BHAKTI OR TRANSCENDENTAL LOVE OF GOD- SUPREME IN KALIYUGA

[Guest guest]

Love with God's suguna form that also leads to love with his nirguna

form is bhakti.Bhakti or the love of God can be with Vishnu, Shiva

or

Shakti or any of thier forms(rupas) or incarnations(avtaaras).

Bhakti works wonders for the gyaanis as well as the worst of

sinners.In my life I was initiated into spirituality through

gyaana/knowledge but soon shifted naturally to the path of bhakti.

So

I deduce thats its incorrect to say that bhakti is for those with

lesser intellect.For the one who gets initiated in bhakti the other

paths like dhyaana yoga, karma and gyaana do not hold much

attraction.The chances that he will explore any other of the

paths/yogas after practicing a little of bhakti is nil.However this

certainly does not mean that the other paths have no significance or

are in any way lesser to bhakti because following any of these leads

to the same final results.All these paths are for Lord's aradhana.

But

bhakti is recommended by saints and scriptures especially as best

for

kalyuga(the present age)

 

Lord Krishna- " O Arjuna except for those karma/activities that

are

for my aradhana all karmas are bondages "

 

One can not know bhakti merely by reading the devotional scriptures

because bhakti is about feeling and experience.Until one is devoid

of

feelings and experience he can not really understand bhakti/devotion.

 

It is possible that a person knows practically nothing about the

scriptures yet he is at a very high level of devotional service than

a

person who knows a lot from the devotional scriptures and is

possibly

a

devotee as well but has not reached the stages that the previous has

experienced.

 

BHAKTI YOGA-When the gopis approached Lord Krishna for the rasa he

said- " Why have you come here at this hour of evening? "

Then to test them further he said- " o gopis do not deviate from your

dharma/ religious principles. Its not right that you touch a par

purusha(a man who isnt related to you).Ots not right that you

disobey

your husbands,fathers or brothers.That will not be in your favour "

 

Then he gave them instruction on karma yoga and gyaana at which the

gopis felt very hurt. He had said- o gopis you can meditate upon me

and serve me because I reside in your heart.You can stay at your

homes , do your duties and and devote your activities to me.

 

(The relationship between devotees and God is not mundane in the

least

but spiritual.One needs some gyaana as well as bhakti to understand

it.)

But the gopis did not budge and Krishna finally fulfilled thier

desire. Being devotees they knew that all this(that Krishna

suggested)

would do no good to them. So we can understand here that its true

that

the devotee is pacified through devotion alone and not other ways.

 

Saint Mira(the greatest of saints and devotees)sang the verse-

" Raana ji main to Gobind ke gun gaaun

Raja ruthe nagariya chchodoon

Hare ruthe kahan jaun..? "

 

It means - " O rana(rana is her husband in the sense of the world-a

ruler)I will sing the glories of Govinda.If the king gets angry with

me I can leave the kingdom but where will I go if Hari becomes

displeased

with me? "

People bereft of bhakti will think- " its highly inappropriate that a

woman should neglect her husband and worldly opinion and talk about

executing devotional servce to God. She can do both. "

 

But a devotee will understand the purport of her verse in its depth

and subtleties. Thats because he has felt and experienced bhakti.

This

verse is filled with the highest level of wisdom and devotion both.