Bhakti Tatwa (The Devotional Path)

3 August 1984, Bhagavad Gita Series, Bhajan Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam, AP

Published English.

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Whoever surrenders himself unto me and takes refuge in me, I will redeem him of all sins and grant him liberation () – this is the declaration of the . Spiritual aspirants must keep these words in their minds and strive to develop devotion and surrender to God. God’s power is infinite. Man’s power is limited and trivial. In the infinite space in the universe, there are innumerable number of planets revolving. This is called (The cosmos or the Physical space). Since the Earth, the Sun, the Moon and the Stars are all included in this cosmos, it is called or the Macrocosm. Such a is only one speck in the infinite power of God. In the , the whole earth was pervaded by a single foot of God. It is not possible to comprehend the mighty power and the cosmic form of Divinity. The made an effort to describe the cosmic form of God thus: . It means that God pervades the whole Universe and still rises to an extent of 10 inches extra. These descriptions are made by devotees to comprehend the cosmic form of God to a certain extent, but, strictly speaking, there is no place in which God is not present. He is omnipresent. From the Microcosm to the Macrocosm, God is present as the minutest in the minute and mightiest in the mighty, says . Therefore, it is necessary for us to comprehend the nature of this universe.

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, And The lunar system (), which is several of miles away, the solar system (), which is of miles away and the constellation of stars (), which is billions of miles away – all these put together is called the Sky (). This is also referred to as . This is the gross form, which is endless and incomprehensible. This beautiful earth on which we live appears like a tiny dot in the . The is the subtle mental space (). The appears like a tiny atom in the . Such an expansive , will again take a minutest form in . This is the causal form of the universe. The nature and dimension of these , and the are indescribable. That is why the proclaim, (where the words fail to describe and the mind cannot comprehend). How then can you recognise such Divinity? The is (gross) the is (subtle), and the is (causal). Divinity is beyond all these three; you should be able to recognise that. It is impossible for the common man to recognise such a Divinity. Human beings with their limited knowledge cannot recognise God who is the Lord of the three (worlds - , and ), three (attributes – , and ) and the three aspects of time (past, present and future). However, the has taught an easy method for this purpose.

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The Nature Of “I” said in the : . What is the meaning of Mat karmakrit? It means, perform all actions as belonging to Me. Whatever actions you perform in this , all of them belong to Me. There are no (actions) other than mine in this world. teaches that, in the first instance, whatever actions you perform, perform them as belonging to Me. The next requirement is . You perform the actions for My sake. You are not doing them for your sake. You say, I am doing, I am doing, I am doing. Who is this “I”? It is only I who reside in you as the resplendent in the minutest form. It is from the level that this word “I,” “I,” “I” emanates. Therefore, the word “I” does not belong to this body. This belongs to the . This is the reaction, reflection and resound of the . The word “I” does not belong to the body, mind, intellect or the senses. Whatever actions you perform, you are doing for your self-satisfaction. Not realising this, people identify themselves with the body and are deluded to think “I” and “Mine” and get lost in the mire of delusion. Whatever you do, you are doing it for My satisfaction, on My behalf and as My Agent. Keep this truth in your mind.

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: Who is a ? You must grasp the inner meaning of the word . is a reflection of Divine Love. This Divine Love emerges from the level only.

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It is a reflection of the . It is never, never, connected with worldly matters and relationships. Such a love is considered to be (Devotion). Whatever you think, whatever you speak, whatever you do, they should be considered as acts of the Divine. That is, (all actions are performed for the pleasure of the Divine).

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In the normal waking state, you may be deluded to think that you are performing the actions for the sake of your body. But, in the sleeping state, for whose sake are you sleeping? By sleep, your body may get some rest, mind may get some peace. But for whose sake are this rest and peace? You are performing so many actions for the sake of “I” (). While teaching , her husband explained in ever so many ways the implications of this proposition. For whose sake are you loving me? The husband is loving the wife for the husband’s sake. We think the mother is loving the child. No, No. The mother is loving the child for the mother’s sake. The teacher loves the disciple. He is not loving the disciple for his sake. In fact, the teacher is loving the disciple for the teacher’s sake. The nature of the human being engrossed in the will be like that.

