage the soul does not

understand God's deep purpose. One is still basically self-centered and has

not yet really developed love. God's answers are always there but one is

still blind and deaf to them. This is the domain of orthodox or external

religion.

 

In the second-class devotees, an understanding of God's purpose has

developed and the bhakta is able to apply will and initiative to furthering

that purpose. Therefore the external rules are of comparatively less

importance. One also gains the ability to tell the difference among the

different classes and types of bhaktas. One begins to be sensitive to God's

voice within his heart and can understand many unseen things in this way.

Your great yogis, meditators, spiritual teachers and Jyotishis come from

this group. This is the stage of service (karma-yoga) beyond conventional

religion that burns up all the devotee's karma. In fact, such devotees are

often quite original in their approach and therefore appear heterodox to

conservative devotees of the third class.

 

In the first and highest class of bhaktas, the spiritual relationship with

God is fully realized. This is the stage beyond all rules, as one is in full

agreement with God's purpose and has completely internalized it. Therefore

these saints are completely unorthodox in their manifestation of

spirituality. In addition, there is full ecstasy in transcendental love and

full consciousness of one's eternal spiritual relationship with God. There

are various flavors of this relationship, which is a very deep and extensive

subject in itself. Such perfected bhaktas or pure devotees usually withdraw

from external consciousness in preparation for final liberation. Rarely, a

first-class devotee may manifest some pastimes on the platform of

second-class devotion in order to share with the world. These are the

greatest acharyas like Chaitanya, Madhva, Ramanuja, Prabhupada etc. However

most of them deliberately remain quite obscure in order to concentrate on

their devotional service.

 

Hope this sheds some light. It is hard, at my level of understanding of

Jyotish, to imagine how these stages would show up in one's chart. (There: I

kept the post on-topic!)

 

All the best,

Dasanudas

 

 

http://www.harinam-arts.org/