9 June 2025
Monday
Through His actions, God has always demonstrated that there is no force greater than the power of devotion. What is bhakti, devotion? Bhagavad anurakti (attachment to God) is bhakti. Within bhakti are contained bhukti (food), rakti (desires), yukti (cleverness), anurakti (attachment, love), virakti (detachment), and mukti (liberation). Where did the word bhakti originate? Man’s primary need is food, bhukti. Sharira madhyam khalu dharma sadhanam — the body is a means for observing dharma, and it needs food. Next, man needs rakti, desire. The third is yukti, worldly intelligence. It is necessary to know how to live in this world. Next comes anurakti — we must love all without distinction. These are followed by virakti and mukti. In all these words, the common syllable is “kti.” “Bha” from Bhagawan (God) and “kti” from these words combine to form bhakti. Therefore, He who grants you bhakti, rakti, yukti, anurakti, virakti, and mukti is God. Bhakti is not limited to performing worship. We must offer ourselves to God! We must hold on to love in all situations. This is bhakti.
From Swami’s discourse of 23 May 1995
Also on words from this discourse: The Bow Taken Up Again, 4 June 2025
Through His actions, God has always demonstrated that there is no force greater than the power of devotion. What is bhakti, devotion? Bhagavad anurakti (attachment to God) is bhakti. Within bhakti are contained bhukti (food), rakti (desires), yukti (cleverness), anurakti (attachment, love), virakti (detachment), and mukti (liberation). Where did the word bhakti originate? Man’s primary need is food, bhukti. Sharira madhyam khalu dharma sadhanam — the body is a means for observing dharma, and it needs food. Next, man needs rakti, desire. The third is yukti, worldly intelligence. It is necessary to know how to live in this world. Next comes anurakti — we must love all without distinction. These are followed by virakti and mukti. In all these words, the common syllable is “kti.” “Bha” from Bhagawan (God) and “kti” from these words combine to form bhakti. Therefore, He who grants you bhakti, rakti, yukti, anurakti, virakti, and mukti is God. Bhakti is not limited to performing worship. We must offer ourselves to God! We must hold on to love in all situations. This is bhakti.