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Human Love And God’s Love The devotees are loving God, but not for God’s sake. For the sake of devotees, devotees are loving God. There is a subtle point to be noted here. God loves a devotee. There is a difference here. God is not loving a devotee for His sake. He is loving the devotee for the devotee’s sake. The simple reason being, God is formless. God has no feeling of mine and thine. Where there is self-interest, there is a difference of I and you. But God has no such difference at all. The words Matkarmakrit, and Madbhaktah relate to the devotees. They are helpful to the devotees to worship God. With the limited knowledge and power at his command, how can a human being comprehend the true import of these words? There is an individual struggling to get some air by waving the hand-fan, but he is unable to get any. But when there is a typhoon sweeping across the ocean, the waves rise to a great height and tidal waves formed. When there is a whirlwind blowing with great velocity, the trees are uprooted; whose power is this? The air a human being gets by waving his hand-fan is very insignificant. But God’s power blows like a typhoon. When a human being draws water from a well with the help of a bucket or by a pump set, the quantity of water drawn is limited. But, when there is a downpour from the sky, the rivers swell and a number of villages are submerged. This is God’s power and that is human power. When we want light in the house, we light a lamp or switch on an electric bulb. That light can light our house only. But when the Sun rises over the Sky, there is light everywhere. The Sun shines over the forest, the hillock, the tree and the house as well. The Sunlight is God’s power and the light of the small lamp is the human power. The method by which a human being with his limited power can reach God with infinite power is called (total surrender).

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A True Devotee Is The Greatest Of All said in the , Ahamtwa Sarvapapebhyo Mokhayishyami Ma Suchah (I will redeem you of all sins and sorrows and take you to the , my Abode). Here is a beautiful example for this declaration. The whole objective world is . This has become the subtle in the mind. This , in its turn, has taken the causal form born of . In this causal form, God resides as , being the minutest of the minute and the mightiest of the mighty (). Such a mighty God with infinite power is firmly installed in the heart of a true devotee.

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Once Sage went to have the of Lord . Then enquired, “! Did you find out the secret of my ? In what form do the (Five elements), (Five senses), (Five sayings) and the (Five life principles) exist? Which is greater among these? He also enquired, “The five elements are associated with sound, touch, form, taste and smell. Among the five elements of Earth, water, Fire, Air and , which element has a huge form?” thought for a while and said, “! The earth is great,” questioned. “How? Three parts of earth are filled with water and only one part is visible. A huge area of earth is swallowed by water. Then, is that which has swallowed great, or is that which is swallowed great?” replied that since water had swallowed the earth, water was great. again queried: “Sage has swallowed in one gulp such a great element, water. Is water great or great?” replied, “Yes, yes. only is great.” further questioned thus: “Such a great sage, , is only a star in the Sky. If so, is the Sky great or ?” replied, “The Sky, which is infinite, is great.” then said, “God had covered the Earth and Sky with a single foot. If the foot of God itself is so great, then think for a while how great is His total Divine Form? The Devotee has installed such a great God in his heart and firmly bound Him there. Then, is God great or the Devotee?.” The (chord of love) that can bind God is available only with the devotee. Even God allows himself to be bound by the . Therefore, the (the path of Devotion) beautifully describes that God’s Love is the greatest.

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When you hold a drop of water from the infinite ocean in your palm and look at it, it looks very tiny. But even this tiny drop of water, when added to the ocean, it takes an infinite form. Even the tiny human nature, when merged in the infinite Divinity, becomes one with Divinity in accordance with the saying . Therefore, is the supreme path for union with God. Today, man is not able to understand properly the Divine nature of the Infinite, universal God.

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When the is right before you To fulfil all your desires, Why go for a flower in the backyard? When the celestial cow is right before you to give you plenty of milk, why go for a cow from the market?

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If you really recognise it as a (Celestial cow), you will not purchase these ordinary cows from the market and put them in your backyard. Small minds develop liking for small things only. You are attracted by things that you are capable of thinking about. In fact, your power of contemplation is also small. Because you go on thinking , (I am the body, I am the body), you fall for petty things in accordance with your thinking. You must rise from this (feeling of Duality) of (I am the body) to the (qualified non-dualism) of (I am the , the being). From that stage, you should ultimately reach the stage of (non-dualism) and constantly remind yourself of your true nature: (I am ). is the birthplace of all sorrows. We must develop consciousness, not the petty body consciousness. consciousness gives us happiness, whereas body consciousness gives only sorrow.

