== WHY BABA GIVES SO MUCH EMPHASIS TO BHAKTI ==
Namaskar,
In countless discourses and in numerous slokas, Baba has supremely told
that bhakti is the greatest treasure and that if one has bhakti then they
have everything. Baba further proclaims that those on the path of karma and
jinana cannot match the excellence of a bhakta-- of a devotee.
It is interesting then to know: What is it about the path of bhakti that
makes it so special; how is it that bhakti differs from karma and jinana;
and why is it that ordinary people in the society do not place an iota of
emphasis on devotion while Baba gives it top priority-- top billing.
BHAKTI IS SERVICE TO PARAMA PURUSA
In His famous, timeless sloka, Baba guides us about the uniqueness of the
path of bhakti. And the first aspect of that teaching is as follows:
Bhakti bhagavato seva
Meaning: Devotion is service to God
So the inherent inner desire of the bhakta is to serve Parama Purusa-- in
all ways at all times. This is their inner-heart's feeling: To serve &
please Baba. To make Parama Purusa happy.
And Baba further more describes that to do that service one must be in His
contact. Thus to serve Parama Purusa-- to serve Baba-- the bhakta must be
in His closest proximity. Otherwise how will they be able to serve Him,
please Him.
By Baba's grace, bhaktas keep the closest link with Him all the time in
order to serve Him, directly and indirectly. In total this happens in three
ways.
In dhya'na, the devotee channelizes all their love and all their desires
unto His divine Self and by this way they are serving Baba in the spiritual
realm.
And in kiirtan, the bhakta lovingly sings the name of Parama Purusa and
calls Him into their heart. This is serving Him in the mental sphere.
In these above aspects, dhyana and kiirtan, by Baba's grace the bhakta is
rendering service to Parama Purusa directly.
And while living in this world, devotees indirectly do seva to Parama
Purusa by serving His creation-- by viewing each and every expression as
the manifestation of Supreme Consciousness. So when doing social service
the bhaktas see Parama Purusa all around, in each and every direction--
thereby keeping His contact, indirectly. This is service to Baba in the
physical sphere.
Hence in all ways at all times, devotees are involved in serving the Lord--
i.e. pleasing Baba.
BHAKTI IS THE LIFE OF THE DEVOTEE
For the devotee-- by keeping His contact always and by constantly involving
in the thought of Parama Purusa-- a unique transformation occurs: Bhakti
becomes his very life.
Bhakti bhaktasya jiivanam
Meaning: Bhakti is the life of the devotee
Baba says, "For a bhakta, bhakti and his life, his vitality, his vital
energy, his very existence, are inseparable." (SS-24)
Thus living a devotional life is what sustains a bhakta. It is not that
sometimes they do bhakti and sometimes they do something else. Rather
always they are in that devotional flow and that is energizing-- life
supporting-- for them, not something tiresome.
The relationship between a bhakta & bhakti is just like that of a fish &
water. Fish do not feel burdened by living in the water. For them, that water
supplies them with all their energy and vitality. It is their life.
Likewise for devotees, they always want to think and live in that
devotional flow-- remaining in Baba's contact. Bhaktas always ideate in
that way. And that gives them tremendous energy; it is the pulse of their
existence.
So bhakti is not something extraneous or something burdensome. Rather it is
their very life: Bhakti bhaktasya jiivanam.
HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM BOTH JINANA AND KARMA
In contrast for jinanis and karmiis, their mode of existence is totally
different.
Jinanis do their intellectual studies and karmiis do their action-- but
that is not something that is part of their inner existence. That is not
their sustenance. Those are external activities that are draining for them.
The proof being that in difficult conditions both the jinani and the karmii
get tired & fatigued etc. Those studies and those actions become unbearable
and overwhelming for them. Jinanis get headaches and karmiis get muscle
spasms. They cannot maintain their flow; their approach is not
self-propelling.
Their studies and their actions are something outside them. Hence those
things become tiresome for them and give them terrible tension in life.
But on the path of bhakti, that devotion becomes the life of the devotee.
As Baba says, one gets their vital energy from that devotion-- by doing
dhyana, by singing kiirtan, and by serving the society. For bhaktas, these
things are energizing; it brings bliss; and it is their natural way of living.
Baba says, "You know, jina'na is a practice. Karma is also a practice. But
bhakti is not a practice, it is a principle. It is something quite natural,
and naturally associated with your life. So, when one becomes a [bhakta],
one becomes natural in one's mode of life." (SS-24)
WHY THE GENERAL SOCIETY CANNOT UNDERSTAND
THAT BHAKTI IS EVERYTHING
Thus by Baba's many discourses and beautiful explanations we can say with
full certainty that bhakti is such a unique force-- such an unparalleled
thing, which Baba Himself proclaims is the highest quality in life. And as
Ananda Margiis, by His grace, we feel this inside as well.
