T Ram Sewak BHAKTI RAS After delineating Maya, Gyan, Vairagya and the subtlety between Ishwar and Jeev, Shri Ram elucidates Bhakti while underlining i
- Posted: December 23, 2024
- Updated: 03:11 am
T Ram Sewak
BHAKTI RAS
After delineating Maya, Gyan, Vairagya and the subtlety between Ishwar and Jeev, Shri Ram elucidates Bhakti while underlining its ease and simplicity in Shri Ramcharitmanas (3.16), resonating with Shri Krishna's explanation of Bhakti Yoga in Gita (chapter 12).
"Jatey begi dravaun main bhai, so mum bhagati bhagat sukhadai".
"That which melts MY heart quickly, dear brother, is devotion (Bhakti), which is the delight of MY devotees (bhakts)".
What great simplicity, even in the definition! Shri Ram outlines that bhakti transcends being a mere ritual; it is that sincere love and devotion that has the power to touch the heart of the Divine. What truly matters is whether one's actions, thoughts, and words have reached HIS heart. Bhakti's essence lies in the warmth of love that it generates. If this love fails to kindle HIS heart or does not bring bountiful happiness to the bhakt, then something crucial is amiss. Bhakti brings pure joy and the ultimate bliss for the bhakt, the Amrit Varsha (rain of the divine elixir) signifying the pinnacle of the spiritual journey.
Bhakti is an emotion, both for the bhakt and the Aaradhya; it is no action or spiritual practice. For the bhakt, it is his endless love for HIM. For HIM, bhakti is the emotion that moves HIM. Here, Shri Ram underscores HIS sagun sakar avatar, for the nirgun nirakar Brahm has no emotion, and mirrors Shri Krishna's declaration in Gita 12.3-4 that those who are devoted to the Unmanifest (nirakar) also reach HIM (sakar).
We understand love as a meeting of minds/hearts in worldly affairs. Bhakti is much beyond that. It is the highest form of love (prem). Immense, intense, incessant blissful love and devotion (shraddha) for HIM. The infinite yearning for HIM, for merging in HIM. It is the union of the bhakt's Self (Atma) with his Aaradhya, the Supreme (Paramatma). There is othing beyond it. / DAILY WORLD /
Namami Ramam Musings-45
The author is a former electrical Engineer and resides in the Himalayas. He can be occasionally reached at ramam.namami@gmail.com
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