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- Its Meaning said that (fasting) means sitting near. Mere sitting near is not . The frogs sit near the Lotus. Is it ? No, No. Along with the nearness, they must go for the dearness (sweet honey) in the Lotus, also. Simply by sitting near God, we should not presume that we have become dear to Him. Take the case of our neighbours. They are physically close to us. But, if they are in difficulties and in a sorrowful mood, we are not moved by their sorrow. We take it for granted and think that it is part of life. On the other hand, in the case of our kith and kin, even though they are far away from us in America, we cannot have peace of mind if we do not get a letter at least once in a week. The reason being, even though they are physically far away, their love is nearer to us. In the case of our neighbours, the body is near, but our Love is far away. Another example. In our house, there are rats and ants moving about here and there. But will they become our friends? Never. Therefore, along with nearness, we must cultivate dearness. literally means, sitting near. What is the benefit of sitting near God? When you sit near a lamp, it will give you light, and in that light you can carry on your daily routine. If you sit near an air-conditioner, you will get comfortable, cool air. If you switch on a room heater, the cold weather will be removed, and you will get warm, comfortable air. What is happening in all these cases? One thing is removed, and another added. Our discomfort is removed, and comfort is added. Similarly, when you sit near God, your bad qualities will be removed, and good qualities are substituted. It is possible for God to cast His influence on you, to shed His light on you and shower His love on you. That is the benefit of , sitting near God.

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Today, however, not knowing the inner meaning of the words like , , etc., we are acting contrary to them. In the name of , we are consuming a dozen , (rice flour), bananas and 2 litres of milk. If we are observing , we place an order with the canteen for , and other eatables. Our explanation for this is, we do not take rice on that day. Simply because we do not take rice, does it amount to ? The sacred ritual of is reduced to such a cheap, base level. does not mean emaciating the body by fasting. It is said, , This body is like a temple to the Eternal God. Therefore, the body should never be neglected or emaciated in any way. Keeping the (the indweller in the body) in our mind, we must always keep the (Body) in good condition. We should endeavour to be always near and dear to God. How? Whatever we see, whatever we do, whatever we speak, whatever we think – must be done as an offering to God. This is the way to get near God.

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Devotion - Its Characteristics In devotion, you must not only cultivate love, but must perform some acts of love as well. There are some important characteristics of devotion. Praise and scorn, cold and heat, profit and loss, happiness and sorrow, honour and insult – all these must be borne with a sense of equanimity. Neither should we get elated by praise nor depressed by scorn. Neither should we feel happy when profits accrue nor should we be depressed in times of loss. Similarly, cold and heat must be borne with the same equanimity. In cold season, woollen coats protect us a lot. In summer, light cotton shirts are comfortable. Both are helpful to us. In one season, coolness gives us happiness, while in another, heat gives us happiness. Everything depends upon the way we use them. All are God’s creation. However, we have to use them depending upon the circumstances and the level at which we are placed. If we give a gold cup to a child or a knife to a mad person, it will be dangerous. The gold cup is a very valuable possession; hence, it must be given to one who can keep it in a safe place. Similarly, a knife must be given to one, who has knowledge about its proper use. It is only a person who knows the impact of who can use it properly. Love never causes harm to anybody, never perpetrates violence on anybody and never hates anybody.

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The Mental Transformation Of The exhorts us: (Do not hate anybody; develop Love and Compassion towards all beings). We say Love, Love and Love and in practice act contrary to that. How can it then be a sign of Love? When we talk of (Love), whatever we think, whatever we speak, whatever we do, must reflect love. We must develop an unconditional love. That is why exhorted to obey His orders. In the war, was egoistic in the beginning and held the with pride to destroy the , his enemies. Just at the moment of commencement of the war, he laid down the and sat down in the Chariot out of a sense of sorrow and despondency born out of his ego, thinking that he would be the Killer of those warriors. When taught him the and explained to him the correct position - that he was (merely an instrument) in this war- realised his folly and prostrated before , saying (I will act according to your instructions). Till then, Krishna and were Brothers-in-law. But, when said , they became and Disciple. Their relationship has now transformed into that of God and His Devotee. Mental transformation is necessary for every devotee. Without this, any amount of devotion and nearness will be of no use. You must try to perform your actions according to the times. When, where and how to maximise your time, let us discuss tomorrow.