Yet in the common, everyday society devotion is not at all valued. They
place no emphasis on bhakti. Instead, if anything, it is seen as a
liability-- as something that will hinder one's ability to do work in this
world.
And even if devotees explain the beauty and inherent value of devotion to
the general populace still those people are unable to understand.
So one side Baba says devotion is everything and on the other side regular
citizens think in their crude way that devotion is meaningless, that it has
no practical value.
And Baba has given the answer to this puzzle. In order to understand the
greatness of devotion one must first color the mind in that flow of bhakti.
Without that one cannot grasp its beauty and inherent nature. From the
outside one cannot know.
Just as a thirsty person cannot grasp the importance of water until they
drink some; similarly dry, materialistic minded people cannot ascertain the
essential nature of bhakti until they taste that. That is why they remain
blind to the fact that devotion is the greatest thing in this universe and
that with devotion one gets everything.
Baba says, "As soon as you are established in bhakti, everything will be
yours; you will have nothing more to attain." (DKG, 'Pran'ipa'tena...- 2')
BABA'S BLESSING
Here following is Baba's supreme guideline and blessing upon all Ananda
Margiis.
Baba says, "Devotion enables spiritual aspirants to attain the pinnacled
goal of their lives. It is this devotion that human beings have been
seeking since time immemorial. When they finally attain the Guru and get
initiation, then they begin to walk on this path of devotion. And those who
have started on this path realize that they are sure to reach their
destination, that to reach their goal is the sole reason for their birth.
You should remember why you have been born. Following the path of devotion,
you will have to ultimately reach Parama Purus'a. This is the pinnacled
point, the supreme point of human glory. You should always remember this,
during your lifetime and even after your death." (Yoga Psychology)
Namaskar,
Ram Sahay
Note 1: THE ENTIRE SLOKA
Here, in seed form, Baba explains the entire sloka that is the focal point of
this topic.
Bhaktir Bhagavato seva', bhaktih prema svaru'pin'ii;
Bhaktira'nanda ru'pa' ca, bhakti bhaktasya jiivanam.
Baba says, "Bhakti means rendering service unto Parama Purus'a. It is of
the nature of love and a'nandam, or bliss. It is verily the life-force of
the bhakta." (AV-33, 'Bhaktitattva')
Note 2: DEVOTEES ARE ALWAYS ON THE PATH OF BHAKTI
It is not that sometimes devotees do jinana and karma. This is never the
case. Because the studies and works jinanis and karmiis do is for their own
unit prestige and ego etc. That is why they suffer from vanity and that is
why mostly their lives are filled with frustration. Because they are
principally involved in their own little ego. Thus devotees are never on
the path of jinana or karma. When they study or do action then that is also
part of their devotional flow because what they are doing is done in
service to Parama Purusa-- to please Him. And this special state of top
devotion is known as: Parabhakti
Note 3: DEVOTEES DO EVERYTHING TO PLEASE PARAMA PURUSA
Baba says, "Devotees render services to the people because they know in the
heart of their hearts, that the universe is the manifestation of
Parama'tma'. Every mundane creature is the progeny of Parama'tma'. If one
will do service to the people it will be tantamount to please Parama'tma'.
A devotee performs sa'dhana' only because Parama'tma' wants this. Thus a
devotee performs sa'dhana' only to please Parama'tma'. Such persons are
called Gopa [bhakta]. Gopayate ya sah Gopah i.e. one who imparts bliss to
Parama'tma' is Gopa." (14 Oct '66, Mumbai)
Note 4: THERE IS HOPE FOR ONE AND ALL
For those general people who have not yet tasted the sweetness of bhakti
then step by step we should bring them onto the path first by helping them
to do jinana yoga and karma yoga. Because those things are at least far,
far better than depraved, crude activities. And step by step by doing a
little jinana yoga and karma yoga, then they will begin to internally feel
the force of devotion as they incorporate different spiritual practices--
like sadhana and kiirtan-- into their life.
Baba says, "And what about karma yoga and jina'na yoga? They are the
necessary preparatory phases for bhakti. You have to practise karma yoga
and jina'na yoga. Through that practice you will ultimately be established
in bhakti." (AV-20)
Note 5: ONLY DEVOTEES CAN ESTABLISH DHARMA ON THIS DUSTY EARTH
Baba says, "Those established in bhakti cannot indulge in any form of
duplicity. Radiating deep love for humanity, they work tirelessly to
establish an ideal social order free of all exploitation where human beings
can stand up and fight against any type of injustice." (AV-7, p.17)
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