T Ram Sewak

CHINTAMANI

After explaining the doctrine of Gyan (knowledge), Kakabhushundiji unveils the splendour of the jewel of Bhakti (devotion) in Shri Ramcharitmanas 7.120. He states:

Ramsundar, Basai..avatar

Paramrati, Nahibati

"The beautiful wish-yielding gem (Chintamani) of Shri Ram Bhakti embodies supreme effulgence. It spreads its radiance day and night, requiring neither a diya, ghee nor a bati (wick) to light it."

In Shri Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidasji demonstrates a preference for Bhakti as the path to attain Him. Thus, while delineating Bhakti's glory, Kakabhushundiji alludes to the idea that the lamp of knowledge (Vigyan Deep) is strenuous to prepare and conditional. In contrast, the jewel of devotion (Bhakti Mani) is simply received through His grace.

Kakabhushundiji had previously described the Vigyan Deep as 'radiant and extremely intense.' However, he elevates Bhakti as the eternal, invaluable, effulgent jewelan embodiment of the ever-luminous ultimate radiance.

While Shri Krishna expounds upon Bhakti yog in great detail in the Gita, He introduces it in 6.47, stating that among all yogis, the one who dedicates himself with full shraddha, his inner self merged in Him, is regarded by Him as the most devout. Importantly, when Bhakti integrates with Dhyan, Gyan, and Karma, it becomes their foundation.

Thus, Kakabhushundiji rightly refers to Bhakti as Chintamani not as the mythical wish-fulfilling gem that satisfies material desires and alleviates worldly worries but as that which bestows wisdom, self-realisation, and dispels ignorance.

Another aspect is that whenever we experience Chinta or worry, it arises from an unfulfilled desire. This is invariably accompanied by attachment and Karta Bhav, which means 'I am the doer'. Accompanying this is the misguided belief that 'I' can fulfil this desire. Consequently, this leads to arrogance (Ahankar), entrapping the jeev in Avidya Maya (I & mine, you & yours). Bhakti is Chintamani because, at its very first step, it eradicates Ahankar, thereby setting the bhakt on the path that dispels the darkness of ignorance, ultimately guiding him to his Aaradhya! / DAILY WORLD /

The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com